In the interest of keeping all our loyal subscribers and patrons informed, I am writing to update you on the Clayton Center for the Arts schedule and events. 

I never anticipated we would be announcing our 10th Anniversary, 2020-2021 Season during a world-wide pandemic. I hope you have seen, as I have, how important the arts have been to moving us through this difficult time.

I am pleased that we have been able to keep the arts alive by offering online screenings of Southern Circuit films, National Geographic Live streaming events, readings by Amy Vaughn of Appalachian Ballet and by sharing information on access to museums, virtual events and performances from Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Broadway stars and offerings by many arts groups.

 I wish I could say we see an end to these uncertain times and are able to announce our final season line-up and go on sale as we typically do. Alas that is not the case as I write this.

The performers are still uncertain on their ability to travel and many are still trying to re-stage shows to comply with social distance while not decreasing the artistic quality of their work. Meanwhile, we are trying to determine how the Center can comply with guidelines and what changes we need to make to capacity and seating arrangements, entry/exit processes and pathways, restroom access, concession sales, hand sanitizing and the myriad of other small details we can no longer take for granted.

This is the reason we will be presenting the season without dates until more details can be solidified. Although the schedule is still in flux, it is our intention to find a way to include every one of them at some point in the future, whether this upcoming season or next. We anticipate annoucing our season by the end of July.

Never fear, as we keep saying “It’s only intermission, we will be back!”

We will continue to bring you the high caliber season shows we have committed to and will give you plenty of notice when it is appropriate to go on sale.

The safety of our patrons, artists and employees continues to be of utmost importance and the decisions we make regarding re-opening and presenting the arts will be based on that guiding principal along with input and guidance from the TN Pledge and organizations such as the CDC and the Blount County Health Dept.

We know how vital the arts are to our community and are working diligently to develop safe and solid plans that will allow us, once again, to bring you the world class arts experiences you love.

We are working on smaller events that take into account all of the restrictions placed by TN Pledge. As soon as we are able, we will let you know when intermission is over and we are able to present the arts once again.

On behalf of the entire Clayton Center team, thank you again for your support during this unprecedented time of what seems like constant change. We hope you are all staying well and finding things to be grateful for every day.

Blake Smith 

General Manager 

Clayton Center for the Arts 

Welcome Summer with The Walin’ Jennys at the Clayton Center on June 13 at 7:30!

The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound. Starting as a happy accident of solo singer/songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Wailin’ Jennys have grown over the years into one of today’s most beloved international folk acts. Founding members Moody and Mehta along with New York-based Masse continue to create some of the most exciting music on the folk-roots scene, stepping up their musical game with each critically lauded recording and thrilling audiences with their renowned live performances. Steeped in the artistry and elegance that has defined their career, the album presents the Jennys at their very best, highlighting their heartfelt vocals, otherworldly harmonies, and sophisticated arrangements. Fifteen was nominated for a Juno award in 2018 for
Traditional Roots album of the year.The Jennys will continue to tour their latest release through 2020, while also road testing new songs for an upcoming studio album.

” They named the record Fifteen in celebration of their 15 years together. Time hasn’t ravaged their voices at all. They still sound as angelic as ever.”  —Peter Lindblad,  Elmore Magazine

“… their approach on this latest LP — a set of covers — doesn’t sacrifice any of the considerate care that has always infused their siren-song harmonies. If anything, they’ve used the studio to capture the magic they radiate during their live shows.”   – Amanda Wicks, The Bluegrass Situation

On The Vertical

The Clayton Center is excited to present the second National Geographic Live speaker this season, Mark Synott.

Mark Synnott is a pioneering big wall climber and one of the most prolific adventurers of his generation.  Currently, he is working to break scientific ground, reaching incredibly inaccessible environments in search of rare species. 

Synott has traveled on nearly 30 expeditions to discover unclimbed and unexplored rock walls.  He has made legendary first ascents of some of the world’s tallest, most forbidding walls, from Baffin Island to Pakistan. In Auyuittuq National Park, Mark completed the first ski descent of the South Face of Mt. Odin via a 5,000-foot couloir.    

Synnott has been a contributor for both National Geographic Television and National Geographic magazine since 1998. He was the author of two feature articles in National Geographic magazine: “Impossible Rock,” a feature about exploratory rock climbing expedition to the Musandam Peninsula in Oman, and “Sins of the Aral,” a feature article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan.

Synnott works with The North Face Research, Design, and Development team and lectures frequently on his life as a professional climber and explorer. He is a certified mountain guide and the owner and director of one of the premier guide services in the east—Synnott Mountain Guides. 

National Geographic Live is the live events division of National Geographic. With a broad roster of talent including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers and adventurers, National Geographic Live’s critically acclaimed programs have connected with audiences worldwide for over a century. Currently, National Geographic Live events are held in a variety of cities around the world, including, Seattle, Tampa, Los Angeles, and Calgary. In each of these cities, speakers share behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration onstage alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage.

 At the Clayton Center, we will be celebrating the Holiday Season with Dallas String Quartet prior to Thanksgiving and Windham Hill Winter Solstice, Handel’s Messiah, and The Nutcracker in December. We love this time of year. Fall Concerts. Winter Concerts. Sounds of the Season and the tradition of The Nutcracker. This year, we close out Maryville College’s Bicentennial year with Handel’s Messiah. This is a popular concert as it is only performed every few years. This will be a special concert for one night only, so we recommend getting your tickets early.  The Appalachian Ballet will be back with the popular ballet, The Nutcracker. We hear there is new choreography, beautiful new costumes and so much more in what will be and exciting continuation of the Holiday Season. 

The Clayton Center will off the 35th Anniversary of Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice on December 11. Bringing the beautiful sounds of the season will be Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie, Todd Boston and Mia Pixley.

We are offering Gift Certificates again this year so please consider the Gift of the Arts again this season. We have many exciting performances coming up in 2020 and look forward to seeing all of our friends here at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Celebrating the Arts with us.