A new lecture and workshop series promoting Knoxville creatives

I attended Pecha Kucha 2 a couple of months ago at Relix Variety Theater. I didn't know what it was until I got there, but was pleasantly surprised.

In essence, it is an outlet for creative people to talk about what they make. There were about 10ish speakers and each talked for 5 minutes while a slideshow of 20 images was projected behind them. It reminded me of attending the visiting artist lecture series at UT in the Art and Architecture Building, but I like the idea of Pecha Kucha because it gives artists and designers making work in Knoxville a chance to share.

Pecha Kucha 3 happened this past weekend, but I was out of town for it. I know they happen about quarterly, so be on the lookout if you are interested in attending. You can friend them on Facebook for updates.

Attending Pecha Kucha got me thinking that there needs to be more of this type of thing happening in Knoxville. Artists need a place to talk about their work and to teach outside of an academic setting. Art and inspiration for all. So I've decided to see what I can do to help.

I am very pleased to announce that tomorrow will be the first lecture/ workshop in a long series, based on this idea of creative people sharing, brought to you by 17th Street Studios*.

Our first speaker is Katie Ries, founder of the Urban Land Scouts and graduate of the MFA Studio Art program at UT.



photo by Katie Ries

I have gotten to know Katie over the past year or so and have to say she is one of my favorite artists in Knoxville. My first run in with her work was at a show at 1010 where models wore elaborate costumes she had made to better connect them to their surroundings (Costumes to Save Your Life). Later, I knew her as the girl who took people on walks through 4th and Gill to find edible plants in the neighborhood. Her work is exciting, pertinent, and it doesn't hurt that she has a great personality to back it all up. (I only gush when I am sincere, for the record)






















photo by Luke Wilkins

These are her words about the what she will be sharing tomorrow night: My work addresses the intersection between modern people and their land. I will be discussing my most recent project, the Urban Land Scouts, and talking about other contemporary artists with similar social and land-based practices. I will lead participants in a round of making seedbombs so that all may take their newfound knowledge to the streets (or fields).

I do hope you can make it, whether you are an artist or one that appreciates art. It should be thought provoking, inspiring, and a great venue for discussion. It may also be a place where one could find a free beer and some snacks.

Here are the details about tomorrow night:
17th Studios Presents
an Artist Lecture and Urban Land Scout Workshop
by Katie Ries
Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 6-7pm
at Redeemer Church
1642 Highland Avenue, Knoxville, TN
on the corner of 17th and Highland

If you can't make it tomorrow but have any ideas for future workshops or lectures, you may email me at beth@bethmeadows.com.

*17th Street Studios is a work space for 11 artists and designers in the Fort Sanders Neighborhood.

Red Light Cameras Part IV: A New Hope

Saw this story today and felt the need to pass it along.

OK so it's California, they do lots of crazy stuff, but between this and medicinal marijuana they have gotten some stuff almost right.

We need to have a serious conversation about the future of these "traffic control" devices in our city before, or perhaps during, the next election. I plan on asking all of the candidates, the ones who will respond at least, about their philosophical stance on red light/ speed cameras and how they plan on changing policy in the future.

Let me reiterate. These cameras are a sham of law enforcement. They make a company in Arizona millions in revenue by taking from our pockets. The tickets are not really tickets and are not reflected on your driving record and they cite the owner of the vehicle for a moving violation as opposed to the operator as in every other similar conviction. Finally, the whole thing just reeks of rampant big brother-ness and government opportunism to squeeze revenue out of the citizenry by any means possible.

Let's make sure this issue stays at the fore in the upcoming political season as it is a telling sign of how a leader views our small governmental world.

Is it art? round 6

Walking the dog the other day, I saw this along the greenway. Now of course the "tags" are harder to defend as they are less expression of an idea and more like a dog peeing on a tree, but the pictures...

It takes a talented hand to produce something on that scale. I know I can't do that.












If you want some previous takes on this topic, please see here.

Also, if you want my favorite webcomics take on it, please see here. (if you have never read these and you consider yourself a dork in any way, you are cheating yourself immensely)

"Jesus takes away bad dreams"

This seems to be popping up around town. Anyone have an idea where it started or who is behind it?

This one was found on Gay Street (can I still say that?) and one of our own had a note with the same message left on their door one night. I've seen it in the form of graffiti, notes, and pieces of paper on stuff.

Thoughts? Questions? Theological ponderings?

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.

Bill Miller on First Friday

Hey Wigshoppers!
It is almost that wonderful time of the month when all of the art galleries downtown open up and our little 100 block really feels alive. First Friday is my favorite night of the month, and this time there is a pretty good show too.

Bill Miller will be playing at Patrick Sullivan's



Bill Miller is a Grammy Award winning Native American artist who blends his Native American roots with (real) country and rock and roll. He has opened for (and been praised by) Tori Amos and Pearl Jam. Arlo Guthrie is a big fan too, among other songwriters. He is a great guitarist and is extremely accomplished on the Native American Flute. And he puts on one hell of a show.

The show should start around 9 or 9:30 and is $5. 18+. THIS FIRST FRIDAY.

He also may or many not be supported by a band that I play in. And by may or may not he is absolutely being supported by a band I play in.

Knox Kickball

When I'd hear about another friend of mine in D.C. or Nashville or NYC or various other cities that are larger that Knoxville joining a kickball league I'd secretly be jealous, thinking Knoxville wasn't big enough to have a kickball league. What a silly thought to have -- of course Knoxville is big enough! It just needed someone to step up to the plate (pun intended) and organize a league.

Amy Hubbard is in the process of doing just that, can I get a heck, yeah! Amy, she of Girl House Productions, has nailed down the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum as the site and our friends at Marble City Brewing Company as the sponsor for the inaugural season of Knox Kickball.

Here's the plan:
Games will be on Sundays from May 15 through July 24, at 5-9 p.m. (with the exception of May 22 which will be 1-5 p.m.). Only a couple of teams will play each Sunday, so if you're worried about it being an extensive time commitment, don't. She's hoping for between six to eight teams of 10 to 12 players each for now. You can either organize as a team or sign up as an individual and be assigned to a team. This summer seasons is kind of a trial run, so it's mainly just a time to show up and play some kickball, but Amy hopes to have a tournament-based season in the fall if all goes well.

Want to learn more or just meet Amy and tell her how awesome she is for organizing this? Meet her at the Public House on Thursday (as in tomorrow) at 7:30 p.m. And here's a sign-up form!

Who else is really excited about this?

Harry's Delicatessen is opening soon on the 100 Block of Gay St.!