Calendar of Events

Join us for 50 Years of Frank: Dweezil Zappa Plays Whatever The F@%k He Wants- The Cease and Desist Tour at the Bijou Theatre as well as Zappa's Guitar Masterclass this January!

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information/tickets: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com, www.ticketmaster.com

Pellissippi State Community College invites the community to "Views of the Big Nothing," a free art exhibit at the Bagwell Center for Media and Art Gallery. "Views of the Big Nothing" features painted works by Brandon Smith joined by physical ropes and metaphorical sculptural works by Travis Townsend.

A reception to meet the artists takes place 3-5 p.m., Jan. 17.

The exhibit is free. Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Bagwell Center Gallery hours: M-F 10-6:30. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

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

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

Knox County Public Library is pleased to partner with Pellissippi State Community College to present "Finding Flannery", a month-long exploration of the life and work of Flannery O' Connor.

Each Tuesday, starting on January 10, Pellissippi State Professor and writer-in-residence, Ed Francisco, will facilitate discussions of O'Connor's work. Despite her premature death at age 39, Flannery O'Connor left behind one of the most haunting and strikingly original bodies of work in 20th century literature. With the rural South as her backdrop, she brought to life a string of eccentric characters torn between their worldly ambitions and the need for a more enduring truth. While critics called her stories "brutal" and "grotesque," O'Connor said, "All my stories are about the action of grace on a character who is not very willing to support it."

Discussions - Uncommon Stories: Flannery O'Connor's Short Fiction
Tuesdays in January at 6:30 PM

Weekly discussions of O'Connor's stories will be led by O'Connor scholar and Pellissippi State Writer-in-Residence, Edward Francisco
• January 10 - "Good Country People"
• January 17 - "A Displaced Person"
• January 24 - "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"
• January 31 - Conclusion

Held in Lawson McGhee Library's Meeting Room. Knox County Public Library: 500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-215-8750, www.knoxlib.org

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

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.

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 O’Connor Senior Center Painters: Breaking Ground - What You Want to See in the downstairs gallery
O’Connor Senior Center Painters present a new exhibition of more than 40 watercolors, oils, and acrylics entitled “Breaking Ground - What You Want to See” featuring more than ten artists. Each Wednesday, the O’Connor Painters meet at the O’Connor Senior Center to learn, work, and share under the tutelage of local artist Ann Birdwell, who teaches watercolors, oils, and acrylics. For several of the O’Connor Painters, attending class and seeing their work come to life from a blank canvas is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Others have come to class to refine their technique and to learn from Ms. Birdwell while sharing life experiences with the group. Winter painting classes at the O’Connor Senior Center will begin on January 4 and continue for ten weeks. Please call 865-523-1135 for class information and to register. For more information, please visit http://www.knoxseniors.org/oconnor.html.

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.