McKinney Center Faculty Art Exhibit
2025-02-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-06 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-07 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-10 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-14 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) and 5 more dates | TN
The McKinney Center’s group faculty show is on display January 31-February 21, M-F, 9am-5pm.

StoryTown Radio Show February 2025
2025-02-24 19:00 - 20:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
Stories that capture the rich Black history of the Tri-Cities, stories about sporting wins and losses, and tales of teamwork will be shared on the McKinney Center stage on February 24th in a StoryTown Radio Show episode called “Fair Play in the Arena of Life.”Featured in this live production will be stories from Booker T. Washington School alumni, a triumphant story about being the only Deaf player on a women’s softball team, and poetry selections from spoken word artist Jasmine Henderson. All this and more! The music guest for this production is the East Tennessee State University Gospel Choir. We are excited to welcome the award-winning choir to the Radio Show. Per ETSU’s website, “The purpose of the choir is to be a blessing and a source of inspiration to the community and its members through ministry and praise.”The production takes place at 7PM on February 24th at the McKinney Center. Tickets are $10 and available online at Jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010. The January show sold out, so make sure you get your tickets today. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Get there early to get a good seat, delicious concessions, and rent a comfy seat cushion. Season passes for the 2025 season are also available at https://townofjonesborough.thundertix.com/…/6099/summaryThe Radio Show is also recorded for broadcast on local NPR station WETS 89.5 out of Johnson City, which can be heard the last Wednesday of the month at 8PM. StoryTown is sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission, Gary and Sandee Degner, the Wild Women of Jonesborough, Trivia with Budds, and Wolfe Development.

Appalachian Highlands Artisan Exhibition Opening
2025-03-07 17:00 - 19:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
On Friday, March 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., thepublic is invited to the opening reception of the Appalachian HighlandsArtisan Exhibition at the McKinney Center. This exhibit will featurearound 20 regional artists focusing on traditional arts, crafts, subjects, andforms. The exhibit will be available for viewing until April 4. Both theexhibition and the reception are free and open to the public.

StoryTown Radio Show: Breaking Through, Stories of Tough Times & Even Tougher Women
2025-03-24 19:00 - 20:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
Stories of trail blazing women who pushed back against the “glass ceiling” will grace the McKinney Center stage on March 25th in a StoryTown Radio Show episode called “Breaking Through: Stories of Tough Times and Even Tougher Women.” Featured in this live production will be stories about local teachers, women who fought to make change in government, tales about mothers, corporate careers, and much more. We’ll also have a special guest from the League of Women Voters.The music guest for this production is the local band Heartstrings. This new band, featuring Scott Wild and Mark Calliham, blends American folk, pop, and jazz together in a beautiful harmony. The production takes place at 7PM on March 24th at the McKinney Center. Tickets are $10 and available online at Jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010. The January and February shows sold out, so make sure you get your tickets today.The Radio Show is also recorded for broadcast on local NPR station WETS 89.5 out of Johnson City, which can be heard the last Wednesday of the month at 8PM. StoryTown is sponsored by Allandale Mansion with the City of Kingsport, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Gary and Sandee Degner, Terry and Sandy Countermine, Trivia with Budds, McLeod Organics, the Wild Women of Jonesborough, and Wolfe Development.

Ernest McKinney Day of Giving
2025-04-04 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
The McKinney Center would like to invite you to join them for their fourth annual, Day of Giving, on Thursday, April 4, 2025. The event will be on Facebook and Instagram throughout the day.Why did they choose April 4th instead of the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, as most non-profits across the country do? The namesake of the McKinney Center, Ernest L. McKinney, was the first African-American elected to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Jonesborough, being elected on April 4, 1968. On that same day, Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed in Memphis, Tennessee.It has been over 55 years since his initial election to the Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen, yet it is important to acknowledge and remember the dedicated efforts of Ernest L. McKinney in uniting and serving all the people of Jonesborough and Washington County regardless of race, ethnic background, or color. His election signifies the love for and an acceptance and understanding of others, which continues to be an outstanding characteristic of the people of Jonesborough. Since the election of Ernest McKinney Sr. in 1968, this small town has had a person of color serving on the Town Board continuously for five decades including one of his sons, Kevin B. McKinney, who served as Mayor from 1988 – 1997.The McKinney Center and the Town of Jonesborough is proud to honor Ernest McKinney’s legacy through the artistic and cultural programming provided for the region at the McKinney Center.You can view the activities on the McKinney Center’s Facebook page throughout the day. There will be musical and poetry performances, interviews with students and teachers, a tour of past exhibitions, and more.Donations will go toward the scholarship program and cultural programming at the McKinney Center. The average cost of a class for children and teens is $150. The McKinney Center provides classes free of charge for 20 – 30 students each year with financial need resulting in approximately $3,000 – $5,000.You may donate online anytime during the year by going to: https://mckinneycenter.com/the-ernest-l-mckinney-day-of…/.You may designate your donation specifically for scholarships or other McKinney Center programs.You may also bring in a check or cash to the McKinney Center or mail your donation to:The McKinney Center103 Franklin AvenueJonesborough, TN 37659The goal is to raise $1,000 for scholarships and your support is greatly appreciated!

Masterpiece Mingle Fundraiser 2025
2025-04-25 18:00 - 21:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
More Details to come soon!
McKinneyCenter.com

StoryTown Radio Show: "Say What Now"
2025-04-28 19:00 - 20:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
“Say What Now?” The StoryTown Radio Show will be sharing funny stories about miscommunications and misunderstandings on April 28th at the McKinney Center. Featured in this live production will be stories about crossed wires during a courtship, a grand reception at an airport gone wrong, and what happens when a Welsh transplant tries to sell American cars. We’ll also have a special guest from the Nolichucky Restoration Project to talk about how communication is key when it comes to cleaning up the river after the devastation brought by hurricane Helene.The music guest for this production is local singer/songwriter Jonathan Edens. Jonathan teaches guitar and vocal lessons throughout the area, including at the McKinney Center. “Say What Now?: Tales of Communication and Miscommunication” takes place at 7PM on April 28th at the McKinney Center. Tickets are $10 and are available online at Jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010. The shows have been selling out, so make sure you get your tickets today. Half season passes are available at https://townofjonesborough.thundertix.com/…/6099/summary for only $45.00. This guarantees you a seat for the remaining seven shows of the season.The Radio Show is also recorded for broadcast on local NPR station WETS 89.5 out of Johnson City, which can be heard the last Wednesday of the month at 8PM. StoryTown is sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission, Gary and Sandee Degner, Terry and Sandy Countermine, Trivia with Budds, McLeod Organics, the Wild Women of Jonesborough, and Wolfe Development.

Ms. Brown's End of the Year Program 2025
2025-05-08 18:00 - 19:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
More information to come.
Student artwork from the Spring 2025 semester will be on display.
McKinneyCenter.com

McKinney Center Summer Camp Early Bird Deadline
2025-05-10 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
Register for Summer Camp by today and use code EBSU2025 to get $10 off!
McKinneyCenter.com

McKinney Center Summer Camp Deadline
2025-05-17 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
McKinney Center’s Summer Camp Registration deadline is today! Register at McKinneyCenter.com

StoryTown Radio Show: Salute to Veterans
2025-05-26 19:00 - 20:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
The StoryTown Radio Show will host its annual “Salute to Veterans” performance at 7PM on Monday, May 26th at the McKinney Center. The cast will be joined by music guest and hometown favorite The Jonesborough Novelty Band. Featured stories come from local men and women who served in the Armed Forces as well as from military families who also found ways to serve. Stories include a look at how one family’s legacy of service helped with the creation of the Jonesborough Veterans Memorial Park, which is now 25 years old, tales of care from the US Cadet Nurse Corp, and a unique story of service from the Korean War. Many cast members in the production are also veterans, making this episode particularly important to them.The beloved Jonesborough Novelty Band will perform two short sets during the production, in which the audience will be encouraged to sing along to familiar tunes. The sponsor for this month’s show is . Half Season Passes are available for the rest of the StoryTown season for only $45. They can be purchased now at Jonesborough.com/tickets, click on “Event Packages.”The performance begins at 7PM on Memorial Day at the McKinney Center. Tickets, $10 for the show, are available by calling the Historic Visitors Center at 423-753-1010 or online at Jonesborough.com/tickets. For more information about the StoryTown Radio Show, visit storytownradio.com.The Radio Show is also recorded for broadcast on local NPR station WETS 89.5 out of Johnson City, which can be heard the last Wednesday of the month at 8PM. StoryTown is sponsored by McLeod Organics, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Gary and Sandee Degner, Trivia with Budds, Wolfe Development, and the Wild Women of Jonesborough.

Artists' Exhibition Featuring Stephen Simmerman & Jamey Biggs
2025-06-06 17:00 - 19:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts
to Host Artists Jamey Biggs and Stephen Simmerman

The McKinney Centerwill be featuring sculptor Jamey Biggs and multimedia artist, Stephen Simmerman. The exhibition opening reception willtake place on Friday, June 6, 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public and will be up until July4. Both Jamey Biggs and StephenSimmerman will be present at the reception to talk to visitors and answerquestions about her artwork. The artworkwill be on sale that night and throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Jamey Biggs grew up in Summersville, WestVirginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Sciencein Art education. He completed an MFA in Ceramics at Indiana State Universityin 2003. Biggs has instructed Ceramics and Sculpture for 20 years. Jamey hasdirected the construction of multiple permanent and experimental ceramic kilnswhile at Concord University.
Jamey has served as the gallery director for theArthur Butcher Art Gallery in the Alexander Fine Arts Center on the Campus ofConcord University since 2004. He has directed the visiting artist program atConcord University providing Athens, West Virginia with free demonstrations bythe nations well-known ceramic artists and creating a channel for internationalexchange.
Jamey’s artwork is primarily ceramic and drawsupon themes of Appalachian life through sculpture and utilitarian objects.
These trucks and bulldozers areconstructed in earthenware clay using various molding and hand formingtechniques. I have settled on the image of the metal toy because itis largely positive, a wide variety of folks have an existing relation to it,and it is not traditionally used as subject matter or imagery for high art. My hope is that the art works presented are truly non-verbal innature. I want to make work that will instantly draw a viewer in andhold their attention through unexpected pairings.
Images are fluid in terms of theirmeaning and significance. The material in the truck or in front ofthe dozer provides me with another possible layer of meaning and context forthe truck. I typically try to use that extra layer as an opportunity forplay and humor. The toy truck is associated with childhood and childlikeimpulses. Anything that I put in the truck instantly becomes, bydefinition, a “truckload”. That transformation is semantic (andsilly) but I want the works to have monumental qualities while being as smallas possible.
I want the loads to beoverwhelming. I want the viewer to rely on their own associations tomake sense of those materials, objects, and commodities. I think theplayfulness and general mischief will come through the work. Theworks will convey ideas of generosity, and abundance but I’m okay if a fewnotions of wastefulness get through as well.
I hope that adults who are wellversed in art theory, art history, and criticism can find interest in thesculptures. At the same time, I want the work to appeal to children.
Stephen Simmerman grew up in northeast Tennessee andlived and worked in North Carolina for over ten years. From a young age Stephenhas been interested in archaeology, and how art has informed cultures from thetranslation of the Rosetta Stone to the age of digital apps. Simmerman workedprofessionally as a graphic designer and editor for five years, before decidingto pursue graduate studies, first in English then in graphic design. He hastaught for over twenty years at several schools in the southeast region.

Among Simmerman’s influences and inspirations areHenri Toulouse-Lautrec, Norman Rockwell, and Jacob Lawrence. He admires thework of Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns and how they parlayed elements ofcommercial art into their unique works of art. Stephen’s also a huge fan ofearly magazine illustrators like N.C. Wyeth and Will Bradley, as well as theGerman poster designer Lucien Bernhard.

Simmerman’s illustrations are primarily mixed media:acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, or ink often layered with “found” type. Muchof his creative pursuits involves the word play of advertising and its power ofpersuasion, and he enjoys creating works laced with nostalgia and mysteries ofthe passage of time. Along with completing a graphic novel in 2016, Simmermanhas illustrated two children’s books and his work has been juried into numerousregional and national exhibitions. He currently serves as Assistant Professorof Graphic Design at Concord University in West Virginia.

The exhibit is free and open to the public, Monday –Friday 8am – 5pm. For more informationyou may contact the McKinney Center, 423.753.0562.

Artists Exhibition Featuring Stephen Simmerman & Jamey Biggs
2025-06-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-12 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-16 08:00 - 17:00 | McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, 103 Franklin Ave, Jonesborough, TN, United States
