Townsend Artisan Guild: A Sense of Community – Portrait of Small Towns and City Life
July 1-29 in the Gallery

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.

The Townsend Artisan Guild, founded in 2007, brings working fine artists and fine crafts persons from East Tennessee together to promote education, exploration, awareness, and development of the arts. The group, through the individual participation of its members, strives to promote community interest in and appreciation of the arts through participation in events, demonstrations, classes, festivals, and workshops. The Guild operates a gallery and exhibit space at 7719 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend for its members to display their work and increase their understanding of the business of selling their artwork. Membership is open to actively working artists, aspiring artists, and those supporting the arts. www.townsendartisanguild.org

Sculpture by Ty Crisp
July 1-29 in the Balcony

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.

"This is an introduction to a style of work and a process inspired by the music and mythology of Appalachia," says Ty Crisp. "I combine elements from farms, attics, sawmills and sheds throughout Tennessee to form sculpture, furniture, décor, and lighting." www.reelfootstudio.com

Daniel Taylor: Faces of Jazz
July 1-29 on the North Wall

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. “Of the pictures I shoot, there is a very good chance I will convert the image into black & white,” says Taylor. “I feel black & white conveys more emotion in the photograph than color. Things that may go unnoticed in color photos are highlighted and enhanced when using gray tones.”

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. www.danieltaylorpix.com

Service, Sacrifice, Honor by Cheryl Sharp
July 1-29 in the Atrium

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. www.cherylsharp.com

Renee Suich: Small Stories
July 1-29 in the display case

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. www.reneesuich.com


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.

7:00-9:00 PM: Jazz Jam with Vance Thompson & Friends