Dogwood Arts, UT Downtown Gallery, Big Ears Festival, and The Bottom Knox Collaborate for First Friday
February 27, 2024 [Knoxville, Tennessee]— From March 1st through mid-April, Dogwood Arts is collaborating with several local organizations to present not one, but two group exhibitions that feature Black Appalachian artists. The first exhibition,“Y’all Don’t Hear Me: The Black Appalachia,” will be on display from March 1 – April 6, 2024 at the UT Downtown Gallery (106 S. Gay Street). The exhibition was curated by Kreneshia Whiteside-McGee (Kren the Curator) and highlights the work of Knoxville poet Nikki Giovanni, alongside ten additional Black Appalachian artists. The exhibition is sponsored by Dogwood Arts in collaboration with UT Downtown Gallery and the Big Ears Festival.
“Y’all Don’t Hear Me is a statement by someone who feels disregarded, and to me, that resonates with the Black Appalachian community,” said Kreneshia Whiteside-McGee. “You don’t hear us because you’re not listening; you’re not listening because you don’t know we exist. I want to amplify our narrative and remind people that there are quality artists creating in the mountains.”
Regular Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Friday 11AM-6PM and Saturday 10AM-3PM. The exhibition includes several additional events listed below:
- First Friday Opening Reception: March 1, 2024 | 5-9PM
- Black Creatives Meetup – Words in Grey with Genesis the Greykid: March 20, 2024 | 6:30-8:30PM [Registration Required – limited to 20 participants]
- Gallery Talk with Kren the Curator: March 21, 2024 | 6-8PM
- Extended Gallery Hours [Big Ears Weekend]: THURS-SAT 12-9PM, SUN 12-6PM
- First Friday Reception: April 5, 2024 | 5-9PM
Simultaneously, “Black and Gifted: A Cultural Expression,” curated by LaKesha Lee will be on display in the Dogwood Gallery from March 1 – April 15, 2024. Lee is an MFA student in Painting & Drawing at the University of Tennessee and has curated several exhibitions throughout Knoxville, including The Bottom and the Frieson Black Cultural Center at UT. The exhibition in the Dogwood Gallery includes a ‘Bookshop Pop-Up’ hosted by The Bottom. Participating artists include: Francis Akosha, Jonathan Adams, Mene Manresa Bodipo, KaReena Goodwin, Jackie Holloway, LaKesha Lee, Jeremy Myles, Layla Moore, Nyasha Madamombe, and Gary White.
“Black and Gifted: A Cultural Expression bringing together traditional and non-traditional artists from the surrounding community,” said Lakesha.“Being Black is a gift within itself but comes with unspoken chains that are mentally installed over time. This show brings various generations together to display their own cultural strengths through their gift.”
Regular Gallery Hours are Monday through Friday 10AM-5PM. Exhibition receptions will take place on Friday, March 1st and Friday, April 5th from 5-8PM at 123 W. Jackson Avenue. The April 5th reception will feature local spoken word artists, dancers, and more, starting at 6PM.
Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty. For more information on Dogwood Arts, visit www.dogwoodarts.com or call (865) 637-4561.
