(Ed. Note: Today’s article is written by new contributing writer Matt Hollingsworth. Matt, a Knoxville native and Farragut resident, has written local interest articles for Farragut Life, Monroe Life, and McMinn Life, as well as science fiction stories for various magazines. Despite living so close, Matt is experiencing much of downtown Knoxville for the first time.)
I’ve known about First Friday for a long time—I include it on the Happenings pages of every issue of Farragut Life magazine where I work — yet I’d never actually gone until September 6, 2024. Here’s what happened:
I park a little after 5pm, and make my way down to the 100 Block where a barrier emblazoned with City of Knoxville blocks the street from cars. Along the way, maybe a dozen artists have set up booths where they display and sell their work. My first thought is that there’s not nearly as many people as I was expecting, but it’s still early. Maybe everyone is just getting off of work.
I look around before stopping by a booth where a man is showing his pieces: mostly abstract art laser-etched in wood. His name is Jon, and we strike up a conversation about his work. He has a full gallery in his home. I also learn that he’s an inventor, and he’s even wearing one of his inventions, a uniquely-designed shoe that’s easier to lace and unlace.
After meeting Jon, I begin talking to a nice painter named Angelica. She has an eclectic mix of work from pictures of Jesus to landscapes, from abstract work to something that appears to be anime fan art. I’m especially drawn to one bright yellow piece with a pair of trees obscuring a mysterious planet in the sky. We talk for almost half an hour, connecting over our love of creativity — art for her, writing for me. She gives me some tips for time management that I definitely need to try. As I’m leaving, she hands me a painted bookmark as a gift.
I talk with several other artists, all very kind. I’m enjoying the conversations so much that I realize I’ve not even been listening to the live music performed by the talented Fountain City Ramblers. I stop to listen for a moment before entering the Emporium Center which is where the crowds get big. The place is packed. I stop to look at the exhibits, from still life photography to abstract art. One of the galleries is presenting work by Hispanic artists for Hispanic Heritage Month. They invite guests to vote on their favorite, and while they’re all good, number 19 is an easy win for me with its dragons and mythological feel.
After this, I head down to the other series of booths along Jackson Avenue. This section is absolutely packed. I’m given a snow cone at the start which I enjoy while perusing the new series of booths. Instead of paintings, most of these people sell crafts and other goods—everything from candles to CBD-infused drinks to something called Baboon Powder created by a nurse/herbalist that promises to be everything from baby powder to deodorant to poison ivy relief.
There are other galleries along the way including an exhibition by Ryan Blair in Rala called Appalachian Aquarium which features surreal fish drawn on wood. The bright colors, sharp teeth and haunting eyes make them look like something from a dream that boarders on nightmare. It might be my favorite exhibit so far.
I return to the street where I notice a mural on the side of a building which reads “Earth to Old City” and “The Nature of Art.” I’m not sure exactly what this means, but it seems oddly fitting—exactly my thoughts on a lot of the artwork on display. I’ve always heard Knoxville was an artsy kind of town, and here’s the evidence.
There are other galleries with good art, but my favorite part of the event is the people. If you’re an artist of any kind, you know there’s a certain joy in meeting other creatives, especially when they’re all so eager to talk. Athens, Tennessee may call itself the friendly city, but maybe Knoxville can give them a run for their money.