Calendar of Events

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville opening on Friday, November 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM.

Allen Monsarrat’s college education began with three years of training in architecture and concluded with his BFA (concentration in pottery). His first art career was as a studio potter for 25 years, followed by careers in decorative wall finishes, faux painting and the occasional mural project. Studying trompe l’oiel (fool the eye) imagery with French master artist Michel Nadai nurtured his interest in creating representational art. In 2009 he turned his attention to fine art painting in oils, concentrating on photorealism – paintings intended to look like photographs.

I am drawn to representational art and enjoy the problem-solving required to depict various surfaces in paint: stone, pastures, foliage, water, sky, etc. Working from photographs allows me to carefully design my composition as well as control the value range of lights to darks. Once these are established, color comes into play. In early 2024, I started using soft pastels as a means of interpreting scenes, and my art has become more expressive, revealing the marks that build an image. Pastel sticks, made of powdered pigment and binder much like a crayon, are clunky to use but allow me to achieve a range of effects, from delicate and subtle to bold and expressive. www.monsarratart.com

The exhibitions will be on display November 1-30, 2024 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29, for the holidays. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at https://www.knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see https://www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville opening on Friday, November 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM.

John Edwin May has documented people with "ink", creating beautiful portraits and photographs of their favorite tattoos. When exhibited, an outer quad of large monochromatic portraits is displayed with four smaller interior color images of tattoos. Viewers are encouraged to guess which tattoo belongs to the correct owner. May hopes that the process of making assumptions that sometimes prove incorrect will help us all to be more accepting of one another. “Years ago, in the development of the project, the world was a calmer place,” he says. “Today, many people are on edge, and it seems we cannot discuss religion, politics, medical beliefs, and more without causing hurt or enticing anger.” His exhibition includes QR codes that link the viewer to which tattoo correctly matches with each portrait. Some of the portraits’ QR codes will also include short, documented stories about the tattoos. For an example, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkLqJUYnErc.

John Edwin May is a photographer located in Knoxville. He studied photography at Lincoln Memorial University, University of South Carolina, and East Tennessee State University, where he earned his MFA in 2010. He has held teaching posts at Pellissippi State Community College, Lincoln Memorial University, Walters State Community College, East Tennessee State University, and Arrowmont School of Art. An avid workshop participant, he has studied with Marsha Burns, Mark Goodman, Tim Grey, Christopher James, Brian Kaufman, Mary Ellen Mark, John Sexton, Craig Stevens, and Joyce Tenneson. May’s photographic work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Prior to Judgmental Ink, his interest included photographing small-town wrestling venues with their constructed realities. His RINGSIDE series was named as one of PhotoLucida’s 200 Critical Mass Finalists in 2022. Some of the images in Judgmental Ink premiered in 2023 at Walters State Community College, Morristown.

www.johnemay.net
Instagram @amayzn1

The exhibitions will be on display November 1-30, 2024 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29, for the holidays. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at https://www.knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see https://www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville opening on Friday, November 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM.

This new exhibition features artwork by Beka Addison-Browder, John Hilton, Michelle O’Patick-Ollis and Ralph Slatton. Their diverse array of artistic expressions includes intaglio, relief and screen printing, and drawing, which the four artists use to convey a shared fascination of animal imagery. Their creations are like mirrors, reflecting their lives, dilemmas and journeys. They invite viewers to engage with their own identities, to reflect on the human condition, and to discover the beauty that exists within the interplay of humor, darkness, and imagination.

Ralph Slatton uses the process of intaglio to delve into the realms of humorous animals and sinister creatures, and John Hilton uses drawing media and woodcut processes to create fictitious human/animal hybrids. Both artists use veiled disguises to express profound messages about human identity and the human condition. Beka Addison-Browder and Michelle O’Patick-Ollis create imagery with a feminine touch, depicting flora and fauna. Addison-Browder draws inspiration from the flora and fauna of Appalachia and its heritage handicrafts, using screen and block printing processes on fabric in conjunction with various sewing skills. O-Patick-Ollis is inspired by online personality tests that pair individuals with an animal profile that resonates with their unique traits, and she uses printmaking and drawing processes to create imagery where animals symbolize the essence of their human counterparts. Read more about the artists at https://www.knoxalliance.com/animalimagery.

The exhibitions will be on display November 1-30, 2024 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29, for the holidays. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at https://www.knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see https://www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

This month, we're featuring our Día de los Muertos collaborative exhibit—a vibrant celebration of life, memory, and heritage. Local artists will honor this cherished tradition with powerful artwork and beautifully crafted altars that pay homage to our ancestors. The exhibition debuts on November 1st from 5 PM to 9 PM and will remain available throughout the entire month of November.

https://holahoralatina.org/current-exhibit/

HoLa Hora Latina, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 112, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-335-3358, www.holahoralatina.org

This year’s show theme is "Objects Lost and/or Found". Featuring more than 30 artists show work in various media. https://www.a1labarts.com/events.html

Friday November 1, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- opening reception

RED Gallery, 130 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-524-0146 or https://www.facebook.com/REDgalleryKNOX/

November First Fridays Poetry Night 11/01/2024 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Kids' Book Club 11/02/2024 - 9:00am
A Meet & Greet with Dr. Camden Morgante 11/08/2024 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
An Author Event featuring Wes Blake in conversation with Charles Dodd White 11/10/2024 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Books & Botox 11/12/2024 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Poetry Night with Amber Albritton, Bess Cooley, & Raye Hendrix 11/15/2024 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm
UAB & KCPL Present Storytime Saturdays 11/16/2024 - 11:00am
A Poetry Reading with Didi Jackson, Linda Parsons, & Gabriel Antonio Reed 11/17/2024 - 3:00pm to 4:30pm
An Author Event with A.R. Johnson 11/22/2024 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Union Ave. Books | 517 Union Ave., Knoxville, TN 37902 | 865-951-2180
Monday - Friday: 10AM - 8PM, Saturday: 10AM - 7PM, Sunday: 12PM - 6PM
Mail@UnionAveBooks.Com
https://www.unionavebooks.com/events

UT DOWNTOWN GALLERY | 106 S. GAY ST.
FIRST FRIDAYS | NOVEMBER 1, DECEMBER 6, 5-9PM

William Downs’ artwork explores themes of ambiguity and distortion viewed through repetition and representation of the human body. His drawings reveal “feelings of anxiety, fear, joy, angst” or desire with compositions inspired by Cezanne that appear dream-like or otherworldly. He often depicts “people who train their bodies to do inhuman things like run a marathon or bend and contort their bodies,” in surreal-like, panoramic scenes. Multiple figures are layered with warped perspective, creating contrasting areas of compositional ambiguity and sharp focus.

UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay Street. Hours: W-F: 11am - 6pm, Sat: 10am - 3p. For more information: ewing@utk.edu | https://downtown.utk.edu

The Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) are excited to announce PHOTO EXPO: Lens and Light, a juried exhibition showcasing the creative works of regional photographers at the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA). The exhibit will run from October 25 to December 15, 2024, in the Kramer Gallery, featuring more than 30 juried photographic prints by PPETN members.

“PHOTO EXPO: Lens and Light presents a unique opportunity for our members to showcase their talents in a prestigious venue,” said Jack Retterer. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Knoxville Museum of Art, which shares our commitment to fostering creativity and enriching the community.”

Works for the show were chosen by an independent juror and distinguished Knoxville artist, Dr. Carl Gombert, Professor Emeritus, Maryville College, ensuring a diverse and high-caliber display of photographic artistry. Dr. Gombert has a BFA in Drawing from the University of Akron, an MFA in Painting from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. He has exhibited widely and his work is in numerous public and corporate collections. Since 1993 has taught painting, drawing and art history at Maryville College in Tennessee.

Dr. Gombert’s commented on the PHOTO EXPO ... "... I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in a small way in bringing forth this show. ... All of the work submitted for this exhibition is of a very high quality, and I congratulate every one of the artists who created and submitted work to this show.”

An Artists’ Reception will take place at the KMA on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2 PM, where visitors can meet the photographers and enjoy a closer look at the featured works. Awards for Best of Show, 1st Place, and Artistic Distinction will be presented, celebrating outstanding contributions to the visual arts. Select works will be available for purchase throughout the exhibit. The reception is free and open to the public.

The Professional Photographers of East Tennessee is a collective of talented photographers dedicated to advancing the art and profession of photography. Through education, networking, and collaboration, PPETN supports photographers of all levels in the pursuit of excellence. Learn more at ppetn.com.

The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive and is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.knoxart.org

Juror Anna Fariello selected the artworks for this exhibition, and we are excited to share these 71 remarkable craft artworks, ranging from traditional forms to cutting-edge conceptual pieces, representing artists from Memphis to Johnson City.

An artist reception will be held on Friday, December 13th, where member artists, art collectors & craft enthusiasts from across the state are invited to celebrate the exemplary craft created by 63 Tennessee artists.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, https://www.arrowmont.org

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Free and open to the public
When: Reception Friday, October 11, 2024, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Artist talks at 6:30 p.m.

Gallery hours:
9:30am - 4:30pm Monday through Thursday
9:00am – 1:00pm Sunday
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Gallery
2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

The Three Dames
In the spirit of camaraderie and creativity, Linda Blair, Marcia Shelly and Cheryl Massey come together to exhibit their work. Blair said, “We each lean toward water media, which naturally allows our work to be a cohesive display.” They have exhibited throughout East Tennessee in venues including the Emporium, Plateau Art Gallery (Crossville), Tomato Head restaurants, Awaken Coffee, and Good Samaritan of Crossville.


Greg Howser
Greg Howser is attracted to the exquisiteness of creatures. His work serves as surrogates created from experiences growing up as a Southerner. He creates Märchen narratives about people, places and legends based on local, regional and personal lore. The subjects are anthropomorphic animals or the human form layered with symbolically rich objects commonly found in fairytales. Howser teaches at East Tennessee State University and Northeast State Community College. He is a board member of the Art Depot of Abingdon, Virginia and has exhibited throughout the United States. He has worked in private collections as well as public, international collections.

Historic Downtown Clinton, along with Pearl City Holdings, is hosting a one-of-a-kind indoor Christmas pop up market every Thursday-Saturday in October, November, and December.
At 341 Market Street
https://www.historicdowntownclinton.org/about

The Oak Ridge Art Center's Open Show is a juried mixed-media exhibition open to all artists. It is intended to showcase exceptional work produced throughout our region. Over $4,000 in awards are available. The 2024 juror will be David Underwood, Professor of Art and Director of Exhibitions at Carson­ Newman University.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org