Don’t Knox it! 2020
While work trips can seem a lot like, well, work, our visit to Knoxville included a little culture and cuisine. We stayed at The Tennessean Hotel which was in walking distance of the popular Gay Street entertainment district. There was some intermittent rain that stopped some of our strolls through the city, so we took advantage of The Tennessean’s complimentary valet service.
We did manage to make it to Knoxville’s only speakeasy complete with its own secret entrance. Decorated in vintage motifs and using old books to house their cocktail menu, Peter Kern Library lives up to the mystique. The cocktails were delish and the bartenders incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.
The day of our departure we arose early to take in some local attractions. Taneka visited The Sunsphere, while I visited the Knoxville Museum of Art. Located on Worlds Fair Drive, Knox Art was featuring a special exhibit on the art of Beauford Delaney.
This prolific artist was a native to Knoxville but had a heavy influence on the international art scene. KMA has the largest collection of Delaney’s work and used this particular show to examine the 38 year-long friendship between Beaufort Delaney and writer James Baldwin.
This Ying Yang relationship influenced the artistic expression and community awareness present in Baldwin’s writings and Delaney’s paintings. The two cared for each other deeply; this love can be felt through their craft.
Make sure to follow @knoxart to see the museum’s continued efforts to showcase and spread awareness of Delaney’s art. Every art lover should add Knox Art to their list of Southern art museums to visit.
www.chivotaqueria.com www.tennesseanhotel.com www.knoxart.org www.oliverroyale.com www.tombras.com
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