Knoxville has an increasingly vibrant gallery scene along Gay Street. Knoxville’s Arts & Culture Alliance manages an art gallery in an old furniture store at the Emporium Center for Arts & Culture (100 S. Gay St., 865/523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com, Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., free). Home to two art galleries, the Emporium puts on 12 different shows annually that showcase local and regional arts.

The Emporium also provides studio space for area artists and office space for arts organizations. The galleries are open until 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

Located next door to the Emporium galleries is a downtown satellite of UT’s Ewing Gallery. The University of Tennessee Downtown Gallery (106 S. Gay St., 865/673-0802, Wed.–Fri. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., free) has a modern, fresh feel. Student and faculty artwork are exhibited alongside shows of regional and national artists.

The Art Market (422 S. Gay St., 865/525-5265) is a stalwart artists’ cooperative that traces its roots to the 1982 World’s Fair. More than 60 area painters, sculptures, jewelers, weavers, and printmakers display their work at this attractive and welcoming space.