Calendar of Events

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville opening on Friday, March 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Sarrenna, Travis Bigwood and Nicholas Horner.

Hannah Doss, influenced by a strong artistic heritage on her mother’s side, pursued her BFA at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. There she explored diverse mediums such as bookbinding, sculpture, printmaking, painting and pouring bronze sculpture in London. She later earned her MBA and now channels her expertise into teaching through her business, Mountain Mama’s Art & Adventure, where she offers classes in painting, jewelry making, and crafting.

Doss’s latest body of work reflects a renewed journey of learning and discovery, inspired by a fascination with resin techniques she encountered in a recent class. Hannah’s art predominantly explores wildlife, nature, and portraiture, inviting viewers to pause and savor the intricate beauty of life’s small details. Works are created upon ceramic tile, with the vibrancy in color coming from hand painted alcohol inks and sumi ink on vintage tracing paper. Metallic leaf is then added, as well as glitter, and then it is coated in resin.

mountainmamasartandadventure.com

The exhibitions will be on display March 7-30, 2025 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 10-1. Additional hours: Tue Mar 11, 6-9 PM (jazz performance); Fri Mar 14, 9 AM – 7 PM (Gallery 1010 opening); BIG EARS WEEKEND: Wed-Thu Mar 26-27, 9 AM – 9 PM; Fri-Sat Mar 28-29, 10 AM – 9 PM; Sun Mar 30, 10 AM – 8 PM. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see 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, March 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Sarrenna, Travis Bigwood and Nicholas Horner.

Deb Cikovic is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey has evolved from digital design into a diverse and tactile exploration of artistic expression. With a background in graphic design and web development, she has seamlessly transitioned her technical skills into a rich practice that includes unique epoxy guitar art, handbuilt pottery, and oil and acrylic painting. Entirely self-taught, Cikovic’s work is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a passion for pushing the boundaries of her materials. For this exhibition, her epoxy guitar art transforms musical instruments into striking visual statements, merging functionality with bold, dynamic resin designs. Beyond her artistic practice, Cikovic is deeply committed to fostering creativity within her community. She teaches her techniques locally, sharing her knowledge to inspire others and encourage creative exploration. Through her work, she aims to create visually compelling pieces and cultivate a deeper appreciation for art as a form of connection and self-expression. Deb Cikovic’s art is a testament to her lifelong pursuit of learning and creativity, from intricate resin embellishments to earthy ceramics and expressive paintings. Her ability to blend multiple disciplines results in a diverse and deeply personal body of work, continually evolving as she explores new artistic frontiers.

Learn more at https://ybcreatives.com, on Instagram @ybcreatives and on Facebook at facebook.com/YBCreativesKnox

The exhibitions will be on display March 7-30, 2025 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 10-1. Additional hours: Tue Mar 11, 6-9 PM (jazz performance); Fri Mar 14, 9 AM – 7 PM (Gallery 1010 opening); BIG EARS WEEKEND: Wed-Thu Mar 26-27, 9 AM – 9 PM; Fri-Sat Mar 28-29, 10 AM – 9 PM; Sun Mar 30, 10 AM – 8 PM. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see 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, March 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Sarrenna, Travis Bigwood and Nicholas Horner.

This new group exhibition includes artwork by members of A1LabArts, Inc., a nonprofit, Knoxville-based artists’ organization observing its 30th year of continuous activity in 2025. Throughout A1LabArts’ existence, its members (a rotating cast) have supported and engaged in a variety of creative work, including visual art in two and three dimensions; time-based art such as video, performance art, theater, written and spoken word; music; dance; multi-media events and more. Members have organized and taken part in a wide range of exhibitions, performances, workshops and classes, discussion groups, collaborations with other individual members as well as other organizations, participation in community events, and other activities, some of which are difficult to categorize and some of which have become legendary.

The current show's theme of “Creativity and Community” goes to the heart of A1LabArts’ nature that encourages each member artist to address the theme to whatever extent, and by whatever means of expression, they see fit. Over the years, A1LabArts has tried many different things and has, along with its membership, naturally changed. Hundreds of creative people have been members at one time or another, and new members are always welcome. A1 continues to change and to explore creativity and community in many ways. In a sense, A1 is an ongoing, developing work of long-term performance art in itself. Learn more at A1LabArts.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/A1LabArts and on Instagram @A1LabArts

The exhibitions will be on display March 7-30, 2025 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 10-1. Additional hours: Tue Mar 11, 6-9 PM (jazz performance); Fri Mar 14, 9 AM – 7 PM (Gallery 1010 opening); BIG EARS WEEKEND: Wed-Thu Mar 26-27, 9 AM – 9 PM; Fri-Sat Mar 28-29, 10 AM – 9 PM; Sun Mar 30, 10 AM – 8 PM. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see 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, March 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Sarrenna, Travis Bigwood and Nicholas Horner.

Born and raised in Chattanooga, Wayne White has used his memories of the South to create inspired works for film, television and the fine art world. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, White traveled to New York City where he worked as an illustrator for the East Village Eye, The New York Times, Raw Magazine and The Village Voice. In 1986, he became an Emmy-winning designer for his work on the hit television show “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.” He has also worked in the music video industry, winning Billboard and MTV Music Video awards as an art director for seminal music videos, including the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight” and Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time”.

For almost 40 years, White has been unleashing humor in all aspects of his career. His most successful artworks have been his word paintings, which feature oversized, three-dimensional text painstakingly integrated into vintage landscape reproductions. The message of the paintings is often thought-provoking and almost always humorous, with White commenting on vanity, ego and his memories of the South. Instagram @waynewhiteart

This exhibition is one of four special exhibitions of visual art on display in downtown Knoxville during the month of March as part of the Big Ears 2025 festival weekend (March 27-30): bigearsfestival.org

The exhibitions will be on display March 7-30, 2025 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 10-1. Additional hours: Tue Mar 11, 6-9 PM (jazz performance); Fri Mar 14, 9 AM – 7 PM (Gallery 1010 opening); BIG EARS WEEKEND: Wed-Thu Mar 26-27, 9 AM – 9 PM; Fri-Sat Mar 28-29, 10 AM – 9 PM; Sun Mar 30, 10 AM – 8 PM. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

Showcasing the talent of student artists ages 15 - 21 in our. Guests will vote for their favorite piece on First Friday -- top three winners will get cash prizes.

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

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

Opening Friday, March 7 from 6-8

Casey Field is a portrait and figurative artist who lives and works in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her work blends contemporary sensibilities with classical techniques. She will be presenting the vibrancy of her studio walls to Awaken Coffee with a mixture of color studies and drawings alongside more fully refined paintings.

Please join us for some amazing art and of course great coffee!

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Open daily. Information: 865-951-0427, www.instagram.com/awaken_coffee or www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/

Presented by The Standford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School

Violins of Hope is a collection of over 50 violins that survived the Holocaust, played by Jewish musicians in ghettos, concentration camps, and even as symbols of resistance. Each violin, lovingly restored by Israeli master violin maker Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshalom, carries a powerful story of resilience and survival. These instruments bear witness to the indomitable spirit of their owners, whose music defied the darkness of one of history’s most tragic periods. The Violins of Hope project will feature performances, exhibitions, and educational programs that celebrate the enduring power of music and the human spirit. Through these events, communities will come together to reflect on the past and inspire a future rooted in hope, acceptance, and unity. Join us as we honor these extraordinary instruments and the stories they tell.

*A Big Ears 2025 Exhibition (one of four very special exhibitions of visual art on display during the festival weekend (Mar 27-30) and during the month leading up to it. Extended hours TBA.

Digital Motif, 108 S Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. (865) 214-6367 or https://digitalmotif.com/

Knoxville artist Jean Hess offers a kaleidoscopic selection of work that ranges from celestial, to playful, to poignant. Starry skies and planetary motion. Plants, animals and gems. Appalachian coal miners, lost cultures and maps of lost lands. Hess works with socio-historical data, found artifacts and ephemera that enable her to invoke complex stories.

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

Bennett, 5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-Sa 10-5:30. Information: 865-584-6791, https://bennetthome.com/

Fountain City Art Center is celebrating 20 years of art education. Join us for an exhibit of students' works.

Opening Feb 21, 6:30-8 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

MAIN GALLERY
A solo show, Under The Branches, featuring recent work by artist Jered Sprecher (Knoxville, TN) opens Tuesday, January 28 and will run through Saturday, March 29, 2025. Curator: Brian R. Jobe.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 5:00—8:00 pm (artist in attendance). There will be an artist talk given by Sprecher beforehand on January 31 from 3:30—4:30pm.

Jered Sprecher is an artist who makes paintings, drawings, and installations that abstract the landscape to explore the precarious relationship between nature and technology. His work wrestles with the beauty and complexity of the environment and how we as humans interact with the world around us both directly and mediated through technology. He received his BA from Concordia University and his MFA from The University of Iowa. Sprecher has exhibited at The Drawing Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Des Moines Art Center, Hunter Museum, Asheville Art Museum, and Espai d'art Contemporani de Castelló. He has had solo exhibitions at Jeff Bailey Gallery, New York; Gallery 16, San Francisco; Steven Zevitas Gallery, Boston; Kinkead Contemporary, Los Angeles; Whitespace, Atlanta; Ferrara Showman, New Orleans; and the Knoxville Museum of Art. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Bailey Opportunity Grant, and a Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. Sprecher has been awarded residencies at the Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation, the Chinati Foundation, The American Academy in Rome, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. He is a Professor at the School of Art at the University of Tennessee. He lives and works in Knoxville, Tennessee.

PROJECT SPACE
My Art Is Fine, My Art Is Craft by Melissa Everett (Knoxville, TN) opens Tuesday, January 28 and will run through Saturday, March 29, 2025. This show is located within the unique architectural space of a narrow wooden stairwell. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 5:00—8:00 pm (artist in attendance).

Melissa Everett is a self-taught quilter, textile artist, and caregiver living in Knoxville, TN. She received her BS from the University of Tennessee in Therapeutic Recreation in 2005. The philosophies of play permeate her process and journey as an artist. Her work is energized by textures, simple lines and shapes created by the human hand, rooted in tradition but continually pushing for freedom – and embracing imperfection. She creates surface pattern designs on natural fibers by utilizing fiber-reactive dyes, textile pigments and the traditions of quilt making. Each dyed, painted or printed textile, a unique piece of art, is often cut and deconstructed to be reconciled into a new work. Everett’s work has been exhibited in national and local shows including QuiltCon, Houston International Quilt Festival, McGhee Tyson’s Art in the Airport. She has also been published in QuiltFolk and Quilt Now magazines. Melissa was born and raised in the mountains of Waynesville, NC where craft, improvising and resourcefulness were a way of life for mountain folk; these values carry through her work and connect her to her ancestors.

Tri-Star Arts at Candoro Marble Building, 4450 Candora Drive, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-5. Information: https://tristararts.org/visit

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/