Duane Grieve, executive director of the East Tennessee Community Design Center, and Sharon Moore, executive director of the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, welcome guests to the sprawling “Celebration of Design 2025” event at the Garden.
Some non-profit organizations stick to the same routine every year for their signature fundraisers. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” as the saying goes.
The Evergreen Ball benefiting Friends of the Smokies is always at Cherokee Country Club. Knox Heritage habitually holds its Preservation Awards event at the Mill & Mine. And the Volunteer Ministry Center‘s “Wine and Shine” party is consistently at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Knoxville. You get the idea.
But the East Tennessee Community Design Center takes another approach. They choose a different location each year for the “Celebration of Design” event. Alan and I have been to it at locations as diverse as Ijams Nature Center, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and the Tennessee Amphitheater at World’s Fair Park. That last one, held a few years ago, was memorable because we literally had to run out of the venue near the end as a severe lightning storm unexpectedly blew in. It prompted the bars and the silent auction to immediately close as an announcement ordered everyone to leave at once!
This year, the signature event was held last week at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. And, let me tell you, they took advantage of nearly every type of space the Garden has to offer. And, to our relief, the weather was great. We didn’t have to run for our lives!
Keep reading for a look at the fantastic food, cool jazz, and beautiful art at the event. Plus a lot of fun people having a real good time!
Do you recognize this sculpture? It’s called “Rolling Water” by metal artist Michael Criss. For many years it graced the front yard of a beautiful home at 857 Cherokee Boulevard. The piece was commissioned by homeowners Jim and Marty Begalla. After Jim passed away several years ago, Marty moved from Cherokee Boulevard to a quiet neighborhood in west Knoxville. She took the sculpture with her and installed it in the yard of her beautiful new home located on a quiet cul de sac.
Marty recently donated the striking sculpture to the Knoxville Botanical Garden in honor of her friend, Katharine Pearson Criss, the artist’s widow. Because of this generous gesture, many people will again get to enjoy it. Marty was a supporting sponsor of the Celebration of Design event last week and this sculpture was the first thing we saw when we arrived.
The silent auction, held in the garden’s Dogwood Center, was in full swing when we got there.
From left, Margaret Held, former Knoxville Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, Brooke Chandler, and Abigail Lutz.
One of my favorite things in the silent auction was this Heron Bone Head by Manya Pirkle. Isn’t it cool?
Here’s Marty Begalla with my husband, Alan Carmichael.
Finbarr Saunders and Ellen Bebb.
I’m a sucker for sunflowers! Loved these by Kathleen Gray Farthing.
From left, Scott and Knoxville City Council member Lynne Fugate with Michael Combs.
Don’t be koi! This cute fish was donated to the auction by Terry Faulkner.
From left, Gary and Julia Bentley with David Arning.
Snacks to help the bidders keep up their strength!
They were still going strong when we decided to check out the patio.
That’s where we found these fine folks! From left, Rick and Jenny Blackburn, Ellie and Matt Kittrell, and John Thurman.
Fun jazz was by Alonzo Lewis on drums, Taylor Coker on bass, and Shawn Turner on keys.
A good crowd was mingling in the mild evening weather.
Including, from left, Knoxville City Council member Lauren Rider, Bill Bruce, Ruth Horton, Nancy Campbell, and Jane McCarty.
From left, Rose Spire, Mary Fran Darwin, Linda Billman, and Heather Seiber.
Lizz Weatherall and Duane Grieve.
Ed Shouse, left, and Phil Lawson, who was the presenting sponsor of the event.
There were even cocktail tables set up in a clearing beyond the patio. Pretty.
Even more people were gathered near a tent on the side of Dogwood Center.
That’s were the REAL food was! Left to right, top row: chicken-fried dumplings, duck confit, low country shrimp and grits; second row, from left: cream cheese and pepper jelly, brie and pear chutney tartlets, and pulled pork sliders; bottom, from left: Mediterranean beef with feta and lemon basil sauce, sour cream and chive stuffed potatoes, and black-eyed pea cakes.
Long tables were set up inside another tent.
That’s where we saw Angel Fields, left, and Kristin Grove.
And Caesar and Dorothy Stair.
And, how cool is this?? Marsha Grieve demonstrates how you ring a bell and a hand holding of glass of champagne pops out!
Jon Cheek and Carrie Bearden.
Troy and Elizabeth. Goodale.
Terry Faulkner, left, and Cindy Spangler.
Did I mention the dessert table?
Time for a few remarks! Here’s Duane Grieve announcing that instead of honoring a designer, this year’s celebration would honor all the volunteers who have kept the Design Center going for over 55 years.
“Their dedicated service is why we continue to fulfill our mission of building better communities by design,” Greive said. A bench in honor of the organization’s volunteers was placed at the Botanical Garden.
Carey Parker, president of the Center’s board, also made a few remarks.
Brent Thornton and Margaret Butler listening.
Hollie Cook, left, and Lacey Mellott.
Randall DeFord, left, and Wes Goddard.
Brian Bailey, left, and Doug Lawyer.
Night was falling when we took our leave. What an interesting event. The format turned out to be great for mingling and enjoying a lovely evening in East. Tennessee.
So glad to have you and Alan there, Cynthia…your pictures are great! It was a wonderful setting and fun evening (especially the champagne wall)! For me, the video of some of the volunteers and their comments was the highlight. Truly, the volunteer architects, planners, interior designers, engineers, and construction crews are the heart of the Community Design Center. Thanks for spreading the word!
Thank you Cynthia. Great work, as always. I will pass along your kind words to Kathleen Farthing, on her sunflower piece…love her work.
Marsha: Thanks for including us! It was so much fun. Great group and great cause.
Elizabeth: Please do pass along my compliment! Loved it.
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