Where can you find a gallery full of fine art, affordable music and art lessons for all ages, a unique gift shop and a dedicated cadre of art-loving volunteers all under one roof?
Charles and Sylvia Williams pause for a photo at the Knoxville Watercolor Society all-media show at Fountain City Art Center, where Sylvia is director.
Fountain Citians know the answer. It’s the Fountain City Art Center, located in the old Fountain City Library building on the edge of Fountain City Park. At the Art Center, there’s never a dull moment, and director Sylvia Williams said the center is swinging into another action-packed summer.
Right now, the Art Center is hosting the Knoxville Watercolor Society’s annual all-media show, which opened with a reception April 28. The show is not judged or juried, but it gives the society’s members a chance to show their talents outside watercolors. The show will run through June 1.
Next up is a fundraising Celtic music concert set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, featuring River’s Drift with Andy LeGrand, Jackie Brecheen, Chris Brock and Julie Belanger-Roy. The concert is $15 and is open to the public. Proceeds will go to expand music studio space in the Art Center, leased by LeGrand Music Studio and offering a wide variety of music lessons right in the heart of Fountain City.
“Their classes are really growing fast,” said Williams.
There will be another fundraising concert offered later in the summer.
Bob Meadows, who teaches classes on bookbinding at Fountain City Art Center, chats with Charlotte Walton, president of the Knoxville Watercolor Society.
Also on the schedule at the Art Center is a judged art show by the Fountain City Art Guild June 7, then a show of watercolors from instructor Mary Baumgartner’s students June 9 through July 6, with a reception June 9.
June 13-16, the Art Center will hold a special arts camp taught by former Knox County Schools art teacher Jan Bolus. Students for this camp were selected by their teachers for good behavior, love of art and financial need. The camp is funded by the Gene and Florence Monday Foundation and a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission awarded by Knoxville Arts and Cultural Alliance. After camp, once-a-week children’s art classes will kick off June 22.
Last but not least, the Art Center’s fundraising golf tournament, spearheaded by Stan Kelly, will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at Beverly Park Golf Course off Tazewell Pike. Entry forms are available at the Art Center.
Fountain City Art Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Info: www.fountaincityartcenter.com