New works from artists in 14 states will be displayed across Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Maryville and Alcoa through September 2027
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dogwood Arts has begun installing 29 new sculptures as part of its 2026-27 Art in Public Places exhibition, bringing contemporary art to parks, greenways, museums and other public spaces across East Tennessee.
Now in its 20th year, the sculpture program features artists from 14 states and provides residents and visitors opportunities to experience art outside traditional galleries and museums.
“Public art allows us to experience art in unexpected places and to see our community through the eyes of artists with perspectives that may be very different from our own,” said Emily Curran, visual arts program manager at Dogwood Arts.
This year’s exhibition expands into South Knoxville with two sculptures along the SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk. The program also adds a new placement in Alcoa.
The largest concentration of the sculptures, 13 pieces, will be installed in Krutch Park in downtown Knoxville. Market Street between Clinch and Union avenues will close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, to accommodate sculptures requiring a crane for installation.
Other exhibition locations include UT Gardens, Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum, Zoo Knoxville, The Muse, Oak Ridge’s Jackson Square and the American Museum of Science and Energy, as well as sites in Maryville and Alcoa.
The sculptures will remain on display through September 2027.
Founded in 2007, Dogwood Arts’ sculpture program has curated and installed 346 works over the past two decades, helping make public art part of the region’s everyday landscape.
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