Little Scruffy Galleries
The Little Scruffy Gallery
Mini Gallery at Fountain City Art Center
The Little Scruffy Gallery is Knoxville’s smallest art gallery—and one of its most accessible. Free to visit and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the gallery is located inside the Fountain City Art Center at 213 Hotel Road, Knoxville, TN.
This unique 1:18-scale gallery showcases family-friendly artwork in a variety of media, created primarily by artists from the Knoxville area. The Little Scruffy Gallery celebrates the idea that art does not need to be large in scale to make a meaningful emotional impact.
A new exhibition is installed each month, typically on the Saturday following First Friday. Artists interested in exhibiting their work are encouraged to review the guidelines below and submit their work using the application link provided.
Artist Guidelines & Information
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There is no fee to exhibit artwork in The Little Scruffy Gallery.
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All submitted works will be returned to the artist at the conclusion of the exhibition.
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Artists may choose to offer their artwork for sale, either directly to the public or through our online storefront for a nominal fee.
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Due to the gallery’s miniature scale, exhibition space is extremely limited. Prospective exhibitors are strongly encouraged to visit the gallery in person to better understand its dimensions and display possibilities.
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Maximum artwork dimensions:
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Height: 6 inches
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Width: 8–14 inches (depending on display location)
If you are unsure whether your artwork will fit, please submit your work through the application form, and we will be happy to help determine its suitability.
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For two-dimensional works such as paintings, drawings, and watercolors, a typical exhibition might consist of seven pieces measuring approximately 4" × 4" each.
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Frames are provided for all artwork displayed during the exhibition.
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If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at littlescruffygallery@gmail.com.
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AI generated art is not accepted.
The Little Scruffy Gallery offers artists a distinctive opportunity to share their work in an unconventional exhibition space while inviting visitors to reconsider the relationship between scale and artistic impact.
First Friday At Lefty's / The Big Little Scruffy Gallery
A progressive gallery with the intention to push limits and boundries
The Big Little Scruffy Gallery / First Friday at Lefty's
An alternative to traditional First Friday events, The Big Little Scruffy Gallery (BLSG) / First Friday at Lefty's showcases underground artists, unconventional perspectives, experimental visual approaches, and work that challenges expectations.
We welcome artwork that may not typically receive exposure within Knoxville's broader arts community. If your work pushes boundaries, explores new ideas, or exists outside the mainstream, we encourage you to submit.
What began as a First Friday reception tucked away in the back room of a barber shop has evolved into a unique exhibition experience. The show opens with a First Friday reception and remains on display throughout the month during regular business hours at Lefty's. Located a little off the beaten path, BLSG offers visitors an opportunity to discover something unexpected—so come with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Artist Guidelines & Information
Exhibition Fee
There is a $50 exhibition fee for artists selected to show work in The Big Little Scruffy Gallery. This fee covers all artwork included in the exhibition. BLSG does not collect any commission on artwork sales.
The exhibition fee helps offset the cost of the space, installation materials, and supplies. The gallery is operated as a community arts initiative and is not intended to generate profit.
Artwork Return
All exhibited artwork will be returned to the artist at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Sales
Artists may choose to offer their work for sale either directly to the public or through our online storefront for a nominal fee.
Number of Works
Artists selected for exhibition will display a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of ten (10) works per show.
Content & Themes
We encourage artwork that explores a broad range of subjects, including adult themes and challenging concepts, as well as more traditional topics and approaches.
Presentation Requirements
All two-dimensional artwork must arrive ready to hang, preferably with wire installed on the back.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Responsibilities
Because exhibitions change monthly and scheduling is often limited, artists are expected to deliver and retrieve their artwork within the designated timeframes. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the exhibition fee or exclusion from that month's exhibition.
AI-Generated Artwork
AI-generated artwork is not accepted for exhibition.
Questions
For questions or additional information, please contact:
littlescruffygallery@gmail.com