“Arts in the Airport” Celebrates National Park Service Centennial

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (McGhee Tyson Airport) and the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville are pleased to present “Arts in the Airport,” a new exhibition featuring selected artwork from 40 artists in the East Tennessee region.

“Arts in the Airport” was developed to allow regional artists to compete and display work in the most visited site in the area. Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts are also joining with “Arts in the Airport” to showcase this special art exhibition that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service. Artists were encouraged to submit work inspired by or in celebration of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Works included in the exhibition reflect the beauty of the landscape, wildlife and fauna or reference the rich creative and cultural heritage of the area. The contemporary 2- and 3-dimensional artwork is exhibited in the secured area behind McGhee Tyson Airport’s security gate checkpoint through April 19, 2017.

“Arrowmont is honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Arts and Culture Alliance, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority on this exhibit that features the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our region,” said jurors Kelly Hider and Bill May of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. “As jurors, we were very impressed with the number of high-quality submissions, representing the tremendous amount of artistic talent living in the Smoky Mountain area. Seeing the exhibition in person was exciting, and it was difficult to single out award winners when there was such a strong representation of works in all media.”

The following artists’ works are on display: John Allen, Robert Batey, Ellen Bebb, Debra Lovvorn Belvin, Neranza Noel Blount, Fred R. Bowman, J. Brooks Brann, Alan Brock, Eric Buechel, Lil Clinard, Dana Cohen, Lawrence Danecke, Claudia Dean, Jurgen Dopatka, Diana Ferguson, Geri Forkner, Gordon Fowler, Mike Galyon, Judi Gaston, Marcia Goldenstein, Deborah Hardison, Nancy S. Hilgert, Jessica Hill, Marjorie Horne, Suzanne Jack, Inna Nasonova Knox, Greg Lach, Bill Long, Renee Manning, Marty McConnaughey, Sonja Oswalt, Joe Parrott, Martha Carroll Robbins, Mary Ruden, Phil Savage, Mary Saylor, Cheryl Sharp, Steven Escar Smith, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, and Steve Zigler.

View of gallery of images here. Artwork is for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition.

Congratulations to the following “Arts in the Airport” artists, who received cash awards:

Best of Show ($500) – Claudia Dean of Knoxville for Hard Times Quilt (Cheese cloth and photocopied shape note music sewn on canvas, acrylic paint and buttons)

Award of Merit ($250) – Mike Galyon of Knoxville for Spring Morning, John Messer Cantilever Barn (Oil on linen)

Award of Merit ($250) – Bill Long of Morristown for Creek Gems (Acrylic and variegated gold leaf on canvas)

Please note: the exhibition is normally available for viewing only by visitors flying in or out of the airport. Otherwise, visitors may view the exhibition by appointment with Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority staff. Contact Becky Huckaby, director of Public Relations, at (865) 342-3014. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543.