Out and About in Sevierville

The Sevierville Commons Arts Council is off to great start in 2017 with Art Happenings downtown. They presented the first Art Happening of 2017 on Thursday evening and it was full of attendees from Sevier County, Maryville, and beyond. I arrived a few minutes late, but was in time to enjoy a nice event. Here is what I saw…

I walked in to see quite a crowd. In fact, the biggest crowd so far for an Art Happening in downtown Sevierville. The featured artist this month was Mary Ruden, an artist who is inspired by the natural world, particularly butterflies, orchids, and other flowers. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the American Botanical Society. She creates paintings, photography, and sculpture. This creation below was so beautiful that I had to touch it. Don’t tell.

I was impressed with her banners that once hung in downtown Knoxville in the Arts District.

Every table was full of attendees. I saw quite a few people that I knew so it was quite a lively evening.

Music was provided by Munson and Wear. When I walked in, they were singing a song by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. One of my favorite groups! It was great and their music provided a nice ‘vibe.’

Art Council board member, Jill Green, pictured left. Mary Phillips, center, is a local artist and book author/illustrator. Arts Council Board member, Laurel Kiewitt, pictured right.

Randy and Karen Bable pictured with Jim McGill.

I am taking a picture of Jeff Ferrell, of the Mountain Press, who is taking a picture of the Art Happening featured artist. A picture of a picture.

I like this painting called “Little Justice.”

Patsy Wallace, pictured right, came to hear her friend, Charlotte Wear. We enjoyed the musical entertainment and hope to hear them again very soon. More Tom Petty too!

Susan and Richard Gehring will be moving here from Florida.

Art Happening Featured Artist for February 2017, Mary Ruden.

She designed this for the event coming in April. Here is a link. http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org

Artists talk about their work and it is always interesting. I always learn something new.

The evening was so nice that the front doors were open to the breeze.

I love the big windows in Dyers Downtown that face the courthouse.

You can see the reflection in the window above!

As I walked down the street to my car, I couldn’t resist taking just one more picture of the  courthouse…

…and the Dolly Parton statue.

There were no tourists around so I snapped a picture in peace; however, passersby probably thought that I was the tourist.

The Sevierville Commons Arts Council will install the next artist’s work next month and the next Happening is tentatively scheduled for April. Stay tuned to learn more!

Here is a link to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CommonsArtsCouncil/

and their website.  https://www.seviervillecommonsartscouncil.org

See more of my pictures on the Facebook page just for my blog pictures. Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1254469567899261/

It is an enjoyable event and I always look forward to the Art Happenings. See you at the next one when we are out and about in Sevierville.