Downtown’s First Friday is always a big day for the Emporium Center; this month’s events are no exception. The First Friday openings of the shows listed below can be viewed from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The Emporium Center is located at 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. The shows are hosted by the Arts & Culture Alliance (www.knoxalliance.com) The Emporium Center hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, with additional Thursday hours (July 7, 14, 21, 28) from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The center will be closed on July 4 for the Independence Day holiday.
In the Gallery (July 1-29)
Townsend Artisan Guild: A Sense of Community – Portrait of Small Towns and City Life
“Fiber artists, painters, photographers, sculptors, and woodworkers will exhibit their representation of communities and the environments they consider home. Each individual values different aspects of community life and the surroundings that make each community unique, and each artist presents his own unique interpretation.”
In the Balcony (July 1-29)
Sculpture by Ty Crisp
“Ty Crisp grew up fly fishing and collecting Native American artifacts with his father throughout southern Appalachia. As a third generation carpenter, his career began at an early age, from working in his grandfather’s shop to assisting his father in the field. Choosing travel over college in 1993, he spent the next two years exploring the diverse American landscape before resuming his craft. In 1995 he returned to Tennessee and traveled around the southeast constructing timber frame and log homes. His love of woodworking quickly evolved into furniture making, joinery and design. Upon opening his first Studio in 2004 he began experimenting in metal work, concrete and stone. This combination of elements became a catalyst for interior and exterior design concepts.”
On the North Wall (July 1-29)
Daniel Taylor: Faces of Jazz (photography)
“Daniel Taylor has been passionate about photography for more than half of his life. After retiring from retail sales three years ago, he was able to dedicate more time to his art. Taylor is a self-taught artist who is influenced by Peter Turnley, Elliot Erwitt and others in the world of Street Photography. He enjoys shooting casual portraits outdoors or in his home studio. Other favorite images include live musical performances and architectural angles. Taylor’s exhibition includes black & white photographs of jazz artists on stage. The music played in jazz is filled with the soul of the player. Taylor also feels there is a visible emotion with the artist, which is expressed through his/her body language, grins and grimaces.”
In the Atrium (July 1-29)
Service, Sacrifice, Honor by Cheryl Sharp (photography)
“Celebrating the July 4th holiday and honoring the men and women of our military, “Service, Sacrifice, Honor” is a small selection of photographs of those serving their nation and the families supporting them. Several images are representative of the sacrifice of past service and those who continue to honor their memory every day. A grateful people can never forget the cost of freedom.
Cheryl Sharp is a Knoxville native and a graduate of the University of Tennessee’s College of Business. Her love of photography began as a passion to document the lives of her large family. She and her husband, Myron, have nine siblings between them with many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Their daughter and son-in-law have added a grandson to the large group. Cheryl photographs everything from Friday night football to friends and family, travel and nature. She and her husband have been fortunate to travel much of the US and parts of Canada. Cheryl’s personal favorite is close to home, Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”
In the display case (July 1-29)
Renee Suich: Small Stories
“Renee Suich creates mixed media art including collages inspired by nature, history and the energy that surrounds us all. Early years spent in design were further fostered by time spent working at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her work has been referred to as ‘Heritage Collage’, as she incorporates vintage imagery in a contemporary composition. “My vision starts with a story that I want to share,” says Suich. “I then use layers of my own artist made altered paper, natural objects, and painting.” Suich now resides in East Tennessee and enjoys experimenting with new media including encaustic work. Different mediums, like encaustic work, allow Suich to explore color and texture in a new way. Every piece becomes a new challenge. Suich recently received 3rd place in Small Plates: A Response to Hunger by Art&ArtDeadlines.com;, and she was also accepted as a finalist to show work in the September issue of ClothPaperScissors magazine.”
In the Black Box on Friday, July 1 – 5:30-6:30 PM
Full Disclosure Comedy
“Full Disclosure Comedy is a long-form improv & sketch comedy group self-taught on the UCB Comedy Improvisation Manual and “Truth in Comedy” by Charna Halpern. The group spent about nine months studying techniques before starting performances around Knoxville in May 2015. Currently, FDC performs bi-weekly at Open Chord Music in West Knoxville. Before each practice and performance, the team shares their “Full Disclosure moments”, allowing the audience inside their heads. Besides monthly performances at Open Chord Music, the comedy troupe has also been a part of the Third Coast Improv Festival, Scruffy City Comedy Festival and Gatlinburg Improv Fest as both performers and instructors.“
