Melinda and I enjoyed the inaugural Art Happening exhibition by the Sevierville Commons Arts Council this evening. We arrived about 8:00 p.m. at Courthouse Donuts not really knowing what to expect, yet ended up spending an nice hour chatting with local artists and enjoying the visual exhibition. Here is what we saw…

Exhibition featured artist, Andrea Wilson on the left. Laurel Kiewitt, Sevierville Commons Arts Council President on the  right.

Andrea Wilson specializes in watercolors, etchings, and botanicals. She has won several prestigious awards for her work.

A nice thing about this event was the ability to talk to the artist face to face,  see many examples of their work, then ask more questions. From that, I also found out that Andrea Wilson is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. According to that website, “membership means that an artist has made an achievement in their craft.” (http://www.southernhighlandguild.org)

Bill May, Executive Director of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, stands with featured artist, Andrea Wilson.

Board members of Sevierville Commons Arts Council.

Vince Stormes (pictured left) does metal smithing and creates jewelry. Often using beautiful stones. Jewelry always piques my interest! Especially if it is amethyst.

Artists Ronda Thayer and Camille Barton Spires.

Ronda is owner of Twisted Stix Art Studio. She teaches various types of art. In addition, I was interested in the fact that she can bring a Wine and Paint class to one’s home. Check her studio Facebook page for more details. Camille has a studio and teaches students of all ages. She teaches traditional and digital art such as Photoshop, page layout, and illustrated drawing. Without doubt, I would like to learn more of that kind of art some day.

Of course, everything was lovely! This room is perfect for showcasing art.

I never fail to be amazed at the delights found at events hosted at Courthouse Donuts. It is clearly the center of gravity in downtown Sevierville. What a gem it is and we are lucky to have that business here. In addition, what an asset that the owner is interested in other businesses and fostering activity and downtown events after hours.

Exhibits of student art.

Laurel told me that members of the Sevierville Commons Arts Council are very interested in the revitalization of downtown, which in turn invigorates the arts. Bringing the arts downtown can be a key component in that equation for both groups.

For now, Courthouse Donuts will host a rotating exhibition for local artists. Walk by the windows and take a look. Future events may include hands -on ‘make it & take it’ events with local artists as well as musical performances.

Board members want to stay downtown and to eventually obtain a space of their own. A Creative Center facility. Their vision includes obtaining a building to create mini-studios, retail and performance space, as well as an outlet for artists to sell their art.

As Melinda and I were about to leave the event, we noticed that the man on the far right was Malcolm Link, a local music legend. We both taught his son Jared at S.C.H.S. The opportunity was not wasted in telling Malcolm a few stories about his son, a natural comic—and a very nice student. If you knew Jared at S.C.H.S. then here is what he is doing now… Jared works in Los Angeles behind the camera on various T.V. shows  including Fear Factor, Wipe Out, and Guy’s Grocery Games on the Food Network. He is currently in Fuji for several weeks shooting the pilot for a new reality show. We don’t think that it is Survivor though.   What fun to catch up on that memorable student!

In conclusion,  there are several ways that we can help the Sevierville Commons Art Council. Offer to donate funds or equipment. Volunteer or offer your services to the group. Attend fundraisers. Follow them on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/Sevierville-Commons-Arts-Council-171724039896925/?fref=ts

What a great time Melinda and I had at the Art Happening this evening at Courthouse Donuts. I am so glad that we went!

I believe that Sevierville is near a ‘tipping point’ as far as revitalization and development downtown. Groups and events like this make me excited for the future. It will certainly give us more opportunities to get out and about in Sevierville…

When I was a sophomore at UT Knoxville, I took Anthropology 101 and got to hear a lecture or two by Dr. Bill Bass. Even back then, he was already legendary in the field. Since that time, Dr. Bass has helped to create the Body Farm and has co-authored several books. If you get out to the Wilderness Wildlife Week at the Leconte Event Center this Thursday at 8:00 p.m. then you can hear him speak about the Body Farm.

Here is the description in the schedule:

Link to his website, with co-author.

http://www.jeffersonbass.com/bio.html

Someone told me about the Wildlife Week being this week rather than winter months. I have never attended this event, for various reasons, but looked it up online and was impressed with the schedule. There is much to see and do! Click the link below to see the Wilderness Wildlife Week schedule of events.

Click to access www%20schedule%202016%20.pdf

It is free and open to the public. This link shows all activities.

http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/wilderness-wildlife-week/

Another seminar on Friday looks fascinating:

I love mysteries so it is sure to be memorable. There will be many other speakers on Thursday and Friday, such as John Elder and Harriet Berrier. And best of all, you will be able to hear heritage music from this area.

Be ready for the Sevierville Bloomin’BBQ and Bluegrass Festival on Friday evening and Saturday. Will there be brisket? I hope so.

Any recommendations on parking from those who have been before? Here is the link to the Sevierville festival this weekend.

http://www.bloominbbq.com

See you out and about!

After having such a good time at the Sevierville Derby party benefitting the United Way, it looked like a good idea to attend a similar party on the day of the Kentucky Derby in downtown Knoxvegas. The party last Saturday was at the historic Southern  Railway Station in Knoxville hosted by Knoxville Rotary Club. My date was a local Rotarian who knew several people in that district, but neither of us had ever attended an event at that locale. It turned out to be a very nice event. Here is what happened.

We arrived a little after the 3:00 start time and walked in on a red carpet. However, the Sevierville event was a little nicer in that a photographer took pictures of arrivals on the red carpet. The photographer for this event took pictures inside the door, with attendees standing in front of a nice backdrop. This may be an oversight that they can take more advantage of next year. From the moment you enter the Sevierville event, you feel like it is rather grand because the red carpet greeting by a photographer sets the tone.

The historic railway station has several areas/levels. We enjoyed open windows and doors, taking advantage of the nice weather that day. A light breeze and sunshine fit the bill.

Attendees received two drink tickets and unlimited food. I had forgotten how wonderful Derby pie can be! There were many tables inside and several outside. There were no assigned seats so we sat by a table in the doorway in order to enjoy the inside and the outdoors.

The name of the band, Hillbilly Jedi, never ceases to amuse me. However, they play so many good songs that people really enjoy them. I have seen them play at Calhouns on the River. You can’t just sit in a chair when they play. Try and catch them somewhere sometime!

There was a silent auction with very nicely framed pictures of sports and music icons. Several nice Invicta watches and jewelry items were also up for bid. There was a contest for best bowtie and best ladies hat. Although I was not involved in that, several people commented on my hat which I bought at the Derby Ladies Social here in Sevierville. I proudly told them that I got it at the Sassafras store near the Pottery House Cafe in Pigeon Forge.

Here a jacket that you must see!

I overheard him tell someone that he had to go to Memphis to get this jacket. Later, I had a chance to ask him more about the jacket. This Rotary Vice President said that he had recently traveled to Memphis and went to a store where Elvis bought most of his jackets. And he bought this one there!

Here is the name of the store on the jacket label.

If I go back to Memphis some day then this store is a ‘must see’ on the list. Wonder if they make ladies’ suits too?

When it was time to watch the actual race, there was a super large screen TV to watch the ‘run for the roses.’ We got a little nervous when the cable cut out a few times, putting a ‘no signal’ message on the screen, but the cable had no problem during the race itself and everyone was quite excited to see Nyquist win. The room was full of spectators and everyone roared with excitement at the end of the race.

Earlier in the day, we got to take our picture with an absolutely beautiful horse. It must have been almost 18 hands tall. So graceful and handsome it was. A special picture with all the regalia too!

The Jockeys and Juleps II Derby Party by the Knoxville Rotary Club was a nice fundraiser and I was so glad to have attended it. I hope that they earned a lot of funds that day to boost their projects this year. In addition, the historic Southern Railway Station is a grand place to host an event so if you get an opportunity to go there then you will really enjoy it.

Add it on the list for getting out and about…