The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from October 6-28, 2023. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, October 6, from 5-9 p.m. and features a showcase of original performances, hosted by Nick Horner, inside the Emporium by Black Atticus, Sarah Cammissano, Jaleria Rivera, William Wright, Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony, Domino Ensemble and Nief Norf.
Lynda Evans: REMEMBRANCE (in the atrium)
This exhibition features selected archival pigment prints of original works Lynda Evans has created over the last 20 years. She works primarily in the genre of Figurative Realism, in a photo-realistic style; oil paintings on canvas, or charcoal, multimedia or photography on paper, are crafted in a very detailed, life-like portrait.
Lynda Evans was born in Knoxville where she received an undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee with a triple major in fine art, art education and human services, also earning a master’s degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. She spent a decade in independent study and mentoring with internationally renowned artists and teachers. In the last 15 years, equine subjects have dominated her figurative work, as she desires to give voice to the soul of the horse. Evans resides in Knoxville after living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for many years. For information about purchasing or commissioning an original art work, contact Robert Shipley at Bennett Galleries.
Kelly Sullivan: GO, SLOW. (on the north wall)
Artwork by Kelly Sullivan
In this new exhibition, Kelly Sullivan displays stitched collages composed of fabrics she has dyed, found fabrics, vintage fabrics, hand stitching and machine stitching, cyanotype and photo transfers that depict her travels through the world. In her screen prints, she uses collaged materials and stitching along with typical screen-printing processes to depict the same theme. This body of work is expressive through the choice of line quality, texture and color and mirror the life she sees on her travels.
Kelly Sullivan graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in studio art with a concentration in printmaking but considers herself a mixed media artist. She has lived in South Florida, Atlanta, Syracuse and currently resides in Knoxville. She always finds a community where she can make art, learn new processes and teach what she is most passionate about. Sullivan worked at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts for two-plus years.
She is currently the senior arts specialist at Knoxville Arts Center (KAC) where she creates community arts programming. She teaches a wide variety of art classes at KAC, Arrowmont, Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee and Mighty Mud. She has been an active member of the Mayor’s Maker City Council.
Roberta Smashey: The GLASS MENAGERIE (in the display case)
Work by Roberta Smashey
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.
Art Guild of Tellico Village: AS WE INTERPRET OUR WORLD (in the lower gallery)
Work by Jean Porter of the Art Guild of Tellico Village
This new exhibition features a selection of artistic styles ranging from abstract to realistic as chosen by juror Kimberly Winkle. The Art Guild of Tellico Village is fascinated by the kaleidoscope of beauty and emotion that a close community of artists can create. They observe the same world, yet record images, movement and meaning uniquely. This exhibition considers the myriad of results possible when interpretation meets the eye of the beholder.
The Art Guild of Tellico Village has over 200 members, embracing all mediums of visual art. Their purpose is to support and encourage creativity, appreciation and community through artistic educational activities including presentations, classes, workshops and exhibits.
Work by Current Bailey Opportunity Grantees (in the upper gallery)
Work by Melissa Everett, one of the Bailey grantees
The Arts & Culture Alliance presents an exhibit of painting, photography, ceramics, textiles, printmaking and more by 17 of the individual artists who are recipients of an FY24 Ann and Steve Bailey Opportunity Grant. Artists in the exhibition include: John Allen, Debbie Alley, Ilina Arsova, Carra Artis, Michelle Barillaro, Tim Bridges, Shannon Davis Brock, Rebecca Buglio, Melissa Everett, Karen Ferency, Kathleen Janke, Cheryl Massey, Ty Murray, Jeremy Myles, Luis Santiago, Jessie Van der Laan and Houston Vandergriff.
In addition, the First Friday reception features performances by artists who are also Bailey Opportunity grantees.
A part of the Arts & Heritage Fund, the Bailey Opportunity Grants provide financial and technical support to individual artists and small, professionally-oriented arts and culture organizations. The grants are designed to spur continued artistic and administrative growth in innovative, entrepreneurial artists and organizations at any stage of development. Throughout the next eight months, the 19 individual artists will utilize their collective funds for local, regional and national workshops, studio time, technical equipment and more.
Suzanne Cada is deputy director of the Arts & Culture Alliance