While the streets of Downtown Knoxville and the Old City has its fair share of heavy foot-traffic, First Friday, from 5 p.m. till late, the streets are bustling with art lovers, musicians and fun for the entire Knoxville community.
First Friday, happening every first Friday of every month, allows people to explore art galleries, studios, artists collectives, shops and restaurants. Each participating business is flagged by ArtWalk flags or signs, inviting community members to come in, watch, listen and enjoy free and open to the public events.
The list and schedule varies each month, so here’s a glimpse of what’s happening this First Friday Oct. 5:
Arts and Culture Alliance at the Emporium Center:
Tennessee Artists Association: The Fall Juried Show: 44th Fall Art Exhibition
The Tennessee Artists Association (TAA) will feature original art from over 20 Tennessee artists including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, photography, and mixed media.
Mid-South Sculpture Alliance SELECT: Member’s Exhibition
Mid-South Sculpture Alliance (MSA), an affiliate organization of the International Sculpture Center (ISC), advances the creation and awareness of sculpture in its many and varied forms, promoting a supportive environment for sculpture and sculptors. Its annual conference takes place in Knoxville from October 4-7. In collaboration with the UT-Knoxville Sculpture Program, MSA presents a juried exhibition of work by its members. Selected sculptures will offer a dynamic exhibition highlighting a variety of techniques, media and content. Exhibiting artists include: Luke Achterberg, Manami Ishimura, Ray Katz, Ben Lock, John Medwedeff, Corrina Sephora Mensoff, Ayokunle Odeleye, Bret Price and Kristen Tordella-Williams.
Peters: Action Paintings
Charles Peters will display paintings made with oil/enamel, charcoal, sand, and/or collage. Although Peters has taken many art classes, he is primarily self-taught. He uses books, online courses, documentaries, and other resources to study technique and art history.
Bryan Wilkerson: Tales from the Kiln – Skulls, Goons, and Toons
A collection of handmade ceramics and original drawings by Bryan Wilkerson. Wilkerson is a Tennessee native and Professor of Art and Design at Roane State Community College. His creative practices are focused primarily on ceramics and public art but extend into design and drawing. His work explores humor, craft, irony, and play through common symbolic references.
Art Market Gallery:
The Art Market Gallery will feature recent works by artist Fran Thie, specializing in pastel and watermedia works, and potter Larry Gabbard, showcasing his fast-fired clay pottery. At 5:30 p.m. there will be an opening reception for the artists, including refreshments and live music from Harold Nagge.
A show titled “BeDazzled” features the Art Market Gallery’s five jewelry artisans will also be on display throughout the remainder of October. Artists featured include Roger Kroll, Jennifer Lindsay, Nancy Rowland-Engle, Lynn Stranka and Kristine Taylor.
UT Downtown Gallery:
From 5-9 p.m. the UT Downtown Gallery will present a section of prints and sculptures by Chakaia Booker, a sculptor who combines ecological concerns with explorations of racial and economic difference, globalization and gender by recycling discarded tires into complex assemblages. Booker’s exhibit is in conjunction with the Mid South Sculpture Alliance Conference in Knoxville. As one of the conference’s keynotes speaker’s Booker will speak at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 at the Knoxville Museum of Art.
Knoxville Visitors Center:
Writer and history tour guide Laura Still will tell the amazing, but true stories behind ghostly phantoms and unquiet spirits that haunt Knoxville. She will also have a meet and greet and book signing at the Knoxville Visitors Center 5-7 p.m.
Citifid-O is located at 429 Union Ave. in downtown Knoxville.
Citifid-O:
Citifid-O is the exclusive downtown gallery for Mike Taylor, a local Knoxville artist who loves dogs and paint exquisite and humorous “dog art.” Taylor’s originals will be on display, for sale and prints, cards and magnets will be available. Complimentary dog snacks will be available as well.
