Airport exhibition features selected artwork from nearly 40 East Tennessee artists

KNOXVILLE -- Nearly 40 East Tennessee artists will be showcasing selected art at McGhee Tyson Airport until October 18, 2012. "Arts in the Airport: 75 Years of Making Memories in Aviation," will feature contemporary 2- and 3-dimensional artwork and will be exhibited in the secured area behind McGhee Tyson Airport's security gate checkpoint.

My Party Now Dance (ceramic raku) by Bill Capshaw

"Arts in the Airport" is presented by Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority and the Arts & Culture Alliance.

Since the exhibition is normally available for viewing only by visitors flying in or out of the airport, artists and their guests can view the exhibition by appointment with Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority staff by calling Becky Huckaby at 865-342-3014.

"This spring's entries to the Arts in the Airport program were exciting because of the strong response to the theme of flight and the airport in celebration of their 75th anniversary," says juror Dorothy Habel, Professor of Art History and Director of the School of Art at the University of Tennessee. "Once again, the range and the quality of the works submitted were outstanding. I applaud Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority for their ongoing commitment to celebrating the artists of our region with this exhibition opportunity."

"In this significant year in the airport's history, we are pleased with the opening of our new Arts in the Airport exhibition inspired by the people who visit McGhee Tyson Airport and their stories," said Howard Vogel, Chairman of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. "Each day, travelers pass through our doors en route to changing their lives, and this new exhibition is reminiscent of those life-altering moments."

The following artists' works will be shown:

• Michael G. Russell of Athens
• Miki Boni and Stephen Nemecek of Chattanooga
• Margit Worsham of Gatlinburg
• Robin Archer of Jefferson City
• Eleanor Aldrich, Neranza Noel Blount, Kelly Brown, Luis Caicedo, Stacey Fletcher, Nathaniel Galka, Jacques Gautreau, Marcia Goldenstein, Robert George Herman, Jr., Jean Hess, Suzanne Jack, Brian McCoig, Tom McDaniel, Sarah McFalls, Kenneth M. Moffett, Brian Murray, Joe Parrott, Julie Rabun, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Clay Thurston, Marilyn Avery Turner, Richardson Turner, Chris Watters, Richard Whitehead, and Koichi Yamamoto of Knoxville
• Troy T. McNeilly, Linda A. Waterhouse, and Zach Widgren of Maryville
• Bill Capshaw and Jeff Tidwell of Oak Ridge
• Eric Buechel of Pleasant Hill
• Rick Thompson and James Frederick Von Warren of Sevierville
• Mary Ruden of Seymour
• Jennifer Stoneking-Stewart of Talbott

A gallery of images may be viewed at www.knoxalliance.com.

The Arts & Culture Alliance, with assistance from Dorothy Habel, juried the exhibition with final approval by the Airport Authority. Prizes include $1,000 in awards to be announced at the reception on Wednesday, June 13, at 5:00 PM (awards ceremony at 6:00 PM).

Published June 7, 2012