
Joppa Mountain Pottery has its super-popular snowmen - as well as turkeys, witches and Santas - at Artsclamation!
I don’t usually get up early on a Saturday to post a blog item. But I just had to pass the word about this great opportunity that is only available today. If you are in the market for some great art — or some great gifts — you have got to get over to the Sacred Heart Cathedral School gymnasium today to take advantage of Artsclamation! (the ! is in the name).
Artsclamation!, in its 10th year, is a benefit for the behavioral health programs of Peninsula Hospital, a division of Covenant Health. Thirty artists — including painters, pottery artists, jewelry makers and photographers — offer their wares and donate a portion of the sales to Peninsula. Show hours are 9 to 5 today. The school is located at 711 Northshore Drive.
I attended an opening reception last night and got a preview of the fabulous offerings. This event truly has hit its stride. In addition to award-winning regional artists, some of Knoxville’s best-known artists, including Mike C. Berry, Heather Whiteside and Hugh Bailey, are represented. Alan and I cherish works by all three of those talented individuals that we purchased at Artsclamation! in previous years.
A word about the beneficiary. Peninsula is a 155-bed facility providing in-patient mental health and alcohol/drug crisis stabilization services for adults, adolescents and children. It also offers out-patient services in several East Tennessee counties.
Mental illness affects about 250,000 East Tennesseans — about one in four people. The most common form of mental illness is depression, affecting some 50,700 women and 26,000 men in our area alone. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that two-thirds of those with mental illness do not receive the care they need.
But, now, let’s take a look at this great art-buying opportunity and the folks who were there last night to get a sneak peek.

Here is the scene last night. The gymnasium is filled with art, artists and art-seekers.

Award-winning acrylic artist Melanie Morris, left, poses with Bruce and Monique Anderson. Morris is from Birmingham.

I fell in love with this delicate little jester by Tennesea Designs of Maryville.

Mixed media artist Pat Delashmit owns Tennesea Designs. She calls these jesters "soft sculptures." They are exquisite in their details.

Tami and Bruce Hartmann were taking in the scene last night. He bought me a glass of wine. Thanks, Bruce!

I see Laura Barron and Robin Turner at this event every year.

Donna and Sid Law

Susan and Jerry Becker with their friend LeAnne Dougherty, center.

Hugh Bailey holding one of his fanciful creatures. Get there early if you want one of them!

The music is always a highlight of this reception. For the last few years, it has been the Donald Brown quartet and vocalist Sanda Allyson. (I know there are five instrumentalists on this stage. But I swear they called it a quartet!)

I have been a fan of Sanda Allyson since the days she performed at Cha Cha on Kingston Pike. She delighted my late grandmother, as well.

Internationally known jazz musician Donald Brown usually plays keyboards. He is a Knoxville treasure.

Nathan and Jane Hunter were enjoying the evening.

Max and Linda Shell

Keith Altshuler, left, is the president and chief administrative officer of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. He's with my husband, Alan Carmichael.

Knoxville artist Julia Schriver, who paints in oil and watercolor, has been invited to show at Artsclamation! since its inception.

Rock and Debby Saracini

Jane Martin, left, and Jane Creed

Ginny and Bill Morrow

Jeannie Dulaney shows me her purchase. It was by Knoxvillian Gray Bearden who specializes in tabletop ware.

Here's a close-up. It's a sake set, but I heard Jeannie say something about using it to serve limoncello. Yum.

This pottery is by Carolyn Mullins of Village Fine Art in Knoxville.

From left, Pepper Marcum, Muffett Buckner and Janet Crossley. They were having a girls' night out, they said.

Larry Martin, left, and Alan Carmichael

The cheerful check-out ladies were Beth Fisher, left, and Linda Royston.

Two happy customers: Tom Dice, left, and John Kuykendall

As we left, we ran into our friend and our dentist, Jan Henley.
OK. That’s it. Get on over there!
Disclosure: Covenant Health is a client of Moxley Carmichael. But that’s not why I wrote this! This event is fabulous.
Looks like a great time and wonderful shopping with unique items. Unfortunately, the cause does not receive its fair share of funding or awareness. Great post!
I hope to get over there today to check out the pottery. I like the idea of using saki cups to serve limoncello.
Thanks, Debra and Gay. It’s nice to be able to buy nice art and feel good about it because it’s also for a good cause. Meeting the artists also makes the art more meaningful.
Steve and I collect Joppa Mountain pottery..we love it..so sorry to have missed this year’s Artsclamation!
Hey, Lori! Alan and I do, too. Have lots of snowmen. And one turkey. Love them all.
Cynthia –
Thanks so much for this post! It was a terrific and successful show. We are so grateful for all of our artists, sponsors, volunteers and guests. You have made a difference for the clients at Peninsula!
Artsclamation! is one of my favorite fundraising events of the year. Great opportunity to purchase some fabulous art (and meet the artists) at usually quite reasonable prices for a great and worthy cause. Thanks for covering it, Cynthia, and I encourage everyone to attend next year. And, yes, I love my new “limoncello” cups!
I always enjoy the event but had to miss this year Thanks for the post so I could see what I missed. Will see you next year
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