Reach the Summit: A Very Special Arts Festival 2025

There are no Limits When it Comes to Creating Art!

Dogwood Arts recently hosted A Very Special Arts Festival, a day dedicated to celebrating the creativity and talents of K-12 students enrolled in Knox County’s Special Education Program. Held at West High School, this annual event gives students the opportunity to explore art in all its forms—music, dance, drama, and visual arts—while connecting with their peers in a fun, supportive environment.

“For many students, this is one of the only opportunities they have to go on a ‘field trip’ during the school year,” says Raina Nief, Dogwood Arts Visual Arts Project Manager. “We strive to make it a really memorable experience that highlights the fact that there really are no limits when it comes to creating art!”

Since the first event in 1980, Dogwood Arts has proudly hosted this festival, bringing together students, educators, nurses, peer tutors, and community volunteers to lead art workshops, demonstrations, and musical performances. Activities are carefully designed by students and educators in the UTK Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education to meet the diverse academic, social, emotional, medical, behavioral, adaptive, and physical needs of the participating students.

This year, seven Knox County Schools joined the celebration: West High School, Amherst Elementary, Halls Middle School, Powell Elementary, Ball Camp Elementary, and Powell High School.

The festival is made possible thanks to generous support from ORNL Federal Credit Union, West High School, The University of Tennessee Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, Knox County Schools, Zoo Knoxville, the City of Knoxville, City of Knoxville Special Events, and Jane Brannon.

A special thank you to the 2025 Planning Committee: Riley Beck, Donna Alderman, Emily McSpadden, and Raina Nief, whose dedication ensures every student has an unforgettable experience.

At A Very Special Arts Festival, creativity truly has no limits—and neither do the students who inspire us every year!