“Rolling Water” and “Jungle Juice”

"Rolling Water"

Blooming dogwoods and azaleas were the perfect backdrop Sunday for a very special gathering in the Sequoyah Hills front yard of Jim and Marty Begalla. The afternoon cocktail party was a celebration of the installation of a sculpture the Begallas commissioned by Knoxville artist Michael J. Criss. Called “Rolling Water,” the bronze piece dominates the Begallas’ recently renovated yard, driveway and front porch. It is beautiful from Cherokee Boulevard, but up close it is both graceful and dynamic.

Criss, who lives in Holston Hills, has been an artist for over 45 years but, until recently, he made his living as an electrician. This commission marks the re-launch of his artistic career. “We wanted to help him get off to a great start,” Marty Begalla said. “We are crazy about him and his art.” Criss’ wife, Katharine Pearson Criss, helped the Begallas greet guests and hand out name tags.

Two couples who have the largest collections of Criss’ art attended on Sunday to admire the new installation: Harold and Joyce Diftler and Arnold and Mary Linda Schwartzbart. Doug and Diane Hanson of Hanson Gallery and John and Donna Dempster, she of the Knoxville Museum of Art, dropped by. Other guests included Arthur and Susan Seymour, Sherri Lee, Bill and Janice Osteen, City Councilman Marilyn Roddy, Margie Nichols, Charlie and Alice Mercer, Charlie and Patsy Daniel, Alan Soloman, David White, David Montgomery, Ron Hutchins, Chris and Mike Collins, Mark and Pat Medley (she also was celebrating being named “Woman of the Year” by Mercy Health System), Hoyt and Marilyn Canady, Lisa and Dan Duncan, Carolyn Schwenn, Jackie Lane, Dawn Ford, Evelyn Wilcox and Henrietta Grant.

Other than the sculpture, the biggest hit of the party was the “Jungle Juice,” a concoction of vodka, beer and juices invented by caterer extrordinaire Holly Hambright (at Christmas she calls it “Jingle Juice!”)

P.S. Criss doesn’t have a Web site, but his e-mail address is [email protected].