On the first Friday of each month, downtown Knoxville glows with new art, events and excitement. This weekend brings puppet shows, gallery debuts, film screenings and more.
Ron Lighty’s Puppet Show
Balloon artist, puppeteer and ventriloquist Ron Lighty will be exhibiting his talent this Friday at Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts. In addition to performing for schools, private parties, banquets and more, Lighty is an author and has contributed to a documentary regarding ventriloquism.
The event is Mardi Gras themed, so party hats, earrings and necklaces will be provided. Don’t miss the chance to see this eclectic artist in action and pick up some handcrafted jewelry, soap and more! The show will begin at 5 p.m.
Embracing Our Shared Humanity
This exhibit, created by Johnson University, is bringing awareness to the crisis of human trafficking — a dangerous problem which is extremely prevalent in Tennessee. The art on display was created by Knoxville locals as well as artists from around the country, and it presents a serious message regarding sex trafficking through several different forms of art.
Along with Johnson University, the 2019 Counter-Trafficking Training & Awareness Summit, Crossings Knoxville and Anthony Vasquez of the Art for Change Foundation have contributed to this event, which will be hosted at Café 4 on Market Square from 6 to 9 p.m.
Big Ears Film Showing
Public Cinema is kicking off their month-long film installment within the Big Ears festival this First Friday at UT Downtown Gallery. The free showings will feature a variety of films stemming from American to international artists.
Several short films will be on display, such as those of British filmmaker Beatrice Gibson as well as “Hoarders without Borders” by Jodie Mack. Feature films will be shown as well, including ★ (“Star”) by Johann Lurf and “The Grand Bizzare,” also by Jodie Mack.
There will even be one extraordinarily long feature film: “Dead Souls” by Chinese filmmaker Wang Bing. This 8-hour documentary features interviews secretly filmed with survivors of Chinese reeducation camps. The daring cinematic venture hopes to bring a glimpse of Chinese culture and history across the globe to Knoxville.
Detailed screening times are available at Public Cinema’s website.
Virtual Realities
Artist Denise Stewart-Sanabria’s new exhibit will debut at the Dogwood Arts gallery, which is located at 123 W. Jackson Ave. A Knoxville local, Stewart-Sanabria is a versatile creator whose work is composed of oil paintings and charcoal and chalk drawings.
“Virtual Realities,” her newest exhibition, will display her signature life-size charcoal drawings. These drawings, created on plywood, often resemble people. The display’s arrangement simulates real-life human interaction. Stewart-Sanabria’s work will be on display at Dogwood Arts for the entire month of March.
Gigs n’ Jams
Artist Ellen Robinette will be exhibiting her original paintings at Knoxville’s Café Vicolo. The restaurant will also host a live musical performance by Frank Bronson and Friends, and the restaurant will offer a special First Friday menu and beverages from Knoxville’s Vienna Coffee Company.
If you’re after visual, musical and culinary art, this may be the First Friday event for you.
Art Walk
As always, the many galleries of downtown Knoxville will open Friday evening to showcase their new March collections. Participants can follow the brightly-colored “Art Walk” flags around the downtown area, or they can simply catch a ride on the Art Walk trolley. Whether you walk or ride, the Art Walk is a great time to get familiar with Knoxville’s artistic side.
