New Exhibitions Opening

THE ARTS & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from February 3-25. Most of the works are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at KnoxAlliance.store.

National Juried Exhibition of 2023 in the Upper Gallery

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present its 17th annual National Juried Exhibition, a new exhibition featuring selected works from 46 artists throughout the region. The National Juried Exhibition was developed to provide a forum for artists to compete on a regional scale and display their highest quality work. The exhibition encompasses all styles and genres from both emerging and established artists working in a variety of media such as wood, photography, oil, glass, fiber, paper, and more.

Juror Julie Jack’s statement excerpts: A gentle turn toward nature seemed to dominate these entries. A quiet (hushed but communicative) observation characterized the selected entries. The selected pieces tacitly display an awareness of the threat to the world around us. Although the selections reveal themes of evanescence, the exhibition displays artwork that undeniably draws you in and keeps you there.

This Photo Journey: Through the Lens of Marcy Wielfaert in the Lower Gallery

Artist statement: I have two objectives when I photograph. The first one is to tell a story, helping everyone feel as if they are part of the moment. I also want my images to evoke a pleasant memory or awaken a desire to see more of a particular place or time. Second, it is my desire to showcase our amazing world through my own, unique perspective. God has provided a spectacular place for us to enjoy, and I want to inspire an appreciation of His creation.

After raising her family and enjoying a career in education, Marcy wanted to pursue a challenge that would provide an opportunity to be more creative so she purchased a camera to capture the beauty of her beloved Smoky Mountains.

Works by (A.D.) Anthony Donaldson in the Atrium

(A.D.) Anthony

Donaldson is a Knoxville Area Transit bus driver who intensely studied art in high school and college. Expressing himself through art as a writer would express oneself in a book, he asks whether art imitates life or life imitates art, and he feels the answer is both. Artist statement excerpt: Thinking and imagination, letting one’s mind run free with thoughts flowing free on canvas, abstract in some creations. Sometimes I wonder if I went too far or deep, and the answer is no. My God is deeper than infinity: Too high to go over, too low to go under, too wide to go around.

David Gorley: Shadow on the North Wall

Artist statement excerpts: These works surround ideas of consciousness versus the subconscious - the archetypes built into a collective or cultural memory. I do not mean them as nostalgic, though that inevitably comes to mind. They are dreamlike, blurred, off, somewhat like that nagging memory, that feeling from the past that can’t quite be caught. I view the banal, the everyday. A fleeting sight of a tree. An old house looms up. Someone has just left a room. Crouching, hiding, action has taken place just outside the frame. These visual elements and chosen colors stand as symbols to evoke the hero’s journey built into all of us: to make us examine our presence, here and now, or past, or future.

Smoky Mountain Woodturners in the Display Case

This new exhibition highlights creative works in woodturning by members of the Smoky Mountain Woodturners (SMWTS). Club members are from the East Tennessee region and range in skill level from professional woodturners to dedicated hobbyists. The display exhibits 28 pieces, including segmented bowls, sculptures, and unique vases - all showcasing woodturning expertise and the beauty of our region’s wood.

The exhibition will also include the history of the SMWTS, educational outreach activities, and charitable contributions the club makes locally. Membership is open to all interested woodworkers. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at Woodcraft of Knoxville (8023 Kingston Pike) and include demonstrations by local and nationally known experts in woodturning.

The exhibitions will be on display at the Emporium Center, located at 100 S. Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. The Emporium is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, Friday from 9 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information, call 865-523-7543 or visit KnoxAlliance.com.