Story by Gay Lyons. Photography by Covenant Health.

Artsclamation! 2017 brightened the halls of Lighthouse Knoxville with the beautiful creations of over 30 artists. Painters, potters, woodworkers, jewelers, stained glass designers and more from across the southeast offered their works for sale to Knoxville area shoppers with 30% of each purchase benefiting the behavioral health programs of Peninsula, a member of Covenant Health.

The event was presented by a group of corporate and individual sponsors led by Covenant Health Credit Union, First Tennessee Foundation and Covenant Health, along with media sponsors Lamar Outdoor Advertising, the Knoxville News Sentinel and WATE-TV. Through these sponsorships and art sales at the event, approximately $50,000 in net proceeds will be available to create the new comfort rooms for acute patients at Peninsula Hospital. These rooms allow individuals struggling with anger, depression, anxiety or aggression to work through those issues in a calm, safe environment that encourages the development of good coping skills. 

The 2017 participating artists included featured artist and potter Michael Robison, along with Hugh Bailey, Stephen Brayfield, Pat Clapsaddle, Larry Cole, Rick Eastham, Lee Edge, Wendy Ervin, Gordon Fowler, Larry Gabbard, Betsy Heerdt, Marguerite Hogan, Jonathan Howe, Inna Knox, Lorrie Lane, Ron Lewis, Carol Livingston, Sharron Mallison, Kate McCullough, Mike Naney, Charles “Chico” Osten, Amber Anne Palo, Laura Parham, Leila Platt, Janis Proffitt, Mary Saylor, David Swanagin, Kristine Taylor and Jyl Walker.