Knoxville Marathon 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

It’s hard to know at the end of this week whether I should continue recounting last weekend or move the focus to the upcoming weekend. I’ll go with last weekend, but I must mention that this weekend is likely the biggest of the Dogwood Arts Festival, with the Arts and Crafts Festival on Market Square and throughout Krutch Park. The artisan works are phenomenal and the food tent, in which chefs prepare dishes with wine pairings, is one of my favorite single events of the year.

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Still, I must give a nod to last weekend’s Knoxville Marathon which drew several thousand people. The race has grown to include a 5K, Half-Marathon, Marathon and Marathon Relay. Urban Son-in-Law backed off to the half-marathon this year and many Urban Friends ran various other races. I think one reason for the massive crowds last weekend was the marathon, as a number of people came in from out of town or simply stayed downtown to enjoy the other events going on.

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists2, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists3, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I love the fact that a fitness-based event has become so big in the city. It also works beautifully to have so many great activities downtown to greet any out-of-town visitors. There is no way someone visited the city last weekend, encountered the beautiful weather, pianos on the square, Chalk Walk, First Friday, Rhythm and Blooms and came away with anything other than a very positive impression of what is happening here. They also spent time and money in the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday.

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

The starting line and staging area always attract me. Nerves jangle about at every turn, runners giddy with excitement warm up maybe a bit too much. Proud families wish their loved ones well. The mayor spoke at this year’s opening and the national anthem makes any sporting fan’s blood reach a quick boil of anticipation. Some are there to win, others to have fun and others simply to finish. Music pounds from a PA system as it will throughout the race as live bands play for the runners.

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I photographed eventual winner Wojciech Kopec (2:22:15) as he left the start line (red jersey above, number 2), but missed him at the twenty-five mile mark. I did catch Edward Tabut passing the UT Conference Center, heading into the final stretch. He was about three minutes behind first place. He also nearly left the course by not turning onto Locust, but a policeman yelled, pointed and Edward corrected his course.

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Edward Tabut, Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Third Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Third Place Runner, Bryan Morseman, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Stewart Ellington, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Abraham Kogo, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

About four minutes behind him was Bryan Moresman in third and I really felt for the next two guys as I photographed them leaving Market Square. They ran within steps of each other around the twenty-four mile mark and clearly, they would battle to the finish line. In the end, while Stewart Ellington (No. 6) lead by a few yards at that point, Abraham Kogo (No. 3) would pass him in the end to win fourth place. Two seconds separated them at the finish line. You can find complete results here.

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Others would pass through downtown on into the afternoon. In fact, Urban Son-in-Law spotted a couple going through around 4:00, well after the official times have stopped. It reminds me of Cake’s awesome song, “The Distance.” All that matters at that point is finishing. And whether anyone else knows or acknowledges the fact, you know. It has to feel good. I never made it to the complete marathon and I admire those who do.

April First Friday, What to do?

New Sculpture, Krutch Park, Knoxville, April 2012

Happy Friday to everyone. It looks like the weather will be awesome for our monthly street party in the city and the crowds promise to be huge. As usual, there is so much to do in such a short amount of time, there is no way to catch it all. The most complete listing of events I’ve found is here.

A typical First Friday involves art openings all over downtown. Restaurants in particular are often the site of exhibitions of local or regional artists and this month is no exception in that regard. You might want to arrive in the downtown area as early as possible if you’d like to eat in a restaurant as the wait list grows rapidly throughout the evening. With any luck you’ll be able to enjoy some art and good food without too much wait.

New Sculpture, Krutch Park, Knoxville, April 2012

While there is still daylight left you might want to wander around Krutch Park where you will find a number of new sculptures which have been installed in the last couple of weeks. The Dogwood Arts committee decided to expand this great program last year to allow for the displays of these works of art for an entire year. I always miss some of the ones to which I’d grown accustomed, but it is also exciting to see the new works as they arrive. I’m already feeling more connected to this group than the last as a whole.

New Sculpture, Krutch Park, Knoxville, April 2012

I also enjoy watching the people, of course. Some great people watching is to be found on Krutch Park where you might typically enjoy a drum circle. Gay Street and Market Square are packed with people ranging from west Knoxville suburbanites to friends from areas surrounding the city and the usual cast of characters from downtown. The crowd is never dull.

New Sculpture, Gay Street, Knoxville

An unusual addition to this First Friday, is  the second annual Salvage Show presented by Knox Heritage. The show includes art made from architectural salvage by a list of prominent area artists. The exhibition will be held on the second floor of 36 Market Square, meaning you get the added bonus of seeing the inside of that great renovation. More details may be found here.

Morelock Music 411 South Gay Street, Music Until Late

The heart of First Friday is the arts and, in addition to art in restaurants and music spread in every direction, there are, of course, the formal galleries and this is their night to shine. The Art Market on Gay Street often has the coolest music going and featured artists from their co-op on hand to tell you about their works of art for purchase. Music is also generally found nearby at Morelock Music (standing room only) and WDVX studios at the corner of Gay and Summit Hill.

Old Photo of the 100 Block

Knoxville also has an Art District and this is where I inevitably spend most of my time. A concentration of galleries and other creative venues is clustered on the 100 Block of Gay Street and this is also the  site this First Friday of special celebrations. You can find more details here (click Art on the Block). Not only are there openings at every turn, but there is live music throughout the block as well as a drum line, fire eaters, $15 all-you-can-drink beer at 11 Cafe and much more.

New Sculpture, Krutch Park, Knoxville, April 2012

What’s not to like? Watch for me and say, “hello,” if you see me about. It promises to be a great night for everyone.

QR Codes Invade Downtown Knoxville

Urban Toddler and Urban Woman with “Day at the Beach”

I haven’t found the proper time to explore the various sculptures placed downtown this Spring as part of the Art in Public Spaces. In a very cool move, the Dogwood Arts Committee decided the sculptures would be placed for a year only to be replaced, presumably by next year’s works. I love this because it keeps art downtown while keeping it fresh. My favorite sculpture from last year, “Flow Mojo” did survive (at the transportation center), but most were moved out after a few months.

This year’s sculptures have been given a bit of an upgrade in another way: QR codes have been added to markers beside each one. If you download a simple app to your smart phone, you can read the code and get a cool description of the work of art along with other information about the artist’s concept, pricing and contact information. It includes the option of voting for the “Best in Show,” though I believe that voting ended a few months ago. If you want to try it out, you can click the picture below to enlarge it, download the app to your phone and scan the code in the picture.


QR Code for “Day at the Beach,” Downtown Knoxville

 Also included is a “map” link which shows you how to navigate to the other works downtown. This portion is fascinating because it makes me think of the new signage being planned for the city. It would be so simple to include these codes on signs labeled “Where Can I Eat?” or “How Do I Get to the River?” or “What Live Music is Available Tonight in the City?” which would be so useful for our out-of-town guests and for some residents, as well. It seems like a no-brainer.

Imagine QR codes applied to the various walking tours downtown. The History of Country Music Walking Tour could include the standard information along with links to recordings of the actual music being discussed. What if we had QR codes on the corners of buildings giving the history of the building? Maybe we would grow to love our buildings enough that we wouldn’t want to tear them down. Not that we would consider that anymore, of course, but you get my drift.


“Day at the Beach” by Wayne Trapp, Krutch Park, Knoxville

I spotted another cool use, as well. I found a downtown building which is for sale and wondered what it might look like inside. I noticed a realty flier in the window and stepped up to have a look. In addition to the information you might expect, it contained a QR code which, when scanned, takes the smart phone to a website that offers a tour of the inside.
I’m not usually an early adopter of various bits of technology, though I’m not particularly technology averse and I realize this is not new technology to those of you who are into it to a greater degree, but this could really be an amazing technology.

What other uses can you imagine in the city? Leave a comment with your ideas. In the meantime, get out into Krutch Park or onto Gay Street or the World’s Fair Park and begin exploring some great works of art aided by a cool new technology.

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First Friday, October 7 – Downtown Hometour – And More

It’s hard to believe another First Friday has rolled around. It seems like the last one was just here – except that the last one featured very hot weather and this one promises to be very nice, indeed. Come early and plan to stay late.
I’ll hit some of the highlights of the weekend to come and I’ll look for you when I’m out and about.

Friday

2 Many Pixels – An exhibition of Heather McClintock’s photographs entitled “The Innocent: Casualties of the Civil War in Northern Uganda” will be featured at the West Jackson Workshops inside 2 Many Pixels photo gallery. Her photographs illustrate the dire circumstances inside Uganda. She will also be signing her new book and all proceeds go to charities inside Uganda.

The Art Market Gallery at 422 S. Gay will feature the found-object sculpture of Morgan Fitch and the photography of Bob Conliffe. Morgan is a neighbor of mine and his sculptures are always fascinating. Go by and check it out.

Blueslip Winery will have it all going on from 5 to 9 with a bake sale, poster sale, art sale and wine tasting. Proceeds there go to Habitat for Humanity.

The Emporium will feature a collection of seven regional artists including Lisa W. Ellis (Photography), Betsy Hobkirk (Oil and Mixed Media), Gloria Nelson (Oil), Olga Noes (Acrylics), Dennis Sabo (Photography), Jesse Sisken (Photography) and Regina Turner (Acrylics).

The Knoxville Museum of Art will host Jenna (Jefferson) and Her Cool Friends playing their excellent blues from 5:30 to 8:00. Wine and food are available for purchase and the Knoxville Writer’s Guild’s new anthology will be available there with a photograph by Cynthia Markert gracing the cover. Upstairs is free and downstairs is one of the best deals in the city.

Market Square:
6:00 Wall Street Protesters expand to a small southern city near you.
7:00 Bring your dog dressed for a Volunteer Fashion Show
8:00 Movies on the Square features “Clue.”

The Oliver Hotel will feature food, wine and paintings by Andriy Halashyn from Costa Rica and photography by Andrew Stephen Cebulka, as well as vintage photos from the McClung collection.

Also:
Daryl Scott plays the Square Room at 8:00.
The Black Cadillacs: 10:00 Preservation Pub

Saturday

Market Square Farmer’s Market: 9:00 to 2:00 – Come get those fresh vegetables (and great art and crafts) while you can.

The Civil Wars: 8:00 PM in the Bijou.

Angel and the Lovers (featuring Angel Martinez): 9:00 Preservation Pub

Sunday

City People Downtown Homes Tour: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. You have to attend this. It is just too fascinating. Homes all over the center city are featured and you get to meet the occupants, snoop through their home and ask them any question you want! Of course, you’ll move down here after you do this a time or two, but that’s a good thing. Tickets are $10 advance (Bliss and Abode) through Saturday. Sunday tickets are $15.
I’m tired, already. Watch for me out and about with Urban Woman and Urban Toddler. Please come up and introduce yourself. That’s what we do in this little city. Happy Weekend, everybody.

The Art of Poland at UT Gallery

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011 

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011 (Last Supper on left)

It’s easy to overlook the UT Downtown Gallery on the 100 Block of Gay Street. The entrance is nondescript and it nestles up to the Emporium where I, and I think many people, have come to see as the center of the downtown art scene. Still, it often warrants a closer examination. I’ve been to a couple of notable exhibits there, particularly the powerful Dali prints of Dante’s “Divine Comedy.”

Daliesque Painting in the “Art of Poland” exhibit, Knoxville, April 2011

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011

Their recent exhibit, “The Art of Poland,” featuring original works from the collection of Victor and Joan Ashe, didn’t initially excite me. I’m not sure why, but I missed it when it open on First Friday in April and I didn’t make it into the gallery until it was almost ready to be replaced. My impression of it is that was fun. Much of it almost seems whimsical, with a Daliesque feel due largely to the prominence of disproportionate bodies in the portraits.

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011

Not limited to works on canvas, the exhibition included three dimensional ceramic and glass art. Some of the pieces reminded me of folk art in this country and I’d be hard pressed to explain why any of it would be likely to be unique to Poland. My favorite works were the less whimsical, more contemplative and geometric works on canvas.

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011

Today is First Friday for May and I’m sure many good exhibitions will be mounted to open all around downtown. As always, you can get the best listing of First Friday events here. I can post pictures on my blog of the events and exhibitions downtown, but there’s nothing like being a part of it, so come on down. Just get here early, because if there is one complaint I have about First Friday it is that many of the events close the doors at 9:00 PM, which is so small town, but that’s a blog for another time.

“Art of Poland,” UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, April 2011