Two art exhibits can be viewed at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center during February. Funded by the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Blount County Student Art Exhibit “History and Nature of Blount County” will be displayed February 4 through February 29. The exhibit consists of two-dimensional artwork such as pen and ink sketches and watercolor paintings by art class students in Blount County schools. Admission to the student art exhibit is free.

Participating Blount County schools as of this date include: Alcoa Elementary School; Alcoa Middle School; Carpenters Elementary School, Eagleton Elementary School; Fort Craig School of Dynamic Learning; Friendsville Elementary School; Heritage High School; Heritage Middle School; Lanier Elementary School; Maryville Middle School; Montvale Elementary School; Porter Elementary School; Rockford Elementary School; Rockford Elementary School; Townsend Elementary School; William Blount High School; and William Blount Middle School.

In addition, the newly-formed Townsend Artisans Guild will host an exhibit February 5 – 17 that coincides with the Winter Heritage Festival and the Townsend Love Affair weekends in Townsend. The Guild exhibit will consist of varied media, reflecting the diversity of its members' interests: Susan Birdwell, pen and ink, painter; Tony Birdwell, Leather; Evelyn Bryant, Clay Sculpture; Cindi Cutting, Painter; Luman Dial, Woodturner; Sherry Dial, Baskets; Jeremy Doss, Painter; Becky Goodman, Stained Glass; David Huber, Raku; Mary K Jenkins, Fish Art; Pat Large, Jeweler; Beryl Lumpkin, Natural Material Baskets; Joyce McCroskey, Stone Sculpture; Marjorie Murphy, Clay; Tony Myers, Photographer; David Neamand, Jeweler; Steve Norris, Painter; Billy Reynolds, Driftwood Art; Terry Reynolds, Gourds; Wade Richardson, Wood Furniture; Suzanna Terrill, Painter; Kip Tweedie, Painter; Annie Woods, Inlay.

The lineup is subject to change.  Because the TAG exhibit is inside the Center’s main gallery, museum admission is required: $6 for Adults, $4 for Senior Adult, and $4 for Students. Children under 6 are free. For information on either exhibit, call the Heritage Center at 865-448-0044.

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