Visit Maryville's Artsy Downtown
Downtown Maryville is becoming artsy! Located just 17 miles from Knoxville, Maryville is home to Maryville College and the corporate headquarters of Ruby Tuesday restaurants. Nestled into the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and central to its surrounding historic towns, Maryville is known for its gorgeous scenery and its quaint homeyness, both of which have attracted new residents, businesses, and investment to the area - not least are the three new art galleries that have opened in downtown Maryville in the past few months, bringing the downtown galleries to a total of five featuring a "plethora of styles, media, price ranges and artists."
Karen Brackett, exhibit chair for Fine Arts Blount, credits Last Friday Art Walk which began in January this year as the spearhead for Maryville's arts movement. Held on the last Friday of each month, Art Walk "is a tour through businesses and venues along downtown Maryville’s streets to look, listen, feel and see what the fine arts community in Blount County is up to. ....The (event) showcase(s) different kinds of art at various stores, clubs, restaurants and retail shops in downtown Maryville." According to Katie Gamble, Art Walk's founder, “While the Art Walk supports the arts, having galleries sell, promote and market the arts is another key factor for creating a really stable arts community and cultural hub, which is our goal for Maryville.”
About Maryville's galleries:
ArtSpace is located at 106 East Broadway in Downtown Maryville. The gallery features local and regional artists' exhibits and workshops available to the community.
The Pistol Creek Gallery Fine Art and Gifts gallery opened on September 6 at 117 East Broadway. The gallery's director was recognized in May 2008, "as one of America's "Emerging Artists" in Art Business News Magazine." The gallery features "Fine Art Painters, Photographers, Potters, Sculptors, Jewelers & Musicians. Each Artist is carefully selected for their innate talent, desirability & technique."
Arts.Alive opened on November 14 at 302 Church Avenue. Owner, Lyda Plemons "sees her gallery not only as a venue for exhibits and sales, but as a learning center for children and adults. She and other artists offer classes, workshops and an area set aside just for kids."
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