First Friday ArtWalk

It's Rhinestone Fest in the Old City! A weekend full of celebrating Dolly Parton and all artists, musicians, and do-gooders that Dolly has inspired throughout her rhinestone-studded career. At the Dolly-Themed Festival  — starting Friday June 2 — you'll find music, merchandise, pop-up bars, themed-coffees, draft cocktails, and more at multiple locations. Put on your Dolly-best and explore!

The Arts & Culture Alliance presents five new exhibitions and as always hosts a free gathering with the artists on First Friday. Explore the new exhibits and hear live music inside the Emporium by Ben McLaughlin. 5-9 PM

Exhibits opening on June 2 include:

Chaos & Void by Vincent Drake and Greg Schweiger
This exhibit features new paintings by Vincent Drake and new photography by Greg Schweiger. Vincent is interested in investigating our culture's influence on our identities and the confusion, panic, and suffering that results. By using the essential aspects of light, shadow and motion, Greg removes the external world as the subject and explores new photographic frontiers.

Barbara Bolton Cornett: Arboretum Obscura & Emily Greenquist: The Hardin Valley Project
Arboretum Obscura came about over the course of several years and miles of hikes throughout a variety of locations in the Appalachian Mountains. The Hardin Valley Project is a new exhibition of photographs showing the development of Hardin Valley over the last three years, captured on 35mm black and white film.

Diana Ferguson: Behold the Night
Diane, also known as DiFergi, is an internationally recognized and awarded visual artist. Primarily a painter using acrylics, she sometimes is also drawn to collage and mixed mediums. Her work seeks to entertain, question and create its own narratives.

Summer Small: Daughter Land
Summer Small’s acrylic and oil paintings are a double exposure forged from a deep well of folklore and traditional craft juxtaposed against her experience of growing up as daughter of modern Appalachia. She depicts the strange as it is familiar, and the familiar as it is mysterious and ephemeral.

Deb Mazz Cikovic: Our Earth in Color
Deb Mazz Cikovic has been an artist and creator of original concepts in art since the late 1970s. She is currently best known for paintings in oils, ink, and acrylic pouring as well as one-of-a-kind epoxy work. She uses a multitude of techniques and materials to create paintings and epoxy pieces which hold different meanings for each individual’s mind’s eye.

First Friday at UT Downtown Gallery will feature the opening reception for In [ ] We Trust. Curated by former Knoxvillian Alex Gingrow, the exhibit asks us to consider what we trust without mandate and why. What are those systems and values we believe in? What do we accept, and what do we let go of? The exhibit features work by Alex Gingrow, Kyung Jeon, Jim Lee, David X. Levine, Makeda Lewis, Steve Locke, Audrey Stone, and Trish Tillman. 5-9 PM.

It's time for the 5th annual Dolly Art Show at Rala! Rala's wall will be filled with art by nearly 40 local and regional artists who love Dolly. 5 - 8 PM. Awards will be announced at 7 PM on First Friday. The Dolly art will remain on display through the end of July.

Make candles with Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts! Torrie and AJ Dreier of 865 Candle Company will guide you through the process, step by step. In class, you will go on a candle making journey that includes melting your own wax, curating your scent, and creating your own scent name.& All materials are provided and you'll take home your very own candle. Reserve your space and get tickets here.

Opening in June at Dogwood Arts on Jackson Ave is 'Paper Garden', an exhibition by multi-disciplinary artist Kate Buuck and printmaker Gabrielle Barnhart. The vibrant, flora-foward pieces of this show are artifacts from their exploration and collaboration. 5-8 PM.

Every month the Art Market Gallery opens their doors on First Friday for an opening reception with complimentary refreshments and music. New artists to the Gallery will be featured all June. Artists include international painter and portrait artist Cindy Marrazzo, portrait painter Charlotte Brindley, impressionist painter Pebbie Mott, acrylic painter Gary Taylor, glass & jewelry artist Julie-Boisseau-Craig, and Shibori weaver Sherrie Wilson. Visit the gallery on Gay Street during First Friday from 5:30 PM to 9 PM for the opening reception and to explore the vibrant marketplace of original art by more than 60 juried-in East Tennessee artists.

RED Gallery will host an opening reception for artist Amy Campbell. "Bluegrass, Classic Country Blues both Old and New" is a visual tribute to the originators of this music and the young’uns carrying it on. The exhibit includes paintings and prints of Appalachian musical pioneers Libba Cotton, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, and more! 5-9 PM on Friday, June 2 with additional hours throughout the Rhinestone Fest weekend.

Visit Christopher Robin Arts to see the work of Christopher Rohwer and Robin Rohwer, husband-and-wife artist duo. Their gallery is located in the Phoenix Building on the 400 block of Gay Street. Stop by from 5-9 PM on First Friday to meet the artists and to view their paintings and photography!

Head over to Able Trade to tour the Working Studios of creative artists, makers, builders, inventors, and collaborators. On June 2, you can also learn about the new Knoxville publication Mergoat Mag, a publication about the ecological situation throughout Southern Appalachian and the broader Southeast. 5:30-8:30 PM. 

Lox will be hosting artist Tracye Sowders for the month of June. Her beautiful art will be displayed throughout the salon, spa and studio spaces. 

If you are looking for unique, handmade items, head to Paris Woodhull Illustrations. This shop of local maker Paris Woodhull is the perfect place to find locally created T-shirts, stickers, earrings, home decor and more. Open until 8 PM on First Friday with lots of Dolly merchandise in June and a free Dolly coloring sheets table.

Bliss is excited to host Taylor Carlisle as the featured artist in June. Taylor's handmade items are designed to make people happy. The collection featured is inspired by Dolly Parton...an exciting way to kick off Rhinestone Festival weekend.

Stop by Studio 106 at the Emporium Center to enjoy a wide variety of art from ten local Tennessee Artists Association Members. Open until 9 PM on First Friday.

The Arrowmont Gallery is the first permanent off-campus exhibition space for the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. Each First Friday they host a reception from 5-9 PM. The marketplace works rotate each month, so there is always new pieces to see and purchase! 

Sip on a cocktail or enjoy a delicious dinner in the Tavern and view the artwork of Local Makers in the Curio at Maker Exchange. The Curio is an ever-changing, shoppable display of Knoxville-made sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, and more! First Friday at Maker Exchange is hosted by Dogwood Arts. 5-8 PM. Plus free valet parking if you drink or dine in the Tavern or coffee shop. 

Take a stroll and explore Dogwood Arts' installation of Art in Public Places, a large-scale sculpture installation in and around Krutch Park. This extraordinary exhibit rotates pieces on an annual basis; be sure and see this year's pieces before they're gone. Great photo ops for your First Friday ArtWalk evening. Share your photos to Instagram with #FirstFridayKnox!

It's time to go sailing... or dancing to the tunes of Knoxville's ultimate yacht rock band, Smooth Sailor. 9:30 PM. Cash cover at the door. 

It's Opening Night at Theatre Knoxville of Puffs directed by Courtney Woolard. The New York Times proclaims Puffs “A fast-paced romp through the ‘Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic...Puffs exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry!’ This clever and inventive play runs through June 18. Tickets on sale now.

For 22 years, the Pilot Light has been Knoxville's home for creative, independent, and experimental music and performance. Drop by on June 2 for Julia Cannon, Jorden Albright, Lucy Abernathy, and Crystal Rose. Starts at 8 PM. Tickets at the door.

It's Opening Night at River & Rail Theatre Company for the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home directed by Jessica Holt. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, it's a poignant story about growing up gay in rural Pennsylvania. Runs through June 18. Tickets on sale now.

On June 2, Knoxville Fine Violins will host University of Tennessee graduate student Hunter Wilburn. The shop—which carries an exceptional selection of new and antique instruments and bows as well as strings, cases, and accessories—is on Clinch Ave just off of Gay Street. Music will be from 6:45 PM to about 8 PM.

Enjoy libations and a free performance at Jig & Reel! Performing live on First Friday June 2 is Bonner Black, in honor of Rhinestone Fest! Bonner Black, is a classically trained ballerina turned singer/songwriter from Hot Rock, TN. Music starts at 9 PM. 21+.

You'll find a special showcase of live music with Lila Satterfield in the Library Lounge at Crowne Plaza Knoxville. Lila is a local musician with nearly a decade of playing experience and a unique sound that combines rock, funk, indie, and more. 6 PM - 9 PM. Free admission and happy hour drink specials. 

On June 2, Mirage will host a mesmerizing and exciting bellydance show by Safiya Nawaar, owner and director of Arabesque World Dance in Lexington KY. Safiya is well known for her traditional elegance in Raqs Sharqi, with a modern flair of theatrics. Performances starting at 9 PM. For reservations call (865)200-8910 or online at mirageknoxville.com/reservations/.

WDVX and Visit Knoxville celebrate the art and culture of the city on First Friday with Taps & Tunes, a live radio show featuring artists from around the region or nationally touring acts. Play your part in the radio show and be in the audience for the FREE show at 6 PM! Host Evie Andrus sets the stage by inviting musical guests to perform, talk, and get comfortable. 

NEZ is a five-piece soul band with horns that will take the stage at 8 PM on First Friday at The Pub. Soul band Soulfinger goes on at 11:30 PM. Cash cover at the door. 21+

Wine and dine at the Bistro while listening to The Jon Steele Trio! The Jon Steele Trio plays original jazz compositions and arrangements with a deep love of the groove and chops to match the high energy. Music starts at 8 PM. 

Take your night to the big screen with the art of film at the Regal Riviera on Gay Street. Check out current blockbusters on their website.

Hop on the Free Downtown Trolley! It will take you between Market Square, Gay Street and the Old City. Catch it at any Green Line stop every 20 minutes.

Show your artsy side with First Friday Lego Build at the Dab Bar. There will be a large bin full of individual Lego pieces so you can unleash your imagination. 

Drop by the Hilton Knoxville to enjoy a night with singer/songwriter Jaredd Reed. 6-9 PM.

Catch the music of Mal Nombre at Pour Taproom from 9 PM - midnight. And as always, pour and pay by the ounce craft beers!