Josh Collins has transformed his bungalow at 2717 Jefferson Avenue into Cherry East Gallery, creating an intimate art space in East Knoxville that operates by appointment only. The gallery is preparing to host a public reception for its newest exhibition, "Place and Time," scheduled for Saturday, October 11, from 6 to 9 p.m., with the show running through November 15.
Located just off Cherry Street, the beautiful bungalow sits elevated, giving it a distinctive floating presence. Collins has converted the majority of his living space into a sleek gallery bathed in two-tone white, while keeping his office intact for personal use. "The show is based on the experience of living in Knoxville – the intimacies of culture," Collins explained about his upcoming exhibition.
Collins' approach to curation focuses on organic development, allowing shows to form naturally within the intimate space. "His shows are always created by the groups' interest, and the theme remains an abstract idea until he sees all the pieces together," he noted. "The idea is to form the show organically, in this space, in an intimate frame."
The gallery launched in February with "Soaring River," a collaboration with Collins' sister Sarah Collins, a Nashville-based painter who works with acrylic on wood. This inaugural show explored themes of longing and the refusal of dwelling place, delving into rhythm, shape, and form while examining connections to home. The second exhibition, "The Joy of Wrong Turns," featured Knoxville-based photographers Kyle Hislip and Wes Roden, a program associate at Tri-Star Arts, blending narratives of memory, landscape, surrealism, spirit, metaphor, and humanity.
Collins, now 35, brings a diverse background to his curatorial work. He attended Pellissippi State for graphic design but didn't complete the program, later dabbling in clothing design before discovering his passion for photography and art curation. Photography serves as his primary creative outlet, connecting with others through both his photography business and artistic endeavors. "My photography is all about light," Collins said, "but it all leads back to curating."
Using a Nikon F3 film camera, Collins specializes in black and white photography, favoring the 35mm format and Kodak Tri-X film for its distinctive grainy texture. "My inspiration is my spirit – my sense of connection to what feels like home," he explained. "This element is in every aspect of my work, but I'm also exploring what is not home, to frame a full picture. I capture going back to the spirit, not discounting despair, the mundane, the inside world – inside out, bottom to top."
A West Knoxville native, Collins spent three years curating for a small gallery in Waco, Texas, before returning to Knoxville a year ago to settle in the historic Parkridge area. His homecoming has allowed him to reacquaint himself with the city, meet new artists, and form meaningful friendships while celebrating Knoxville's rich cultural landscape. "It's a huge part of what I want to do – celebrating artwork, age, race and all the things that make up diversity," he said.
Throughout his career, Collins has curated 12 successful exhibitions spanning from Waco to Knoxville. His local exhibition history includes "A Story of a City" at The Emporium in February 2020, featuring images of East Knoxville, as well as shows at The Birdhouse in Fourth and Gill. His curatorial eye has made him thoughtful about exhibition spaces in Knoxville. "I love this space because you can focus on the work," he said. "The space goes with the work."
Collins praised several local venues while advocating for more intentional space utilization. "Lauren Adams at the Dogwood Arts Gallery was the perfect space for that work. The Emporium has curated some great shows downstairs. I think we can be more intentional about how we utilize our spaces," he observed. "The space should frame the artist, and artists frame culture – it informs so much as a visual language."
Looking at Knoxville's evolving art scene, Collins sees positive changes. "It's improving. More galleries are actually interested in local art," he continued. "We have to look in different communities. We need to look in underutilized communities and discover hidden gems. But also, we need to explore how artists collaborate. A collaborative art space that's open to the public would benefit Knoxville."
The upcoming "Place and Time" exhibition features Tennessee-based artists who present interior monologues through folklore, mysticism, ancestry, craft, and tradition. By utilizing elements of material and archives, the show creates a lyrical language through collage, mixed media, painting, ceramics, photography, and poetry. The exhibition forms a biography of space and identity within the East Tennessee art region.
Featured artists include LaKesha Lee, Jaden Lynch, Ranee Taylor, Trisha Ram, and Karley Kainz, all supporting and creative members of the Brown House Collective, which promotes artistic collaboration and community. Their works explore themes central to Collins' vision of revealing art's spiritual nature and the inner and outer workings of life and love.
Collins' philosophy centers on fundamental questions about human connection. "How are we loving?" he asked. "I want to show that in my work and plant that in my garden." His gallery reflects this spirituality of community, crafting exhibits that form relationships and support local artists while working toward his goal of helping Knoxville develop a more visual language.
Looking ahead, Collins hopes to expand his creative horizons through travel and exploration of new artistic forms, from printing to darkroom work. "I want to experience the vibrancy," he said. "It's what I love. It gives me life, and people's full selves come to life." Cherry East Gallery operates by appointment, accessible by calling 865-660-0919 or direct messaging, continuing to serve as an intimate home for art in East Knoxville's evolving cultural landscape.
