Calendar of Events

Recent works by pipe maker Ron Smith and artist Carl Gombert will be on display. An opening reception for the featured artists will begin at 5:30 p.m., January 6, during Downtown Knoxville’s monthly First Friday Art Walk, with complimentary refreshments, and music performed by Carl Gombert.

Ohio native Carl Gombert started taking painting lessons at the age of 14 with money he earned delivering newspapers. He completed a BFA in Drawing from the University of Akron and an MFA in Painting from Kent State University. “I love pattern. I love decoration, and I love sparkle. These hand stamped works rely on radial structure to explore complexity and pattern arising from the application of simple rules.” He has exhibited widely and his work is in numerous museum, collegiate, and corporate collections. Since 1993 has taught painting, drawing and art history at Maryville College in Tennessee.

Ron Smith's fascination with pipes began with the hours he spent at the Iwan Ries Pipe Shop in Chicago, a regular stop following his frequent visits to the Art Institute only a block away. Following retirement he received formal training under American Pipe Maker, Tim West in 2014 and at the 2014 International Pipe Makers' Seminar in Chicago under the guidance of such masters as Lee von Erck, Rex Poggenpohl, Mike Butera and Jeff Gracik. His freehand pipes are hand shaped, each one a unique creation. Although a fan of the Danish freeform style, he often adopts more classical shapes in his productions and in most pieces attempts to bring out the grain of the briar to bring out the material's natural and often hidden features. His pipes and pens are forms of functional art.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Th & Sa 11-6, Fri 11-9, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net or www.Facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery

WUTK 90.3 THE ROCK PRESENTS MOE. Come hear the distinct blend of Americana, melodic turns, clever songwriting, and jam band ethics from moe. this winter!

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

In support of The Knox County Senior Companion Program.

Event begins at 2 PM, music begins at 3 PM. Leonard Anderson is a well-known Tennessee musician who tells stories through his music. He has been featured on WBIR’s “Heartland Series,” WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special,” Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s,” and his anti-littering song won a TDOT grant for Fentress County. He has also written songs for CMT and the Smithsonian Institute. $13.00 Admission, tickets available at Sherrill Hills Retirement Community or from Tracy Armstrong (865)806-5456 and online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2791187.

Sherrill Hills Retirement Community Theater, 271 Moss Grove Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37922

Shen Yun is returning to the Tennessee Theatre with a brand-new production Jan. 30-31, 2018. You won't want to miss it!

Let Shen Yun take you on a magical journey and share with you the beautiful world of China's divine civilization. It's a stunning experience you won't find anywhere else.

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com, www.ticketmaster.com

The Knoxville Museum of Art announces a new contemporary exhibition, Outside In, by Jered Sprecher. Sprecher lives in Knoxville and is a professor with the University of Tennessee’s School of Art. He enjoys a growing national reputation as one of the leading representative of a generation of contemporary painters dedicated to the exploration and revitalization of abstraction. He describes himself as a “hunter and gatherer,” pulling his imagery from such disparate sources as wallpaper, graffiti, architecture, cut gemstones, and x-rays.

Preview reception: January 26, 5:30-7:30 PM

Outside In reflects the dynamic range of Sprecher’s recent practice in terms of format, scale, imagery, and process. It also includes several new works configured in a provocatively informal manner designed to reference a space that is central to human domestic life since the dawn of time: the living room. The Study (2013), for instance, depicts an abstracted frontal view of a fireplace entrance defined in broad horizontal strokes in an icy palette that presents the original image in a strange new light. The painting reflects the artist’s examination of parallels between ancient domestic traditions in which the fireplace was a mesmerizing light environment that in contemporary life has been replaced by the ubiquitous digital screen.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM, Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

The Farragut Museum has unveiled its next special exhibit, "Fashionably Late." This exhibit features a variety of clothing and accessories that are in the Farragut Museum Collection and two items on loan from Farragut Museum committee members. All of these items are indicative of fashions that would have been worn in this area.

One of the highlights of the exhibit is an original John Pico John (Mr. John) hat on loan from Museum committee member Carolyn Sinclair. John's clients included female fashion icons like the Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lauren Bacall and Joan Crawford. Vivien Leigh wore one of his creations in "Gone With the Wind," as did Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."

The Farragut Museum is committed to preserving the heritage of its East Tennessee community and features a remarkable collection of artifacts from the area, including an extensive collection of the personal belongings of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, first admiral of the U.S Navy and hero of the Civil War. Housed in Farragut Town Hall, located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive, the Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers free admission. For more information about the museum or the exhibit, please visit www.townoffarragut.org/museum.

Laura Pierpont focuses on the storytelling of photography. The East Tennessee native creates a narrative while documenting the world both as it is seen and unseen. Her latest work, Interiors is inspired by the quietness Pierpont discovered while trotting throughout the stimulating streets of New York City.

We are thrilled to have photographs of Laura Pierpont enliven our walls at Market Square through February 5th and The Gallery from February 7th to March 6th.

We’ve always believed our local art community should be celebrated – that’s why we host a monthly rotating showcase of talented work of regional artists. Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) and 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com

The 2017 Farragut Primary Schools Art Show, sponsored by the Town of Farragut, opens Monday, January 23, at Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive (across from the Farragut Branch Post Office). The show will feature the work of talented students from Farragut Primary School, St. John Neumann Catholic School and Concord Christian School. A reception honoring the young artists and their work is 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.

The art show and reception are free and open to the public. Town Hall is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Lauren Cox, special event and program coordinator, at lcox@townoffarragut.org or 865-966-7057.

The Knoxville Association of Bridge Clubs is offering an in depth, 17 week course on Duplicate Bridge, with a focus on learning the modern “2 Over 1” bridge system. Taught by certified instructors, these lessons are a fun and informative way to learn the basics of modern bridge. The cost is $5 per lesson (the first 2 lessons are free). Two class sessions are offered. The first begins Sunday, January 22nd at 1:30 pm. The second begins Tuesday, January 24th at 6:00 pm. You are welcome to attend either or both weekly sessions. Bring a partner or, if not, we will provide one for you.

Classes will be conducted at the Knoxville Bridge Center, located at 7400 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville TN 37919. Contact Jo Anne Newby at (865} 539-4150 or email KnoxvilleBridge@gmail.com.

"The Greatest" - forces influential in their field, by Ted Richards
Opening reception January 22, 2-4 PM

At Rarity Bay Community Activities Center, 150 Rarity Bay Pkwy, Vonore, TN 37885. Gallery hours: M-F 9-4.

The 18th Sevier County Biennial Juried Exhibition is a mixed media art exhibition that recognizes and fosters skills and talents of the artists and craftspeople who call the rich region of Sevier County home. Community members are invited to view the exhibition and attend the opening reception and presentation of awards on Friday, January 20, 6-8 pm.

The Biennial’s juror is Teri Alea, executive director of Tennessee Craft in Nashville, Tennessee. Teri leads a statewide craft organization which provides support, guidance and professional development for craft artists across the state. Twice a year, Tennessee Craft organizes craft fairs that showcase more than 200 artists that showcase beautifully handcrafted objects made in Tennessee and across the nation.

Participating Artists: Clifford Aldrich, Diane Aldrich, Ann Armerding, David Barnhart, Robert Batey, Dana Cohen, Debra Lovvorn Belvin, Lynn Corsi Bland, Bob Bolinger, Judy Bolinger, Vickie Bradshaw, Rebecca Buglio, Frank Bulman, Tammy Bulman, Lisa Canfield, Lisa Walk Dixon, Susan Edwards, Anne Fontaine, Frances Fox, Carol Galyon, Jill Greene, Bill Griffith, Jeff Hale, Buie Hancock, Peggy Haupt, Mary-Louise Hunt, Charlotte Iverson, Ewin Jenkins, Bev Gwinn Jones, Alice Anne Kellogg, Barbara Lauritzen, Maia Leppo, Iryna Lialko, Anita Miller, Christina M. Moore, Velma Orrick, Amber Anne Palo, Doreen Prakshot, Otto Preske, Claudette Pridemore, Austin Riddle, Patsy Rodriguez, Mary Ruden, Kathryn Rutherford, Sharon Schoenfeld, Jean Shamblin, Mike Shults, Kelly Sullivan, Tatiana Tikhonova, Debi Veranth, Victoria C. Walker, Andrea Wilson and Nelson Ziegler.

In the Arrowmont Gallery. Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

You are invited to view new works by Arrowmont’s Artists-in-Residence – Grant Benoit, Richard W. James, Maia Leppo, Austin Riddle and Emily Schubert. Marking the mid-point in their 11-month residency, Okay responds to their emotions after the Gatlinburg wildfires. “We were incredibly lucky – it is going to be okay and life will roll on,” says Grant Benoit.

In the Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery. Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org