Knoxville's art community gathered in galleries downtown for another installment of First Friday on Sept. 7 to view student, local and other artwork.

Gallery 1010, located at 113 S. Gay St., featured the work of University of Tennessee graduate student Eric Knowles. Knowles graduated from Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va. with a degree in painting and drawing and currently teaches entry-level classes at UT.

Knowles took advantage of the opportunity First Friday offers to display his work for a growing art community in Knoxville. The first Friday of each month, this community gathers to meet artists, view their work, eat food and enjoy other activities.

"First Friday helps create an artist community in Knoxville," Knowles said. "Rather than have people drive out of their way to a studio, they can all come to one place."

Many UT students have shown work over the past few years at Gallery 1010, which is affiliated with the university and usually features student work. Samantha Jacobs, a senior in Printmaking, has also enjoyed the opportunity this gallery offers.

"Rarely do student artists get a chance to show off the fruits of their labors," Jacobs said. "Grades justify students within other majors, but art students need validation beyond a report card."