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Explore the list below of what's happening this month and check back as events are added before each First Friday.
Plus, enjoy a special First Friday block party on the 100 Block of Gay Street from 5-9 PM! Please note, Gay Street (between Jackson and Vine avenues) will be open for pedestrians only between 4-10 PM
Join us in September at Rala for Print Palooza, showcasing vibrant, unique prints from talented artists. Plus, enjoy another month of Ryan Blair’s incredible Appalachian Aquarium.
6 PM—8 PM.
View the annual Arrowmont AIR show spotlighting residence Lela Arruza and Sam van Strien.
5:30 PM—8:30 PM.
Marcia Goldenstein and Tom Riesing are showcasing new work in their exhibit, Shared Spaces, at RED GALLERY from September 6-28. Both artists have a rich history of teaching at the University of Tennessee School of Art, with Tom also serving as the director at Ball State University. Their work has been exhibited and recognized nationally and internationally. The exhibit features Goldenstein's map-inspired pieces and Riesing's recent monoprints, created during his residency at Constellation Studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.
5 PM—9 PM.
The Arts and Culture Alliance presents:
David Gorley: Vanitas
Vanitas is a still life artwork which includes various symbolic objects designed to remind the viewer of their mortality and of the worthlessness of worldly goods and pleasures. A memento mori is an artwork designed to remind the viewer of their mortality and of the shortness and fragility of human life. Every aspect of the picture has symbolism and language, some evident and common, some obscure.
Anna Szynkiewicz: Geoscience through the Lens of Ceramic Art
This new collection of ceramic mosaics features geoscience investigations and discoveries in a broader context to enhance scientific understanding about natural processes among the public. In this exhibition, Anna Szynkiewicz presents artistic visualizations of geological settings investigated by the Curiosity, Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars as well as emphasizes the significance of clay use through time for water transport and purification.
Ігор Цикура and Інна Любич: Where I Am
Where I Am is a series of etchings and linocuts created in Kyiv, Ukraine during the summer of 2022. This period marked the time immediately after the initial shock of Russia's unprovoked and unjust full-scale invasion of Ukraine had passed, allowing for the first meaningful reflections to emerge. During this time, millions of Ukrainians sought refuge abroad, grappling with the loss of their homeland.
Charles McTyere Parker III: Attention Deficit
Attention Deficit highlights the artist’s working process where projects move in multiple directions as focus abruptly shifts and works remain ever in flux. Over varied subject matter, cohesiveness develops through experimentation with a wide range of materials and found objects. Themes of isolation, anxiety, memory, death, decay and self-assessment merge with surreal and abstracted formal concepts like windows, doors and landscapes, providing an introspective dreamlike experience for the viewer.
Dryad Naiad Studio: Of Earth and Air
Of Earth and Air features original mushroom spore prints which begin as photographs and subsequently enlarged to produce limited edition, pigment ink prints on archival paper. Tiny organisms living in the mushrooms are collaborators whose tracks and other marks are gladly included.
Nick Ferruso: Old Growth, New Roots
Nick Ferruso uses his canvas to capture an intimate moment in nature. His paintings are unique slices of time: rejuvenating, uplifting and personal. Most feature familiar nature scenes from in and around Knoxville that viewers will find recognizable.
5 PM—9 PM.
Opening reception for sculptor Linda Sullivan and photographer Jack Retterer. Complimentary refreshments and music. Explore the marketplace of more than 60 juried-in East TN artists.
5:30 PM—9 PM.
Lazarus Lake will be performing, free admission.
7 PM—10 PM.
Hola Hora Latina is proud to present Frutos Latinos, an art show competition celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and highlighting talented artists in our community. The exhibit will be on display until September 17.
5 PM—9 PM.
Join Dogwood Arts for the opening reception of 'Cyclical Nature' a solo exhibition by Megan Lingerfelt. Cyclical Nature is a rare glimpse into Lingerfelt’s studio practice. This new branch of work focuses on the repetitive patterns of botanical elements with stark shadows in the high contrast style utilized in her murals. Inherently, many murals are impermanent and these works revisit concepts that no longer exist in public spaces.
5 PM—8 PM.
Lore: What We Were Told | What We Saw | What We Tell Ourselves is the sophomore portfolio from Black Women of Print. With Lore, contributing artists continue to expand on personal, familial, spiritual, and creative legacies. The prints are a collection of emic narratives created by active founding members and Cohort II members.
Lore was curated by Tanekeya Word, founder of Black Women of Print and features works from Deborah Grayson, Karen J. Revis, Stephanie Santana, LaToya Hobbs, and Althea Murphy-Price.
5 PM—9 PM.
The Arts & Culture Alliance will host a series of First Friday block parties, featuring live music outdoors as well as artist booths/vendors by more than 20 local artists! In September, we welcome Fountain City Ramblers. Inside, the Emporium celebrates the opening of five new exhibitions.
The Block Party aims to create a lively atmosphere in conjunction with the monthly First Friday celebrations. Closure of a portion of Gay Street will provide open pedestrian access and help build community. All are welcome!
First Friday runs 5—9 PM.
The 100 Block of Gay Street between Jackson and Vine avenues will be open to pedestrians only from 4—10 PM.
A portion of W. Jackson Avenue will be closed to vehicles and the street will be filled with 20+ local makers, live music from Redd & the Paper Flowers, an interactive activity with the Maker City, and much more! The Old City is a hub for art of all kinds - especially during First Friday! The Jackson Avenue Block Party is brought to you by Dogwood Arts, the Old City Market, and the City of Knoxville.
6 PM—10 PM
Hot shop Glassblowing Demonstrations at nationally known Pretentious. Don’t miss this.
5 PM—9 PM.
Enjoy jazz with Caleb Sherrod. Great spot for dinner and cocktails.
8 PM—10:30 PM.
Opening reception for artist Ame Houston's 'A Better Place'. Ame’s work explore's a realm between reality and imagination using bold colors and idealized landscapes. For each piece, Ame selected a limited palette - aiming to evoke emotions and bring viewers to a serene and dreamier place. These places occupy a space between real geographical locations and a fleeting daydream. Join Awaken for some amazing art, light refreshments, and of course great coffee!
6 PM—8 PM.
Ashton Brown & The Natural Heat will perform. Tickets at door.
8 PM.
Music from Lee Rod and the Various States (21+).
9 PM—midnight.
Browse work by 150+ local artists and enjoy a cocktail or bite in the Tavern during First Friday at Maker Exchange! Don't miss new work by Virginia Derryberry, Caitlin O'Keefe Robinson, Anna Grocholski, and many more on display now.
5—7 PM.
Amber Rountree, owner of Sunsphere Scents, will be doing a pop-up in the VC showcasing her new fragrance line in the Visitor's Center. Knoxville Scents include: House Mountain, Candoro Marble, and Sunsphere Sunset. She will also have her full line available for purchase.
5:30 PM—7 PM.
Works from Selected National Workshop Instructors in the permanent off-campus exhibition space.
5 PM—9 PM.
Visit Bethie Lou’s Fabulous Gift Store for the Gift Store Galleria. Come in for a special experience of fun, laughter, and fabulous gifts. Extended First Friday hours.
Open until 9 PM.
Gallery 1010 is the only fully student-run, non-profit, off-campus UTK exhibition space in the state of Tennessee. Gallery 1010 provides a location for School of Art artists to exhibit their work, curate exhibitions, and collaborate with other artists or disciplines outside of the School of Art.
September's exhibition is 'Weird and Eerie: A Rubens Fan Club Show'.
5 PM—9 PM.
Original oils by Robin Rohwer and photography by Christopher Rohwer.
Husband and wife artists in studio until 9 PM.
The musical guest for First Friday Live July will be Justin Fedor.
6 PM—7 PM.
Poets Clint Bowman, Andrew Mack, and Kate Wright will be reading from their respective works.
6 PM—8 PM.
Underground @ Mirage 9.0 with house music from Matt Silliman and DJ Keiran.
6 PM—1:30 AM.
Theatre Knoxville Downtown presents The Revolutionists
This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold. Tickets available.
7:30 PM.
Music from Soulfinger with Thør and the Reigns. Tickets at door.
8 PM.
The featured artist on display will be Torrie Jones (5 PM—9 PM) with music by Chris Morel (9 PM—Midnight).
Featured work on display from Torrie Jones.
5 PM—8 PM.
Daché Boutique will have local art, drinks, food, permanent jewelry, a hat bar, and more.
5 PM—8 PM.
Get ready to dance! It’s Andres Tapia DJ Night. Tickets at door.
10 PM.
Local multimedia artist Sienna Wood will be showcasing her works. All pieces are for sale.
6 PM—8 PM.
