On Friday, November 30, the Fountain City Art Guild held its opening reception for the "Annual Holiday Show and Sale" at the Fountain City Art Center. Apparently, many guests came from the annual FCTH "Lake Lighting" straight to the Art Center. The Guild members were stunned and gratified by the large turn out. In addition to high quality original paintings for sale, students of the Art Center hand-painted ornaments to raise funds for the Center. We  also have some limited edition signed and numbered prints of "Fountain City Lake, Circa 1890," by Sylvia Williams, and calendars with artwork by Mary Secrist's watercolor students!

The Guild Show was judged by Bobbie Crews and Eric Smith who really spent a great deal of time evaluating each piece. Guild
members were deeply grateful to them both. The top 2 prizes went to Aurora Harrison-Bull: her horses, "Sweet Nothin's" and
"Little More to the Left," won Best of Show, and her elegant snow scene, "Evening's Grace," won 1st place. Second place went to acrylic artist, Victoria Simmons, 3rd to Sylvia Williams, and  Honorable Mentions to Mary Secrist, Alberta Dyer and Sylvia Williams.  Be sure to see this show and visit our hand-crafted gift shop, the  Parkside Open Door Gallery featuring 30 artists. The Art Center closes for the Holidays December 22-January 1.

Our next featured show opening, January 4, 2008, will be "Solo Exhibit  by Jon Houglum," a classical oil painter coming from Franklin, North Carolina, with more talent than you can stand! More on this artist, who is also a master furniture craftsman, in next week's article on the Art Center!

FCAC CHILDREN’S CLASS TEACHER BECOMES

PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATOR

            Sandra Van Winkle enjoys life as an illustrator, graphic designer and teacher.  She received her BFA from the University of Tennessee.  Creating with a variety of media her work has appeared on theatre stages, restaurants, book jackets, posters, greeting cards and once upon a time, her sons’ bedroom walls.  “Jack the Healing Cat” is her first published children’s book. She has designed promotional materials for a number of other artists, mostly members of Foothills Craft Guild and Appalachian Arts Center, working on the computer almost as much as at her art board.  She does a lot of photo-illustrations for clients. Currently, Van Winkle works part-time in production for WATE-TV and teaches classes for 6-12 year olds at FCAC. 

            “Enjoy Your Creative Side” is the title of Van Winkle’s classes at the Art Center and they include a bit of art history, hands-on, and a lot of input and creation from the students.  Each class is unique.  She tries to expose the children to various methods of creation but does not set up problems for them to solve.  They get to create based on their choices for the most part; however, one painting/drawing/concept is required in the style of the artist being studied that day.  Usually, even though they have moved on to their own thing, bits of the history lesson are apparent in their work.  The class is on Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:45, and it begins November 6.

            Van Winkle is a native Knoxvillian, graduate of Fulton High and the University of Tennessee (BFA).  She has worked as an artist in various venues, but always wanted to be a children’s book illustrator.  Teaming up with the author of “Jack the Healing Cat,” Sandra Van Winkle worked closely with Marilyn Kallet, who has authored 13 other books including “One for Each Night: Chanukah Tales and Recipes,” (Celtic Cat Publishing). “Jack The Healing Cat” is literally hot off the presses. The story begins when Heather finds a kitten abandoned in a shoebox on the sidewalk.  She takes him home and names him Jack.  Jack is not allowed in the house.  One day when Heather does not come to feed and pet him he sneaks in to find her.  With his "kitty powers" he helps a sick Heather become well again.

Fountain City Art Center will soon have its own community theatre.  Robert McDonald, actor, will make his debut at the Art-A-Palooza on October 17.  He is setting up a performing arts group who will perform in the park behind the Art Center Saturday, Oct. 20 at 1:00 and 2:30.  So far he’s been successful in lining up various people who are interested in acting.

            McDonald has a lot of experience in this art form since he has competed in art events on a national level in Los Angeles.  He is now totally involved in this area and what will be happening in the near future.  McDonald says, “The performing arts community as a whole really only grows when we all work together.  It doesn’t matter what group is putting on what show so long as we all support each other.”  He continues, “As actors, we know how much work and risk went into each character.  So it only makes sense to reach out and work with other groups to broaden and lift up our craft to the communities.”

            Everyone will have the opportunity to see the miracle of his talent and vision during the FCAC fundraiser October 20.  McDonald is now working with a group of people who are involved with this exciting spurt of growth at the FCAC.  He says “All that is needed is an open mind, the willingness to bring personal emotional experiences to the surface, and the energy to keep it going.”

            McDonald has been in four productions since spring of last year at a local community theatre, Theatre Knoxville Downtown.  He is inspired by being able to create a new character every time he picks up a script.  He allows his emotions and experiences to bring out this character in a total stranger which gives him an awesome privilege.  Teenagers and young adults are some of the people he likes to teach since most of the time they are still very new and fresh to the idea that will often make them daring and able to step outside the box and into the play.  He prefers teaching anywhere from 10-12 would-be actors at a time.

            The Fountain City Art Center is the perfect place to bring McDonald’s talent as an actor, an interpreter of a script, and a teacher.  He will be offering classes at the Art Center in winter, spring and summer of  2008.   

            Inquiries about the acting classes should be directed to the Art Center, 357-2787, or email  robertmcdiii@hotmail.com.  The Art Center is located at 213 Hotel Avenue in the park.

Art-a-palooza!

October 17-20, 2007

Four Fabulous Days of Art, History, Food and Fun!

Early this fall, the Fountain City Art Center will host a much expanded Art-apalooza with several new features. Donated art of every description and medium will be offered for sale all four days. Once again, some of the premium items will be placed in the “Silent Auction” from Wednesday, Oct. 17 to 12 noon, Saturday, 2007. Bidders and shoppers will have an opportunity to snag some incredible bargains. Volunteers will still be offering complimentary gift-wrapping in case you’d like to “wrap up” some of your Christmas shopping early. The Fountain City Art Guild will repeat their incredibly generous and delicious bake sale for the benefit of the Art Center.

So what is new for Art-a-palooza? Quite a bit! First of all, on Saturday, October 17, artists and craftsmen will have the opportunity to show their skills and sell their work just outside the Art Center. If you would like to participate, please call the Art Center, and we’ll be happy to mail you the particulars: (865) 357-2787/ fcartcenter@knology.net.

Second, we are offering for sale our first official Art Center print, “Fountain City Lake, circa 1890.” If you’d like to reserve one of 150 signed and numbered prints, send a check for $50 written to the “Fountain City Art Center” at 213 Hotel Ave., Knoxville, 37918, or come by in person. Prints will not be distributed until Oct. 1, but you will be given a confirmation receipt. This year’s print is from a painting by Sylvia Williams, but next year, the Art Center will hold a print competition! The original painting of the lake will be placed in Art-a-palooza’s Silent Auction.

We are very excited about our third new feature: a Fountain City Guided History Tour on Saturday, October 20 from 10 AM – 12:30 PM. Best of all, Jim Tumbin, Fountain City’s most well-informed and entertaining historian has agreed to be your tour guide! What a treat for us all! We will be reserving the familiar red City Trolley for tour transportation. All those interested in taking the tour should place reservations, as space will be limited. Tickets are available at the Art Center, $15 each, as well as a flier with tour highlights listed.

Dr. Carvenstein, our Board President Ken Clayton, will be on hand Saturday morning, Oct. 20, from 10 AM – noon, to work his magic on any pumpkin you bring for a contribution of $5. Your pumpkin should be cleaned out in advance. We’ll have face painting and other activities for children on Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

We are asking for donations of art prints, pottery, sculpture, decorative items, jewelry, etc. for the 4-day art sale. We’d also like to have wrapping paper, tape, ribbon for bows, and gift boxes. Bring your donations any time after Labor Day to the Fountain City Art Center at 213 Hotel Avenue in the old library building near Fountain City Park and across the street from Fountain City Methodist Church.

All proceeds from Art-a-palooza! will benefit the Fountain City Art Center and will help us continue to offer the public 11 exhibits in the coming year. If you still haven’t visited us, come on by and see what you’ve been missing!

PASTEL’S FAVORITE SON RETURNS TO FCAC
     Go to Classes for more details

PASTELS WORKSHOP ADDS CLASS

DOES IT AGAIN!

            Fountain City Art Guild just opened its new Spring Show at the Fountain City Art Center on Friday night, April 13 with a huge reception hosted by the Guild.  The show is from April 13-May 14. There are 20 artists and a total of 42 paintings.

            Paul Watkins, former Central High art teacher and currently UT Art Dept. Professor judged the show along with Jean Hess, a free lance artist/illustrator who moved to the Fountain City area nine years ago from Dallas, Texas.  Paul Watkins taught two years in a Virginia High School, took a BS in Fine Art and graduate courses at ETSU and in 1960 moved to Knoxville to teach art.  Hess’ work won Best of Show at the TVA Dogwood Arts Show about 5 years ago, and she has work hanging at the Knoxville Convention Center. 

            Winners are:   

Best of Show – “Iris in the Morning,” by Kate McCullough, Watercolor (shown below )

First Place – “Every Day is Veterans Day” by Roy McCullough, Oil (shown below)

Second Place – “Tyler” by Victoria Simmons, Acrylic

Third Place – “Smoky Mountain Lake” by Kate McCullough, Watercolor

Honorable Mention – “Bay of Naples” by Alberta Dyer, Oil

Honorable Mention - :Mother’s Treasures” by Aurora Harrison-Bull, oil

 Honorable Mention – “Zinnias” by Barbara Wolf, oil

            The show was sponsored by Abbey’s Attic who gave a door prize good for your choice of a custom mouse pad or set of coasters with the recipient’s photo of their choice on whichever item they choose.  Their website is www.littleabbysattic.com and they are located on Broadway near Paneras.

            The show this year is a blockbuster with a huge crowd of people attending.  The student exhibit opening at the same time is the Fontinalis Club winners from Central, Gresham and Halls. Artwork from students attending KAEC and Yoakley is included. Also showing, work by the students of Sandi VanWinkle. The quality and sophistication of this work is really outstanding and the opportunity for these students to show their work is certainly unparalleled.  Fountain City Art Center has the place, the space, and the atmosphere for all types of art, and welcomes the student shows. 

            Fountain City Art Center is also looking for a few good sponsors for its upcoming events.  To become a sponsor, all you have to do is donate funds to sponsor the reception, and you’ll be able to get free publicity for this sponsorship.  There are approximately four or five major shows on the books for the year 2007, so business owners, get your name in there soon as a sponsor.

 NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW SHOW TO FCAC

            Fountain City Art Center just announced its new exhibit program for 2007.  Heading the list is the solo show by Aurora Harrison-Bull, a well known East Tennessee artist, teacher, and exhibitor who has won many awards in this area.  This show opens with a reception Friday, January 5 and it will be on display until February 16.

            Aurora has been working in oils since 1968.  She moved here in 1985 and began teaching oil painting in her studio, and when the Art Center opened its doors in 2004, she was the oil painting teacher.  Her classes at the Art Center remain filled, and her private classes are full as well.  She usually welcomes new people, though, since she teaches several classes.

            Aurora has always believed that her greatest teacher is the Creator Himself from whom she has received both her ability and her inspiration.  It has been said many times that her paintings play on the viewers emotions and invite them momentarily to leave the real world behind and enjoy the mood she has created.

            The present exhibit at the Art Center by the Fountain City Art Guild features her painting “Between the Light.”  That show will hang until December 29, and if you haven’t seen this show, it’s worth a trip before it comes down.