Dogwood Arts – Oh, the Places We See . . .

Enjoy the Roses

We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon — instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today. Dale Carnegie Perhaps the coordinators of Knoxville’s 2021 Dogwood Arts Festival events had Dale Carnegie’s quote in mind as they invited guests to stroll through Open Rose Gardens two weekends in a […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #142: You Pick It — Spring Happens 2020 & 2021

Note: This post was first published April 1, 2020. At that time, the news of a pandemic was fresh, but not fully understood. The impact, of course, was in the beginning stages. I’m republishing so that you can read my thoughts last April — and now my new thoughts in April 2021. One thing’s for […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Sidewalk Magic: Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk 2015

Because so many people look forward to the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk each year, we’re republishing this post featuring some of the amazing art from Chalk Walk 2015. The 2017 event will be held at Market Square Knoxville on Saturday, April 1 — all day! For the seventh year in a row, artists (professional, novice, […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Art DeTour: Melanie Wood

Note to readers: We are re-publishing this post from May 12, 2012, on the Art DeTour we took visiting the lovely studio and home of artist Melanie Wood. Her home is open again for Dogwood Art DeTour 2015 on April 11 and 12. If you love quality impressionistic art filled with color, you’ll love seeing […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Dogwood Arts Festival 2013: The secret beauty of Open Gardens

Yes, it’s true. I write this blog from Knoxville, Tennessee — home of the Dogwood Arts Festival. So, of course, I’m biased. But if you’re ever in Knoxville at festival time, you’ll agree with me: Spring shows off its finery nowhere better during this puttin’-on-the-pastels time of year! Several years ago, my husband and I lived in […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Celebration time: 1st Anniversary for Oh, the Places We See!

It’s hard to believe, but one year ago we launched Oh, the Places We See! We had just rented an apartment downtown in our own city of Knoxville, Tennessee, and pretended to be tourists for a couple of weeks — even though we lived nearby in the suburbs. The experience was rich: We joined the […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Art DeTour Finale: Bill Cook, Jr., and Suzanne Jack

We wrapped up our Dogwood Arts DeTour — “an intimate look into local artists’ working studios,” according to the brochure — with sculptor Bill Cook, Jr., and artist Suzanne Jack. I guess I’ve driven down Westland Drive a thousand times and never, ever noticed the white structure that houses Bill Cook’s collection of marble, limestone, […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Art DeTour 4: Fountain City Art

Not all of the Dogwood Arts Festival Art DeTours are held in the homes and studios of artists. The Fountain City Art Center — about a block past the Duck Pond on Hotel Avenue in Knoxville– opened its doors, too, so visitors could take a closer look at some of the Art Guild members at work! […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Art DeTour 3: Highland Pottery

You see, my love of Lisa Kurtz’s pottery began at the Webb School ArtXtravaganza when this drippy brown, ragged edge piece beckoned . . . again and again and again. Believe me, I resisted. I told Lisa I was looking for a simple vase – something to hold alstroemeria or tulips or hydrangeas from my backyard. But […]

by Oh, the Places We See

Art DeTour 2: Two Pines Pottery

You almost have to know where you’re going to find Two Pines Pottery, studio and shop of Janet Harper and Judy Brater. Drive slowly down winding Duncan Road in West Knoxville, past the family house, onto a curvy driveway and then stop. You’re not at the door yet, but you can almost hear the quiet, the thinking, […]