UT Gardens opens Hummingbird Art Exhibit
By James Newburn, UT Gardens, jnewburn@utk.edu

	During the Spring and Summer of 2018 the UT Gardens, Knoxville, is hosting an exhibit of hummingbird garden art. "Joyful FLight: A Hummingbird Exhibit" will be open to the public free of charge beginning May 4. On September 9, the art will be auctioned for the benefit of the UT Gardens. Photo courtesy UTIA.

KNOXVILLE - The University of Tennessee Gardens, Knoxville, is opening their inaugural Art in the Gardens exhibit “Joyful Flight: A Hummingbird Exhibit” with a reception May 4, 2018, from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. The project is designed to promote community participation and artist collaboration at the UT Gardens, Knoxville, as well as to raise awareness and support for the Gardens.

Twenty-eight local amateur and professional artists have artistically interpreted this year’s theme by painting or embellishing plywood hummingbird silhouettes measuring approximately 4 feet x 3 feet x 8 inches using media of their choice. These works have been installed throughout the UT Gardens and will be displayed throughout the summer of 2018 for Gardens visitors to enjoy. The hummingbirds will then be sold at a live auction in September 9th with all proceeds benefiting the UT Gardens. Other aspects of the exhibit include information on hummingbirds and identification of plants attractive to them.

The reception is free and open to the public and will include live music and light refreshments. Many of the artists will be on hand and available to discuss their work.

You can find the UT Gardens, Knoxville, just off Neyland Drive adjacent to the UT Veterinary Medical Center on the Institute of Agriculture campus. Free visitor parking is available directly across from the entrance to the UT Gardens.

The UT Gardens includes plant collections located in Knoxville, Jackson and Crossville. Designated as the official botanical garden for the State of Tennessee, the collections are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Gardens’ mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, educational programs and research trials. The Gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. For more information, see the Gardens website: ag.tennessee.edu/utg.

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrates 50 years of excellence in providing Real. Life. Solutions. through teaching, discovery and service. ag.tennessee.edu.

Published May 2, 2018