Knox Heritage Salvage Show and Friday Night Uptown

Knox Heritage Salvage Show, 36 Market Square, Knoxville, April 2012

As I said in my last post, there was far too much going on last Friday night to cover it in one post. I'm struggling to cover it in three. Today I'll focus on the Second Annual Knox Heritage Salvage Show held at 36 Market Square and other events in what used to be called "Uptown." I'll head to the other end of South Gay Street to the 100 Block in tomorrow's post for coverage of the widest assortment of events and activities of the night.

Table made from bed frame and ceiling tiles by Brian Wagner

Knox Heritage Salvage Show, 36 Market Square, Knoxville, April 2012

Knox Heritage Salvage Show, 36 Market Square, Knoxville, April 2012

Knox Heritage promotes preservation of historic sites and, in this case, re-purposing of various architectural or structural elements into works of art. The art was displayed on the second floor of 36 Market Square courtesy of Ken and Brenda Mills, the owners of the building. Here's hoping this space isn't available for next year's event, but rather is filled with businesses of one sort or another.

Knox Heritage Salvage Show, 36 Market Square, Knoxville, April 2012

Candlesticks from wooden rail spindles by Ryan Burgess

I loved this piece, but didn't catch the artist's name. Anyone know?

Table incorporating silver wire casing by Briena Harmening

The show included objects large and small, practical and whimsical. In some cases the raw materials and their former purpose were obvious; in other cases, not so much. Some were beautiful, some were funky, but they were all fun to examine and discuss and a large, revolving crowd did just that. There was wine, food, many smaller objects for sale and people generally enjoying each other for a good cause.

Knox Heritage Salvage Show, 36 Market Square, Knoxville, April 2012

Some people just need to be photographed

After looking through the Salvage Show we stopped by Sapphire on Gay Street for Hannah Green's art showcase. I'm drawn to her art and repulsed by it. It generally includes nude females and lots of blood and I suspect it is intended to be disturbing. She was very gracious to allow me to take her photograph.

Sapphire, Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

Hannah Green and her art at Sapphire

Classical Musician at Art Market

The Art Market, Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

We stopped by the Art Market to see what was new there. It is a cooperative effort staffed by the artists whose work is on display, so it's always fun to stop in and talk to the person behind the counter. I often find great gifts there and they have generally excellent music on First Fridays. Most of the time it is jazz, but this time around a very talented young woman played classical pieces on a cello.

Cobra on Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

Cobra on Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

Les Miserables on Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

As we walked toward the 100 Block we saw my favorite vehicle in recent memory and enjoyed a Les Miserables Bomb laid on the outdoor diners at Downtown Grill. I'm assuming this was a cast group. It was really cool and I think appreciated by the surprised audience.

Jazz at Coolato Gelato, Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

The 100 block of Gay Street will require a post of its own, but I ended the night back in the uptown area with some fun jazz at Coolato Gelato (they played my guiltiest pleasure song: "Girl from Ipanema." I just can't here it enough.)

French Market, Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

Entrance to Krutch Park Extension,  Gay Street, Knoxville, April 2012

I took a couple of photographs of favorite spots: The French Market where we enjoyed a crepe and the cool weather the next morning and Coffee and Chocolate, which is always a great spot to shut down the night.

Coffee and Chocolate, Union Avenue, Knoxville, April 2012

More October First Friday

Hooping into the Night, Krutch Park, Knoxville

Everything wasn't serious Wall Street Occupational talk on Friday night. I made it a point to make my way to the Art Market where a neighbor had a showing and I always stop off at the Emporium.


Jazz inside the Art Market, Knoxville, October 2011

The jazz music just inside the door of the Art Market was excellent with the simple jazz guitar and a saxophone. I'm not sure if it is the acoustics, the ambiance or the talent, but this wasn't the first time I've heard great music in that entry-way.

Sold Piece by Morgan Fitch at the Art Market, Knoxville

Inside I talked to Morgan Fitch whose found-object art was on display. He'd sold one piece ("Don't Drink and Bike") already and the night was going well with a packed house several hours into the event. He told me that he finds objects in all manner of places along the journey to various animal or human forms. 

Sculpture by Morgan Fitch, Art Market, Knoxville



Sculpture by Morgan Fitch, Art Market, Knoxville

The bicycle pedals are obvious in his "Don't Drink and Bike" piece, but don't miss the little pictures of wine bottles as eyes. The pivotal pieces in the poodle pictured above are the metal wine glasses he'd had for sometime but no longer used. His art is still on display at the Art Market, so check it out if you get a chance.

"The Victor by Olga Noes

Painting by Gloria Nelson, Emporium, October 2011

By the time I got to the Emporium time was short. I was able to spot a couple of pieces upstairs that intrigued me and I listened to the singer downstairs for a few minutes. The highlight was talking to the good folks at Casa Hola. I met lovely Brenda and Carol and they let me take their picture, which was very cool. Good people and good times.

Singer at the Emporium, Knoxville, October 2011



Carol and Brenda at Casa Hola, Emporium, Knoxville, October 2011

I walked back to Krutch Park and ended the night watching the lovely lady pictured at the beginning of this post, hooping to the sounds of the small drum contingent on hand. I'll have more about the business end of the night and some updates on local businesses in tomorrow's blog post.

Pictures Waiting for a Blog to Happen

I've gotten to that point, again. I've got some pictures from around the city that haven't found a blog they want to attach to, so I'm going to spin them out over a couple of posts. Sometimes I think people mostly look at the pictures, anyway, so here you go, some I really liked and I hope you might, as well.

Mama and baby doves outside my home downtown. Same spot as last year.

When you think of the sounds of the city, you probably don't conjure doves cooing in your mind, do you? We hear them all the time in our condo. Now you know: move to the city for the bird sounds.

Solar Powered Garbage Can

Did you ever notice this? I realized that a garbage can near me on Market Square boasted a flashing light. Why does a trash can need a flashing light? I investigated and found it is a solar compactor. It has a tiny solar panel on the top. I assume it compacts the trash using the solar power. That's pretty upscale for a garbage can.

Tarot cards, anyone?

Actually, I'm not sure what this man was doing, but I guessed it was reading the cards for anyone who was interested - and had a little cash. He left before I got up my nerve to investigate more closely. It does raise a question: If he can see the future in the cards shouldn't he have known that no one would take him up on the offer? Just wondering.

The Art Market, 422 South Gay Street, Knoxville

I don't think I've mentioned the Art Market or if I have, it's overdue for a remention. I took this picture just before Mother's Day. Why do I remember that detail? Because that's where I did my shopping for the special day. They really have wonderful art from the modestly priced to the more expensive and you are certain to get something unique.

Friends posing on the Square, Knoxville, May 2011

Beautiful Girls on the Square

I was sitting with Bill and Jake in their normal spot across from the alley between the Square Room and Tomato head when these ladies stood in front of us are started posing. What's a middle-aged blogger to do?