Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and his wife, Allison, examine a picture during the Artscapes cocktail preview Tuesday.
Before you buy any new art for your home or office, you’ve got the next 10 days to scoop up an original treasure while at the same time benefiting the Knoxville Museum of Art. We are, you see, in the midst of Artscapes 2011.
The event, in its 13th year, has been reworked a bit. Here’s how it goes this year. Upstairs at the museum are scores of original pieces of art ranging from paintings to sculpture and fabric art to jewelry. They all are being offered via a silent auction. But on Sept. 30, that will come to an end with the Artscapes Gala when the silent auction will conclude and be capped by a live auction. I’m telling you, the works in the silent auction are wonderful. But some of those to be in the live auction are over-the-top fabulous. (More on that later when I stupidly will show you three of my favorites, thus driving the cost even higher, no doubt. Oh well, it’s for a good cause.)
Tuesday was a cocktail preview reception to kick off the silent auction and showcase the live auction items. Arranged by the Guild of the Knoxville Museum of Art, its presenting sponsor was Cherokee Distributing Company (disclosure:: one of our great clients). A sumptuous buffet was by Chez Liberty. Thanks to my buddy Gay Lyons for giving me her extra ticket — both of our husbands were stuck at a City Council meeting.
Kay Clayton, left, with Rachel Ford, executive director of the Knoxville Symphony.
Stuart Worden poses with Mimi Turner, left, and Lane Hays.
Andrea Cartwright and Dr. Alan Solomon with a whimsical welded metal sculpture appropriately titled "Whoops!" It will be offered in the live auction Sept. 30.
City Council candidate Marshall Stair, right, with his father, Caesar Stair.
From left, Barbara Bernstein, Geri Muse and Rosemary Gilliam
Steve and Ann Bailey with Susan Hyde, the KMA's new director of development, at right.
Bob Alcorn and June Heller
Jennifer Bruner, center, with her friends Christopher and Kari Ford
Susan Sgarlat, left, and Sheena McCall
Here’s an interesting aside for you. I was Googling Susan to get the correct spelling of her name and I ran across this sweet story about her marriage to Charles Fels that ran in the New York Times in 2005. Click here to read it.
Jit and Ruth Koh pose before her painting, "Our Neighbor's Barn."
Nancy Young, left, and Melinda Meador
Pat Jobe, left, and Sue Whittle
The Rodgers family: Clifford, Margaret and baby Colt.
Don and Karen Sproles in front of her daughter Lauren Karnitz's painting, "Let Them Fly."
Sam Maynard and artist Manya Pirkle. She made her dress that day!
From left, Ted Smith, Marie Alcorn, Milton McNally, Melinda Meador and David Butler, the KMA's charming executive director
Megan Stair, left, with artists Tommie Rush and Richard Jolley
Barbara and Bernie Bernstein
Allison Lederer, left, and Sandi Swilley. I loved the way their outfits looked together! Did they plan that?
Jan and Sylvia Peters
Drs. Margo and John Simmons
Angie Campbell had the best purse: it was bedazzled with dollar signs on it! Caught her for a photo out on the deck.
Soft rock tunes were provided by Mitch Rutman. I heard lots of compliments.
Okay. Here are the three pieces I really wanted. All will be up for sale in the live auction on Sept. 30. Call the KMA at (865) 525-6101 for info on how to buy tickets.
This is stunning in person. By artist YingZhao Yiu, it is valued at between $8,000 and $9,000.
I'm a sucker for art featuring Knoxville. This Joe Parrott oil called "Southern Rail Yard" is valued at between $1,500 and $1,700.
I have just the place for this Tommie Rush bowl. It is valued at between $900 and $1,000.
Thanks for coming with me–it was lots of fun to see so many friends and to see the fabulous art for sale this year. As an earring junkie, I saw lots that I liked. Kudos to the committee for getting Artscapes off to such a great start.
Great choices! This is always a fun event and I am just sorry I will be unable to be there this year to bid against you Cynthia! Love that “big orange” Rush bowl and both pictures. Know there are many more treasures in store!
What a beautiful party. Loved the charcuterie and cheeses provided by Chez Liberty. And it was just a warm-up to the main event on Friday, September 30! Dinner by The Northshore Brasserie. Hope you’ll be joining us, Cynthia!
I like your style doll! Beautiful choices and I hope you get to purchase all 3. Thanks for promoting Knoxville’s premier art auction. Our community is blessed to have this outstanding museum in the heart of our city.
Thanks, folks! I agree with Mary Ellen — and all of you — about what a treasure the museum is. David Butler and his staff are doing an amazing job, if you ask me. And I love seeing all our premier arts organizations working so closely together. Was proud to see KSO’s Rachel Ford at the event last night lending support.
Good point about mutual support among our art organizations. Also there: Tom Cervone from Clarence Brown Theatre.
Thank you so much for the post – I had to miss it due to PBA meeting and now I feel like I was there! We need to support our fantastic arts organizations and I will be there supporting on the 30th. Many thanks to Jay, Marga, and Mary for chairing and ESPECIALLY to our fabulous Guild which works so tirelessly to raise much needed funds for KMA.
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