July First Friday Highlight: Brigid Oesterling

Photo by Shawn Poynter

Last First Friday (July 6), Magpies, where I usually begin my evening, wasn't holding their usual tasting event, so with a stomach void of mini cupcakes, I went to the 100 Block earlier than usual. At 6pm, it was pretty steamy outside and there weren't many people out yet.

Photo by Shawn Poynter

I went to a couple of shows that I'll write about soon, ones you should check out before the month ends, but since things were pretty slow at that point, my friend talked me into grabbing a beverage at the Crown and Goose.

Photo by Shawn Poynter

On our way back down Jackson Avenue, we passed a crowd gathering outside of the Heuristics Workshop on Jackson Avenue by the Gay Street Viaduct around 8:15ish.

I had heard Brigid Oesterling was having a fashion show and discovered this is where it would be happening. A few minutes later, Three Man Band began playing, and her models came out, walking along the loading dock outside the warehouse.

Photo by Shawn Poynter

I was fortunate to have seen another Brigid Oesterling fashion show recently in Nashville. We were both part of a show put on by RAW Nashville last month, and she and her mostly Knoxvillian models looked great on the runway set up in Mercy Lounge. (View photos here.)

Photo by Denise Sanabria

I was excited to see her designs, however, on Jackson Avenue in Knoxville, sauntering to the tunes of Three Man Band. It all seemed very... fitting (pun intended).

Hair was done by Kim Woods from Belleza Salon, and makeup by Lara Duren and Brynn Gonzales (left) of Lox Salon. Photo by Shawn Poynter

It was just the type of thing I like to see on a First Friday.

Brigid. Photo by Shawn Poynter

Brigid Oesterling

artist. curator. costumer. seamstress. sewing machine collector.  specializes in re-creating with recycled/re-used materials, especially inner tubes and rubber.

brigid.ko@gmail.com

www.brigidoesterling.com

Video by Matthew Amudsen

A unique way to experience Knoxville

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember my completely embarrassing post where I shamelessly gushed about Jack Neely. I'm not going to link to it, so if you're curious you'll have to find it, but it was about my first encounter with him at the Knox Heritage Art and Architecture Tour, where he was a walking tour guide.

That was about three years ago (omg) and I am happy to report that since then I have grown from blindly obsessed to a sensible admirer/ acquaintance of him. This is good because this Friday night is the 5th Annual Knox Heritage Art and Architecture Tour, and Jack will be leading the walking tour once again.















Above: A photo from last year's tour by Phil Savage

I love this event because it encapsulates so many great things. It begins a few months prior to the actual tour when a call for entries is released asking photographers to take photos of historic buildings in a particular area of town. This year, the perimeters are in and around the Old City.

The photographs are looked over by seven judges who choose winning photos based on the image as well as what would be a suitable stop on the walking tour.























Above: A photo from last year's tour by Sharon Wright Cottrell

The event this year will begin at 6pm with a reception which includes food, drink, and the winning photos at the headquarters of Attack Monkey Productions, 117 South Gay Street. Then at about 7:15 begins the tour.

Along with Jack, David Dewhirst, a key player in the revitalization of downtown Knoxville with projects like the Holston, JFG, and the Daylight Building, will also be leading a tour. It's going to be fun as well as educational, and what could beat that combination? I'd argue that this a quintessential Knoxville event, one that shouldn't be missed.

Would you like to come? You are invited.

If so, go here.

it's grown from home

Annnnddd..... it's First Friday!

If you're reading this blog, I probably don't have to explain the basics of First Friday in Knoxville. Art, cheese, wine, people watching...etc.

April's First Friday is usually the first time weather permits for a really good turnout, and the galleries around downtown usually put on their A Game. Tonight is no exception. In a sort of double explosion of creative coolness, concurrent to FF we also have Rhythm N' Blooms Festival this weekend. Definitely check it out.

On the Art end of things, I'd like to suggest two very Knoxville things to go see. Tonight at the Fluorescent Gallery a show called HOMEGROWN is going on. If, like me, you're interested in the way objects are made, or like to explore the fuzzy boundary between design and fine art, or wonder if the South can have as vibrant of a creative scene as either coast... then HOMEGROWN might just be the show for you.


Some art shows here try to be as Brooklyn or San Francisco as they can get, so that you forget you're in Knoxville, Tenn. We aspire to be "as good" as those idolized "creative centers". HOMEGROWN is not one of those shows. Instead of trying to transplant an outside design attitude to the South, HOMEGROWN is trying to show the creativity that's already here... with objects that could only be from here.


I think that soon the draw of "creative centers" like New York will diminish and that the arts and design scene will be more grassroots oriented, spread out across the U.S. in second and third tier cities. HOMEGROWN is a harbinger of that.

Second, also filed under "only in the Knoxville", is the Knox Heritage Salvage Show. Basically, artists (and the occasional economist) are making objects out of Knox Heritage's pool of architectural salvage pieces, and a portion of the proceeds goes to help Knox Heritage's very important work. Thrifty artistic re-purposing of architecture into regional contextual art? Uhhh yes please!


So if you want to see some creativity that will make you proud of our town and region, this First Friday is a must. See you out there!

The Salvage Show: A first for First Friday

First Friday is just around the bend, and I'd like to cordially invite you to an exhibition organized and curated by yours truly.
















If you are unaware, I'm the Architectural Salvage Coordinator for Knox Heritage and am also an artist. I'm merging these two worlds into one the night of April 1 for The Salvage Show.

There are twenty artists involved in this exhibition who are making fine art or functional design pieces using materials from Knox Heritage's stash of architectural salvage. The idea is to re-create something new from the materials that can't be used in their original manner anymore.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll see at the show:






















Reclaimed Lamp by Shawn Poynter
















Pearls for Swine by Katie Ries
Sweetgum balls, felted wool, wooden curtain rings



Dale Mackey's piece


Stool by Brian Wagner


I'm very excited about this exhibition and hope you can join us. If you are so inclined to purchase something, proceeds will benefit Knox Heritage, which is a non-profit, as well as the respective artist.

The Salvage Show
April 1, 2011, 6-9pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY
110 South Gay Street (3 doors to the right of the Emporium)
Knoxville, TN


RSVP on Facebook, if you'd like.


The artists are:

Micah Antanaitis
Hollie Cook
Laurence Eaton
Ethiel Garlington
Michelle Garlington
Briena Harmening
Kelly Hider
Tracy Jackson
Forrest Kirkpatrick
Dale Mackey
Hali Maltsberger
Beth Meadows
Sara Miller
Shawn Poynter
Katie Ries
Veronica Siehl
Jessie Van der Laan
Brian Wagner
Michael Watson
Chad Williams

PS: shameless self-promotion- I am also showing at Magpies that night from 5-7pm
846 North Central St.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Come eat cupcakes with me.

Spreading downtown too thin?

I know this is like three weeks after the fact, but who remembers this month's First Friday (hint -- there was a bit of discussion about it here on this very blog after it happened). There were A LOT of people out because there was A LOT of stuff going on.

I will never, ever, ever complain about people coming to downtown Knoxville. I'm glad to see downtown so bustling. But ... there was still TOO MUCH going on. Besides First Friday, Pretty in Pink was being shown as part of Movies on Market Square, the 100 Block of Gay Street was having a reopening celebration (technically part of FF, but I think there were people who came out specifically for that) and the Wine on the Water fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was happening, well, on the water down at Volunteer Landing. And those are just the things I was aware of ... I know there were a few other happenings planned at clubs in the Old City and elsewhere.

I made it out to eat and hit one store on Market Square that night and didn't get to do anything else because I couldn't get anywhere else for the crowds.

Like I said, even though I'm not terribly comfortable in crowds, I won't complain about people coming downtown. I will whine a bit about not getting to take part in all these wonderful things because they were going on simultaneously and as good as I am at multitasking I've yet to figure out how to be in four places at once.

I get that it's a beautiful time of the year and everyone wants to take advantage of the gorgeous weather. I get that UT football is its own force of nature, preventing anything else from happening in Knoxville seven Saturdays a year. Can we try to plan a little bit better though? Can we skip Movies on Market Square on First Fridays of the month? Can we try to hold some events on Sunday afternoons? Or even Thursday nights and agree to all be useless on Fridays at work :) Let's not only entice people to come downtown, but give them a chance to actually enjoy downtown and not just the function they're coming to take part in.

What do you think ... is this a pie in the sky request?

For Arts Sake

We at the wigshop could probably write a week's worth of posts about last First Friday. We won't, but here's another:

I couldn't believe the hordes of people downtown for First Friday last Friday night. Crossing Summit Hill at Gay Street with forty plus people was thrilling. I felt like I was in a big city for a moment. It was exciting. It was overwhelming.

I walked through the 100 block of Gay Street for the big grand opening party. There were more galleries than I remembered being there even last month, and all of them were bursting at the seams. It was great to experience, but my night had something quieter in store.

I went to see "For Memories Sake" a short film by Ashley Maynor at the East Tennessee History Center.


For Memories' Sake - Official Trailer from Ashley Maynor on Vimeo.

In this documentary, Ashley conveys the importance of film preservation and proper archival techniques through the fascinating story of her grandmother, Angela, who had taken at least a dozen photographs everyday for thirty-five years. As Ashley sifted through the vast collection of photo albums, she began to realize how talented her grandmother was as a photographer. She was compelled to dig deeper into why Angela took so many photographs, and in the process, she uncovered films and family videos, some in bad condition from years of exposure to sunlight, heat, and dust. She began to go through all of these items to save and preserve them.

Ashley's time and energy placed great value on a large part of her grandmother's life that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Angela never thought about writing an artist statement or showing her photographs and films to the public. She took pictures daily because she had to, possibly to cope with darkness in her life in the forms of an abusive husband and the tragic death of her son.

We left the film and what I thought to be a profound moment of art viewing and walked back out into the mayhem that was First Friday.

***

I think First Friday has finally caught on and we can expect even more commotion downtown with each first weekend of the month. As it grows, there are a couple of things to consider:

1) The best art can be seen off the beaten path, and some of the worst art is consistently on the beaten path. I say this because I don't want people to mistake Knoxville as a factory for mountain landscapes. There is great artwork out there, one just has to make the effort, and if you haven't yet, please go to the Fluorescent Gallery and the Birdhouse.

2) As you overload on cheese cubes and copious amounts of boxed wine, I hope you will engage in the art being shown. Find out where good art will be, go there, and tell a friend whether you like it or not. If you like it, tell the artist. This may be their only compensation.

With a slew of awards and recognitions for "For Memories Sake," I think Ashley Maynor has received more "compensation" than many artists will ever receive for their work, but I'll give here even more. Her film was moving and inspirational to me. In the midst of everything going on last Friday, there was a quiet and a calm where an artist conveyed to me something important to her in a beautiful, creative, and intelligent way.

***

If you are an artist making good and relevant work in Knoxville (you know who you are), thank you, and keep it up.

wait, what happens at first friday

Around 9:30 or so this past Friday, I found myself at Aisle 9 in the Old City. I bumped into a friend of mine in traffic, who informed me that he was headed there, and I followed suit.

Once there, I ran into some friends, and saw several Knoxvillians who I've seen around town. Some of the usual folks who make the rounds at 1010 and Fluorescent, and many others. There was a DJ spinning in the front, and there were people hanging out - talking, laughing, dancing, drinking.



After a while, I noticed that a couple uniformed men had come in. They were fire marshals, and they were looking to see if there were too many people inside. It was then that I realized that I'd spent the past 45 minutes in a grocery store on a Friday night, and that I was having a great time.




This, my friends, is the beauty of First Friday. How incredible is it that once a month, you can't find a parking space downtown, and that the streets are filled with folks from all over. How great is it that every gallery, shop and restaurant are filled with new art for your experiential pleasure.



I recently tried explaining First Friday to an artist friend of mine who lives in Nashville. Needless to say, it took a few tries for her to get the picture.

her - "Wait, wait, wait, you mean that one store has new art and an opening every month?"

me - "No, like I said, it's the whole town. Basically every place that has walls in downtown, has new art and an opening ... every month."

her - "Huh ... Knoxville is a lot cooler than I've ever wanted to give it credit for (her words, not mine)."

So, thanks Fire Marshals for giving me enough of a reality check to realize what a great city we've got. Here's to a great October and an even better November.

Octoberpalooza

It's Friday and holy moly is there a lot going on this weekend. I'm having a hard time prioritizing my to-do list, that's for sure.

It's also Oct. 1, so you know what that means -- First Friday!! How beautiful is the weather? And the 100 block of Gay is open. Seriously, there is no reason not to be out tonight. Here are a few things you might want to catch:

• Ashley Maynor's award winning documentary "For Memories' Sake" is being screened at 6p and 7:30p at the East Tennessee History Center. The film is a half-hour long and explores Maynor's grandmother's passion for photography and home videos and a bit on how to preserve and interpret memories captured on film. You can bring your own photos or film for advice from Maynor on how to preserve.
• Also, Abode is possibly closing (more on that later). Catch one of their last First Fridays, where the shop will feature paintings by local artist Lauren Karnitz. You can also get 10% off purchases.
• When you head to Magpies to try out their Pumpkin Spice super deluxe flavor (psych! I'm going to eat them all before you get there!) check out Newisher Works by our friend Dale Mackey in the small hall between Magpies and the Glowing Body.
• And if that isn't enough, swoon over Duckie and indulge in your love of '80s by catching "Pretty in Pink" as part of Movies on Market Square tonight. Starts around 8pmish.

So, that takes us to Saturday, and there's no rest for the weary on Saturday either.

• Kick off Saturday by participating in the the regional bicycle program's 10th annual neighborhood bike ride. The ride starts at 10 a.m. at Central St. and Baxter Ave. in Happy Holler, and you can park at the Knox Central building at 1000 N. Central. There will be snacks from Three-Rivers Market at the beginning and discounts at Magpies, Time Warp and the Freezo after. The ride is for people of all skill levels and ages and will take you through Old North, Parkridge, Old City and Mechanicsville. Lasts about an hour, and BRING YOUR HELMET (can't ride without it).
• After that's done, it's Happy Hollerpalooza time! Things will be going on in the 'hood all day, but N. Central will be closed down from 2p to 8p for this sort of block-party festival. All the Happy Holler businesses will be open during this time as well.

You think you've got Sunday off? Think again. Sunday brings the annual Hank Day, honoring Hank Williams, who possibly died here or at least on his way to Knoxville. WDVX's Red Hickey will host the festival, which runs from 1p to 7 p at the Candoro Marble Building at 4450 Candora Ave. There will be live music, cooking and I hear B will be hawking some salvage wares.

First Friday: August

It's a Friday of the First variety. Maybe, just maybe, we'll get some respite from this awful heat tonight for the First Friday goings on downtown. If you're limiting your FF activity because of the heat, though, might I suggest these four things tonight?

1. The new Knoxville Transit Center is complete, and it's really turned out to be a beautiful building. It's the first LEED-certified (ie green) public building built by the city of Knoxville, and the architect will be on hand tonight to offer tours and discuss the unique features of the building. There's also an art exhibition going on there with works by a variety of artists. The center is on the Church Street bridge that crosses over James White Parkway (ie between downtown and Hall of Fame Dr.) and will be First Fridaying from 5 to 8 p.m.

2. Our very own B is showing again at La Costa this month! I haven't had a chance to see any of her work, but word on the street is it's a bit different than her usual work, so even if you've seen her before at La Costa or Tomato Head, you should make a plan to see her stuff. La Costa's drink specials run from 4 to 7 p.m., and the restaurant is open until 11 p.m.

artwork by b.

3. The Arts & Cultural Alliance is having an art consignment sale in the balcony at the Emporium. Artists and members of the alliance will offer new or gently used artwork, antiques, bric-a-brac, crafts and jewelry for sale. A third of the sales benefit the alliance. Sale will be going on from 5 to 9 p.m. and again on Sunday from 11 to 3 p.m.

4. Ferd Moyse, the fiddler for the Hackensaw Boys and now Knoxville resident, is hosting his own little party at the Visitors' Center/Morelock Music (where he's now working!). Moyse will be jamming with banjoist and songwriter Morgan O'Kane. The party will start at 6 p.m. at the Visitors' Center, where there will be food from The Parlor, and then will migrate down Gay Street to Morelock Music at 8 p.m.

Happy First Fridaying!

flying biscuits, fast feet and wild and wonderful whites

Today is First Friday, so there's bound to be a bunch of fun stuff going on in and around Downtown. And out in Bearden. I stopped trying to keep up with First Friday a long time ago, since it has grown so much in the past year or so. I just go with the flow; and that way I don't feel pressure to follow an itinerary.

But there is one very fun event I'm planning to attend this evening, and that's the City People Second Annual Downtown Dash. If you haven't heard of City People, it's "a group made up of residents, business people, elected officials, preservationists, activists, and artists working together to address issues concerning Knoxville's center city." It's a group of conscientious citizens who work to make downtown a better, more fun place. Key word: fun. If there's one thing I know about City People, it's that they know how to have fun. (You should consider joining. Membership fees are really low, and benefits are listed at their website).

The Downtown Dash is a very fun 1 mile race that takes place, obviously, downtown. If you haven't already registered, you can still do so. Just show up at Pete's restaurant at 540 Union Ave. between 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The race begins at 7pm for elite runners, and then the rest of us will get started at 7:35. After the race, there is an awards ceremony in Krutch Park. Now hold on to your hats...If you dress in your best biscuit related costume and run the race, you are eligible to win an award for the best biscuit bolt costume! Because, that's right, this weekend is also the highly anticipated International Biscuit Festival!

We mentioned the Biscuit Festival a while back and sure are excited that it's finally here. So Biscuit Festival gives you extra incentive to head downtown for either First Friday, or a fun Saturday, or both. You can visit the website I linked above for a full list of events.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention the East Tennessee premier of The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. That's tonight, Friday, at 8:30 at The Shed out in Maryville. If you don't know anything about Dancing Outlaw Jesco White and his wacky family, then you sure are missing out. Dancing Outlaw is a cult classic documentary about Jesco and his family, and this new documentary, produced by Storm Taylor, looks to be awesome. You can get ticket information, directions, and view a film trailer from our buddies Knoxville Films. I think that after I do my dash, I am going to dash on over to Maryville to catch the premier.

Happy weekend, y'all.

Update: Lo has just informed me that his lovely wife is showing biscuit-inspired art at Coffee and Chocolate as a part of the International Biscuit Festival art competition. After you run or stuff your face with delicious biscuity treats, head over to Coffee and Chocolate to check it out!

word to your mother: downtown is the place to be tonight

folks, we're looking at a mighty fine showing of art and culture downtown for this 5th month of the year. mosey on down to the heart of our beloved city and share an evening with friends (and mothers!). here are a few of our favorites to guide your evening.

-- the wigshop's own max and b will be presenting at the flourescent gallery (627 n. central) in no kno

-- remedy will be all chicked out tonight showing the movie mad city chickens to benefit community gardening

-- at the art market gallery (422 S. Gay St.) zophia kneiss presents some totally awesome metal art along with artist marilyn avery turner and live jazz and blues

-- The arts & culture alliance is hosting a reception for seven local artists at the balcony (100 s. gay street ) and the its 2010 members show will be downstairs.

-- drop by the live music show at the visitors center on gay street for ferd's first friday. top secret guests to perform!

-- take a gander at miss kitty's bodacious boots show - which includes a collection of five decades of cowboy boots! - at RALA (323 union next to coffee and chocolate).

-- remember your elementary school art teacher? ut downtown gallery (106 S Gay Street) is featuring knox county art teachers own work 5-9 pm

a complete list of events is here. there may be more events that we're not listing, so feel free to add in the comments! happy weekend, wigshoppers!.

[ck] update:


Ben Sollee was supposed to play Rhythm and Blooms but couldn't make it because of a volcano or something. But he'll be making it up this Sunday at 7 PM at the beautiful Knoxville Botanical Garden (see Max's photos here) which may be Knoxville's best place to see an outdoor concert. Sollee is an excellent and unorthodox cello player with a positive, meaningful message in his lyrics. I would highly recommend going to his concert at full price, but because you're reading this here we'll help hook you up! Go to the ticket site here and enter the password "wigsphere" and viola! $26.50 becomes $5.00! Now you have a cheap lovely Sunday evening experience ahead of you.

Also this weekend: Vestival!


A uniquely Knoxville event- looks like lots of good music and stuff to do, go check it out!

First Friday Artist Announcement

Hello all,

Sorry for the double-post, but I wanted to make a recommendation for your First Friday festivities tomorrow.

The sculptor Brian Jobe is showing in the Reading Room of the Art+Architecture building at UT as part of the Robert Church Memorial Lecture Exhibition and Film Series. Brian is a Knoxville native who has returned to our fair city after several years in Texas and New York.


The installation is part of his ongoing work exploring materiality and modernity. His work is incredibly thought provoking and visually compelling.

To learn more about Brian, check out his website: www.brianjobe.com

His reception starts at 6, and there are also several Masters students showing across the hall at the Ewing Gallery. So come early and start your First Friday off right.

this week in review

 
I made sure to have my camera on me this past week to catch all of the different festivities happening in downtown Knoxville recently. Here are a few highlights.




Above: Ice skating in Market Square on Monday.


   The Christmas parade on Gay Street Friday night. Above are some pretty cute VW bugs, and below, who else but Frosty the Snowman on a dump truck.

 
 
 Above: At Lox Salon on First Friday for a show themed around the highly esteemed PBR.


Above: The snow covered valley of Townsend. I had the pleasure of waking up to this Saturday morning. I don't think I've never witnessed this much snow in Tennessee before.

Hope y'all had a merry week as well!

O First Friday, O First Friday

It's that time again, kids. I hear there may be some snow in our future. Wouldn't it be awesome if it snowed in time for today's First Friday events? But just in case there isn't, there's still the annual Christmas Parade that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Gay Street to get you into the holiday spirit.

I'm so pleased to announce that our very own B will be kicking off her own show, A jaunt through Knoxville, at La Costa tonight. She's showing many small screenprints that would make fabulous Christmas gifts (hint hint). If you stop at the bar while you're there, ask for the 'artist's special.' $2 Negra Modelos and Coronas and $4 glasses of Santa Rita 120 Sav Blanc and Snoqualmie Organic Merlot. If you can't make it to catch B's work today, you're in luck because it will be up all month.

And since you'll be out at La Costa tonight, check out these other fine First Friday offerings while you're out:

-- I'll Have What She's Having! at Lox Salon in the Old City. This is a photography show that's really a party. The artists are savvyKAT and Action Jackson and the music is by DJ Whorse (formerly DJ brothersteve). PBR and possibly spiced cider. Anyone who's ever been to Sassy Ann's knows PBR and dancing to great music is the perfect recipe for warmth.

-- Lonely House by Erin Pischke at the Birdhouse in Fourth and Gill. Erin spent two years living in Guatemala and adopting Guatemalan culture. She's created a video installation based on her time there. I love how she describes the installation ... 'The videos are Martha Rosler-esque in their simplicity, but are bilingual in their silence and cross-cultural in their imagery.'

-- Apophenia and the Great Escape by Karley Sullivan at 121 S. Gay St. Karley recalls her methods of escape while growing up in Knoxville in a series of paintings. There will be music and boxed wine too!

-- The Holiday Extravaganza at the Emporium (Friday and Saturday). Affordable crafts and handmade gifts by local artists are available for purchase. There will also be art, music and dance.

I hope your First Fridaying is merry and bright!

blogging and holidays

Hey guys- holidays really cause a lot of havoc for our schedule here at the Wigshop. Many of us are out of town and, you know, we have real jobs and stuff that keep us busy. So posting will be sporadic this month- but don't give up on us! Holiday time means lots of great stuff to do in Knoxville, and we'll do our best to bring it to you here.

As a heads up, this Friday is one of the best First Fridays of the year. Local artists (including one Wigshopper) will be out in full force to meet your creative shopping needs. Make sure to go out and spread some wealth in the local economy instead of corporate chains, or at least go see some good art.


The Christmas Parade is happening that night too- maybe one of the Knoxvillest things that happens in town. The floats show a cross section of our culture: basically, if you have a tractor and some tinsel, you're in the parade. So come on downtown, watch some funky floats, roast marshmallows on an open fire, and go to some galleries. It makes for a great evening! (More info will probably follow later this week).

Cheers, CK

The second-to-last First Friday of the year

It's First Friday for November. Can you believe how fast this year has flown by?

I heard a radio spot the other day advertising First Friday in the District in Bearden, the fancy name given to the business district over there. According to the District's website, many businesses over there will offer special deals between 5 and 8 p.m. There aren't any details, but I'm willing to bet you could find some sales at Swagger, maybe the Runners' Market, clothing boutiques and a few art galleries. One of my favorite gift spots, the Southern Market, which features many handmade goods from local artists, is also a part of the District's association.

If you're not in the mood to brave the downtown crowds, this might be worth checking out. If you do, report back here!

Now on to the downtown First Friday goings on ...

-- Abode is celebrating it's birthday, and I'm hoping there will be cake! Rita's is celebrating its birthday too, and there may not be cake, but there will be $1 small cups of Italian ice and $1 small cones of frozen custard.

-- On the second floor of the Bijou through 7 p.m. will be a reception honoring young artists from local elementary schools, and their work will be on display. Familiarize yourself with these budding artists now, since you'll probably see them back in the FF lineup a few years from now.

-- Showing at the Birdhouse are Jessie Van der Laan & Robmat Butler.

-- Downtown wine + spirits = sale. Need I say more? Get $4 off a bottle of organic chardonnay and 10 percent off regularly price wine and beer.

-- Mast General Store is hosting hubcap artist Sarah Brobst, who turns used hubcaps into art.

Here's a complete listing of participating businesses and galleries. And a map too!

First Friday musings

First Friday was a couple of days ago. It was one of those rare nights for me where everything seemed to go smoothly; the weather was incredible and I had one of the best art-viewing companions around, The Modern Gal. We rode our bikes around and I was able to see almost everything I intended to see and more. We ran into friends and our group grew as the night progressed.

A few general observations about First Friday: Everything I look to experience in the way of art is typically not found downtown, but in North Knoxville at places like the Florescent Gallery and the Birdhouse. There is an energy there, something more raw and more dynamic, obviously more youthful.

Downtown has its exceptions, Gallery 1010 and UT's Downtown Gallery, but being on Gay Street and Market Square during First Friday is not as much about the the art for me as it is to enjoy Knoxville, to see people out and about enjoying themselves. There was a slew of people watching Casablanca in the Square and others walking in and out of restaurants rubbing their bellies. It's so much fun to see.

We went to the Museum of East Tennessee History, which was my first visit. I think the people working were surprised to see people under forty walk through their doors. At least they seemed that way. It's a quieter side of First Friday which I enjoyed.

One artist I was glad to have been able to see again was Jason Amos Oaks, a former UT student who lives and works in Knoxville. He had a show at Florescent in February that I was really impressed with. I immediately recognized his work when I went into Abode on Friday. I'm sure it will be there for the rest of the month so check it out if you have the chance. The painting below is an example of his work and not one of the pieces currently at Abode.


In conclusion, I give this past First Friday 8.73 wigs. Good, good time.

First Friday, the off the beaten path edition

It's Friday, and that means two things: It's the last day to enter our Knoxville Twestival giveaway (go here and enter) AND it's September First Friday!

You First Friday veterans are probably well familiar with the venues around Market Square, Gay Street and the Old City. I'd like to encourage y'all to take a look at the other side of First Friday tonight.

If you head out N. Central Ave., you'll find some First Friday gems, not the least of which is Magpies and its free samples. Every First Friday goer needs a good base for all that free booze you'll be drinking, and cupcakes are as good a base as any, if you ask me.

Head farther up N. Central until you get to the Happy Holler 'hood (you know, where Toots, Time Warp and Veg-O-Rama are). You'll find our very own B showing some of her artwork at Relix, a furniture and art thrift store located next to Veg-O-Rama. B has been hard at work adding to her collection for tonight's show, so you don't want to miss it. Plus, Relix is a very cool space. I hear there may be a fashion show going on there as well.

Where is the Metrognome? by Beth Meadows
acrylic and varnish on particle board

Take a trip over to Mechanicsville when you're done and visit 501 Arthur -- sandwich shop by day, art studio by night. If you haven't seen 501 Arthur, you're in for a treat. It's got some beautiful architectural features and some funky lighting. 501 Arthur also does a nice dinner on Friday nights through 9 p.m. if those cupcakes aren't enough for you.

Now go forth and First Friday!

Seriously, Knoxville

The entry below is written by my friend Carri who just recently moved back to Knoxville with her husband Brian after being away from Knoxville for five years. I've heard this departing and returning called Knoxville's Boomerang Effect, and thought it would be interesting to have her write about why they decided to come back after all those years away.

I'm grateful for their return and think that their experiences away have equipped them with great things to offer this city.

So without much further ado, may I introduce to you Carri...


My husband, Brian, and I are artists who are thankful to be back in “The Scruffy City” after 5 years of absence. We spent four years in San Antonio and one in Brooklyn. When we were in New York, and Tennessee was calling our names (aka we couldn’t afford to stay in The Big Apple), we had to choose which city to base our lives, art careers and goals in. While the other large Tennessee cities have something to offer, Knoxville became the obvious choice for a number of reasons.


The city seems open to experimentation and new ideas in the arts, as long as you’re grounded. And hopefully we are - We don’t feel like we’re stuck here- we feel privileged to be a part of the community. We don’t make pottery, or paint mountain landscapes, but we know the history and importance of those crafts in the region. Hopefully, we can be advocates for the contemporary visual arts while also celebrating the art forms that are already beloved by Knoxvillians.


Knoxville’s medium size and lack of pretention/ big money could really lead to it being a major player in the southeastern art scene. When art is not dictated by money, and the experimental artists are making work just because they can do no other, then the outcome can be something to take note of. But to guard against an insular bubble of an art community, the city must connect to regional, national and international art scenes. This is where the University becomes a key factor. The art students at UT are constantly exposed to the current developments as well as the history of art. In addition, they are taught by visiting artists and lecturers from all over the world. These students then make art and show it to the Knoxville community. So whether they know it or not, Knoxvillians are getting a rare taste of what’s really happening in the bigger art scene today.


While all these factors (plus other ones: the First Friday art walk, an Art Museum, developing Artist in Residence programs, etc.) are impressive, there’s still room for much growth. My husband and I hope to be a part of the further development of Knoxville’s art scene by curating shows that involve artists from other regions, taking our work to other places, supporting local artists/ galleries and continuing to make our own work. While we don’t know how all this will happen, we’re looking forward to the challenge.

The fourth (and third) of july

Just before we all head out on this long (though I'm working the third) weekend make sure and note that there are quite a few happenings around our glorious bastion of liberty.

First, tonight is First Friday.

All the usuals should be considered, please reference previous posts such as this and maybe this.

Second, tomorrow is the Fourth.

Of course the city will be doing the usual fireworks and get together on Worlds Fair Park and there will be the farmers market, but there are a few other thing for grown ups to make sure and consider.

HQ, or as some call it the sunsphere, will be putting on 4th festivities starting at 5pm. If you're one of the first 50 there is no cover and you can enjoy the snacks for free and get at the cash bar. After that, it's a $10 cover, but both the 5th and 6th floors will be open for your imbibing pleasure. (Max # of peeps is 158, so come early if you want to watch the show from there)

Also, Crown and Goose is being oh so American by providing cheap beer and BBQ all day. $2 pints of British ale. Go by and give your condolences to those who still live under a monarchy, because hey we won.