On the first Friday of every month, Knoxville’s art scene comes alive.
During the Knoxville First Friday ArtWalk events, galleries, businesses and restaurants across the city host art exhibits and live music, prompting citizens and students to gather and support creators. For September’s First Friday, hundreds explored the streets of downtown Knoxville, enjoying the work of participating local artists and musicians.
Chris Rohwer, a former commercial banker, displayed his art in the back room of the Phoenix Pharmacy. Rohwer’s studio in the pharmacy holds paintings and photographs from both him and his wife, former pharmacist Robin Rohwer. The two have worked in the art scene for over four years.
“It just gives us an opportunity to show our creativity,” Chris Rohwer said.
Other artists showcased three-dimensional works like ceramics and furniture. Marret Metzger’s hand-etched pottery was showcased in the Emporium Center.
“I am really inspired by woodblock print-making… and also native Indiana plants and animals,” Metzger said.
Thomas McIntyre’s metal and wooden furnishings were shown alongside Metzger’s. McIntyre used traditional craft methods to create whimsical, personified furniture.
“I look at a lot of historical design movements and motifs, whether it’s other furniture or architecture,” McIntyre said.
In addition to Knoxville residents energizing the city’s art scene, many University of Tennessee students devoted their night to bringing the Volunteer spirit downtown.
“We surprisingly get a lot of students in here, and we get a lot of their families,” Chris Rowher said. “We just like talking to them and finding out what their lives are, and it’s always fun to find out what their majors are, and where they came from.”
UT seniors Lili Call, Julia Johnson and Iris Love showcased recent works in their exhibit, “Timeless.” Friends of the artists came out to support the exhibit in UT’s student-run Gallery 1010.
UT students not directly connected to the featured artists found themselves going downtown for the night’s events as well.
“I think First Friday is a great thing. When I was in undergrad, I regretted sometimes skipping First Fridays,” Shelby Reed, a UT graduate student in ceramics, said. “The art world is all connections.”
Art students like Reed benefit from immersing themselves in the world of professional art and from connecting with professional artists, who share advice to student artists on how to enter the field.
“It’s definitely difficult, of course, right after you graduate,” McIntyre said. “Biggest piece of advice is to maybe just try and acquire as many different skills as possible because you never know what kind of opportunities you’re going to get.”
In general, professional artists enjoy interacting with UT students, whether they are studying a form of art or appreciating art for the night.
“It’s just fun for us to be talking creativity with the younger generation,” Chris Rowher said.
