LIKE GANGBUSTERS

On First Friday, I visited the Vacuum Shop Studios. Until recently, this grouping of store fronts had been home to one vacuum and repair shop and two claustrophobically packed antique stores that no one seemed to ever be in. Ever. Now, a group of eight artists works out of the vacuum store space, and they have worked hard to successfully convert it into a functional, collaborative, workspace. For this open studio and First Friday event, their landlord generously allowed them to occupy the antique space next door as an improvised gallery. It was a little dirty and crude, and there was a weird drain in the floor, but it was exciting. And not a painting of cows.*

Several of these ladies were formerly part of the studios that I am now in at the 17th Street Studios in the Fort. I find it encouraging that there is a thriving enough art community in Knoxville that we need two studio spaces like this, in addition to the artist studios in the Emporium building, and Mighty Mud. This is not including corners of living rooms, garages, trailers, and other rented properties. And Knoxville is looking to offer more, affordable artist space. Three years ago, I moved here for a job and a relationship, and I've still got both. I knew practically nothing about Knoxville -- just that it was near the mountains and people here really. love. football, but this scruffy little city is growing on me. So, Knoxville, from an artist who likes you, thanks for liking us back.

*I do not hate all paintings of cows. Turner did some very lovely paintings of cows. And then there's this. All classics.