Knoxville Art Galleries, Museums, Supplies & More

Best art galleries Knoxville museums supplies classes your area

We are all about to dive deep into everything about art in Knoxville and our opening section will fully cover the best art galleries and museums near you.

Up next we will discuss a variety of other topics like art supply stores, events, festivals, dealers, appraisers, walking tours, sculptures and statues, art classes, studios for rent, and the top frame shops in your area.

If you are searching for any specific section you can jump straight to it by using the table of contents on the left. We will also be sharing a Knoxville art map with all of the various venues we mention throughout the post pinned on it, many of which can be found at the local Arts District around Gay Street but many of you could have probably already guessed that.

We have written other guides for cities around the Southeast you can check out by clicking here if interested.

Best Art Galleries & Museums In Knoxville

When you are in the mood head to one of these best art galleries and museums in Knoxville:

The Knoxville Museum of Art is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sunday honoring East Tennessee’s rich diversified visual culture as well as its links to the larger currents of creators throughout the world. Every year over 70,000 people visit and another 10,000 young people are worked with through outreach to local schools, particularly those in economically challenged areas.

Broadway Studios and Gallery is an artist collective that includes studios, a public gallery, and a retail shop. Oil painting, paper mache, stained glass, printmaking, photography, jewelry making, corn shuck dolls, wood carving, and sculptures are among the media used in the work but you should probably call to check if they are open before going over because their hours vary.

The first major arts center near you was The Emporium Center which reopened in 2004 after extensive renovations. Multiple art galleries displaying regional artists, the administrative offices of the Arts & Culture Alliance, and offices for five other arts and cultural groups are housed in the 28,000 square feet of flexible use space. In addition the building holds fifteen separate artists’ studios and you can see all that is going on from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturday.

The Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 1pm to 4pm on Sunday and was founded in 1981 as a professionally managed university gallery supported by the School of Art and the College of Architecture and Design. The Ewing Gallery has built and maintained a permanent collection for intellectual inquiry and the enrichment of the University and regional communities.

Gallery 1010 is a place for local contemporary art exhibitions and is one of three galleries at the University of Tennessee School of Art which is the states only wholly student-run, non-profit off-campus exhibition facility. Exhibitions include work from UT students and graduates as well as creators from other colleges and community programs but be warned they are usually only open Friday through Sunday.

Offering the public a variety of visual arts experiences and opportunities in a welcoming and informative atmosphere is what The Fountain City Art Center is all about. The center is open from 9am to 5pm Tuesday through Thursday serving as a gathering place for local artists, groups, performers, and students of all ages to show their work, attend meetings, classes, workshops, talks, and demos, and gain inspiration from one another.

The UT Downtown Gallery opened in 2004 and is a contemporary art gallery that exhibits professional work thanks to financing and assistance from The University of Tennessee from 11am to 6pm Wednesday through Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturday. They have also been a proud participant in Knoxville’s First Friday art events for many years.

Olde Concord Gallery is open from 11:30am to 5:30pm Tuesday through Friday and until 2:30pm on Saturday specializing in out-of-the-ordinary custom design work. Hand-painted frames and customized finishes are also available and their large selection of moulding and mat samples ensures that you receive the ideal option for enhancing each work of art.

Davis Studio is a modest one-of-a-kind art gallery in the center of Bearden that serves Knoxville and the surrounding areas excelling at custom framing, artwork, and calligraphy.

Materials & Supplies Near You

When you need some new materials or supplies go to one of these art stores:

Scalpel Art Supply is a place where a surgeon may become an artist and an artist can become a surgeon.

Mighty Mud Mixer sells Highwater and Laguna clays, Spectrum glazes, and Bailey Pottery tools in addition to offering art seminars and workshops and renting out studios and private event space.

A large assortment of fine art materials and frame supplies in your area can be found at Jerry’s Artarama just like they have been doing since 1993.

You probably already know what chain stores like the Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby near you have to offer.

Shows & Events

There are a few great shows, events, and festivals that we know you won’t want to miss:

The Dogwood Arts Festival began in 1961 and is one of the city’s most well-known cultural events and it is held at World’s Fair Park’s newly remodeled Performance Lawn featuring 75 art vendors specializing in mixed media, ceramics, painting, photography, glass, jewelry, sculpture, and more.

Presented by Knoxville Opera The Rossini Festival delivers a taste of Europe to East Tennessee by celebrating the color, pleasure, and excitement of opera and Italian culture. The festival combines two opera productions, art exhibitions, wine tastings, and a wide range of other community events with a vibrant Italian Street Fair which transforms Gay Street from a busy downtown thoroughfare to a festive European festival with six stages featuring a variety of entertainment options.

The Foothills Craft Guild Fall Show is a fine crafts bazaar with over 120 well-known local craft artists from East and Middle Tennessee. Wood-turning, clay sculpture, loom weaving, cornshuckery, printmaking, metal sculpture, and other artisan demonstrations will be held in the historic Jacob Building.

You should also check out the First Friday events held in the local Arts District along Gay Street and the Emporium Center is always very active in the events and could be a good starting point. Expect to find numerous exhibitions, live music, tasty food, and lots of fun.

Art Dealers & Appraisers

When you want to buy something new or learn the current value of something in your collection you can go to art dealers and appraisers near you:

Bennett’s premier full-service art and design gallery is brimming with one-of-a-kind art, crafts, jewelry, and furniture from across the world.

The Art Market Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in your area dedicated solely to local and regional art. Over 60 painters, photographers, weavers, printmakers, woodworkers, potters, jewelers, fiber and glass creators are now exhibiting their work at the gallery.

Excelling in fine art, framing, printing, and lighting is what Liz-Beth and Company has excelled at since 1991 plus corporate and in-home consultations are available.

Art From the Hills is an online gallery that specializes in fine art and giclée printing.

Art Galleria showcases and sells a diverse range of original paintings, including traditional, contemporary, and modern works while representing the work of well-known artists as well as rising creators. You will also find a diverse selection of genres and mediums by Ron Williams, Joseph Bonomo, Julia Klimova, and many more.

Walking Tours

Some of the best areas to walk around outside and see unique local art can be found at:

Many murals in Knoxville help to portray the city’s story in a visual, creative way as brilliant local and visiting artists employ a range of canvases to enhance natural scenery from alleys to stairwells.

The artist group Artist Alley Revamp came up with the idea for Strong Alley murals which are a cooperation between consenting business owners and willing artists that you can find in the alley between Union and Wall Avenues immediately off Market Square.

Don’t forget about the First Friday events that kick off each month around Gay Street in the Arts District.

Sculptures & Statues

Framing art supply stores Knoxville lessons near you studios

An equally enjoyable way to enjoy nice weather would be to check out some of these statues and sculptures in your area:

  • The Oarsman at W Church Ave & S Gay St
  • Burn Memorial at 601 S Gay St
  • The Torchbearer at 1344 Circle Pkwy
  • Rachmaninoff The Last Concert at 525 Henley St
  • It’s All About Electricity at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr
  • Georgia On My Mind at 2518 Jacob Dr

The Oarsman was David Phelps’ first assignment after he obtained his MFA from the University of Oklahoma in 1984 and was granted a regional NEA Fellowship in Sculpture in 1985 receiving a six-month residency at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center Arts in Industry program in 1987.

The Burn Memorial Statue was created by Nashville sculptor Alan LeQuire and was erected in 2018 showing Rep. Harry Burn of Niota and his mother Febb as it celebrates each of their roles in the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Better known by its moniker the Torchbearer, The Volunteer Statue was unveiled in 1968 more than three decades after the Torchbearer became the university’s official symbol. Theodore Andre Beck who was a sculptor won a competition in 1931 to design a symbol of a Volunteer.

Rachmaninoff The Last Concert was designed by Victor Bokarev and it stands in World’s Fair Park as a monument to the composer.

Knoxville Art Classes

Whether you are trying to find lessons for kids, teens, or adults some of the best Knoxville art schools and classes can be found at:

The University of Tennessee School of Art is a comprehensive academic institution of the liberal arts of UT consisting of twenty-one academic departments and schools, twelve interdisciplinary programs, and eight centers and institutes.

Creative Art with Miss Shelley is designed for children who love to create and students will produce stunning works of art in fun and instructive small group classes and summer art camps taught by Miss Shelley who is a creator and certified elementary art instructor.

For almost thirty years the Knoxville Arts & Fine Crafts Center has been a valued complement to the Parks & Recreation Department’s programming while over the years it has expanded to serve thousands of residents as well as those from neighboring counties.

Webb School of Knoxville is a one-of-a-kind institution founded on an outstanding synergy of over 60 years of educating students.

Classes for kids and adults of all skills levels can be found at Tipton Fine Arts Studio.

Studios For Rent Near You

You can try to rent a local art studio at:

17th Street Studios is a private artist workspace that is not open to the public with the studios being on the second floor of Redeemer Church’s west wing. Each studio is around 12×10′ in size and there are three common areas for artists to display their work using homasote.

The Central Collective is a mixed-use creative facility for entrepreneurship, events, and involvement with the creative community.

You might also be able to rent out local art studio space at The Emporium Center from the galleries list or Mighty Mud Mixer from the supplies list.

Framing

For the most highly recommended places to go for art framing in Knoxville head to:

Frameworks has been in operation for more than 25 years and can do imaginative custom framing for everything from posters and fine art to diplomas, sports jerseys, and more. Express Frame is a well-known custom picture framing shop that has earned a stellar reputation over the last 20 plus years.

The District Gallery & Framery focuses on providing consumers with a one-of-a-kind and beautiful experience as the gallery houses hundreds of original art pieces by regional and national artists offering everything from superb custom framing to one-of-a-kind works of art.

Creative custom conservation photo frame is offered by Fowler’s Framery & Art Gallery who has been serving the residential and business needs of your area since the late 1980’s.

A couple of other good options for high quality framing can be found at Olde Concord Gallery and Davis Studio from our initial best local museums list.

Just so you know we have also written about:

Have Fun Enjoying The Knoxville Art Scene

The full art scene near you was just broken down to the best of our abilities. We listed the best galleries, museums, events, shows, supply stores, dealers, appraisers, walking tours, sculptures, classes, studios, and framers in your area.

It would be cool if you would let us know about any of your own tips and tricks in the comments at the end of the post, or mention if we got anything wrong or if anything we posted has become dated.

Have fun going to the galleries, museums, buying supplies, or doing anything that has to do with art in Knoxville!

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This post and all of the posts on our site are edited by Dan Soloman who has been a huge fan of art since he was a little kid. His mother was a good local artist, and she taught him the trade from a very early age. He studied art and its history in both high school and college, has worked at multiple galleries, and recently has begun creating and editing online content for this site and some other online media platforms.

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