First, consider nature.  Daffodils and tulips begin the show; then dogwoods burst forth in Knoxville, jump-starting the Dogwood Arts Festival.  Right after that, the Tennessee state flower — the iris — makes its appearance. We toured a friend’s garden this weekend, marveling at the show of white, peach, lavender, and deep purple iris. Sure sign of spring!

Second, the Knoxville Museum of Art has held us all at bay with promises of a major art installation by Richard Jolley, renowned glass artist. And this spring, “Cycle of Life” is here, already causing a stir among artists and patrons around the world.  A true spring awakening!

Sunday morning brunch at Knoxville Museum of Art celebrating Richard Jolley’s new installation: “Cycle of Life.”

Third,  unaware of flowers or art, my granddaughter welcomed spring with her own agenda.  At long last, the chance she was waiting for finally arrived:  the chance to ride that Christmas-present scooter in the warm, fresh air!

Spring on a scooter!

Ah, spring!

For more entries in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring, click here!

The District Gallery

5113 Kingston Pike

Vision of Home:  Recent Works by Kathie Odom

April 11 through May 3

Kathie Odom stands beside featured painting “Bethlehem Road” bearing this caption: “While standing in a country church parking lot located somewhere between Seymour and Walland, I painted this farm. Nestled in the Smokies, light bounced off the barn. Be still my heart!”

The featured artist of the Dogwood Arts Festival, Kathie Odom was on hand at The District Gallery.  Her painting, Sycamore Row, was selected as the 2014 Limited Edition Print.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Kathie distinguished herself as a pastel artist in the 1982 Dogwood Arts Festival. But in 2009, she began working in a new medium:  oils.  Her subject matter is influenced by the rural landscapes she loves with nostalgic scenes of barns, sheds, fields, and trees changing with the seasons.  Notes hand written by the artist were posted next to each painting, providing personal insight into what had inspired her to create each painting.

Bennett Galleries

5308 Kingston Pike

Richard Jolley

A Retrospective of Work, Creating Something for Nothing

April 11 through June 28

Attending the Opening Reception at Bennett Galleries: Don Bosch, Richard Jolley (featured artist), Ashley Capps, and Maureen Bosch.

In conjunction with the unveiling of the largest glass installation in the U. S. at the Knoxville Museum of Art — The Cycle of Life, Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity by Richard Jolley — Bennett Galleries opened a retrospective of work revealing the stages of Jolley’s career.

Born in 1952 in Wichita, Kansas, Richard Jolley, now known as a glass master, was raised in Oak Ridge and studied at Tusculum College (Greenville, TN), George Peabody College (Nashville, TN) and Penland School of Crafts (Penland, NC).  Maintaining a glass studio in Knoxville since 1975, Jolley has been heralded around the world for his creativity and unique style.  More than 65 public and private exhibitions and 33 collections boast at least one glass creation by Richard Jolley.  A huge crowd of supporters at Opening Night at Bennett Galleries gathered to talk with the artist about the pieces on display and the upcoming reveal at Knoxville’s Museum of Art.

Fountain City Art Center

213 Hotel Avenue

Foothills Craft Guild Spring Exhibit

April 11 through May 9

Larry Gabbard explains his unusual techniques (adding horse hair and sugar, for example) to create one-of-a kind pottery pieces.

Members of the Foothills Craft Guild were honored guests at the 2nd annual Fountain City Art Exhibit located at the home of the Fountain City Art Center. Works from Foothills members will be on display and on sale through May 9.

Foothills Craft Guild is known for fine craftmanship and unique creations.  Applicants for membership in the guild must reside in Tennessee and submit original work for jurying. On Opening Night of the Foothills Craft Guild Spring Exhibit, members of the guild were on hand to talk to guests and explain the processes used in creating the pieces on display.

A night for art.  A night for crafts.  And an interesting first look at Knoxville’s 2014 artsy side!

The District Gallery: http://thedistrictgallery.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDistrictGallery

Bennett Galleries and Company: http://thedistrictgallery.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BennettGalleries

Fountain City Art Center: http://fountaincityartctr.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fountain-City-Art-Center/166052916742955

Foothills Craft Guild: http://foothillscraftguild.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoothillsCraftGuild

You might enjoy my Pinterest board, “For the love of art.”

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/rushasams/for-the-love-of-art/