Downtown Knox ArtWalk

July's featured artists are Bonnie Colonna and Steven Varga.

Bonnie Colonna, Fiber:
With over 25 years of quilting experience, Bonnie is a seasoned fiber artist whose passion for needlework began at the age of five, when she was taught the basic lazy daisy stitch. That early love of handwork blossomed into a lifelong journey through fabric and thread. She believes quilting is more than a craft; is a meaningful form of creative expression that brings love, caring, warmth, and comfort into the world. Quilts are woven into the fabric of our lives, commemorating birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries and deaths. And even when there's no occasion to mark, she believes in making quilts simply to explore the interplay of color, texture, embellishment, and design.

Steven Varga, Metal:
Steven Varga was born in Portugal in 1985 but spent his formative years in Paraguay until 2005. From the moment Steven laid down his first weld bead he was hooked. His early pieces were created by scavenging old tools and using MIG welding techniques to create large spiders and other creatures, one of which is still used by the welding department at Pellissippi as part of their recruitment efforts. Upon being hired at Advanced Catalyst Systems in Maryville, Steven was reintroduced to the beauty and finesse of TIG welding. Over countless hours he has practiced manipulating stainless steel through careful application of heat and the timely removal of the shielding argon gas in order to produce the desired coloration of the metal. TIG welding also allowed him to weld finer materials and give more attention to details. Steven has also been practicing with welding dissimilar materials which he has recently begun to incorporate in his art.

Explore the marketplace of more than 60 juried-in East TN artists.

5:30 PM—9 PM.

Join RED Gallery for the opening reception of the 2025 Dogwood Regional Exhibition. The exhibition includes 37 standout artists from across the Southeast working in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more.

4 PM—8 PM.

Visit Able Trade for beer, bites, and local talent. Join them for a night of plants, books, beer, art, food, & great people! Featuring works from Museum of Infinite Outcomes and Native Plant Rescue Squad.

5:30 PM—8:30 PM.

The musical guest for First Friday Live will be The Lonetones.

6 PM—7 PM.

Addison's bookstore will be open for special extended hours First Friday!

6—9 PM.

Join Dogwood Arts for the opening reception of the 2025 Dogwood Regional Exhibition. The exhibition includes 37 standout artists from across the Southeast working in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more.

4 PM—8 PM.

Enjoy jazz with Donald Brown. Great spot for dinner and cocktails.

8 PM—10:30 PM.

Grab your gear, your friends, and your passport to experience our downtown! Meet some of East Tennessee’s most interesting amphibian residents in the form of little bronze sculptures!

Grab a passport at Mast General Store, Visit Knoxville, or download a digital version at knoxnewts.com. Study the clues, and find all 12 bronze newts hidden amid our downtown landmarks.

This permanent, self-guided scavenger hunt is free to play and open 24/7, year round. Happy hunting!

Visit Bethie Lou’s Fabulous Gift Store at their new location at 108 E Jackson Ave, Ste 1! ome in for a special experience of fun, laughter, and fabulous gifts. Extended First Friday hours.

Open until 9 PM.

Enjoy music from The Bearded (21+).

9 PM.

Join the UT Downtown Gallery for Art Source 2025. This is an exhibition of the work of art teachers and art interns in the Knox County School System. For more than fifteen years, Art Source, the exhibition dedicated solely to Knox County art educators, has given these same teachers an opportunity to nourish and showcase their own artistic talents.

5 PM—9 PM.

Hot shop Glassblowing Demonstrations at nationally known Pretentious. Don’t miss this.

5 PM—9 PM.

Join Awaken Coffee for First Friday for an opening reception for photographer Jonathan Knight.

Jonathan is a photographer based in Knoxville, TN. He’s drawn to the contrast of light and shadow that monochrome can produce. Whether capturing a vast landscape in a national park or a lone individual in a large city center, his goal is to try and find the geometry within that moment—to pause and find the shapes that we pass in everyday life.

Please join us for some amazing art and of course great coffee! 

6 PM—8 PM.

The Arrowmont Gallery's featured exhibition will be 100 and Under | The Vase Show.

Celebrating the art of the vessel, this exhibition showcases ceramic pieces by Knoxville-based artists and artists connected to the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. This curated collection highlights a diverse range of styles, techniques, and forms from the following artists: Bailey Fritz, Bill Griffith, Bryan Wilkerson, Dow Redcorn, Horacio Casillas, Jen Allen, JeeEun Lee, Justin Rothshank, Kari Woolsey, Karly Jean Kainz, Leandra Urrutia, Marissa Childers, Mark Errol, Mike Griffin, Phil Haralam, Rebecca J. Smedley, Rose Downs, Sam Oliver, TJ Edwards, Vanessa M. Hartman and Yael Braha. This exhibition will be on view at the Arrowmont Gallery until August 30, 2025.

5 PM—9 PM.

In celebration of summer, the exhibition will culminate with Bloom Bar, a special one-day event on Saturday, August 30th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event will feature local flower businesses Dewfall Flowers and Parkridge Pedals, offering a variety of locally grown, cut and dried flowers. Vase buyers are invited to pick up their pieces and grab the perfect bouquet to complement their new work of art. Receive a FREE small flower bouquet with a vase purchase. (Some restrictions apply)

Join RALA for the opening of Don't Blink by Julia Walters.

Julia is a multimedia artist known for her luminous, emotionally charged figurative work. Through oil paint and charcoal, she explores memory, time, and the blurred space between reality and imagination. The show will be on view through September. 

6 PM—9 PM.

For over 22 years, the Pilot Light has been the go-to for independent and experimental music. On Friday, hear performances by Paperwork with Glaver and Modenèl. Tickets at door.

8 PM.

Music from Gramphix with Full Service. Tickets at door.

8 PM.

Poetry night featuring Danita Dodson, David Cazden, and Joe Seale. Join to hear poetry, enjoy light refreshments, and celebrate the written word. RSVP for this FREE event by visiting unionavebooks.com/events.

6 PM—8 PM.

Original oils by Robin Rohwer and photography by Christopher Rohwer. The husband and wife artist duo is excited for Spring with lots of new work to share!

In studio until 9 PM.

Music by AYCA YAYMAN BAND with Field Trip, Puppychain, Porcelain Parrot, and Vern.

8 PM. 

Get ready to dance with music from DJ Andres Tapia.

10 PM.

Enjoy live music featuring Band-Backed Wren from 7-9 PM! And don't miss six new murals painted by local and regional artists in the Curio. 

5 PM—9 PM.

Underground @ Mirage featuring house music from Chicago's Karl Almaria and Nashville's Sprout. With Kevin Nowell, Chris Marc, Christian Ferrer, and Earl Grae. Featuring live percussion from "Legend" Cory Hodge. Enjoy house music all night long at this FREE event. (ID required.)

6 PM—1:00 AM.

Enjoy music from Local Lore.

7 PM—10 PM.

Locals can enjoy Free Admission to the Sunsphere from 10-6 PM. Must show a valid Knox County Drivers License!