KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The show will go on.
Dogwood Arts announced its spring festival, which features artists and makers from all different specialties, will no longer be postponed. Instead, it's going online.
This year's festival features 109 artists and makers from around the world -- many from East Tennessee. It was originally scheduled for late April, but the new online version is already available here.
The festival began in 1961. Now, it includes fine art types like drawing, painting, glass, pottery, glass, metal and more.
"Even though we can’t be together in our usual fashion this year, we hope that Knoxville will log on and get to know these amazing artists who work in a variety of mediums from painting to pottery, jewelry to glass, and everything in between," the festival's organizers wrote on the website.
The virtual festival will also have a "Public Vote" component, organizers said. The three artists with the most voters will win cash prizes, ranging from $200 to $500. The public vote will be open March 3 through April 30, with winners announced on May 1.
The Dogwood Trails are officially open for the season because you can't cancel spring.
"Mother Nature is still putting on an incredible show for us and we want people to get out and enjoy that in the safety of their own neighborhoods," said Vicki Baumgartner, Dogwood Arts Trails and Gardens Program Manager.
Pink painted paths lead you through some of the prettiest nature Knoxville has to offer in 12 parts of town.
But if you can't make it out and can't travel because of the coronavirus, Baumgartner encourages people to capture spring in their own area.
"Get out into your own yard or as you take your walks through the neighborhood in the evening, take some photos of those [trees and flowers] and send them to us at Dogwood Arts and we're calling this little campaign 'Show us your blooms,'" said Baumgartner.
You can be featured by Dogwood Arts, and help spread the love of spring without spreading anything else.
