The Dogwood Arts Alliance is a 67-year-old nonprofit organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee, that promotes local artists, flora and fauna, and communities.
For more information, here’s their website.
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about the Dogwood Arts Festival?
I think there’s a misconception that Dogwood Arts only hosts events in the spring — when in reality, we host 20+ events and programs that span the entire calendar year. When we aren’t planning large festivals like Chalk Walk, the Dogwood Arts Festival, and Southern Skies, we’re hosting monthly exhibition receptions in our gallery, packing Art Kits for Kids, installing outdoor sculptures and providing opportunities for muralists around the city.
In the 65 year history of Dogwood Arts alliance, what would you say has had the largest community impact?
Dogwood Arts has impacted the Knoxville community in a variety of ways over the years, but in my opinion, the biggest impact was due to the hard work of the women who started our organization in 1955. They were really the trailblazers who got the Dogwood Trails ‘off the ground’ and turned Knoxville into a springtime destination for visitors from around the country.
Q: Which areas of the community have been impacted the most?
The best part about Dogwood Arts is that we really reach all parts of our community through one program or another. The Dogwood Trails span over 95 miles across the city/county — showcasing neighborhoods in all four quadrants of the city. Our Art Kits for Kids program reaches every fifth grade student in Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties, and visitors from across the country/world get to enjoy our public art program when they travel in through McGhee Tyson Airport, which is one of our sculpture sites.
Q: What direction do you see Dogwood Arts going in the future, specifically what kind of expansion plans are floating around?
Over the past several years, our organization has expanded our programming to include several ‘Emerging Maker’ and youth-focused art programs. We’re really focused on providing opportunities for up-and-coming artists, expanding our public art program by connecting artists with business/building owners interested in commissioning murals and providing access to art supplies for youth through our Art Kits for Kids program.
Q: Which garden is your favorite, and which trail has the best view in your opinion?
It’s so hard to choose! Every Dogwood Trail is unique and each neighborhood is full of beautiful views/special features, but my favorite has to be the Sequoyah Hills Trail. It’s one of the longest and definitely, the best to get out and walk, jog, and enjoy the waterfront parks along the way. My favorite garden is Lloyd King’s on the North Hills Trail — he’s been a dedicated volunteer for almost 40 years and his garden has over 200 azaleas, it’s really beautiful when everything is blooming in the spring.
