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December brings twinkling lights, festive parties and holiday traditions. Local art enthusiasts know it also brings a special opportunity to shine and share. Now in its 23rd year, the Artsclamation! fine art sale supports Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center. Featuring the work of more than 35 local and regional artists, the event combines creativity with compassion, raising funds to help patients and families receive vital mental health care at Peninsula’s hospital and outpatient clinics.
About the 2024 Artsclamation! Fine Art Sale
Artsclamation! kicks off with a special preview party on Fri., Dec. 6, from 6 – 9 p.m., followed by a public sale on Sat., Dec. 7, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Both events will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN.
Original works will be on exhibit and available for sale, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork and glass art. A portion of each artist’s sales supports Peninsula, making every purchase even more meaningful.
Featured Artists
Each year, Artsclamation! celebrates featured artists whose works embody the event’s spirit of creativity and hope. The 2024 featured artists are Bill Cook, Jr., a sculptor, and Marisa Ray, an acrylic painter.
Sculpting Inspiration in Stone
Knoxville-based Bill Cook, Jr., fell in love with three-dimensional art while studying at the University of Tennessee. Stone became his medium of choice, and he found endless inspiration in nature and everyday life moments.
“My urge to create is overwhelming,” Cook says. “Nature provides bountiful inspirations, from the elegant curves of a woman to the bending form of an oceanside pine tree. Often, inspiration comes unexpectedly, even in a precocious comment from a child.”
For this year’s event, he crafted a white marble piece titled “Light in a Sea of Darkness,” symbolizing the journey to mental health recovery.
“There is always light to be found,” Cook says. “You must keep searching for the people and resources that can help you find it.”
A World of Wonder in Acrylics
Acrylic artist Marisa Ray, also from Knoxville, creates unique works featuring birds and animals. These works of art result from layering thick paints to give feathers and fur a three-dimensional appearance. Hand-painted patterns add charm and vibrance.
“I enjoy making whimsical and unexpected art,” Ray says. “I use my art as a vessel to bring hope and laughter, intentionally pushing back against the darkness of life.”
Ray’s pieces celebrate childlike wonder and spark joy. “Art should remind us of something we’ve forgotten – how to delight in the impossible,” she says.
More Than a Fine Art Sale
Artsclamation! is more than an opportunity to purchase excellent artwork. It’s an important fundraiser for Peninsula Behavioral Health , the region’s leading provider of mental health services.
One in four East Tennesseans suffers from a mental illness, and funding for behavioral health programs often lags behind other healthcare needs. Proceeds from Artsclamation! help close the gap, providing for critical resources like therapeutic courtyards, transport vans for outpatient clients, children’s play areas, andtransitional medications for inpatients at discharge.
“Peninsula relies heavily on proceeds from Artsclamation! to create therapeutic spaces and activities for our patients that wouldn’t otherwise be possible,” says Liz Clary, BSN, RN, and vice president of behavioral health at Peninsula. “Every dollar helps us provide care and treatment for those in need.”
Join the Artsclamation! Celebration
Whether you’re adding to a special art collection, looking for just the right gift or treating yourself to something special, the Artsclamation! fine art sale is for you. Works of art are available in every price range, with items to suit every taste. There’s no better place to enjoy creativity and support the important work of Peninsula, helping those in our region who are struggling with mental health issues. Learn more and make plans to visit Artsclamation! this year.
You can also support Peninsula through purchase of “The Art of Healing,” a 2025 calendar featuring works by Artsclamation! artists. Calendars are available for $10 at Artsclamation! or by calling 865-531-5210.
Covenant Health
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Covenant Health is a community-owned, healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers.