Dogwood arts fair goes from foul to fab!

Mixed media artist Lynnda Tenpenny has a booth in the Krutch Park extension.

Mixed media artist Lynnda Tenpenny has a booth in the Krutch Park extension.

Several years ago, I stopped going to the arts and crafts booths set up on Market Square during the Dogwood Arts Festival. I think it was the year I saw booths selling crocheted covers for toilet paper rolls and trivets made of Popsicle sticks. The offerings were just plain dreck. An embarrassment, really.

So imagine my surprise when I was strolling through Market Square today on my way to a lunch meeting and I saw some really impressive art! Seriously good stuff. Credit for this goes, I am told, to Lynda Evans, an actual artist who was hired as development director for the Dogwood Arts Festival. What a great idea to have an artist help jury a show for the arts festival.

The Dogwood Arts Festival has just started this year, but I can already tell the improvements are truly amazing. Kudos to Lisa Duncan, the new executive director who was formerly marketing director of the News Sentinel. A person who takes her responsibilities seriously, Duncan has probably saved this very important Knoxville tradition. Prior to Lisa being hired less than two years ago, I was concerned we might lose the festival due to shockingly incompetent past leadership.

But things are looking up now. Let’s drink a Friday happy hour toast to the new and improved Dogwood Arts Festival!

Here are some samples of the current offerings on Market Square and the Krutch Park extension. The Market Square Art Fair will be open through Sunday. Click here for a list of the artists as well as the performers who will take to the stage during the event. See you on Market Square!

This glass piece is from Sassy Glass Studio in Knoxville. Their booth is in the Krutch Park extension.

This glass piece is from Sassy Glass Studio in Knoxville. Their booth is in the Krutch Park extension.

This snazzy wrap is at the booth of The Fluffy Ewe in the Krutch Park extension. They are from Jacksboro, TN.

This snazzy wrap is at the booth of The Fluffy Ewe in the Krutch Park extension. They are from Jacksboro, TN.

Will and Trish Byers rom Black Mountain, NC, have some great-looking potttery. Their booth is on Market Square. The donate part of their proceeds to a foundation to protect chestnut trees.

Will and Trish Byers from Black Mountain, NC, have some great-looking pottery. Their booth is on Market Square. They donate part of their proceeds to a foundation to protect chestnut trees.

Jennifer Simpson's art photography is at a booth called Find Your Happy Place on Market Square. She is from

Jennifer Simpson's art photography is at a booth called Find Your Happy Place on Market Square.

Nick Freeman of Livingston, TN, has charcoals of Knoxville spots, as well as landmarks from othe cities, on display. His booth is in the Krutch Park extension.

Nick Freeman of Livingston, TN, has charcoals of Knoxville spots, as well as landmarks from other cities, on display. His booth is in the Krutch Park extension.

OMG, these are the cutest things ever! Anita Edwards of Atlanta also offers pins of the same style in her Market Square booth. (Katie: don't go buy one! I've already got you one for your birthday! Ranee: Yes, they have bulldogs!)

OMG, these are the cutest things ever! Anita Edwards of Atlanta also offers pins of the same style in her Market Square booth. (Katie: don't go buy one! I've already got you one for your birthday! Ranee: Yes, they have bulldogs!)

Donna Enders and Joseph Bollman of Cosby have art with leaf motifs in their Market Square booth.

Donna Enders and Joseph Bollman of Cosby have art with leaf motifs in their Market Square booth.

This is Heather Whiteside of Maryville. She produced the official Dogwood Arts Festival print this year. She's in the Krutch Park extension.

This is Heather Whiteside of Maryville. She produced the official Dogwood Arts Festival print this year. She's in the Krutch Park extension.

Chad Nelson's theme is "Enjoy art. Enjoy creation. Enjoy life." His booth is in the Krutch Park extension.

Chad Nelson's theme is "Enjoy art. Enjoy creation. Enjoy life." His booth is in the Krutch Park extension.

Hahaha! Another mug from Chad Nelson.

Hahaha! Another mug from Chad Nelson.

These twig birdhouses are not part of the art fair. They are for sale at Abode, which is on the west side of Market Square. But they were wisely displayed on the sidewalk - and they fit right in!

These twig birdhouses are not part of the art fair. They are for sale at Abode, which is on the west side of Market Square. But they were wisely displayed on the sidewalk - and they fit right in!

Dogwood volunteer Vicki Baumgartner displays this year's t-shirt. Festive!

Dogwood volunteer Vicki Baumgartner displays this year's t-shirt. Festive!

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5 Responses to Dogwood arts fair goes from foul to fab!

  1. Lisa Gifford Mueller, on April 10th, 2010 at 4:58 pm said:

    Thank you so much for featuring my blue art panel! Great write-up about the art fair, it has evolved as have I as an artist since becoming involved three years ago.

  2. Lynnda Tenpenny, on April 10th, 2010 at 10:34 pm said:

    Oo-wee ! Happy to see my booth featured ! The festival has been great fun and Lynda Evans has been terriffic to work with. It’s my first year to do this show and I’m also impressed with the quality.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on April 10th, 2010 at 11:07 pm said:

    Lisa and Lynnda: your booths were awesome! I hope you sold a lot of art. Lisa: so sorry to hear that that beautiful blue piece featured on this blog post was destroyed when a big wind came through and disrupted your booth.

  4. Ranee Randby, on April 12th, 2010 at 8:47 am said:

    Love the photos, Mox! Great sampling of some real talent in our fair city.
    Lisa, I’m sorry about your glass piece (I’m glad there’s a photo of it), but I know what you are capable of and look forward to even more beauty!
    I hope the Bulldog clock hasn’t sold yet!

  5. Dawn Ford, on April 12th, 2010 at 3:07 pm said:

    This was a fabulous event. About 4 years ago Jeannie Dulaney and I were excited to work with the Festival leadership as they developed a long range plan to strengthen the Festival. Many of the new developments we enjoy today were part of that plan. Eddie Mannis President of the Board and a core of longtime volunteers have worked very hard to ensure that the Festival has improved and will continue to be one of Knoxville’s most popular attractions. Thank you to all who have been part of the changes.

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