Calendar of Events
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Ewing Gallery: 78th Annual Student Art Competition
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
Reception | Thursday, January 23, 5-7pm with awards at 6pm
Begun in 1947 by C. Kermit Ewing, founder of The University of Tennessee School of Art, the annual student exhibition has become one of the oldest competitions in the country and one of the highlights of the Ewing Gallery’s exhibition season. This competition has been an outlet for UT’s talented students for 78 years.
This year’s exhibition was juried by William Downs.
https://ewing-gallery.utk.edu/78th-annual-student-art-competition/
Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: M-F 10-5, Sun 1-4. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu
Gallery 1010: Nolan Steil - The view from an airplane window
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
A post-impressionist look through a window in the sky. Paintings by Nolan Steil
Gallery 1010, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 114, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Reception Thu 5-7 PM, Sat 10 AM – 1 PM, or by appointment. Information: https://gallery1010.utk.edu/
Gallery 1010 is a contemporary art exhibition space located at 100 S. Gay Street in Suite 114 of the Emporium Center of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. As one of three University of Tennessee School of Art galleries, Gallery 1010 is the only fully student-run, non-profit, off-campus exhibition space in the state of Tennessee. The mission of Gallery 1010 is to provide space for the School of Art students of the University of Tennessee to experiment and develop new ideas while gaining educational gallery experience in professional standards and practices.
Tomato Head: Exhibition by Cheri Jorgenson - A Retrospective
Category: Culinary arts, food, Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
Artwork created over twenty years at The State Botanical Garden of Tennessee in Knoxville
January 20 - March 2, 2025 • Tomato Head @ 12 Market Square
Greet the Artist: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 4:30-5:30pm
Tomato Head Market Square hours are: M-R 11am-9pm; F 11am-10pm, Sat 10:30-10pm, Sun 10:30am-9pm
Artist Statement: Since co-founding COMMA Art Group in 2004, I have been going weekly each summer for "plein air" art creation at the University of Tennessee Gardens. Our group has had art shows over the years at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, the Phoenix Building, Fountain City Art Center and Ijams Nature Center, as well as exhibiting individually. We celebrated our 20th anniversary this past summer. This retrospective is a sample of work created over the years. Typically, each year I would choose a theme for that summer’s work, which might include media, techniques and subject matter. UT Gardens offers a wide variety of subjects and has changed over the years, so it’s always an adventure to see what each summer offers.
Bio: Cheri Jorgenson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alabama and a Masters of Science in Art Education from the University of Tennessee. She originally was a graphic designer, working for the Knoxville International Energy Exposition, Tennessee Valley Authority, and in her own design firm, among others. She was an art educator for Knox County Schools for 20 years, and retired from the L&N STEM Academy in 2020. She was the 2012 Tennessee Art Educator of the Year, the 2020 Tennessee National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year, and was the 2021 National Sponsor. In 2004, she co-founded COMMA, a plein air group that meets weekly at UT Gardens, with shows in The Phoenix Building, Fountain City Art Center, Ijams Nature Center and TVUUC Gallery. She also shows her work in local competitions and shows. Ms. Jorgenson lives in South Knoxville with her husband in a very old farmhouse surrounded by natural habitat captured in another series.
Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) in Knoxville. https://thetomatohead.com/
Bijou Theatre Gallery: Featuring Patsy Ferrell White
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
Patsy White's exhibit celebrates Knoxville’s vibrant arts scene through her stunning acrylic-on-canvas portraits and figurative works. The subjects of her paintings include a remarkable lineup of Knoxville’s prominent artists, musicians, and cultural figures, each carefully rendered to honor their contributions to the community.
This exclusive reception offers media attendees the unique opportunity to preview the exhibit and engage directly with Patsy White to explore the inspirations and stories behind her artwork.
The exhibit includes portraits of the following notable Knoxville figures:
• Kelsey Bentley – French horn, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (@kelshbentley)
• Suzanne Cada & Liza Zenni – Arts and Culture Alliance (@artsandculturealliance)
• Chih-Long Hu – Master pianist, University of Tennessee
• Evelyn Jack – Vocalist (@evelynjack681)
• Cynthia Markert – Visual artist/painter (@cynthiamarkert)
• Brian K. McQuain – Photographer (@briankmcquain)
• Nick Moran – Tattoo artist (@nickjmoran)
• Dana Plasencia Nies – Filmmaker (@dplasencia @think_draft)
• Charlie Pogue – Visual artist/painter
• Aaron White – Stylist, fashion director, runway producer (@theaaronwhiteproject)
Patsy Ferrell White is a self-taught fine art painter based in Knoxville, TN. Her unique process—freehand without digital aids or tracing—imbues her works with authenticity and emotion. Each painting reflects her passion for portraiture and her commitment to exploring personal and social themes. Patsy’s work has earned recognition in regional and international shows, including being a finalist in the Art Elevated competition in Manhattan, NYC. Her art has been featured in Artist Closeup, an international art magazine. Learn more about Patsy Ferrell White at ferrellwhitecreative.com or follow her on Instagram at @ferrellwhitecreative.
This exhibit will be available for viewing by Bijou Theatre patrons during its run.
Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-522-0832, https://knoxbijou.org/
Dogwood Arts: Aggregate by Amber Purdy & Carol McCreary
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
123 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville
First Friday Feb 7, 5-8PM
123 W. Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
Regular Gallery Hours: M-F | 10AM-5PM
Exhibition on Display January 10th - February 21st
Amber Purdy creates unique collage and mixed media pieces that blend vintage materials, nature themes and scraps of ephemera into enigmatic new images. Her designs usually begin with old books, papers or photographs that she has spent years collecting. She enjoys the creative challenge of combining images and materials in an often serendipitous way, carefully cutting and pasting her pieces together by hand. Bits of painted paper, ink, pencil marks and old writing suggest a story in some pieces, while other works are comprised of a ‘dream jumble’ of imagery: buildings, figures, florals and animals. Her work often references nature, dreams, memories and the ever present link between the past and the present.
www.fieldandsky.com
Instagram: @fieldandsky
WDVX: Blue Plate Special & The Big Plate
Category: Free event, Kids, family and Music
The WDVX Blue Plate Special is a live performance radio show held at noon at Visit Knoxville (301 S. Gay Street) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with your host Red Hickey… and on Saturday with host Sean McCollough. On Fridays WDVX takes the Blue Plate Special to Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria (200 E Jackson Ave) for “The Big Plate”. Make yourself at home as part of the WDVX family at this this daily free concert series. From blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, rockabilly to hillbilly, local to international, it’s all part of the live music experience on The WDVX Blue Plate Special.
All seats are free, and visitors may come and go as they please.
Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com
Clayton Center for the Arts: Marc Burnett Exhibit
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
Discover selected works by local artist Marc Burnett in our DENSO and La Dolce Vita galleries.
Visit Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm or before and during any Clayton Center performances.
Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com
Westminster Presbyterian Church Schilling Gallery: Woven Together
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
A group show featuring work by Lauren Farkas, Lauren Adams, Lyndsey Ullom, Hanna Seggerman, Hannah Hancock, Mack Hickey, Andrew Godwin, Andrea McCulley, and Amber Rountree
Artist's discussion/talk after service on February 9 at 12:15
Westminster Presbyterian Church Schilling Gallery, 6500 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-R 9-4, Fri 9-12. Information: (865) 584-3957 or www.wpcknox.org
Union Ave Books: Upcoming Events
Category: Festivals, special events, Free event and Literature, spoken word, writing
This month, we’re kicking the year off with a midnight release, author meet-and-greets, and much more. Keep reading for all the details and mark your calendars!
Katie Holt - This event will take place on January 5 at 3:00pm at the bookstore. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!
Adam Rosenbaum - This event will take place on January 15 at 3:00pm at the bookstore. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!
Join us on January 20th from 10 PM to 1 AM for a night shrouded in intrigue and excitement at the Onyx Storm Midnight Release! Immerse yourself in the captivating world of The Empyrean series as you embark on a thrilling adventure filled with riddles, puzzles, and clues hidden throughout the store. Secure your tickets now and step into a world of magic and mystery!
Andrew K. Clark - This event will take place on January 26 at 3:00pm at the bookstore. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!
Jessi Gold - This event will take place on January 29 at 6:00pm at the East Tennessee History Center. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!
Billy Collins - Friends of Music and the Arts, The Episcopal Church of the Ascension and Union Ave Books are excited to present Billy Collins for Water, Water. This ticketed event will take place on Thursday, January 30th at 7:30pm at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension. Doors will open at 6:30pm and a book signing will follow the reading. Purchase Tickets
Union Ave Books, 517 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-951-2180, www.unionavebooks.com
UT Downtown Gallery: My Memory is a Machine - Ambrose Rhapsody Murray
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
MY MEMORY IS A MACHINE - AMBROSE RHAPSODY MURRAY
FIRST FRIDAYS | JANUARY 3, FEBRUARY 7, 5-9PM
Come meet the artist as part of the February 7th First Friday Art Walk.
Ambrose Rhapsody Murray (she/they) is a self-taught artist with roots in Florida and Asheville, NC. Through sewing, painting, material experimentation, film, and collaborative projects, they create stories to investigate our relationships to the colonial undercurrents of our lives, the charged symbology of black feminine bodies, and the ephemeral and layered qualities of memory and remembering. Ambrose received their Bachelor’s from Yale University, and was recently selected as Forbes 30 under 30 in the 2024 Art section. Their work lives in the permanent collection of The Studio Museum in Harlem and the Montclair Art Museum, and has exhibited across the US and abroad.
This exhibition and programming is co-sponsored by The Pride Center and generously supported by UT’s Office of Multicultural Student Life; Women, Gender, and Sexuality; The Department of Geography and Sustainability, and Africana Studies.
UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 11-6, Sa 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, https://downtown.utk.edu
Art Market Gallery: Featuring New Members
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
New members of 2024 will be featured during the month of January! A First Friday opening reception for the “New Members” exhibit is planned from 5:30-9pm, January 3rd, with complimentary refreshments and music.
New members:
Kimberly Collins - photography
Bonnie Colonna - fiber
Katharine Emlen - photography
Robin Ford - fiber
Paul Morris - wood
Katherine Schmoeller - fiber
Amber Purdy - drawing (2nd medium)
Claire Bodnaruk - glass
Christine Westbrook - painting
Deborah Etheredge - painting
Steven Varga - metal
Julie Boisseau-Craig - clay (3rd medium)
Alessandra Sutter Page - painting
The Art Market Gallery is a juried cooperative of over 50 East Tennessee artists dedicated to providing a vibrant marketplace for original art and fine crafts.
Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net, www.Facebook.com/ArtMarketGallery
The Arrowmont Gallery & Marketplace: A Penny in Your Pocket
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
A Penny in Your Pocket: National Juried Exhibition, Part I
Opening reception: January 3, 5:00-9:00pm
Carrying a penny in your pocket into the new year is alleged to bring good fortune and prosperity. Kicking off the 2025 Arrowmont Gallery exhibition calendar, this exhibition explores interpretations of superstition. Held in two parts, Part I will be in January, opening to the public on First Friday, January 3rd, and Part II will be on view in February beginning First Friday, February 7th.
Juried by Rachel K. Garceau, Part I features work by the following artists: Celena Amburgey, Priscilla Bañuelos, Brittani Brown, Cindy Cheng, Jessika Edgar, Casey Engel, Noah Kiehne, M. Kobe, Lisa Kurtz, Ashlee Mays, Alena Mehic, Sung Eun Park, Kaleena Stasiak, Stacy Tabb, Scott Thorp, Sara Torgison, Hanna Washburn, Josh Winkler, Juanita Wyatt, Ashleigh York and Valerie Zimany.
The Arrowmont Gallery & Marketplace, 110 S Gay St. Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery hours: Wed-Thu 10-5, Fri 2-9, Sat 12-5. Information: (865) 436-7511, https://arrowmont.org/galleries