Dogwood Arts unveils new ‘Art In Public Places’ Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
June 15, 2023, 1:20 p.m.

26 new outdoor sculptures installed across
Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Alcoa

KNOXVILLE - Last weekend, Dogwood Arts began installing the 2023-2024 Art In Public Places Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition includes twenty-six new sculptures selected by jurors Andrea Bailey (Aslan Foundation, Knoxville Public Art Committee) and Desmond Lewis (Artist, Sculpture Lecturer at Yale University).

The Art in Public Places Sculpture Program is an annually rotating, outdoor sculpture exhibition on display in prominent locations throughout Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa, TN.

The 2023-2024 exhibition includes sculptors from 13 different states across the country: Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

A Refusal to Stop and Ask for Directions Harry McDaniel

Angles and Ellipses Matt Amante

Artists included in the exhibition: Luke Atcherberg, Matt Amanta, Steve Buduo, Jose Calabres, Brian Ferriby, Mike Hansel, Richard Herzog, Hanna Jubran, Ray Katz, Harry McDaniel, Richard Morgan, Ben Pierce, Charles Pilkey, Richard Pitts, Mary Ruden, Howard Russo, Kirk Seese, David Skora, Eric Stephenson, Kevin Vanek, Susan Woodford, Chris Wubbena, and one TBD.

The sculptures will be on display throughout the greater Knoxville area through June 2024.

• Downtown Knoxville (Krutch Park, Emory Place, Maker Exchange, UT Gardens)
• East Knoxville (Zoo Knoxville, The Muse)
• West Knoxville (ORNL Federal Credit Union–Northshore Branch)
• Oak Ridge (American Museum of Science & Energy, Jackson Square, ORNL Federal Credit Union–Oak Ridge Branch)
• Maryville/Alcoa (McGhee Tyson Airport).

The full exhibition includes 34 sculptures (26 new, 8 on permanent display).

The Art in Public Places program brings art outside, adding character and beauty to our city streets and spaces. The program includes an annually rotating, outdoor sculpture exhibition and a large-scale mural program that is entering its second year.

The sculptures are installed in prominent locations throughout Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa. Started in 2007 by Eddie Mannis and Bart Watkins, the sculpture program has curated and installed over 290 works of art and gained national recognition as a platform for exhibiting world-class sculptors.

The Art in Public Places program is made possible with support from ORNL Federal Credit Union, the City of Knoxville, Prestige Cleaners, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Zoo Knoxville, Tennessee Arts Commission, Downtown Knoxville Alliance, Arts & Culture Alliance, Maker Exchange, and UT Gardens.


About the Jurors

● Andrea Bailey: Andrea Bailey is a nonprofit professional with over twenty years of experience building organizational capacity. Andrea combines passion and education in cultural nonprofits with business acumen to effectively lead transformational initiatives.

As Executive Director of the Aslan Foundation, Andrea oversees all grantmaking, public private partnerships, and Foundation projects. Responsibilities include strategic planning, program development, community relations, financial oversight, and day to day management of a hundred and seventy-five acres of foundation property, park land, and buildings.

Andrea’s past experience includes leadership roles in cultural organizations in Orlando and Boston with a focus on physical and programmatic expansion. Her bachelor’s degree in art history and master’s degree in business illustrate Andrea’s interest in building sustainability and nurturing innovation within the creative community.

Growing up in a family of artists and makers, Andrea values the creative process in all of its wonderful, sometimes frustrating, and always interesting forms. Andrea also currently serves as the Chair of the City of Knoxville Public Art Committee.

● Desmond Lewis: Desmond Lewis was born and raised in Nashville, TN and currently resides in New Haven, CT and Memphis, TN. He earned his BS from Tennessee State University, an MFA in Sculpture from the University of Memphis and an MBA from The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Desmond has completed residencies at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Vermont Carving and Sculpture Center, and Pittsburgh Glass Center.

Desmond's work can be found in several public and private collections around the US including: Penland School of Crafts, Carolina Bronze Sculpture Park, City of Hickory, NC, Vermont Carving and Sculpture Center, The University of Memphis, Soulsville USA, NexAir LLC, Skowhegan Parks and Recreation, Orange Mound Neighborhood and Veterans Association, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Desmond is currently on the Board of Directors at the Metal Museum. He is also currently a Lecturer in Sculpture and the Fabrication Shops Coordinator in the School of Art at Yale University.

Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty.