Calendar of Events

The Knoxville Square Dance is back on second Thursdays at the Laurel! No experience or partner is necessary and the atmosphere is casual. (No taps, please.) With live old-time music by The Hellgramites; calling by Stan Sharp, Ruth Simmons and Leo Collins.

Admission: $7 ($5 for students & JCA members). At the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. For information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org. Follow the Knoxville Square Dance on Facebook: www.facebook.com/knoxvillesquaredance

Since 2005 Lee Benson, professor of sculpture and ceramics at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee has worked with his wife Betty, and later their four children, Zach, Aaron, Mary, and Sarah to make sculpture and public works. They work mainly in mixed media, the earth, stone, timber, wood, clay and 24k gold producing large-scale architectural forms as well as figurative, narrative monoliths. Residing across the country, they maintain five studios.

The Bensons have produced works from New York City to Australia and have had wide public recognition. They have also recently developed a relationship with Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity International to use materials used in their sculptures to be repurposed into homes throughout the community.

Also featuring ARTIST LECTURE: LEE BENSON - Thursday FEBRUARY 9th, 7:30PM, ROOM 109, A+A BUILDING - RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY TO FOLLOW IN THE EWING GALLERY

Common Lineage: The Bensons will close at 3PM on Friday, February 10.

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Ewing Gallery Hours: M-W and Fri: 10-5, Thu 10-7, Sun 1-4. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

The KSO Merchant & Gould Concertmaster Series is a unique concert setting with small ensembles performing in the Knoxville Museum of Art’s Great Hall where patrons can see and hear musicians up close. The January installment of Gabriel Lefkowitz & Friends features the well-known “Spring” from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, Bach’s Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor, and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet.

Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz will be joined by his KSO colleagues Claire Chenette, Principal Oboe; Gary Sperl, Principal Clarinet; Gordon Tsai, violin; Sean Claire, violin; Edward Pulgar, violin; Rachel Loeske, violin, Kathryn Gawne, viola; Eunsoon Corliss, viola; Andy Bryenton, cello; Ted Kartal, cello; Steve Benne, bass; Carol Zinavage Shane, keyboard.

At the Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Single tickets are $20 and seating is general admission. They may be purchased at the door, by calling 865-291-3310 or by visiting www.knoxvillesymphony.com.

With the love of art and entertainment it's no wonder that a bottle or two of wine would get involved to create Wine and Canvas! Awesome local artists, great customer service and beautiful surroundings make for an amazing experience that you don't find anywhere else. Sipping your favorite wine or cocktail, letting your inner artist out to create a masterpiece and maybe breaking into song throughout the night is what we have planned for you! Leave your cares at the door and dive in to the paint party! Best part - you take your artwork with you and leave the clean up behind! Local artists in each city inspire and Instruct Wine and Canvas customers step-by-step to create their finished masterpiece. Each location hosts many events monthly with a different featured painting each night. With our step-by-step instruction method customers without a stroke of painting experience are at ease.

Upcoming events:

$35 per session (unless otherwise noted). Wine & Canvas: Knoxville, TN, 865-356-9179, http://www.wineandcanvas.com/knoxville-tn.html

Westminster Presbyterian Church's Schilling Gallery presents photography by Mike Naney and pottery and wood cuts by Eun-Sook Kim.

Westminister Presbyterian Church, 6500 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-F 9-4. Info: (865) 584-3957 or www.wpcknox.org

First Friday at Dogwood Arts with a reception on January 6 - GLASS GUYS :: Dogwood Arts will feature artworks created by the talented Glass Guys who call Knoxville and our East Tennessee region home. Featured artists include: Richard Jolley, Matthew Cummings, Matt Salley, Johnny Glass, Thomas Spake, Everett Hirche, Tyler Olson, David Wiss, Samuel Meketon, Curt Brock + More.

Dogwood Arts' First Friday events and exhibitions highlight our 18 unique programs and support the creativity of local and regional artists. Our doors are open, and we welcome you to join us as we showcase and celebrate artists and art lovers at our new office located at 123 W. Jackson Ave in Downtown Knoxville’s Historic Old City.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Viewing Hours (10-5) M-F. 865-637-4560, www.dogwoodarts.com

Tori Mason Shoes is pleased to present The Alley Cat Series, by Knoxville photographer, Marianne "Ziggie" Ziegler, for January's First Friday! Tori Mason Shoes, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, January 8th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary treats from Wild Love Bakehouse will be provided and Ziggie's art will be featured for the month of January.

Growing up on the south fork of Long Island, NY, Ziggie spent a lot of her time star gazing on beaches before she discovered her love for backstage theater. She majored in Stage Management and Technical Direction at North Carolina School of the Arts before making the journey over the mountains to wind up in Knoxville, TN. She has been a Knoxville resident now for 14 years.
Photography has always been a passion in her life, but never considered utilizing it as an artistic release till she drifted away from the stage. She has shown works at 8 Shooters Studio before finding her current themed outlet. The Alley Cat series started over three years ago and has since been shown at Wells Fargo formerly on Gay St, Urban Bar, Big Fatty's Catering Kitchen, The Bearden Beer Market, The Red Piano Lounge, Sugar Mamas, Preservation Pub, Crafty Bastard, Ijams Nature Center, Central Flats and Taps, and Broadway Studios and Gallery. She is an avid wanderer and promoter of downtown Knoxville, and promoter of local businesses; always seeking 'the next shot'. Within the last couple years, she has been given the wonderful opportunity of now having both her loves of artistic output in her life; in photography, and finding a home again in the theater. She currently keeps very busy shooting, framing, and loading in touring performances for the Knoxville Stagehands Local Union 197. Artist's Website: www.facebook.com/knoxalleycat

Info: 865.394.6951

"Opportunity Knocks" is the result of an open call art competition in which all participants create a work of art on a full size wooden door. The show will be juried for cash prizes. This show promotes recycling, re-purposing & reusing. This is expected to be a very creative display of local artists ability!

Opening night with refreshments is Friday (First Friday), January 6th, 5-9 PM. Cash prizes and winner will be awarded at 6pm.

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: Thurs-Sat, 11-7. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com

Meandering Mythologies is a two-person exhibition featuring the work of Knoxville natives, Timothy Massey and Gary Monroe.

Timothy Massey is an Associate Professor of Art and Gallery Director at the College at Brockport, State University of New York. He received his BFA at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Printmaking and Drawing, and his MFA in Printmaking at The Ohio State University in Columbus. He has an extensive national exhibition record, and recently had a solo exhibition titled "Apocrypha and Other Half-Truths," at the Soloman Gallery, Youngstown State University in Ohio.

Gary Monroe is an artist from Knoxville, Tennessee who has exhibited nationally since the 1980’s. Most recently Monroe’s work has been featured in one-person exhibitions at the Estel Gallery, Nashville, TN, in 2011; the Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College in 2011; the Leu Art Gallery at Belmont University, Nashville, TN in 2009; and the Cue Art Foundation, New York, NY, in 2006. Notable group exhibitions include “Art of the South 2015” curated by Wayne White at Memphis College of Art, 2015; “The 7 Borders” at Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, 2013; The Diane and Sandy Besser Collection at The deYoung Museum, San Francisco, CA , 2007/08; Knoxville and Vicinity: Dialogues at UTK Ewing Gallery, Knoxville, TN , 2007; Thresholds: Expressions of Art & Spiritual Life curated by Eleanor Heartney. Multiple venues, 2003-06.

Reception is First Friday, January 6 from 5-9 and is free and open to the public. BECAUSE OF LAST FRIDAY'S SNOW, THE DOWNTOWN GALLERY WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 9PM THIS FRIDAY, THE 13TH. PLEASE COME SEE THE SHOW IF YOU MISSED IT BECAUSE OF LAST WEEK'S WEATHER.

Free admission! UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 12-5, Sat 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

Opening reception for two new exhibits on Friday, January 6, 2017, 5-7pm

Study, by Jade Hoyer and 5x5 for $25 - a fundraiser for Rose Center

The Rose Center, 442 West Second North St., Morristown, TN, 37814. Hours: M-F 9-5. Call ahead for holiday hours. Information: 423-581-4330, www.rosecenter.org

A public reception will take place on Friday, January 13 (rescheduled), from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. Most of the works are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be available.

The MLK Gallery of Arts Tribute will kick-off the 2017 King Week Celebration. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is partnering with the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville to provide this annual exhibition. The Galley of Arts Tribute is a juried exhibition developed to recognize local artists and most importantly to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The exhibit will feature works by local artists reflecting the themes of Unity, Community, Love, Racial Reconciliation, Social Justice, and Civil Rights.

The exhibitions are on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium is closed January 16 for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

A public reception will take place on Friday, January 13 (rescheduled), from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. Most of the works are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be available.

Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths: "Beautiful Iron" in the Balcony gallery
Members of the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths are pleased to present an exhibition of fine, hand-forged architectural ironwork. The exhibition will include a variety of items for the home including gates, grills, sculpture, furniture, lighting, fireplace equipment, and door hardware. The show will be of interest to the general public as well as interior designers, architects, and artists. Artist Blacksmiths include Joe Babb, Ron Nichols, Brad Greenwood, Ron Nichols, Mike Rose, and others.

With a goal of preserving and promoting the exciting art of blacksmithing, the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths strives to educate and involve both men and women, young and old. AACB was founded in 1965 by Jud Nelson, Joe Humble, Joe Neely, A.P. Billingsley, and Bill Planzer. It is a nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America. They regularly host demonstrations, workshops, and classes in Middle and Eastern TN, and Western NC, and have meetings throughout the year. For more information, please visit http://aacblacksmiths.org/.

The exhibitions are on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium is closed January 16 for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.