Art from the Ashes to Help Families Affected by Ash Spill

The Knoxville Museum of Art is presenting an exhibition called Art from the Ashes.  This exhibition, which will end with a silent auction, is going to raise money for the families that had damage to their homes during the coal ash spill in December of 2008.  Artists from around the region have donated art to be auctioned off.  This exhibit will run through June 28, 2009 when the auction takes place.

In December of 2008, a retaining wall collapsed at the TVA’s coal-fired power plant.  This wall was keeping tons of coal ash from spilling into the Kingston area of East Tennessee.  When the wall gave way, 2.6 million yards of coal ash or fly ash was dumped into the area.  This spill affected the environment, infrastructure and people.  Eleven homes in total were damaged and the TVA is still cleaning the area and looking for places to store the coal ash.  The people whose homes were damaged need assistance and to that end this exhibit is designed to help them and the area.

Art from the Ashes is a collection of art donated by local artists in the hopes of raising money for the victims of the coal ash spill.  The pieces of art include original paintings, sculpture, photographs and much more.  The art will be auctioned off and all the proceeds will be giving to United Mountain Defense (UMD).  UMD is a local environmental group that are helping victims of the coal ash spill with medical assistance. 

The exhibit is in the Knoxville Museum of Art Community Gallery.  The Community Gallery is set aside for non-profit organizations and community events.  The Knoxville Museum of Art has countless exhibits throughout the year and is open Tuesday through Sunday.  Admission to the exhibits and parking are free.