Downtown Knox ArtWalk

Friday, May 3

Explore the list below of what's happening this month, map events, and check back as events are added before each First Friday.

A Very Special First Friday Block Party!

DUE TO WEATHER, THE OUTDOOR BLOCK PARTY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 7. THE 100 BLOCK OF GAY STREET WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED FROM 4 PM—10 PM. AND AS ALWAYS, FIRST FRIDAY EVENTS AT INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES IS RAIN OR SHINE!

The City of Knoxville and the Arts and Culture Alliance are hosting a Block Party on the 100 block of Gay Street on Friday, May 3, from 5 PM until dark (weather permitting). Enjoy live music and over 30 local artists and vendors! Gay Street (between Jackson and Vine) will be closed to traffic from 4 PM—10 PM.

All Painting + Mixed Media Sculpture + Ceramics Photography Music + Performance Fiber + Leather Wood + Glass

Painting + Mixed Media

Awaken Coffee

Opening reception for mixed media artist Amber Purdy, blending vintage imagery, nature themes, and up-cycled materials into arresting new compositions.
6 PM—8 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media, Sculpture + Ceramics

Emporium Center

The Arts and Culture Alliance presents:

Virginia Derryberry: Private Domain and Lisa Kurtz: Earth and Fire
Large scale figure narrative paintings by Derryberry and exhibition of works by clay artist Kurtz.

Tennessee Watercolor Society: Biennial Juried Exhibition
Showcase of 50 original watercolor paintings selected by distinguished juror, Don Andrews.

Rulla Habiby: Happiness
Abstract and figurative paintings by multi-media artist Habiby.

CT Kellar: Paper Work

M. Kobe & Dongyi Wu: Alternating Remnants

Music by Nicholas Horner, DJ Morrison and Maggie Tharp.

5 PM—9 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media

Casa HoLa

Opening reception for Cuban-American printmaker Gino Castellanos. 5 PM—9 PM.

Sculpture + Ceramics

Rala

Opening of “Pottery From Somewhere Else Entirely” by Micheal Arpino.
6 PM—8 PM.

Music + Performance

WDVX @ Visitors Center

Friday Night Live hosts local favorite and multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Cruz Contreras of the Black Lillies. 6 PM—7 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media, Sculpture + Ceramics

Art Market Gallery

Opening reception for painter Vincent Drake and glass/porcelain sculptor Julie Boisseau-Craig. Complimentary refreshments and music. Explore the marketplace of more than 60 juried-in East TN artists.
5:30 PM—9 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media

Dogwood Arts

Opening reception of the 2024 Epiphone Student Guitar Design Exhibition & Auction. The exhibition includes 22 guitars designed and painted by youth artists from across East Tennessee.
5 PM—8 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media

Jacks of Knoxville

Lauren Vaught will be showcasing black and white art prints, plus live music throughout the night.
6 PM—8 PM.

Music + Performance

Pilot Light

For over 22 years, the Pilot Light has been the go-to for independent and experimental music. On Friday, Rich Ruth with Mat Bat and Forest Floor. Tickets at door.
8 PM.

The Holistic Connection

Hosting artist Breanne Anderson. 7 PM.

Music + Performance

Pretentious Beer Co

Knox Music Coalition Artist Showcase featuring Scott Apple, Haley Nance, and Lazarus Lake. Check for ticket availability on Eventbrite. 8 PM—10 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media

Bethie Lou's

A pre-Rhinestone Festival event featuring local artist Diane Smith with a large collection of bright and beautiful personalized versions of her original "Dolly" artwork.
5 PM—9 PM.

Able Trade

Printmaker @log_the_human will be the spotlight artist—drawings, prints, books, comics, more. While you're there, take a peek at the studios and meet some of the makers! 5:30 - 8:30 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media, Sculpture + Ceramics, Wood + Glass, Fiber + Leather

Curio at Maker Exchange

Browse work by 150+ local artists, enjoy live music, and grab a cocktail or bite in the Tavern at Maker Exchange! Don't miss new work by Amber Purdy, Alex Broussard, Fado Made, and many more on display now. 5—7 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media

RED Gallery

"Whisk(ey), Broom, Feathers", a duo exhibition of paintings and collages by Lisa Mullikin and Deb Shmerler.
5 PM—9 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media, Sculpture + Ceramics

UT Downtown Gallery

Art Source 2024. An exhibition dedicated to showcasing the artistic talents of Knox County art educators.
5 PM—9 PM.

Music + Performance

Bernadette's Crystal Gardens

Get ready to dance! It’s Andres Tapia DJ Night. Tickets at door. 10 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media

Culture Hair Studio

Exhibition featuring nearly 40 pieces by by Patsy Ferrell White.
5 PM—8 PM.

Gallery 1010

'This Page Intentionally Left Blank,' a graduate book show. At the UT student run gallery in Downtown Knoxville.
5 PM—9 PM.

Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes

Featuring charm necklaces and customizable pieces from artist Riley Walker from MAC Jewels. A portion of all proceeds go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 6 PM—8 PM.

Pretentious Glass Co

Hot shop Glassblowing Demonstrations at nationally known Pretentious. Don’t miss this.
5 PM—9 PM.

Music + Performance

Bijou Theatre

It's opening night as Knoxville Opera presents Cindrillon, an enchanting take on the Cinderella story. Check for tickets on venue website. 7:30 PM.

Arrowmont Gallery

Works by Craft & Culture Fellow Talcon Quinn in the permanent off-campus exhibition space.
5 PM—9 PM.

Music + Performance

Old City Performing Arts Center

World Premier of The Burn Vote, a new musical to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, and Tennessee representative Harry T. Burn’s contribution to its ratification. Check for tickets on venue website. 7:30 PM.

Music + Performance

Mirage Knoxville

Underground @ Mirage 5.0 with Atlanta's Matt Silliman and Asheville's dance floor destroyers Jose Vera and Chris Felinski.
6 PM—1:30 AM.

Painting + Mixed Media

Pour Taproom

Hosting artist Loren Saddler, best known for her popular TikTok channel "Minutepoet," displaying a large selection of ink drop watercolors. Along with music by local musician Chris Morel. 6—9 PM.

Music + Performance

Scruffy City Hall

Conor & the Wild Hunt. Tickets at door. Doors open at 9 PM.

Painting + Mixed Media, Photography

Christopher Robin Arts

Original oils by Robin Rohwer and photography by Christopher Rohwer. Husband and wife artists in studio until 9 PM.

Music + Performance

Bistro at the Bijou

Enjoy jazz with versatile bass player and composer Kevin Krapf Trio. Great spot for dinner and cocktails. 8 PM—10:30 PM.

Music + Performance

Theatre Knoxville

Final weekend of Art, the translation of a French-language play set in Paris. Check for tickets on venue website. 7:30 PM.

Music + Performance

Knoxville Civic Auditorium

Experience the magic of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone™ with a live orchestra. Check for tickets on venue website. 7:30 PM.

Music + Performance

Boyd's Jig & Reel

High energy sound of Marble City Band. 21+. 9 PM.

Knoxville Visitors Center

Featuring Logan Wise, owner of CarveBright laser etching.
5 PM—7 PM.

Music + Performance

Preservation Pub

Heavy blues, roots rock, and classic country with Nashville-based brothers The Deltaz. Tickets at door. 8 PM.