Kingsport Cultural Arts is pleased to announce the latest exhibiting artist at The Circle Gallery – Madison Ramey.

Ramey works through Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, specializing with acrylic, alcohol inks, texture paste and metallic flaking.

The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall (415 Broad Street) and Ramey’s exhibit will be on display until August 13. The Circle Gallery was brought to you by Kingsport Cultural Arts.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ramey’s work has been featured in multiple galleries, restaurants, and businesses in the Tri-Cities and Southwest Virginia. In addition to her abstract work, Ramey runs a full-time mural company “MadrPaints Murals” and you can find 44 murals stretching from Knoxville to Abingdon that she has done.

Two of her local murals include the one on Reedy Creek Bikes on Commerce Street and another on Just Ride bicycle shop on E. Center Street.

“I started doing art two and a half years ago. What started as drawing cartoon doodles for my toddler has transformed into multiple passions and career paths,” Ramey said. “I enjoy being able to be a full-time artist while using my abstract work to relax and express what I like with no expectations.”

For more information, Madison Ramey can be reached at 423-963-2302. You can also find her on Facebook (MadrPaints Murals) and Instagram (@MadrPaints_).

A new style of public art can now be found throughout Downtown Kingsport. Art that transforms something ordinary into something eye-catching, while showcasing iconic images from the Model City’s past.

Kingsport Cultural Arts in partnership with the Kingsport Archives has wrapped seven downtown traffic control boxes in vinyl containing images from Kingsport’s past. Each wrap has a QR code you can scan for more information about the featured image.

The location of the boxes and the images featured are as follows:

• Broad and Center: Downtown Kingsport, Church Circle and Main Street.
• Clay and Center: The old public works building.
• Revere and Center: The original Pal’s Sudden Service.
• Clinchfield and Center: The Texas Steer restaurant.
• Press and Clinchfield: The Kingsport Hosiery Mill.
• W. Sullivan and Clay: The Homestead Hotel.
• Press and Clinchfield: The Kingsport Press.

The vinyl wraps were installed in April and are expected to have a three to five-year life span. Cost of the project, including installation, was $4,970. Kingsport funded this project through a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

“Public art in Kingsport comes in many forms, from sculptures to murals, to park benches and painted rocks,” said Special Events and Cultural Arts Manager Kristie Leonard. “These wraps are just another way to enhance the overall look of our downtown while sharing a bit of Kingsport’s history with the public.”

For more information about the public art found in Kingsport, visit www.artskingsport.org.

Calling all artists, artisans, creatives and craftspeople of all trades. Applications are now being accepted for Christmas Connection 2024. The two-day event will take place November 15-16 at the Meadowview Conference Resort and Convention Center.

“The Christmas Connection – Artistic Creations Fair” is sponsored by the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts and is celebrating its 45th year of artistic creations.  The event hosts the region’s best craftspeople, artisans, artists, and creatives. People from our region and beyond look forward to the Christmas Connection year after year.

Application deadline is July 1, 2024, and there is no cost to apply. Christmas Connection is by invitation only. All applications are reviewed by a selection committee, taking various factors into consideration in order to create a high quality, attractive show having a good mix of artistic and craft creations.

THE 2024 DATES & HOURS:

Free admission to the public

Fri. Nov. 15:  12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 16: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

To access the vendor application from the city website, and for more information please visit www.artskingsport.org/christmas-connection.

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department manages more than two dozen parks and playgrounds throughout the city, offering a wide range of athletic programs and recreational activities to improve the health and well-being for residents and visitors.

Kingsport’s facilities vary from small neighborhood parks to larger greenspaces to iconic destinations such as the Greenbelt, Bays Mountain Park and Allandale Mansion.

During the Summer months (June to August), the City of Kingsport wants to offer these park pointers to residents and guests when visiting our parks and facilities.

1. Be weather aware and prepare. If you detect approaching storms, exit the park to a safe place. Not under trees or near the water.
2. Stay hydrated on hot days and wear sunscreen.
3. Fishing is fine, but keep in mind you still need a license. Beware of people around you when casting and do not leave your bait containers, used line, or trash behind.
4. Pay attention to your surroundings, do not use sound cancelling earphones and only use one earbud or ones that do not go in your ears.
5. Be present and aware of your surroundings at all times. Try to look people in the eyes as you pass, letting them know you are aware of them.
6. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult when using the Greenbelt or city parks.
7. Play it safe around water such as ponds, rivers, and creeks.
8. Keep pets on a short leash and please pick up their waste.
9. Enjoy the park amenities, help keep the facility in good condition, and please be respectful of fellow park users.
10. Lock your vehicle while at our parks and do not leave valuables visible inside.

Help keep our parks clean. If you see garbage, debris, litter, vandalism, or graffiti, please report it through the Connect Kingsport app. For non-emergency issues, call the central dispatch non-emergency line at 423-246-9111. For emergency situations always call the Kingsport Police Department using 911.

For information about the various parks and facilities located within the City of Kingsport, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.