Our Board
SoKno Sculpt is a nonprofit, community-driven organization dedicated to bringing beautiful sculptures to Knoxville, blending art with the urban wilderness. We are committed to education, creating opportunities for our artists and strengthening community bonds.
Christian Lange,
Founder/ President
Lange is a Chilean artist and musician who has made Knoxville, Tennessee, his home. In 1992, he founded a commercial photography studio in Knoxville (christianlange.com), working with high-profile clients such as Warner Bros., Columbia Records, GE and American Express. His deep connection to the music industry led him to create the Knoxville Music Directory, printed annually from 1992 to 2000. He is the bandleader of Swingbooty, a six-piece gypsy jazz band started in 2010. In 2015, Christian started the live concert series Jazz at Ijams, an annual festival of art and music. He has played an active role in the transformation of the Old Sevier neighborhood into an arts district.
Wilson Browning,
Secretary/ Program Manager
Wilson Browning is a sculptor and blacksmith whose work spans fine art, architectural projects and home accessories. A Pellissippi State alumnus, Wilson also works as a commercial photographer. With a deep understanding of the technical and business aspects of metal sculpture, Wilson brings valuable insight to the team.
Marisa Mitchell, Operations Manager
Mitchell is the proprietor of Mars Fabrication in Knoxville (marsfabrication.com). An alumna of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she is a mixed-media sculptor known for her representational works built from metal, glass, concrete and wood. Her practice centers on material exploration and precise craftsmanship, using fabrication techniques to create forms that bridge the industrial and the expressive.
Allison Roberts, Communications Manager
Allison Roberts is a communications manager and web developer from Knoxville, Tennessee. Her lifetime goal is to provide websites and social media content for local artists. “Their stories are undertold. Providing local artists with a platform enriches the community and equips them with the tools to share their visions.”
Jason Brown, Community Outreach
Brown is an MFA graduate from Rhode Island School of Design and a professor of sculpture at the University of Tennessee School of Art. He plays an important role in the organization, serving as a liaison between SoKno Sculpt and the UTK art community. His experience with collaborative public art projects, along with organizing and curating art exhibitions like the Land Report Collective, brings valuable skills to the board.
Charles Gurney, Community Outreach
Gurney recently retired from the diplomatic service as a political officer, bringing decades of experience in communication, policy and international affairs. A longtime resident of Old Sevier and director of the Old Sevier Community Group, Charlie is deeply committed to community-building and the arts. He serves as a valuable liaison between SoKno Sculpt and the community.
Kathy Brown, Community Outreach
Brown is a “lover of all that is art” with a passion for the natural environment. She is committed to making our community beautiful, accessible, and sustainable. Brown is a retired professor of public health from the University of Tennessee. She lives in South Knoxville with her husband.