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Sarah Gumm of E Avenue House of Prayer dressed as a Christmas present.
There will be more than 40 exhibits open to the public Friday, Dec. 3, in downtown Knoxville during the next First Friday, which has become a cultural tradition in the city.
The monthly event features a plethora of art from local and regional artists — in the form of paintings, video, jewelry and other types of artistic expression.
Downtown galleries generally stay open late during First Friday and typically feature their new exhibits for the month.
Among the exhibits opening next week is one at the Art Market Gallery that features two of its own members with jewelry by Roger Kroll and paintings by Fran Thie.
Meanwhile, the Emporium Center for Arts and Culture will host its seventh annual Emporium Holiday Extravaganza and is billed as “Downtown Knoxville’s most affordable holiday shopping event with one-of-a-kind selection of gifts and performances by local artists.” The event is a two-day celebration featuring “handmade gifts, live performances and holiday cheer in downtown Knoxville.”
Most galleries begin the festivities between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and usually proceed until 10 p.m. or so, sometimes continuing later. December’s First Friday coincides with this year’s WIVK/Fowler’s Christmas Parade, providing an opportunity to grab some refreshments and check out some art while downtown.
Many of the galleries provide free refreshments that include the typical snacks and beverages plus wine or beer for those old enough to imbibe. Katrina DePonte, a University of Tennessee student, says the event is a great way to socialize. “For a town of its size, Knoxville definitely has its fair share of totally talented artists, and it’s truly amazing that we have a designated time when we can all get together and enjoy each other’s company and art,” she said.
Nicole Cookesy, also a student at UT, tends to visit the same galleries each month. “I always hit up the three major galleries: the Fluorescent Gallery, Gallery 1010 and the Emporium. Those three places are really great and open to anyone,” Cooksey said. “There’s always one big show that nobody wants to miss among the three of those.”
After the galleries are closed there are usually First Friday events going on at some of the bars and clubs in the area. Pilot Light hosts its monthly dance party in the Old City, for example, and Sassy Ann’s offers a Friday night dance party.
“I think that Knoxville is really very lucky to have something like this going on every month,” DePonte said, “First Friday is the perfect excuse to take some time out of whatever nonsense is going on in your life and gather with a few friends, enjoy local art, drink some beer, dance the night away, and really, just do whatever it is you want to do.”
© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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