The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville is recognizing its 50th anniversary by presenting a new exhibition titled 50×50, opening Friday, October 4, 5-9 p.m. throughout the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville.

Curated by John Douglas Powers, 50×50 is a survey of Knoxville- and Tennessee-based artists exhibiting alongside peers from across the country. The exhibition is a celebration of the individual artistic voice and the essential role of organizations like the Arts & Culture Alliance in supporting and nurturing those diverse voices. The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions.

Utilizing all the exhibition spaces at the Emporium, 50×50 includes more than 100 works in a variety of media and conceptual approaches by 50 different artists: John Douglas Powers is an artist and educator based in Knoxville, and is professor of sculpture and time-based art in the School of Art at the University of Tennessee.

The free gathering with exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Variego3 inside the Emporium. As part of a special First Friday Block Party sponsored by the Alliance, Old City Association and city of Knoxville, the free gathering will also feature nearly 20 artist vendors and live music with Robinella along W. Jackson Avenue, which will be open to pedestrians only from 5-10 p.m.

“You know, it’s a pretty big milestone for the Arts & Culture Alliance (formerly the Arts Council) to be able to celebrate 50 years of quiet, uninterrupted service to a community, its artists and arts and culture organizations,” says Liza Zenni, executive director.

The exhibition will be on display October 4-26, 2024, at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at Knox Alliance Store. For more information, please see Knox Alliance or call 865-523-7543.
**Included images: Works by exhibiting artists