EVENTS
Cocktails & Conversation with John Sanders
Cocktails & Conversation with John Sanders
Join us for Cocktails & Conversation with John Sanders as he shares his discovery, passion, and restoration of the Little Switzerland neighborhood through the exhibition Seeds of Regionalism. Sanders was attending the University of Tennessee as an architecture student when he first became aware of the neighborhood of modern regionalism homes built in South Knoxville by Alfred and Jane West Clauss in the 1930s and 40s. Today, these restored homes carry on the legacy of modern regionalism in the South.
Cocktails & Conversation is a casual lecture and discussion series that explores the art and artist of the KMA collection and temporary exhibitions. Enjoy a cocktail while you learn from artists, curators, historians, and community leaders on a variety of art media and styles.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER—
JOHN LYNCH SANDERS, FAIA
LEED AP PRINCIPAL-IN-CHARGE + FOUNDING PARTNER SANDERS PACE ARCHITECTURE
John is a founding partner of Sanders Pace Architecture, created in 2002 primarily for a focus on design opportunities within Knoxville’s urban core and its immediate surrounding neighborhoods. His passion for design can be seen on the challenging projects that he and his firm have been involved within those areas. John’s work is meaningful, creative, and inspirational. His influence is evident in the thoughtful rehabilitation of forgotten, neglected buildings in fringe neighborhoods, elevation of overlooked project typologies, and energetic service through teaching and civic engagement. John is an active member of the AIA and has served on the State Board and planning committees and as local chapter president. He has served and chaired on several chapter design award juries and in 2015 and 2019 served as co-chair of the AIA Tennessee State Convention. During his tenures on the AIA East Tennessee and AIA Tennessee Chapters’ Board, Mr. Sanders was integral in creating and implementing a new licensee program to recognize the accomplishments of emerging professionals at local and state levels and formally celebrating the milestone of licensure and they have become a signature part of his region and state design awards programs. John continues to chair the Programming Committee for AIA East Tennessee where he leads the programming efforts for the Design Feed Lecture Series. John is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where he has served as an Adjunct Lecturer. He continues to participate as an invited studio critic and juror for the College of Architecture and Design.
John was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2018 in recognition of his contributions to the profession and was awarded the AIA East Tennessee Gold Medal in 2024 along with SPA founding partner, Brandon F. Pace. The Gold Medal is the AIA East Tennessee chapter’s highest honor that can be bestowed upon one of its members. Brandon and John were also named 2024 Preservationists of the Year as defined by Knox Heritage.
Light refreshments and a cash bar are available beginning at 5:30 pm, and the lecture begins promptly at 6:00 pm, followed by time for audience questions.
Free and open to the public!
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