Calendar of Events

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville opening on Friday, April 4, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Robinella and friends.

Roberta Smashey: Birds and the Bees in the display case
Roberta Smashey is a stained glass artist creating both nature-themed and abstract works using the glass foiling technique developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. By utilizing hand-made glass sheets of various colors and textures, she produces dynamic depictions of the beauty found in nature. The variations in artisanal glass give a unique feeling of depth and movement with this challenging medium. Using the Tiffany technique coupled with the beauty of glass and a lifelong study of wildlife, Smashey seeks to evoke appreciation of our natural world in all who view her creations. Whenever possible, she adds antique glass repurposed from old church windows and often incorporates at least one feature made from the older glass. In addition to her glass creations, Smashey is a nationally recognized wildlife artist represented in several museum collections and fine art galleries. Besides using traditional acrylic painting methods, she creates many of her art works using a combination of abstract with pointillism which produces a distinctive texture and appearance and enhances certain textures and colors. Using this technique, she has produced a series of paintings that incorporate Braille messages, and all of the pointillism paintings are meant to be touched.

The exhibitions will be on display April 4-26, 2025 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; Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; and additional hours TBA. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, April 21, for the holiday. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see 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, April 4, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Robinella and friends.

This new collection of 2D works invites viewers to examine the fragmented perspectives of memory. With subtle shifts in color, texture and line, each artist peels back the layered visions of the unseen.

S. Alexandra Simental (b. 1994, West Virginia) is a Mexican American painter and multidisciplinary artist. Through the usage of paint, sound, and installation, she investigates the intersection of art and psychology. In 2021, Simental earned a BFA in visual art, with a specialized focus on sculpture, from Marshall University. She also completed a minor in psychology to delve deep into the complexities of the human experience. After discovering the surreal possibilities with paint in her final year of undergraduate study, Simental embarked on an enriching journey to Alfred University and their joint studio facility in Düsseldorf, Germany. There, she completed an MFA in painting in 2023. Currently, Simental serves as a Studio Technician at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg. Her artwork has been in a multitude of national and international exhibitions. Notably, her work has displayed in the 13th Annual Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition in Beckley, WV and Minimum Capacity in Atlanta, GA. Overseas, her paintings were displayed in Kunst Jetzt Weltweit in Essen, Germany and in CENSOR/SENSOR in Düsseldorf, Germany. For more information, visit studio-simental.com or Instagram @s.alexandra.simental

Carla Taylor is a multi-media artist based in Johnson City. Her practice spans printmaking, textiles, ceramics and collage. She has shown in both solo and group exhibitions, regionally and nationally, notable of which include From These Hills: Contemporary Arts in Southern Appalachian Highlands at the William King Museum in Abingdon, VA and Woman’s Work in Woodstock, IL. In 2023, Carla curated an exhibition titled “Good Grief” featuring 22 artists expressing unique perspectives on loss, which was a part of the Tennessee Triennial. Her work has also been featured in Art Seen Magazine and several editions of the Hand Magazine, a publication dedicated to alternative photographic processes and printmaking techniques. Taylor is currently represented by the Grand Bohemian Gallery in Greenville, SC, and maintains a studio at Atelier 133 in downtown Johnson City. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and a BS in Psychology from John Brown University. For more information, visit carlataylorart.com or Instagram @ctaylor.art

The exhibitions will be on display April 4-26, 2025 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; Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; and additional hours TBA. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, April 21, for the holiday. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

The Arrowmont Gallery & Marketplace: Botanicals: A Showcase of Work from Arrowmont’s Programming Team

Through diverse materials and styles, “Botanicals: A Showcase of Work from Arrowmont’s Programming Team” celebrates nature through a botanical lens, inviting reflection on the interconnectedness of life and the environment. This exhibition features work by Kelly Hider, Mathilde Frances Lind, Lindsay Rogers, Alex Simental, Rebecca Smedley, and Heather F. Wetzel, and is in tandem with the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year Exhibition in the Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery at Arrowmont, featuring the work of Andi Kur.

The opening of “Botanicals: A Showcase of Work from Arrowmont’s Programming Team” at the Arrowmont Gallery will take place on First Friday, April 4th, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM, with select artists present for the event. This exhibition will be on view from April 4-26, 2025.

For more information on this exhibition and others, please visit our site at https://arrowmont.org/galleries/
110 S Gay St. Knoxville, Tennessee 37902 | (865) 436-7511

Including work by Amy Elswick, Ryan J. Greenheck, Marga McBride, Terrafirma Ceramics, Liz Kinder, Ann Mallory, Michael Poness and Lori Katz

5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN 37919
Hours: Mon–Sat, 10am–5:30pm
865-584-6791 or www.bennetthome.com

Join us for First Friday Artwalk on April 4th, 6-9 PM, as we celebrate Cynthia Markert’s new show

A longtime Knoxvillian, Cynthia studied Studio Arts at the University of Tennessee with a minor in Women's Studies. Her gilded, glowing, and brooding works often emerge from dreams, taking shape in layers of rich texture and light. Collectors in Tennessee and beyond have been drawn to the depth and mystery of her pieces, each one a luminous reflection of her unique artistic vision.

See Cynthia's work in person through April or anytime online at www.shoprala.com
112 W Jackson Avenue, Knoxville TN 37902

First Friday, April 4, Opening 5-9pm
Open Gallery Fridays through April, 5-8pm

“If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.”-Edward Hopper

This body of work endeavors to honor the urban landscape, with a particular focus on Knoxville’s Old City. A variety of methods, artistic processes, and subjects are presented, but the aim is singular—to offer an exploration of this corner of downtown. I peeked around corners, stood in doorways, walked sidewalks (and railroad tracks), on a personal scavenger hunt. There is pleasure and surprise in the search; in the seeing, and what I found was new perspectives, tensions, contradictions... the reflection of a scruffy exterior and the pulse of a steady heartbeat within.

About RED Gallery
RED Gallery, at 130 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN, primarily features local and regional artists. The gallery is located in the historic Jackson Atelier building in Knoxville’s Old City. Gallery owner Robin Easter is proud to provide a unique space for Knoxville to experience and enjoy a broad range of visual arts. To learn more about RED Gallery, call 865-524-0146 or email robin@robineaster.com

For more information about the show contact: robertfelkerart@gmail.com

First Fridays Poetry Night - This event will take place on April 4th at 6:00pm at the bookstore.

Rachel Coffman - This event will take place on April 12th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the bookstore.

Heather White - This event will take place on April 15th at 6:00pm at the bookstore.

Bill Haltom - This event will take place on April 25th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the bookstore.

Our next book club will take place on the last Monday of the month at Knox Brew Hub starting at 6:30 pm.
Everyone is welcome.

These are free events. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!
Union Ave Books, 517 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-951-2180, www.unionavebooks.com

It's fun, free, and easy! The Hike-a-Thon is free to register and you can participate from anywhere in the world. This month-long competition in April supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive. https://campaigns.tenngreen.org/event/hike-a-thon2025/

TennGreen Land Conservancy empowers landowners and communities to protect large, connected natural areas that support diversity of life, inspire appreciation of nature, and spark action to protect the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the land that sustains us all. To learn more, visit tenngreen.org.

2025 Featured Dogwood Trails: Holston Hills & Morningside. The Dogwood Trails are open annually from April 1-30th, just in time to showcase the beauty of spring in East Tennessee! Knoxville’s iconic Dogwood Trails date back to 1955 and today cover more than 90 miles in 13 neighborhoods throughout the city. Take a drive, a walk, or a bike ride and enjoy the scenic natural beauty of our region.

No RSVP required. Please email vbaumgartner@dogwoodarts.com or call (865) 637-4561 with questions or concerns.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

The O’Connor Senior Center Artist Trading Card group will be exhibiting recent artwork by its members and other artists at the Fountain City Branch Library from Tuesday, April 1st through Wednesday, April 30th during regular library hours.

Artist Trading Cards are small works of art (2 1/2” X 3 1/2”) of any medium. ATCs began in Switzerland in the 90’s by artist Vanci Stirnman and have become a popular genre of art. ATC groups meet around the world online and in person. The goal is to have fun, create something and connect with others by trading and sharing cards. The O’Connor group meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. The small exhibit of ATCs can be seen at the Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918.

Tim Wiegenstein, Creative Aging Teaching Artist, provides instruction, materials, prompts and creative ideas at the O’Connor Center. No age requirements apply for this program; ATCs are for any age, and intergenerational events are encouraged.

The O’Connor Center is located at 611 Winona Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. For more information, call 865) 523-1135, or email info@oconnorcenter.org

First Friday, 5-8 PM on March 7
Seven Decades in Bloom reflects on the 70-year journey of Dogwood Arts, with an immersive retrospective honoring our rich history, evolution, and impact on the region.

123 W. Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
Regular Gallery Hours: M-F | 10AM-5PM

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