The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition by seven visual artists celebrating The Carpetbag Theatre's 40th Anniversary: Jeffrey Cody, Terry Collins, Eddie Davis, Walt Fieldsa, Alan Jones, Aisha K, Melody Reeves, and Sister Rakiah.  The artists collaborated to create an installation in response to ways they have been moved and inspired by Carpetbag's work over the past 40 years.  The exhibition will be shown in the Balcony at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from October 2-30, 2009 with an opening reception as part of First Friday activities on October 2 from 5:00-9:00 PM.  The reception will feature public performances by members of the Carpetbag ensemble of actors, musicians and spoken word artists using excerpts from their repertoire of dramatic, spoken word and musical works.
 
The Carpetbag Theatre (CBT) is one of the few tenured African-American professional theatre companies in the South. "It is important for us, as visual artists, to honor Carpetbag's vision and contribution to our regional and national cultural life," says artist Melody Reeves.  "They have created an impressive series of original dramas embodying essential stories from communities across the world.  And they work constantly to train new artists and give back to their communities."
 
In addition to the exhibition at the Emporium, a 40th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration on October 9-11 is designed to create awareness about the theatre's success locally, nationally, and internationally, to reunite community partners and individuals who have benefited from CBT programs, and to showcase excerpts from CBT's body of work. On October 9, CBT will host a 40th Anniversary reception in conjunction with "Alive after Five" at the Knoxville Museum of Art with food, music and examples of CBT's works; on October 10, CBT hosts a free day of family fun at Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum with performances by local musicians, digital storytelling, and entertainment for children; and on October 11, CBT presents a jazz brunch at The East Tennessee History Center.  For more information on the Homecoming Celebration events, call 865-544-0447 or visit www.carpetbagtheatre.org.

The 40th Anniversary Exhibition will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with additional hours on Saturday, October 3, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  The exhibition and Anniversary activities are made possible in part through support from the Arts & Culture Alliance and The Cornerstone Foundation.

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