Work with the artists to create your own beautiful

pieces!  

(Through October 31, 2018)

This exhibit features mixed media artist Ray Papka whose works combine assemblage, encaustic painting, use of books as substrates and a wide array of intricate embellishments. Papka generates layers of information and mystery from his observations, events and the influence of science in his life.

With degrees in zoology, chemistry, anatomy and neuroscience,Papka brings the discipline of science and his ability to hone in on a subject directly to his artwork. Beginning with an idea, he selects objects from his vast collection and builds upon this idea with objects, layers of wax, pigment and imagery.

Papka's background, travels and experiences have been wide and varied. He has taught at numerous universities in the U.S. including 10 years at the University of Kentucky, as well as Universities in Denmark and Hungary.

Papka's intellectual process influences how he creates his artwork.

"He is a deep thinker," states journalist Austyn Gaffney, "and he works through his own thoughts, memories, hopes and fears when he creates his pieces."

Papka states, "From my early childhood I have been fascinated with books and unusual objects. My love of books influenced my decision to recycle them in an altered form and I continually utilize themes involving text."

Cloigheann-  In partnership with the Berea Celtic Festival:  Cloigheann  (pronounced klog-in) is a one-of-a-kind traditional Irish and bluegrass music ensemble from Louisville, Ky. Performing together for more than 25 years, they deliver a delightful mix of original compositions and traditional Irish reels, jigs, aires, songs and more.

Incorporating flutes, fiddles, whistles, mandolins and even bones into their infectious music, the band have performed at Irish and Bluegrass festivals across the country, as well as on renowned television and radio shows. Be sure to put on your dancing shoes because there's no way you won't be dancing a jig by night's end.

www.cloigheann.com

Turlach Boylan & Davey Mathias- Davey Mathias is literally a guitarist's guitarist. He has often performed with fiddler Randal Bays, himself a highly respected Irish music guitarist. Randal says "It's hard to imagine a better guitarist partner.." Davey accompanies Irish music with an uncommon warmth and sensitivity. From his early days as a punk rocker, passion for honesty and authenticity led him to traditional music. Davey still plays the instrument he annexed from his mother during his teenage years. No stranger to stereotype, Davey lives with his wife Andi in the deep South in a clapboard house with a porch, hound dogs and a cooler full of beer.

Turlach Boylan was once cryptically introduced onstage as "a musician's musician". Ignoring the character flaws this might imply, fellow musicians have described his playing as "elegant", "thoughtful", "lush", "playful". He learned his music standing in the Culleybackey kitchen of County Antrim flute master John Kennedy, kickstarting a lifelong pursuit of the elusive musical quality 'Lift'. After spending seventeen years in Texas unsuccessfully acquiring an accent, Turlach now lives in Kansas in a home filled with dogs, cats, children and recordings of Irish music.

www.davey.and.turlach.com

The Theoritz-  Pushing the boundaries of hip-hop,  The Theorizt  seamlessly blends raw, thoughtful storytelling, searing guitar virtuosity and intricate melodies into energetic, interactive live shows that leave concertgoers wanting more. The Tennessee-based band has been called "Knoxville's answer to The Roots" by Metro Pulse, and their genre-bending jams have earned the group a devoted fan base since their 2009 formation, when members J-Bush and Mike Miller first met. The two had been separately producing and recording music in their home studios as a pastime for years, using whatever equipment they had available to them. As their popularity has grown, they've kept their recording and production in-house, which has played an integral part in sculpting their distinctive signature sound. Fellow Knoxville hip-hop artist Black Atticus joined the group after collaborating on a few songs on the group's debut album Samurai Love Songs (2012), and soon The Theorizt was created. Having since grown to eight members, The Theorizt's electrifying concerts have solidified their place in Knoxville's thriving music scene.

Named Metro-Pulse's "Best Hip-Hop Band" in 2011, The Theorizt has received coverage from prominent outlets including local tastemaker TNTunes and online blog Zunimar Music. They've received radio time on local radio staple 90.3 The Rock (WUTK) for their singles "Me & My Girlfriend" & "Call Me," and played at a variety of iconic local venues.

www.thetheorizt.bandcamp.com

RYVOLI-  RYVOLI is an aspiring Indie/Folk duo from Lexington, KY. Pennsylvanian Samantha Howard and Lexington native Jenn Whiteman met in Paris, France while working for the same non-profit organization. The two started singing together while Jenn was recording her first solo album there and quickly realized that their sound was better together. The friends recorded their debut EP with Penny & Sparrow producer Chris Jacobie with a Spring 2018 release.

www.ryvoli.com

The Hooten Hallers-  Renegade roots band  The Hooten Hallers  serve up high-energy hillbilly rock 'n' roll laced with bluesy melodies and punk sensibilities that make for a guaranteed good time. Based in Columbia, Mo., the trio's songwriting draws influence from the diverse cast of characters who roam the foothills of the Ozark Mountains with an eye for the strange and unexplained, injecting the narratives of their community into genre-bending jams that tread the space between pre-war blues, raucous cowpunk, and dark Americana. Founded in 2007, The Hooten Hallers' signature sound is made up of John Randall's gritty vocals and blues-inspired, manic guitar, Andy Rehm's searing falsetto vocals and driving drum beat and the deep rumble of Kellie Everett's baritone and bass saxophones. Known for their near-perpetual touring and explosive live shows, The Hooten Hallers take concertgoers on a seamless ride from unapologetically rowdy blues on the lap steel and bass saxophone, to sweet three-part harmony country ballads, to romping dance numbers for a dynamic performance that will leave you wanting more.

Over the last decade, The Hooten Hallers have electrified audiences across North America with performances at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in Manitoba, Canada, Muddy Roots Music Festival in Cookeville, Tenn., 80/35 Music Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, MoonRunners Music Festival in Chicago and The Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival in Columbia, Mo., and across Europe with shows in Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and France. Their growing reputation has led them on tour with prominent acts including Pokey LaFarge, The Dead South, Legendary Shack Shakers, Reverend Horton Heat and Possessed by Paul James. Their latest record, The Hooten Hallers released 2017, has been met with critical acclaim, prompting Noisy (Vice) to write "this album rules" and earning coverage from national outlets including No Depression, AXS, Vox Magazine, Impose Magazine and Connect Savannah. The album peaked at #24 on The Roots Music report's "Top 50 Americana County Albums."

www.thehootenhallers.com

Buck the Taxidermist- As far back as 2015, Kyle Ayres had been writing songs that never had a place. Either they were unfinished or didn't fit the bands he played with. Fast forward to early 2017, he found a place for those in his home recorded demo/album 'The Beginning' and gave a name to this musical quest.

The solo-minded project has developed and has now drafted long time bandmates Blake Hester (lead guitar) and Jacob Warren (drums) as well as good friend Jacob Gahn (bass). While Kyle still leads the charge on the songwriting and composition, the band has molded his concentrated ideas and morphed it to fit every player's style. A straightforward nod to classic rock and lyrics written from stream of consciousness. Reverbed and fuzzy solos on top of grooving bass and drum work. The band hopes to exude a return to rock and roll. A self titled EP with singles released in the spring of 2018.

www.buckthetaxidermist.bandcamp.com