Calendar of Events
Friday, April 11, 2025
UT Arboretum Society: Spring Plant Sale
Category: Festivals, special events, Free event and Science, nature
The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s 57th Spring Plant Sale will take place on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th. The public sale will be held on Saturday, April 12th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. (Hwy. 62) in Oak Ridge. The Society’s “Members Only” sale will be on Friday evening, April 11th from 4-7 p.m.
Society memberships or membership renewals may be purchased on Friday evening for this “early bird” shopping opportunity. By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of our beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted. You may also join UTAS online before the sale.
The three vendors for the sale are Tennessee Naturescapes from Clinton, Riverdale Nursery from Knoxville, and East Fork Nursery from Sevierville. Tennessee Naturescapes is an all-native plant nursery and will be offering a varied selection of all native shrubs, small trees, grasses, and perennials. Riverdale Nursery will feature a variety of harder to find shrubs and small trees for landscaping, perennials, annuals, and vines as well as culinary herbs, vegetable starts, berries and brambles. East Fork Nursery of Sevierville, one of the premier native azalea growers in the country, will be bringing a wide selection of those azaleas and also offers an array of unusual conifers. These three vendors offer something for everyone!
UT Arboretum Society members will be on hand to help answer questions. Red wagons will be available to help load plants.
The UT Arboretum Society celebrates its 60 anniversary in 2025. To learn more about the UT Arboretum Society, go to www.utarboretumsociety.org.
The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. It is one of the ten University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout Tennessee. The Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT Herbert College of Agriculture, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension offices, with locations in every county in the state.
Bijou Theatre: Trae Crowder
Category: Comedy
Comedian Trae Crowder: Just Me and Y'all! at the Bijou Theatre, Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:00PM.
Tickets at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B006110A2BB66B2
Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information/tickets: 865-522-0832, https://knoxbijou.org/
Tennessee Theatre: Bored Teachers
Category: Comedy
BORED TEACHERS: THE STRUGGLE IS REAL COMEDY TOUR, Friday, April 11, 7:30 PM at the Tennessee Theatre.
Bored Teachers are BACK with all new material on their "The Struggle is
Real!" Comedy Tour. For years, Bored Teachers Studios has brought a
sense of humor to teachers around the world to ease their daily struggle in
the classroom. They've amassed over a billion views on their viral videos
on social media, over 10 million followers, and the #1 ranked teacher-
comedy podcast -- #6 of all Stand Up Comedy shows on Apple Podcasts.
Since 2022, Bored Teachers has been selling out comedy clubs and major
theatres across 49 states, bringing laughter to over 150,000 teachers
throughout the school year and has become the main event to attend in all
of teacher world. Even non-teacher fans have reviewed it as one of the
funniest stand up shows they've ever seen! The Bored Teachers Show is a
comedy powerhouse that anyone who's ever been in a classroom can
relate to.
Please note that PG-13 language is used during some sets.
Tickets at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B006164AAE01EE4
Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com
Jubilee Community Arts: Mama Said String Band
Category: Music
Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 522-5851 or concerts@jubileearts.org
Based out of Louisville Kentucky, Mama Said String Band is a four-piece collection of songwriters & players, David O’Neal, Katie “Didit” Caudill, Kaitlen Farmer, and Kris Potts. Each member brings a unique perspective with backgrounds spanning multiple cultures, genres, and styles. Together they draw influences from Bluegrass, Folk and Americana while focusing on vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation to build an eclectic, eurythmic melody and tactfully delivered message.
Tickets available at TicketLeap (https://jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com), by mail or at the door 30 minutes prior to show. $20 at the door, $15 General Audience Advance, $14 JCA members, students & seniors 65+
Gallery 1010: Max Edmonds
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
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.
UT School of Art: MFA Thesis Exhibitions, Group 2
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
In partial fulfillment of their graduation requirements, students pursuing the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree are required to mount a solo exhibition of work. Due to the number of graduate students enrolled in the UT School of Art, these exhibitions generally take the form of small groups of students presenting concurrent solo exhibitions in the gallery space.
Exhibiting artists: Kaitlyn Anderson, Kyle Cottier, Hannah Langer, Ruchi Singh
Tri-Star Arts: Featuring Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi & Meg White
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
MAIN GALLERY
Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi — Apr. 4 - Jun. 21, 2025 / reception Apr. 4, 2025
PROJECT SPACE
Meg White — Apr. 4 - Jun. 21, 2025 / reception Apr. 4, 2025
Tri-Star Arts at Candoro Marble Building, 4450 Candora Drive, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-5. Information: https://tristararts.org/visit
Art Market Gallery: Carol Quinn and Patrick Deason
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
First Friday Reception: April 4th, 5:30 - 9 pm
April Featured Artists
Carol Quinn, Mixed Media
Carol has painted and exhibted since the late 1980’s, mostly in the Southeast. She has also been in exhibitions in
NYC through World Fine Art Gallery, Ariel Gallery, and Abney Gallery. Carol is inspired by nature and the local beauty of her local area, as well as the psychological processes that create this inspiration. She has been a member of Art Market Gallery since 2018. In the last few years Carol has participated in many solo and group shows in the Knoxville area. Carol was educated at the University of Tennessee (BS, MS, and PhD.) in Human Ecology. She began painting in the early 80’s as a watercolorist painting mostly nature, and rapidly moved into various mixed media, larger creations, and more abstraction in design. Her work consists of self-exploration and experimentation with different mediums, and the passion of exploring color and textures.
Patrick Deason, Sculpture
Patrick's art in metal grew out of other interests. His skills are self-taught and many of the tools he uses to shape metal were made by him. Patrick spent a large part of his career on the coastal waters of Georgia and Florida, hence the many marine related pieces. His whimsical works are intended to bring smiles and curiosity. Patrick's studio is in a house in the woods he shares with his wife, two dogs, and a very talkative parrot.
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
Arts & Culture Alliance: No Bigger Than a Breadbox
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
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.
No Bigger Than a Breadbox – Biennial Small Works Show in the upper gallery
The Arts & Culture Alliance’s fourth biennial juried exhibition features selected works from 48 artists throughout the region. The exhibition was designed to celebrate the innovation of artists who create work on a small scale (under 12”) and in a broad range of media and styles. Over $1,500 in cash awards will be announced at a brief awards ceremony at 5:30 PM on Friday, April 4 with remarks from the juror, Julie Lohnes.
Exhibiting artists include:
+ Mary Burk Smith of Wallingford, CT
+ Ashley Helton of Cleveland, GA
+ JoEl Levy Logiudice of Ashland City, TN
+ Terri Jordan of Clarksville, TN
+ Thomas Neckvatal of Crossville, TN
+ Brent Quarles of Jefferson City, TN
+ Sally Brogden, Jordan Butzine, Raeus Cannon, Heather Casteel, Victor Costantino, Rachel Sevier Dallery, Landin Eldridge, Drew Ellis, Shannon Ferguson, Gordon Fowler, Deana Fulton, J. Leigh Garcia, Karen Hall, Drew Justice, Hannah Jun Langer, Ashton Ludden, Shelley Mangold, Paulina Marchant, Sara Blair McNally, Sonja Oswalt, Amber Purdy, Rebecca Robinson, Robin Rohwer, Adam Rowe, and Chloe I. Wack of Knoxville, TN
+ Steven McQuilkin of Lenoir City, TN
+ Bernard R. Sizemore II and Lois Trader of Loudon, TN
+ Betty Bullen of Luttrell, TN
+ Brooke Holmes of Maryville, TN
+ Yvonne Dalschen, Garrett Durland, Lynn Fisher, and Robert Grassel of Oak Ridge, TN
+ Shana Goethals of Sevierville, TN
+ Carra Artis of Seymour, TN
+ Suzette McCauley of Townsend, TN
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.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley: Seasons of Change
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event and Kids, family
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.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley: Seasons of Change in the Atrium
Seasons of Change embraces the vibrant artwork of young artists from the Youth Arts Initiative Program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. Through classes and workshops, these young creatives are encouraged to explore and grow in their artistic practice. Featured in the exhibit are a diverse range of works, including fiber arts, ceramics, photography, and more. Each piece reflects the theme of change, inviting students to reflect on their personal experiences of transformation.
Over the course of several months, students have honed new skills and built confidence, often working in art forms they are discovering for the first time. We are proud to share the art created by our talented students and celebrate their journey as emerging artists within our community. For more information, visit www.bgctnv.org
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.
Arts & Culture Alliance: Jack Retterer – POETOGRAPHY; Blending Poetry and Photography
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event and Literature, spoken word, writing
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.
Jack Retterer – POETOGRAPHY; Blending Poetry and Photography on the North wall
POETAGRAPHY … Blending poetry and photography. On the surface, poetry and photography appear to be two very different and unrelated art forms. But, as legitimate arts forms, they have much in common. Both help us explore, communicate and understand the human experience. Both can bring our deepest emotions to the surface. They can also help us recognize how we are all more alike than different. As an artist, poet and photographer, my biggest challenge is maintaining a balance in my Poetagraphy creations so that the poetry is not just a caption nor is the image simply an illustration. Each poem and image must be able to stand on its own, and when presented together, create a new and more complete emotional experience beyond what either can accomplish alone.
Originally from the Chicago area, Jack Retterer was introduced to photography at age 16. Early education came from a combination of trial and error and self-study of photography by Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Dorothea Lange, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Yosef Karsh and others. He later took classes at the Chicago School of Photography. Frequent attendance at workshops, photography club seminars and conferences helped further his skills. Before moving to Tennessee, Retterer taught photography at Benedictine University in Naperville, IL; currently, he teaches Fine Art Photography at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is active as a teacher and speaker for art and photography groups, and his work has sold and received recognition in numerous Tennessee venues. His present and past professional affiliations and memberships include Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographer of East Tennessee, Tennessee Artists Association, Arts & Culture Alliance, Art Market Gallery, Art Guild of Fairfield Glade, Tellico Village Art Guild, Foothills Craft Guild, and the Tennessee Poetry Society. He has served on the boards of artist and photography associations in both Tennessee and Illinois. For more information, visit jackrettererphotography.com
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.
Arts & Culture Alliance: Roberta Smashey: Birds and the Bees
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
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.