Brandon J. Gibson UT Knoxville Alumni Tri-Star Scholarship Benefit

2743 Wimpole Avenue,Knoxville TN 37914

11 June, 2023

Description

Join us for a brunch benefit for the Brandon J. Gibson UT Knoxville Alumni Tri-Star Scholarship for the Arts and Culture. All event proceeds will go to fund the sholarship. https://giving.utk.edu/brandongibson Local arts luminary Brandon Gibson is deeply missed by family, friends, and the community after having passed away at age 36 in 2022. In honor of his life and legacy, donors have established the Brandon J. Gibson UT Knoxville Alumni Tri-Star Scholarship for the Arts and Culture. This endowment will benefit undergraduate students presently enrolled at or admitted to UT with preference to applicants who attended Austin-East High School, are originally from East Knoxville, and/or demonstrate an interest in the arts. Brandon moved from North Carolina to Knoxville as a teen to attend Austin-East. He studied vocal performance at the University of Tennessee and began singing in shows with UT Opera Theater and in the chorus for Knoxville Opera. He then began studying acting and doing shows with the Clarence Brown Theater. Brandon lent his voice to many endeavors, including emceeing and narration for documentaries including the East Tennessee PBS series “Black in Appalachia. He spent five years as managing director of Marble City Opera, helping produce everything from classic opera to contemporary works, all in the spirit of the company’s mission: “to engage a diverse audience through intimate and accessible opera productions.” In February 2020, the company premiered "Shadowlight," an opera about the life of the Knoxville-born artist Beauford Delaney, in which Gibson performed the lead role. Their 2022 premier of “I Can’t Breathe,” an original opera revolving around the police murder of George Floyd for which Brandon composed the libretto, received national attention. Brandon also had professional education training in nonprofit management and marketing and was involved in several organizations where he gave back to his community. He was a contributing writer for local publications, and in 2022 was recognized by the Knoxville News Sentinel as a “40 under 40.” Brandon is remembered as a truly talented and wonderful human who brought joy to those around him through his beautiful voice, presence on stage, and written word. Brandon dedicated his heart and soul into his art and other work in our community. This scholarship is lovingly endowed as a standing ovation for his powerful, inspiring life.