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, 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, which was 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 celebrating art and music. He has played an active role in the transformation of the Old Sevier neighborhood into an arts district.

Marisa Mitchell, Vice President

Marisa 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 created from metal, glass, concrete, and wood. Her practice centers on material exploration and precise craftsmanship. Through fabrication techniques, she creates 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 goal is to provide websites and social media content that help local artists share their work and connect with their communities. As she says, “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

Jason Brown is a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design and a professor of sculpture at the University of Tennessee School of Art. He serves as a liaison between SoKno Sculpt and the UTK art community, helping strengthen connections between artists, students, and the organization.

His experience with collaborative public art projects, along with organizing and curating exhibitions such as the Land Report Collective, brings valuable expertise 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

Kathy Brown is a “lover of all that is art” with a passion for the natural environment. She is committed to making our community more beautiful, accessible, and sustainable through thoughtful engagement and creativity. Kathy is a retired professor of public health from the University of Tennessee. She lives in South Knoxville with her husband.