And now let us proceed to the rollercoaster ride of events this week and weekend ahead in your sights. First, this Thursday will provide you a grand opportunity to stroll around Hillsboro Village for another HillsboroVillageArt Walk. This Thursday, May 3rd, from 5-8pm, there is a plethora of cafes, galleries, and stores filled with art for everyone to view. In fact, you might even find yourself walking into the Belcourt Theater to see the final weekend of artist and Twist Art Gallery superstar Beth Gilmore’s show Mischief and Mayhem: dating in the present tense. The show ends on Sunday, May 6th, and that just so happens to be the same day as the opening reception for Watkins College graduate superstar Mandy Stoller and her Funky Catsterz In Outer Space exhibition at the Belcourt Theater. Stoller will be on hand on Sunday, from 5-6:30pm, to sell large prints displaying fun-filled images of how cats created the universe we live in today (you have to see it to believe it). Stoller’s show will run through June 9th.

And then there was the 41st Annual TACA Tennessee Craft Fair for the entire weekend. The Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) will have 170 artists and an expected crowd of over 50,000 visitors on the lawn of Centennial park to unveil and sell finished local, handmade products such as wood, clay, glass, weaving, papermaking and much more. Everything available to visit and see for FREE, this event will go down May 4, 5, and 6, beginning at 10am each day and continuing until 6pm on Friday and Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. The Parthenon lawn will hardly ever look as good as it will this weekend.

So, before I talk about Sunday and the end of the week, I shouldn’t forget to tell you about a few poignant events taking place this Saturday night.

First, The Arts Company is welcoming the annual artistic pilgrimage of Brother Mel to Nashville. As part of the First Saturday Art Crawl, May 5th, from 6-9pm, Brother Mel will be bringing some special, Nashville-themed sculptural pieces. There will also be large and small abstract paintings, modern abstract guitars, signature large sculptures featuring an art bench, music bench, reading chair, and other sculptures based on art, music and books. Everyone is invited to preview Brother Mel’s latest work in person and wish him well on the occasion of his 84th birthday. Happy Birthday Brother Mel!

Second, over at Blend Studio, you can totally check out the fresh, interactive installation by artists Lindsay Black and Tiffany Dyer titled My Home is a Nest. This is a community collaboration with participants reflecting on their idea of home. It started with an empty nest and viewers are invited to interact with the installation and whatever is already on hand within the nest by entering it and finding their own personal refuge, comforting space, much like home. On top of the gallery exhibit, Black and Dyer will also host a FREE workshop on May 26th, from 12-2pm for all ages.

Third, I need to remind you about Jon Morgan’s one night only show with his American Dreaming photography. It is Saturday, May 5th, from 6-10, at 328 Hill Avenue. As you read last week, and here right now, Morgan’s photography not only captures live in still motion, it truly focuses on what so often is observed as blurred chaos on a daily basis. Again, you need to see this in person to really understand what I’m talking about. Don’t be scared.

AND NOW … the next big preview for next week’s post to keep you hanging cliff-like like no other. Many thanks already in advance to Bradly Bratten, Dane Carder, Adrienne Outlaw, Brandon Gnetz, Oscar Zezatti, Threesquared Gallery, Seed Space, Number magazine, and everyone at 427 Chesnut Street for that matter. Why am I so thankful? Well, we are having a fun get together to help raise more awareness for said galleries and the release of the latest issue from Number … Number: 71! As you will see in the following video promo clip that is loosely based on “Caine’s Arcade” (which you may have seen or posted yourself already). Basically, you should visit us at 427 Chestnut Street, Nashville, TN, from 6-9pm, Saturday, May 12th, for a great time getting to know the people at Number, get FREE magazines, and enjoy other art and FREE music, and fun to be had with quality people with quality hearts. And if you like our video, please feel free to post it and share it with any and all of your friends and family, both near and far.

Here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsz5wON1-tI

Enjoy your day and week ahead. Thanks as always.

much love,

chUck

www.nashvillesheart.com

ps- to all local artists that are now reading this post or friends that know of local artists that would be interested to know the following Call for Artists:

SAINTS, GODDESSES, and BODHISATTVAS

Sacred figurative art national juried exhibition

Exhibit dates: Oct 22-Dec 14, 2012

Entry Deadline: August 15, 2012

Marnie Sheridan Gallery, Nashville, TN

$250 best of show award. $25 to enter 3 images.

All mediums and paths encouraged.

Gallery takes 25% commission, provides insurance, PR, opening reception, and cards for artists.

Professional gallery on campus of private girls school. Prospectus and entry at http://www.harpethhall.org (click art exhibits on left)

contact: marla faith, gallery director: faith@harpethhall.org

pss- same as above:

?DO YOU WANNA GET YOUR ART WORK SEEN?
?OR MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH THE NASHVILLE AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY?
?WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A FEW EXTRA BUCKS FROM YOUR ARTWORK?

Then sign up for a Flatrock Festival Artist Review Session now! Email art.flatrockfestival@gmail.com to find how you can be an artist at this years event. Only 10 days left, the deadline is March 10th to apply.

I’d like to dive right into this week’s post by letting you in again on a very good deal that you should take advantage of before it goes away. Specifically, Living Social and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts have combined forces to promote a deal that allows for anyone to purchase a “Friend-level”membership for only $45 (normally valued at $100). It will allow you to get FREE admission to exhibition galleries and Martin ArtQuest gallery, FREE single-visit guest passes, FREE admission to Frist Friday concert series, FREE audio guides for select exhibitions, 10% discount at the Gift Shop, and many more opportunities that go a step beyond being a regular Frist Center Member. This deal may seem too good to be true, but it isn’t … it is true and it’s up to YOU to take advantage of it before this special deal ends on a very special day … TOMORROW, Thursday, April 5th! So click the following link, pay for the deal for yourself, and then pay it forward by sharing it with others NOW! The deal link is http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/28-nashville/deals/280388-one-year-membership-to-the-frist-center.

Also taking place tomorrow, Thursday, April 5th, among other things special, will be the next Hillsboro Village Art Walk (an Earth Day Event actually). As always with the Hillsboro Village Art Walk every first Thursday of every month, the event is FREE to all public from 5-8pm with artists and art in nearly every store, nook, and cranny. And as always with every Hillsboro Village Art Walk, I highly recommend that you don’t pass up the chance to see the latest at Zeitgeist ( 1819 21st Avenue South ). This Thursday, April, 5th, from 6-8pm, you are invited to the opening reception for Megan Lightell: new paintings. Lightell’s latest is a collection of large scale landscapes inspired by a recent cross-country trip she took with her family that center around our universal complex and mysterious relationship to the environment.

Then, after you are finished celebrating the 5th of April for whatever reason you decide on, Friday, April 6 will be no slouch either. Watkins College of Art, Design & Film presents their second BFA Thesis Exhibition. From 6-9pm, everyone is invited to a FREE exhibition and reception showcasing photography major Sam Angel and fine arts majors Claudia O’Steen and Lisa Talbott. And if you plan your night accordingly, you might be able to hit up both Watkins and still make it to your reservation over at the Collectors Art Night on 5th Avenue of the Arts, Downtown Nashville (that’s right, you still need to make a reservation for this event at 5thAvenueoftheArts@gmail.com. Friday, from 5:30-8pm, 5thAvenue of the Arts presents a progressive event highlighted by intriguing art talks 6pm at The Arts Company (photographer Christine Patterson), 6:45pm at Rymer Gallery (painter Gabriel Mark), and 7:15pm at Tinney Contemporary (artist Jason Lascu). You do need to RSVP, but it is FREE if you do. With registration, you will get free valet parking in front of Puckett’s, complimentary appetizers by Sambuca, desserts by The Cupcake Collection, and wine provided by the galleries… yet another reason to celebrate the passing of April 5th indeed.

Then, Saturday, April 7th, marks the first Saturday of the month which in turn means an explosion of a plethora of new art all around The Arcade and Downtown. Similar to Hillsboro and Zeitgeist, when it comes to Downtown Saturday art crawls at the beginning of every month, I suggest that you hit the stairs in The Arcade and get lost. There is no twist to that riddle but there is a Twist Art Gallery and twist etc. eager to greet you in the mix. And just beside that same twist, you will find the always welcoming Blend Studio. This Saturday, there will be a solo show opening at Blend for Amanda Dillingham and her “And Worms Will Never Charm Me.” Consisting of a variety of pen and ink drawings and other things that explore the theme of regeneration relating to earthworms, tape worms, starfish, and humans all alike, the exhibition coincides with the rest of the Downtown Crawl from 6-9pm, running through April 28th.

And to end your weekend, or begin the next depending on when you sleep or how you lay out your schedule, Sunday, April 8th, marks another birthday this week. Yep, the Frist Center sandwich of this post completes the full circle without crust by letting you in on the party. This Sunday the Frist Center is celebrating their 11th birthday by inviting everyone to visit the Frist Center FREE all that day long! On top of letting any and everyone in that day, they will also be distributing a limited number of disposable cameras to those who would like to participate in a community-wide project photo-documenting and titled Cameras and Community in Action. So come on down to the Frist on that day or their website now to find out more about the fun to be had. Plus, on top of the tremendous art and architecture at the Frist, I know for a fact that they have a stellar air-conditioner unit or ten to keep you cool if this April summer persists.

Now stay cool out there, stay cool forever, and thanks for dropping by to read and share with others per usual.

much love,

chUck

For his body of work, Rick chose songwriter portraits taken during the interview sessions of The Nashville Songwriter. 

The members accepted nine photographers, including Rick, who met with a panel comprised of South Light members and The Arts Company Owner, Anne Brown for discussions of the work. After the formal review process, each attendee exhibited their portfolio at the gallery to the crowds attending the First Saturday Art Crawl.

We’ve always believed that the photos in the book have significant cultural and artistic value and that the subject matter is important.

We’re happy to report that the photographs were very well received by the art community at large and that the evening was a great success.

Thanks to all who attended The Art Crawl in support of the work.

An example photo from the portfolio is shown below.

Again, many thanks to Anne Brown of The Arts Company and all the photographers of South Light Salon for hosting this great event!

Many Thanks to Csaba Toth via Judit Pap for this image... I was too busy and distracted to get any shots of the event myself. What a great night!

I submitted a collection of images and provided my Artist Statement as requested. Fortunately, I was accepted for the review. We gathered at the The Arts Company Saturday morning for the rounds of reviews. There were 9 of us photographers with our portfolios and we spent 20 – 30 minutes with each of the six reviewers. Each reviewer was different in how they conducted the review. Some went image by image discussing its merits, its shortcomings, and why they thought it worked or didn’t work. Some started with a discussion about my goals as a photographer and where I hoped to go with my work. Each review identified important areas in which I needed to grow.

Some of the most significant items of feedback that I received were as follows:

• How/What/Why: I heard often that the “How” and “What” of my photography was strong. I had nice images of interesting subjects and they where shot well, printed nicely. But, there was a lack of the “Why”. Why did I shoot that subject in that particular way? I wasn’t able to tell them the “Why”.
• Educating Myself: It was suggested that I should read some books that could help me develop my mind to be able to answer the “Why”. I am reading one now, Susan Sontag’s “On Photography”. I was encouraged to learn more about and from the Masters. Learn about their styles and thought processes that went into making their images.
• Use of Lensbaby Lenses: There were some differencing opinions on my use of Lensbaby Lenses in my photographs. Generally, the reviewers were good with it. Some felt that I might be relying too much on it, that it was a “gimmick”. They felt that some of my images would have been better without the Lensbaby effect and similar effects could be created with a 1.4 lens.
• Find a Story to Tell: Having a story to tell with my images for the next year was also suggested. They thought that if I worked to tell a story I would start putting some more depth and meaning into my work.
• Mimic a Contemporary Photographer: I should find a photographer that I would like to emulate and try to produce similar images. The thought is that if I spend a significant amount of time learning to produce similar work, over time, I will begin to make it my own.

There was other great feedback and I hope to really digest and incorporate as much as possible over the next few months. The day of reviews was long and definitely wounded the ego a bit, but that is what I needed to hear.

After the reviews, we setup our tables with our images we wanted to share during the Art Crawl that night. I had printed my images on 13×19 paper and they looked really nice laid out like they were. I also printed a few of the images as 4×6′s with my website and blog information.

As the crowds came through, the comments I received from the visitors helped heal some of the wounds inflicted in the reviews. We were told that it is good to engage the viewers and talk with them about the images they enjoyed. It was good to see what images drew their attention and which ones didn’t. It appeared to be evenly split between the color and b&w images. Also, the images shot with the lensbaby received good comments, but not necessarily more than the other images.

Below are the images that rec’d the most positive attention:

Of all the images, the one of the boat in Copenhagen was the one I heard the most positive comments about. Thanks to one of the reviewers for recommending I include it in my display!

Close to the end of the evening, I had one visitor that was really drawn to an image I shot a few years back. I was out shooting at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens with my friend Joe Dimaggio when we entered the grove of bamboo. We spent a good while in there shooting it all the different ways, but it was an image I captured without even holding the camera. I laid it on the ground with a wide angle lens shooting straight up. I set the timer and walked away letting it fire on its own.

I talked with the admirer and he asked how much I wanted for the print. He struggled for a minute or two, but then said he would take it. A Sale! What a great ending to a very tiring, challenging, and rewarding day!

My work was chosen by South Light Salon members and The Arts Company to be shown on Saturday February 4th– at the First Saturday Art Crawl (6:00 – 9:00 p.m) in downtown Nashville.

The South Light Photography Portfolio Review & Juried Show is presented by The Arts Company. The portfolio review accepted eight photographers, who will meet with a panel comprised of South Light members and The Arts Company Owner Anne Brown to discuss the work. After the formal review process, each attendee will exhibit their portfolio at The Arts Company that evening to the crowds attending the First Saturday Art Crawl.

Please join me at The Arts Company on Saturday, February 4th to view some of my latest work. The main portfolio of work I’m showing is a series of portraits made for the upcoming book, The Nashville Songwriter, an example of which is shown below.

Who are the other seven participants? They’re keeping that information under wraps until the day of the review, but I’m sure I’ll be in great company!

Matt Urmy, Nashville songwriter, musician, and entrepreneur

First, forget your two for Tuesday deals and delay it two more days after that for Thursday.  This Thursday, February 2nd, go west my friends to the Hillsboro Village art walk.  It is there, starting at 6 pm, where you’ll find two of my favorite things going down this Thursday.  From 6-7:30pm, you can turn the corner to The Belcourt to find Jeff Bertrand’s “Turn the page” exhibition.  Combining classic books with instant classic portraits of classic authors and other historical characters, Bertrand’s style is more than remarkable and original cover art; it is both remarkable and original. By using used books as backdrops, Bertrand allows you to gain depth in his latest exhibition into his creative world that is truly beyond words.  You won’t be able to judge his entire scale of art by these covers, but it is definitely a wonderful beginning for all those willing to take the time to see them.  Then, just down the street at Zeitgeist Gallery, you can catch the opening reception for Vesna Pavlovic’s “Search for Landscapes.”  The artist will be present from 5-8pm for her first solo exhibition at Zeitgeist.  Often described as other wordly in her own past exhibitions, “Search for Landscapes” develops around a group of found slides which depict one American family’s travels around the world during the 1960-80’s.  So take your own trip down the west side of town Thursday night to join on the fun, take your own pictures, and write your own stories with those who are doing it for a living.

Then, speaking of hanging side by side with spectacular artists, you won’t have to look any further than this month’s Collectors Art Night on Friday, February 3rd, from 5:30-8pm.  The event is FREE but limitations of space always require an RSVP (by emailing5thAvenueOfTheArts@gmail.com or contacting any of the 3 galleries to RSVP).  With Cocktails beginning at 5:30pm, the party really gets going at 6pm at The Arts Company.  At6pm, at The Arts Company, 3 prominent Nashville art collectors in Jack Spencer, Billy Frist, and David Conradwill be discussing what draws them to photography and why.  Then at 6:45pm, painter Ed Nash will be at The Rymer Gallery to speak about his current series opening this weekend at The Rymer and how his evolving deep spirituality translated to the canvas of his abstract artwork.  Finally, at7:15pm, New York painter Peri Schwartz will be on location at Tinney Contemporary to take on questions about her new paintings and drawings in “The Architect Within.”  Overall, it is a perfect blend of artists, art talk, and amazing art that reflect a solid week and weekend of fresh art around town.

As far as the weekend and Saturday, February 4th, goes, the First Saturday of the month Downtown Art Crawl will be jam-packed with opening receptions, art aficionados, and loads of gallery walks.  One in particular that I want to highlight involves Nashville’s heART’s close friend, Nashville-based artist Lori Anne Parker-Danley.  She is bringing her “The Garden of Evolution” to Twist Etc. from Feb. 4th-26th.  A multimedia installation, this exhibition includes a new series of mixed-media painting, additional works, found objects and effects, and a sound component by local guitarist and composer John Danley.  On top of the creative artwork by Lori, it is no coincidence that this ‘body-centered’ exhibition opens the first week of American Heart Month to support the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign by ‘Going Red’ on opening night and 10% of the artist’s proceeds will be donated to Go Red For Women.  As always, I’ll let the artist tell the rest of the story.  That said, she will be at the opening reception thisSaturday night to share her heartfelt creativity and story.

I have to run, literally, but I hope this is a good preview of another amazing week and month ahead for you all.  Thanks for stopping by and sharing these events and stories to others that you think will care.

much love,

chUck

This Thursday, January 12th, from 6:30-8:30pm, lots of people are gathering for a party to help benefit Safe Haven Family Shelter.  The party is located at The Berger Building (162 Rosa L. Parks Blvd), featuring circus photography by the talented Allen Clark, various performers, live music by the band Bear Cub, a silent auction of artwork, and other surprises.  Oh, I forgot to mention that the fiesta is called “Museum & Menagerie: A Circus Celebration from Past to Present.”  There will be rare treasures on hand from the Ringling Museum, and there are seats left for you to be a part of this magical night.  Tickets are $65 in advance (purchase online- http://ow.ly/865TE) and $75 at the door.  For more information about the night email rwilkins@safehaven.org, but know that every dollar and attention paid towards Safe Haven is much deserved and priceless.

Also this Thursday, January 12th, in case you want to pre-game the Safe Haven shindig, YOU are cordially invited to attend the opening reception at Vanderbilt University’s Fine Arts Gallery for their exhibition titled “The Arts of Japan.”  From 5-7pm, you can check out early 17th century paneled screen paintings, 18th century paintings made in mineral colors and gold leaf, a huge range of blue and white porcelain fine ceramics, textiles, scrolls, rare books, outstanding examples of graphic arts, and much much more.  The exhibition will run through February 26th, but Thursday is a chance for you to see it from the beginning … where the reception and exhibition are FREE and open to the public.

Then, skipping to Saturday, January 14th, you can wake up smiling at the fact that you can be the cool parent or aunt/uncle by happily bringing the kiddos over to the Frist Center either at 10:30am, 1pm, or 3pm for their Kids Club: “Flipping” over Film session.  This month’s featured Kid’s Club activity will help kids design and make an original flip book that tells the story they want to tell about their own miniature mystery-inspired by the Frist Center current exhibition of Tracey Snelling’s “Woman on the Run.”  This activity in particular is designed for kids aged 5-10, but know there are other activities on site at the Martin ArtQuest Gallery for kids of all ages to discover, explore, and create art all day long.

Then, Saturday afternoon gives you a chance to treat yourself to meet a living legend in the arts appearing at The Arts Company.  From 2-4pm, the celebrated Village Voice Photographer Sylvia Plachy will be on site taking in the latest exhibition “The South Through Eight Lenses And A Code.”  Plachy will present her own work, provide insights into the creative process as a whole, and talk about behind her famed photographic stories that will be followed by a Q & A session for those in attendance.  Again, this exhibition will run through February 24th, but this is your chance to meet and greet with a living legend and be amongst the best photographers fromNashville and the area sure to be in attendance as well.

And if you aren’t catching up on your NFL Titanless Playoffs on Sunday, January 15th, and don’t have anything planned, why not swing back by the Frist Center any time between 2-3pm in the Auditorium to take in Artful Tales: “An African Cinderella Tale.”  It is FREE to attend, while seating is first come, first seated, and this specific Artful Tales is one where you will be able to listen to an African Cinderella story that explores virtue and naughtiness.  Then, after the story, you’ll have the chance to weave colorful paper “cloth” inspired by the colors and shapes ofAfrica.

Like I said, this week and weekend gives you a chance to surround yourself with good will, good art, and good people.  With NFL football on the side, what more could you ask for mid-January?

Happy New Year if I haven’t seen you in person to tell you myself.  Keep up with the positive changes and viva tu resolution!

much love,

chUck

Second and fivemost, other than taking a look at the visual video above by the lovely efharper, I should recap a few creative spots and lots that we hit along our trek before trekking home to Nashville.  Long story short, if you are ever near Sedona, Arizona, you should stay with or stop by and talk to Mike and Milena at Cabin Wren B&B.  It is close enough to go hike the must hikes of Bell and Cathedral Rock inside town and far away from everything else chaotic in your life going on at the moment.  If you are near Albuquerque, New Mexico, after you have already driven around the Grand Canyon and took a picture near the Pollos Hermanos (aka Twisted) filming spot from Breaking Bad, you should rest your soul at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm.  It’s not every day where you can eat, sleep, make cozy fires, take cooking classes, pick your own fruit or surround yourself with the splendid smells from the lavender farm all on one site.  And lastly, to bring Sedona and Breaking Bad altogether, you might even stumble upon taking a few pictures of your own, but you might be lucky enough to meet up with talented artist and photographer Alex Bershaw to see the world through his creative eye too.

Now that that shout out has been shouted out, back to Nashville art once again.  And what better way to kick off the New Year than with some new art shows.  You won’t have to wait for the weekend if you drop by the always pleasant Zeitgeist Gallery this Thursday, January 5th, from 6-8pm, to experience the opening reception for “Exhibit Your Symptom: a group exhibition.”  Everyone is invited to the party this Thursday in conjunction with the Hillsboro Village Merchants Association Art Walk at 1819 21st Avenue South.  Zeitgeist, who always prides itself for finding and showing talented artists that not only pursue commercial gallery careers, but also can be found showing in museums, alternative artist-run spaces, and university galleries in Nashville and around the World.  Exhibit Your Symptoms is no different.  Comprised of such featured arists as Caroline Allison, Patrick DeGuira, John Donovan, Richard Feaster, Brady Haston, Alicia Henry, Megan Lightell, Vesna Pavlovic, Greg Pond, Terry Rowlett, Hans Schmitt-Matzen, Brent Stewart, Manuel Zeitlin, and Lain York, this is going to be a show and year like none other! 

And in keeping with the times, before you totally rid yourself of the old before bringing in the new, don’t forget to stop by Tinney Contemporarythis Saturday, January 7th, from 6-9pm, to catch the closing reception for “Suchness: New Works by Jaq Belcher.”  Suchness, an exhibition of works by New York-based artist, Jaq Belcher, has been a successful show showing since last December as a collection of work as a recording of her past 20 months (hand-cut paper pieces serving as imprints of significant events in the artist’s life.  The Exhibition will fully end its run on January 28th, but this Saturday provides a great time to stop by and join the celebration of its success.

Speaking about success, you don’t need to look any further than the art in The Arcade on the second floor to see that Nashville’s independent art scene is in full swing and the future is now.  Somewhere near the always fascinating Blend Studio and Twist Gallery you can find many of the art answers and questions you may be looking for at the impressionable COOP gallery space, Space 75 in The Arcade to be precise.  Whether you want to decipher your dreams or see how others out there are dreaming, a good spot to start is to check out jonathan paul gillette’s “my deepest fear is true, my reality is the case.”  With the work on display this Saturday, January 7th, around 6pm in accordance with the First Saturday Downtown Art Crawl that lasts from 6-9pm at most everywhere, this is a great chance and spot for your creative mind to wake up and start something fresh this coming lap around the sun.  Don’t hit the snooze button and go back to sleep this time around.

To end this round like I began it, with photography and moving pictures of all sorts, you should also know about the photographic exhibition that includes Chuck Arlund, Jerry Atnip, Nicholas Dantona, Robert McCurley, Mark Mosrie, Jerry Park, Pierre Vreyen and the great David Farmerie that is going down at The Arts Company this Saturday, January 7th, within the Downtown Art Crawl hours.  The S8uth Through Eight Lenses & A Code will help you open your eyes with the help of the eyes that make up South Light Photographers.  If anything else, it will be an enjoyable time with fun talk, critical thinking, possibly a little drinking of good spirits all around, and anything but a waste of a good night.

So with all that love above I wish you all a good night and great beginning to another blessed year ahead!

much love,

chUck

PS- ONE more thing honorable to mention … this Sunday, January 8^th marks the LAST CHANCE to SEE To Live Forever!  To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum has been a prize like no other for everyone who has recently visited the Frist Center for the Visual Arts during its stay, but it is leaving for good by the end of this weekend.  Alongside special movies in the auditorium, music in the lobby, architecture tours, and much more going on throughout the weekend at the Frist, this is a perfect opportunity to send the mummy off with a bang!  You won’t regret making it a point to walk like an Egyptian one last time in such a grand art museum.

Regardless of whether you are lucky to find the time and/or email for a very special HOME concert tomorrow night, Thursday kicks off the weekend stretch of shows and artastic events all over town to get your out and about.  You can be sure as always about this time of the month that the Hillsboro Village Art Walk will be kicking it per usual with all of their fantastic shops, artists, and deals for you to fully enjoy.  One location I highly recommend dropping by thisThursday, December 1st, anytime during the 5-9pm Art Walk, is Zeitgeist.  This Thursday they have invited Nashville’s own, Hollow Ox, for an evening of crafted sound from a four-piece stellar ensemble of musicians. Also while there, you can catch artist Ward Schumaker’s “Geography Lessons” that will be on view through December 17th.  Geography Lessons is a showing of works on paper and handmade/handbound books.  And speaking of handmade books of art, Nashville’s Brown Dog Bindery will be at the Sarratt Holiday Festival this Thursday for you to meet the artists and their work on opening night, December 1st, from 4:30-6:30pm.  While perusing the Holiday Festival, you can shop with a purpose this Holiday by supporting regional artists (THAT should be a theme here and everywhere for your holiday shopping in my humble opinion).  It’s Sarratt Art Festival’s 21st Anniversary and it might just be the best yet (207 Sarratt Student Center).  Brown Dog Bindery will be on hand from Dec. 1st-11th with various times throughout and celebrating big time on December 4th from 4-6pm for Sarratt Holiday Arts Festival’s 21st Birthday party in case you wanted to know.

But before you go and get all festive out on the nightlife Thursday night, why not pre-game it over on the East Side of town to see their Watkin’s 2011 Senior Graphic Design Show called “Roast.”  Roast will feature works by BA Graphic design degree candidates Ryon Nishimori, Chris Stewart, and Anna Stout this Thursday, December 1st, from 6-9pm, at Anode (926 Main Street).  The one-night-only exhibition is FREE, open to the public, and will have refreshments on hand provided by Beve coffee.  Then, after you stop by that show to get a little education on, you can roll over to the pARTy that is a benefit art exhibition, sale & cocktail reception!  From 5-8pm, at 716 Division Street (next to FLYTE), “POW! Pop culture …” is a group exhibition that explores the various iconic artifacts of popular culture including mass advertising, mass product design, celebrity, and Americana.  10% of all art sales will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Nashville and will also serve as the launch for “Habitat for Artists”; a new partnership of creative talent and Habitat initiatives.  Sponsored by Budweiser and FLYTE, you know there will be ample amount of cold beverages at hand if you wish to partake.  There will be paintings, a short film, and also Richard Courtney (Co-Author of Come Together: The Business Wisdom of the Beatles on site to speak and sign books.  The exhibition isFREE and also open to the public so go tell a friend and run and tell that.

After all that, Friday seems to understand that you were all over the town the night before and really lets you relax by offering a casual night at the 5th Avenue of the Arts Downtown Nashville Collectors Art Night.  This Friday, December 2nd, from 5:30-8pm, you can obtain a few more cocktails to get back into the saddle again, with appetizers by Sambuca and desserts by The Cupcake Collection, and then enjoy art talks the rest of the evening.  At 6pm, at The Arts Company, you can join a conversation with painter Charlie Buckley and photographer Chuck Trotter about their Nashville-centric exhibits.  At 6:45pm, at The Rymer Gallery, join them and local collector and designer Susan Bashamspeaking about the art of purchasing and placing fine art.  At 7:15pm, be there at Tinney Contemporary to listen to New York-based artists Jaq Belcher talking about her new exhibition, Suchness, that features her process of creating beautifully patterned and complex works from single sheets of paper meticulously hand-cut (Suchness actually has an opening reception the next night, Saturday, December 3rd, at Tinney Contemporary from 6-9pm).  The 5th Avenue of the Arts is a RSVP event to attend.  To RSVP, please email5thAvenueOfTheARts@gmail.com like NOW.

And then there was Saturday, the first Saturday of the month of December.  Nothing gets me in a joyful mood about art and creativity quite like seeing original work from Twisted Sisters.  Lucky for all of us, they will have art at “See Art, Love Art, Buy Art!”  That’s right; this Saturday, December 3rd, from 10am-5pm, you can find the latest Twisted Sisters art at the Tennessee State Museum as part of theHoliday Artisan Bazaar.  Admission to the event is FREE, and I promise you that you won’t find any gift as original as these anywhere.

Then, if you feel the creative bug after seeing Twisted Sisters’ art, in the early afternoon, from 1-4pm, you can venture to Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film to visit their Open House.  There will be ample amounts of FREE, hands-on activities and demonstrations by faculty instructors in clay, printmaking, metal casting, book making and more.  All of this is fun is provided as a preview to Community Education’s “Unleash Your Creativity” Winter/Spring 2012 session.  It’s never too late to learn something new, and you never know … Watkins might just have the thing you are looking to get into this coming year in your spare time.

But back to that spare time you have Saturday night.  Here is a rundown of a few highlights around town that you can skip and jump to throughout the night:

*Art and Invention Gallery is having their Holiday Art Show Opening Night Party!  From 6-9:30pm, join Meg and Bret for their 10th annual “Holiday Art Show.”  A group of over 75 artists have handmade smaller works of art perfect for the holiday shopper looking for whimsical, exquisite, and everything in between in all price ranges to leave you happy and satisfied.

*While on that side of town, don’t forget to drop in at theBryant Gallery Christmas Show that will run through Christmas Eve.

*Or to see the great deals at the Hip Zipper!  Hip Zipper is proud to have their very own Holiday Open House from 6-9:30pm.  The Holiday Halls of the Hip Zipper will be “Decked Out” for the season with festive delights for you to enjoy and take with you.  Not only that, they offer a 25% OFF your total purchase when you ‘Check-In’ to Hip Zipper through Facebook while at the Open House!

*And before you leave the East side, don’t forget to make an appearance at the always fun Studio East before they shut their doors at that location for good to make way forLockeland Table in the coming year.  While they are stillStudio East, they are celebrating an artist’s reception this Saturday, from 6-9pm, for Paul Harmon’s latest work.  JoinJohn and Stacey for the big pARTy and open house!

*Downtown you will never be bored.  I say drop by the Arcadeto find a few regular spots of fun at the same location.  You never go wrong with Twist that’s for sure.  You can stop byCOOP to see “live-prime-real-time: Matthew Page, Dmitry ‘dima’ Strakovsky.”  You can mosey down the hallway to Blend Studio to see the opening reception for“Small Work: By 12 Nashville Artists” at the same time.  I will go into more detail for the above next week, but it is worth checking them out this weekend during the open receptions.

*Also Downtown and at the same time, be sure to take notice of LA Bachman.  She and others will be a part of the opening reception for “Small Packages Exhibit” alongside the “Gifty Pleasures Exhibit” at The Rymer Gallery from 6-9pm.

*Bennett Galleries Nashville will also have an opening reception for the annual exhibition of new works by Scott E. Hill.  If you are around, don’t miss it!

*One more gift for the night, since I’m on a roll here and have a little more time to divulge all this information your way, you should know about the deal that the Tennessee Art Leaguehas going on.  They have a special event for December in the form of a Holiday Art Sale!  TAL will again offer extraordinary smaller, framed and unframed artwork, created by its talented members at special, greatly-reduced prices.  Portions of the profits of any artworks sold will go to TAL’s Building Fund.  Also: found at Premiere Gallery, Ray Sandusky’s exhibit of“Lids & Finials,” and found at Ethel Smith Gallery, Elizabeth LaPenna’s New Horizons exhibit.

But before I leave you here for a much needed rest, be sure to mark your calendars, if for nothing I’ve said above so far this week, to visit The Family Wash this Saturday night at 9pm.  It is there where you will not only find the best food to warm your belly and soul during the cold weather, but you will find yourself back at HOME with the sounds of Humming House and the soon to be legendary Carolina Story!  Carolina Story has been hard at work for months on their new album called “Home”, and they are throwing a CD Release show/party at The Family Wash for everyone that wants to join them and the fun.  I have heard the CD and I must say that I’ve had it on repeat for several weeks now in my rotation everywhere I go.  It is very impressive and worth listening to … over and over .  YOU can either buy a copy for you and all your friends at the live show or HERE!  Released online as of yesterday, Carolina Story shot up past the likes of James Taylor, Gillian Welch, and other household names on the iTunes singer/songwriter list all the way to #2 … FACT!  Christmas has come early again indeed!  Boom … go get you some.

I hope to see you at one or a few of those places above, but with or without you, there will be a fun time had by all who do.

much love,

chUck

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kins might just have the thing you are looking to get into this coming year in your spare time.

But back to that spare time you have Saturday night.  Here is a rundown of a few highlights around town that you can skip and jump to throughout the night:

*Art and Invention Gallery is having their Holiday Art Show Opening Night Party!  From 6-9:30pm, join Meg and Bret for their 10th annual “Holiday Art Show.”  A group of over 75 artists have handmade smaller works of art perfect for the holiday shopper looking for whimsical, exquisite, and everything in between in all price ranges to leave you happy and satisfied.

*While on that side of town, don’t forget to drop in at theBryant Gallery Christmas Show that will run through Christmas Eve.

*Or to see the great deals at the Hip Zipper!  Hip Zipper is proud to have their very own Holiday Open House from 6-9:30pm.  The Holiday Halls of the Hip Zipper will be “Decked Out” for the season with festive delights for you to enjoy and take with you.  Not only that, they offer a 25% OFF your total purchase when you ‘Check-In’ to Hip Zipper through Facebook while at the Open House!

*And before you leave the East side, don’t forget to make an appearance at the always fun Studio East before they shut their doors at that location for good to make way forLockeland Table in the coming year.  While they are stillStudio East, they are celebrating an artist’s reception this Saturday, from 6-9pm, for Paul Harmon’s latest work.  JoinJohn and Stacey for the big pARTy and open house!

*Downtown you will never be bored.  I say drop by the Arcadeto find a few regular spots of fun at the same location.  You never go wrong with Twist that’s for sure.  You can stop byCOOP to see “live-prime-real-time: Matthew Page, Dmitry ‘dima’ Strakovsky.”  You can mosey down the hallway to Blend Studio to see the opening reception for“Small Work: By 12 Nashville Artists” at the same time.  I will go into more detail for the above next week, but it is worth checking them out this weekend during the open receptions.

*Also Downtown and at the same time, be sure to take notice of LA Bachman.  She and others will be a part of the opening reception for “Small Packages Exhibit” alongside the “Gifty Pleasures Exhibit” at The Rymer Gallery from 6-9pm.

*Bennett Galleries Nashville will also have an opening reception for the annual exhibition of new works by Scott E. Hill.  If you are around, don’t miss it!

*One more gift for the night, since I’m on a roll here and have a little more time to divulge all this information your way, you should know about the deal that the Tennessee Art Leaguehas going on.  They have a special event for December in the form of a Holiday Art Sale!  TAL will again offer extraordinary smaller, framed and unframed artwork, created by its talented members at special, greatly-reduced prices.  Portions of the profits of any artworks sold will go to TAL’s Building Fund.  Also: found at Premiere Gallery, Ray Sandusky’s exhibit of“Lids & Finials,” and found at Ethel Smith Gallery, Elizabeth LaPenna’s New Horizons exhibit.

But before I leave you here for a much needed rest, be sure to mark your calendars, if for nothing I’ve said above so far this week, to visit The Family Wash this Saturday night at 9pm.  It is there where you will not only find the best food to warm your belly and soul during the cold weather, but you will find yourself back at HOME with the sounds of Humming House and the soon to be legendary Carolina Story!  Carolina Story has been hard at work for months on their new album called “Home”, and they are throwing a CD Release show/party at The Family Wash for everyone that wants to join them and the fun.  I have heard the CD and I must say that I’ve had it on repeat for several weeks now in my rotation everywhere I go.  It is very impressive and worth listening to … over and over .  YOU can either buy a copy for you and all your friends at the live show or HERE!  Released online as of yesterday, Carolina Story shot up past the likes of James Taylor, Gillian Welch, and other household names on the iTunes singer/songwriter list all the way to #2 … FACT!  Christmas has come early again indeed!  Boom … go get you some.

I hope to see you at one or a few of those places above, but with or without you, there will be a fun time had by all who do.

much love,

chUck

With that said, I need to give a shout-out to the past and present at hand.  The past- last weekend I forgot to mention a nod to the 2nd annual “Salon des Refuses” at the Tennessee Art League that had a special pre-holiday art sale to benefit the Tennessee Art League.  Located at 808 Broadway, you might want to stop by and see the leftovers of their smaller and less formally finished artwork still available for purchase in the sale including works of canvas, paper, sculpture, jewelry, textiles and other stuff.  The present- alsoTONIGHT is another chance for you all to witness the rising local band Eastern Block at 12th & Porter (114 12th Avenue North) starting at 8:30pm sharp.  You won’t regret it!

Also going on right now something that you won’t regret being a part of is a one-of-a-kind kickstarter project that is made for kids and the kids inside all of us.  Local artist Lindsey Bailey has created a collaborative art project called Deliciously Happy.  It is a multi-faceted project that will culminate in a gallery installation at Belmont University with your help to complete.  It is a project about showing how important art is as a tool to spark people into sharing ideas and working together.  An offshoot of Bailey’s graduate research, the gallery show features partnerships with students from 3 Nashville-area schools: the University School of Nashville, Bordeaux Elementary, and Lead Academy and sculpture students from Belmont University.  Students of each school will construct social issue-based stories and create coordinating performance paraphernalia.  Each workshop session and the final performance will be documented in still images and video.  To this point, Bailey has completed 12 of the 24 workshops through self-financing it, but NOW help is needed to reach the finish line.  The project needs more supplies, an editor to pull all of the videos together, and transportation for the students to attend the gallery opening to see their work and talk about it to the public is also needed.  Take a look at the project and how your help will help it become realized and help make a difference for the future … the kids of today.  See that link HERE-www.kickstarter.com/projects/586300314/deliciously-happy.

All of the above brings me to this coming Saturday, November 12th, 2011.

First, if you are looking for unique, LOCAL, one-of-a-kind gifts for your friends and family, then yet again you should drop on by the next Porter Crossing Arts Market this Saturday afternoon from noon-9pm at the intersection surrounding The Family Wash.  It is FREE, INDOOR, and is a wonderful experience to be had by all every second Saturday of every month between September-December.

Second, The Arts Company is hosting the 2nd annual Ads2Art Charity Art Auction with the help of the Advertising Federation of Nashville.  The purpose of this event is to raise awareness for the Nashville Advertising and Arts Community and to also raise funds and awareness for the Nashville Downtown Partnership’s 5th Avenue of the Arts initiative.  The event will start with a Patrons Party and gallery tour at 6pm and the Ads2Art Event will go from 7-9pm.  It is $35 for admission at the door and $45 for the Patrons Party and event admission).  There will be food, beverages, jazz, and a chance to bid on some amazing works of art.  It is all sponsored by Nashville Arts Magazine and its feature editor Paul Polycarpou will serve as the guest auctioneer for the art live auction.  You can RSVP by contacting Samantha Pyle at 615-305-3460 or Samantha@werkshopmarketing.com.

Third, you should definitely at some point this weekend or month stop by The Rymer Gallery to see the legendary local photographer John Guider and his new work called “View From A Small Boat.”  Here is a sneak peek of what you’ll see HERE.  Simply put, Guider sees and captures things that we feel.  He is that good.

I think I’ve given you plenty to think about and go out and see for a few days ahead.  There is always more out there beyond the above, but I hope that you find everything you are looking for.  Thank you for reading and sharing with others.

much love,

chUck

So if the sun doth rise tomorrow and you still have your face and wits intact, I have a plethora of events to fill out the rest of your weekly schedule.  I will first jump ahead to Thursday, November 3rd.  If you are itching to get out of town for your kicks, you can drive to Austin Peay State University’s Downtown Gallery (116 Strawberry Alley) in Clarksville, TN to catch the opening reception for Extensions of a Point: Amanda Dillingham and Ben Vitualla.  This Thursday, from 5-8pm at said location, the two Nashville artists will be there to display their latest work and answer any questions you may have at the moment.  As most of you know, Ben Vitualla, on top of being an artist, is also a key component of Blend Studio- which just so happens to also have an opening reception taking place this weekend too.  This Saturday, as part of the First Saturday Gallery Crawl, you can venture into Blend from 6-9pm and talk to Ben again about the exhibition called This is Not a Feminist Theory on Motherhood: by Carrie Ruckel.  Ben is very cordial and a super nice guy.  He can offer you insight more so on the featured artist, Carrie Ruckel, than on Motherhood, but I know it will be a good time.  And speaking of motherhood, you can also check out some interesting tidbits about art, motherhood, and technology at the Sarratt Student Center Panel Discussion on BioMedical Ethics at 5pm with an opening reception for Take Care: Biomedical Ethics in the 21st Century following.  Many of the contributing artists Kristina Arnold, Monica Bock, Sher Fick, Annette Gates, Jeanette May, Lindsay Obermeyer, Sadie Ruben, Libby Rowe, and Adrienne Outlaw will be present and showcasing their art on the subject matter.  BUT, I digress.

This Thursday, November 3^rd, before I get ahead of myself as usual, marks the monthly Hillsboro Village Art Walk from 5-8pm.  At Fire Finch you can find work by Marisa Ray.  At Hot & Cold you can find work by Eliza Hemmings.  At Fido you will find the work of Jim McGuire and Lindsay Shepherd.  At other shops you stumble around you will also find fascinating works, but I am most looking forward to Zeitgeist this coming week for a few personal reasons on the side.  First, Zeitgeist welcomes the San-Francisco based artist and illustrator Ward Schumaker.  Schumaker has assembled a selection of his Geography works on paper and handmade/handbound books for his second solo show at Zeitgeist.  The work strives to offer a platform of free association with thought and emotion combined with Schumaker’s familiar light, deft touch with inks and skeins of delicate washes on paper. Secondly still at Zeitgeist this Thursday night, in correspondence with the Hillsboro Village Art Walk from 5-8pm, I and others will be on hand handing out the latest issue of the regional art publication called Number:  Because Lain York and Zeitgeist Gallery has been such a strong advocate for the publication in the past, I couldn’t think of a better time and spot to unveil the most recent issue to the masses of Nashville in person.  Number: 69 includes a fresh collection of reviews, interviews, and retrospective art stories written by and about some of the most cutting edge artists in the tri-state region.  It is not only back on track with a printing schedule right on time, it is also FREE!  So get your butt on over to Zeitgeist on Thursday night and get yourself and your friends a copy to see what it’s all about!

And once you’ve made an effort to pick up the new issue of Number:, you might as well go check out something else new and fresh in town close to downtown.  For one night only, this Saturday, November 5th, marks the One Night Only Exhibition: featuring the Fine Art of Solomon Behnke and Paul Fly.  From 6:30-10pm at West Light Studios (162 Rosa Parks Blvd.), food, wine, music, and tons of art will be provided and on display from some very talented artists new to town.  Serendipitous and ironic how both Number: and Solomon have arrived at the same time to Nashville from their recent Memphis base together in sorts.  I am excited about both if you can’t tell.

Yet another one night only painted installation art event called the Installation Show, part A will be taking place with a few familiar local artists traveling out of town to No Egrets Tattoo Studios (1128 College Street, Clarksville, TN).  It is there where 7 talented visual artists (Brandt Hardin, Jeff Bertrand, Ricky Cavaness, Charles Bennett, Mike Coriatty, Chadd Spann, and Jay Mean) will bring painted installation and art while 2 talented DJ’s set the good vibes for your hearing and viewing pleasure.  Each artist will hang a few of their art pieces on a wall with empty white spaces separating them all in between.  Then each artist will grab a brush, paint or can and install paint onto the empty spaces between each art piece while bridging a flawless story board which will flow from one work of art to the other.  At the end of the night the artists will take down their original pieces and leave the empty spaces on the new mural for all those to see in person.  It should be an awesome trip.  There will be cupcakes, and Anjeanette Illustrations will also be on site with her photo booth handy too.

Back to Nashville on Saturday night, there are ample amounts of other shows opening in The Arts Company, COOP Gallery, twist, and others around downtown.  I suggest you park close to some of the events mentioned above and drop in for the opening receptions and artists alike.  I will give you more insight into some of these shows next week when I drop back in this thing but I don’t want to throw so much at you all at once to flood your memories of what and when everything is going down this weekend.  That said, you should definitely stop by Tinney Contemporary as it blows up a party for The Man Who Shot Rock.  Although the exhibition runs through mid-November, Saturday, November 5th, is the only time you will catch the internationally recognized photographer and musician Jonathan Postal playing with his band at the gallery!  If we’re lucky he might even bring his dog, Hank Williams IV! 

So that is a solid week of art and Nashville fun in a Halloween hand bag for your delight.  Do with it what you will.

Happy Halloween!

much love,

chUck

Well, well, well, this rain today has made me kinda tired.  It has also made me kinda speechless too.  In fact, it rained so hard this morning that I didn’t even think about texting while driving-a fact my wife would greatly appreciate any day of the week.  I can’t wait to get a smart phone that texts for me while I drive.  Heck, I can’t wait for the car (smarter than a smart car for that matter) that drives for me while I text.  I remember back in the day reading in some magazine about such a car, and seeing pictures for it too, but I guess I’ll have to just throw those false memories of the future ahead in the same files as those cool self-adjusting/drying shoes and the hover-skateboards I saw in “Back to the Future II.” 

Well, well, well, typing about movie memory lane suddenly just reminded me about a few things going on this week that might just bring a smile to your face as well.  First, this Thursday, September 29th, the Hip Zipper Vintage Clothing store is hosting a party to pay homage and help support the Belcourt Theatre.  Located at 1008 Forrest Avenue in Historic East Nashville, the Hip Zipper is opening its doors from 5-8pm to provide a fundraising “Silent Movie House” with an evening of shopping, recalling the stars from a Golden Era, and rolling out the red carpet for cinema refreshments and silent movies while they not only preview their vintage fall best, but tribute the Belcourt Theatre’s treasured history.  One of my favorite places in town to see movies or concerts, the Belcourt Theatre opened its doors in 1925, the same year our house opened its doors too, as a ‘Silent Movie House.’  In their honor, the Hip Zipper is donating 25% of the proceeds from sales on Thursday night to the Belcourt and for every $25 you spend, you get 25% off!  Everyone’s a winner winner chicken dinner!

Then, when you come back to the future on Friday, September 30th, you can whisk away your troubles aside and stop by the next Collectors Art Night on 5thAvenue of the Arts.  This Friday, from 5:30-7:15pm, The Arts Company and The Rymer Gallery will yet again present intimate and insightful art talks by their featured artists and special guest collectors.  The evening is FREE, valet parking in front of Puckett’s is FREE, but RSVPs are required (see details at www.5thAvenueOfTheArts.com).  With cocktails beginning at 5:30pm, The Arts Company will feature painter Tony Breuer at 6pm and The Rymer Gallery will showcase Vadis Turner at 6:45pm.  And may I suggest that when you stop by Puckett’s, you should take notice of “The Hogfather.”

And if you have so much on Friday night around Downtown, I don’t foresee anything wrong with leaving your car down there and coming back again Saturday night to celebrate the 1stin style.  In a perfect world, without time and other plans, you could easily catch up on every art opening without missing a thing.  But, in an almost perfect world, you might find it easy to stop by a few of the following below anytime between 6-9pm during the First Saturday Downtown Art Crawl:

-Drop by #44 in the Downtown Arcade to celebrate the artist reception for John Reed.  He is over the moon excited to be showing a series of his new work that represents the past 2 and a half years of his studio painting.  It is the first solo exhibit of the work, and it is meaningful series of paintings that were inspired by historical images of the South (“depicting common lives, emotions, and struggles of the people who forged the strength we find in today’s Southern culture”).  The show will run until Halloween.

-While still passing through the Arcade, don’t you dare walk by without checking out the fun Twist is dishing out this month.  Twist is featuring Leah Grimaldi with a lot of paintings that I think, from the brief shots I’ve seen so far, are twisted … in a great way.  And just down the balcony, before you get to the always fun Blend Studio, take a few pictures in front and beside the Twist etc. exhibition focused on the Nashville photography group called SNAP (Society of Nashville’s Artistic Photographers).

-Just around the big balcony fans, you might find yourself smack dab in front of the COOP gallery in #75.  During the month of October, COOP is pleased to present the multi-media work of Oklahoma-based artist, Peter Froslie.  As a child of the 80’s, I am very excited to see how Froslie has made his recent objects (sculptures) from children’s toys that he hacks-such as Etch-A-Sketches and other stuffed animals (kinda like the Toy Story toys but real and kinder).  Other work by Froslie in this exhibition relates history and investigating global relationships through a range of media and technology; fun and deep stuff all in one spot!

-Then you can get your music art fill on at Tinney Contemporary as they present “The Man Who Shot Rock: Works by internationally-recognized photographer and musician Jonathan Postal.”  As seen in the Joan Jett print, the Memphis-based artist was concerned with capturing a moment that was raw, honest, and timeless combined with a unique and quirky style of beauty.  In this exhibition, all of the shots are musically inspired from some of the most iconic musicians in the past 40 years.  It is sure to be a similar rock time machine as the fabulous Warhol Live! was at the Frist recently.  This exhibition will run until November 19thand also have its opening reception this Saturday, October 1stfrom 6-9pm like the others from Saturday above.

Before I sign off for now, be sure to register and sign-up for Untitled’s GLOW Show coming around the bend on October 7th .  If you or another friend is interested in participating, you need to register before the deadline of October 2nd  by midnight at the following address: http://www.untitlednashville.org/participate/glow/.  GLOW is always a wonderful show for all who partake and attend.  Don’t miss out if you are willing and wanting to be involved!

Well, well, well, I’m starting to get tired again so I should let you go back to your day at hand.  Thanks for stopping by and sharing the news above with others you love and who love art.

As you were, busy but happy.

much love,

chUck

Without rambling on and on and taking you away from the Monday grind, I’ll let you know that you won’t have to wait long to stART smiling around town.  Tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 13th, you can walk on down to Zeitgeist Gallery in the Hillsboro Village to see Zeitgeist and AIA Middle Tennessee present “Indeterminacies: The Little Match Girl Passion” performed by the PORTARA New Music Ensemble.  From 6-8pm, FREE and open to the public, you can see the group performing David Lang’s 2008 Pulitzer-prize winning work for vocal quartet and percussion.  Alongside the current art in the gallery by Kurt Wagner and Wayne White, and beside the guest moderator (and critical writer for the Nashville Scene and Artnownashville.com) John Pitcher, Zeitgeist Gallery is primed to kick off their Fall Series of Indeterminacies and this week off in style.  Feel FREE to join them!

And speaking of the Nashville art scene and Artnownashville.com, YOU have a wonderful  opportunity to meet the NashvilleArts & ArtNowNashville Teams this week at “NAAD at Terrazzo.”  Specifically, this Friday, September 16th, from 5-8pm, at the Terrazzo Penthouse (700 12thAvenue South, The Gulch) marks an “Art After Hours” special event presented by the Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD) that will show off more than 100 works of art from a 12 local galleries all under one roof!  The event is at the time mentioned and extended the following day (Saturday, September 17th, from 12-4pm) as well.  With works from 12 galleries (Bennett Galleries, Cumberland Galleries, LeQuire Gallery, Local Color Gallery, Midtown Gallery, The Arts Company, Two Moon Gallery, Gallery Simin, Richland Fine Art, Richter Gallery of Photography, and Gallery One Contemporary Fine Art) all in one spot, it’s not surprising but a surprising treat to also have the entire NashvilleArts magazine team and everyone helping establish ArtNowNashville.com present on Friday evening to discuss art in the media, what they are about, and whatever else you would like to ask in person.  This event is also FREE and open to the public, but the art is for sale.  With complimentary parking, why don’t you drop by and compliment some of the artists and people helping make Nashville visually spectacular!

Now jumping back in time yet again within this mixed up calendar of events and transitions, I briefly direct you to Thursday, September, 15th.  It is Thursday night, from 8-midnight at Mercy Lounge where you will find this month’s RAW event that is titled “Junction.”  For those not familiar with RAW, Raw Artists Nashville pits some of the most ground-breaking and original talent Nashville has to offer in an array of different creative fields also under one roof for one-night-only.  For those who are familiar with RAW, you know that it is always a really fun time and perfect introduction for everyone involved to everyone that makes it out to support the creative cause.  If you are a person who enjoys discovering new local talent in film, fashion, music, visual art, hair & makeup artistry, and performance art within grassroots showcase events, then the Mercy Lounge this Thursday night and RAW Nashville is perfect for you.

Then jump back to the future this Saturday, September 17th, into something new, fresh, and a work in progress.  Literally, “Works In Progress” is a new artshow experiment with you in the studio and in the home brought to you by HAUS Rotations.  Hosted by the group of artists that make up Haus Rotations for a one-night opening within a temporarily-donated home within the Sylvan Park area (3530 Murphy Road, Nashville, TN  37205) from 5-10pm, HAUS Rotations is a collaborative community working to highlight and engage contemporary dialogues and studio discovery across the arts.  This is a fascinating new take on local art and art discussion between local designers, thinkers, and artists that is bringing said people together by breaking down traditions across the board.  If you’d like to know more information about this project or to scedule an interview with HAUS Rotations, feel free to contact Megan Kelley at hausrotations@gmail.com and get in on this great thing on the ground level.

I have truly enjoyed the little time we have shared here today.  I am sorry to say I have bad news.  If you delayed on visiting the Frist Center the past few months while neglecting my advice to check out the Warhol exhibition,  then you have missed out on one of the most amazing art exhibitions I’ve ever seen because it is no longer at the Frist Center as of yesterday.  You should just kick yourself honestly.  If you have trouble kicking yourself, then you should immediately try to redeem your loss by giving yourself reasons to pat yourself on the back instead.  For instance, you can proudly pat yourself on the back for realizing that you should finally take my advice and visit the Frist Center starting today to see 2 new exhibitions that have recently opened to ease your life post-Warhol transition.  I’m talking about the “A Divine Light: Northern Renaissance Paintings from the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery” and Tracey Snelling’s “Woman on the Run” Exhibitions respectively.  One is designed as an intimate encounter with the devotional art of the 15thand 16thcenturies and how Northern Renaissance artists expressed central mysteries of faith in several ways and the other is designed as a modern day type of mystery as seen and told through what Snelling defines as 3-dimensional storytelling via various clues found within the art.  Don’t miss out on the fun while it lasts!

Now go out there and tell others about all the fun things going on around town this week on top of all of the galleries already promoting stellar local and regional art during their regular open hours.  AND don’t forget to tell the Titans that they are playing a football game this week.

As you were, busy but happy.

much love,

chUck

It’s not quite the heat of summer or the bitter cold of the winter.  September is not only the start of REAL football, for me it is when nature turns on itself and transforms green leaves into natural art outdoors.  Funny thing is, the Nashville art scene is turning over and transforming in its own right beginning from the very start of this September.

So with kind haste without wasting your time, we’ll jump right in.  One major thing happening this Thursday, September 1st, is all about Nashville Arts Magazine.  On Thursday, Nashville Arts Magazine will launch a brand new website that will provide comprehensive and instant daily news and reviews of the city’s vivacious art scene.  ArtNowNashville.com will provide and publish much needed overnight reviews from everything art including symphony, opera, jazz, dance and theatre performances alongside reviews on all of the visual arts and film scenes.  Nashville Arts Magazine is not stopping what they are already doing with its monthly in depth look at the Nashville art world, they just wanted to expand on what they are already doing. Another epic thing happening this Thursday, September 1st is going down at Zeitgeist Gallery.  It is where two internationally known artists (who both studied art in college in various TN college and universities respectively) will have a joint opening reception from 5-8pm.  Me simply writing that both Kurt Wagner and Wayne White will be there as well should pretty much say it all, or at least it should give you all the reasons you need to get your butt over to Zeitgeist that opening night.  For everyone that a child of the 80’s, you might remember that Wayne White nearly single-handedly created the backdrop for great childhood memories we all look back on so fondly.  Specifically, White is the Chattanooga, MTSU grad, native that took his love for illustrating and puppeteering and created a world like no other.  White was the brainchild behind the oober-creative designs for the hit television show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.  Yeah, I said it, but White did it!  White has gone on to also do legendary work in music videos (my favorite was Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight”) and all other forms of media.  For the past few years, he has been most recognizable for his works with ‘word paintings’.  Last year, my wife and I felt honored by White’s presence and talk about his life-long journey through art while visiting Watkins here in Nashville.  It was there where we were able to talk with him in person, thank him for his work and for sharing his experiences, and have him sign a copy of his huge book that chronicles the path of his artistic career up to the present time period.  If you drop by Zeitgeist Gallery for the opening reception on Thursday, September 1st, from 5-8pm, you can do the same thing!  Need I say more?

I might not need to, but I shall.  Again, also on Thursday, the first of the month, just down the street from Zeitgeist Gallery is the Hillsboro Village Art Walk.  Also from 5-8pm, there are a plethora of receptions, shows, and events hosted by various locales located in Hillsboro Village.  The long list made short, here are a few spotlights in that neck of the woods I think I might just have to check out.  The Raffle giveaway will take place at the Belcourt Theater, Jeff Bertrand will have work at Clothing Xchange, Wendi Strauch Mahoney will be showing at SEE EYEWEAR, Brian Nash will showcase at Provence, Colleen Wandel will be at Fire Finch, Brad Keen is at Pangaea, Candice Sone is at Retropolitan, Casey Pierce and David Hellam will be showing at Fido through September 13th, Micah Smith and Ashley Owens are over at Hot & Cold beside some lovely snacks, and I’m definitely not going to forget about Sarah Shearer’s latest showing at Rodney Mitchell Salon.

It kinda sounds like Thursday is Saturday this coming week, but don’t be mistaken … it’s just a mega-fun Thursday.  The first Saturday of the month will again be like another first Saturday of the month.  Because it is a holiday weekend and I’m also celebrating my second wedding anniversary with my all-time favorite artist (efharper), SHOUT-OUT, I will save most of the descriptions of the newest exhibitions opening around town for next week.  But before I log and run off, I will give you a little teaser.  If you are around downtown this coming Saturday, September 3rd, I suggest that you mosey on over to The Arts Company to check out Charles Keiger’s “Inside Out: New Paintings” and also COOP’s September exhibition of work by Dawn Cerny over at The Arcade, Space 75.  If you meander to either place on Saturday night alongside the First Saturday Art Crawl from 6-9pm, then you are sure to see a lot of other amazing new art at such places as Twist, Blend, Estel, Rymer, Tinney, and everywhere else that I’ll type about the next time you read this.

Until then, be well, be safe, and be kind to one another.  Art, like life, is what you make of it.  I find it easier and happier to appreciate it than being too much of a critic.  Talk amongst yourselves and enjoy your day.

much love,

chUck

To begin this month, let me remind you about a certain short movie made by local geniuses that I wrote briefly about last week. The movie is called “Mr. Wonderful” and click HEREto see it in its 7 plus minute entirety. If you want to see more about the movie and/or the people that helped Brandon Gnetz make it, you can see still shots and other tidbits at www.mrwonderfulthemove.com.  Side note, if you are feeling like today is a good day to watch another classy short film from the same festival, by all means click HERE to see an instant classic called “Shrink Wrapped” made by Oscar Zezatti and friends and click HERE to see “Poppyseed Ave.” made by Allie Sultan and 15 young animation students who had never made a single film before.

To begin this week, let me tell you about a stellar performance that you shouldn’t miss if in the neighborhood …The Bluebird Café neighborhood that is. Tuesday, August 2, from 9pm-midnight, the local legend Fred Wilhelm will be sharing the stage with his friends Walker Hayes, Dave Turnbull, Tim James, and guests. Be Fred’s guest and show up to hear some of the best music thatMusicCity has to offer. And for that you can thank me later.

Speaking of later in the week, I’d like to help spread the news about the children who are our future. Specifically, I’d like to mention that this Thursday, August 4th, from 5-8pm, Hillsboro Village will the hottest spot in town for all the art you can handle (darn near too hot to handle to type you the truth actually). In accordance to the Hillsboro Village Art Walk and its Hawaiian Luau, students from Watkins College of Art, Design & Film that recently participated in a 3-week intensive summer program for highly-motivated high school students will be showing their art at Clothing Xchange. Ugly Lovely will DJ the event and there will be a limbo contest starting at 5:30pm where the winner walks away with a $50 gift certificate. Not only will there be music and mula, “Craftville” will be at Clothing Xchange and A Village of Flowers making Hawaiian leis for the guests (Leis at Clothing Xchange will be made from recycled fabric and the ones at A Village of Flowers will be made from real flowers). On top of said fun above, Eakin Elementary will have a table in front of the action to collect school supplies and donations for students who are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Also on the Hillsboro Art Walkradar, you can check out some of the following treats:Terilynn Bartlett’s “Hella TL” vintage swimsuits and Mia McMahan’s “The Rabbit in the Moon” jewelry at Fire Finch, Casey Pierce and David Hellams’ eclectic and surreal artwork at FIDO, and the creative soul of Jodi Reeves’ latest art found at Pangaea that is always sure to uplift your spirits.

And then came Friday night. With the start of the first weekend of the month downtown, every gallery will be hopping, every spectator will be spectating, and every art vulture will be drinking their fair share of free wine and eating any snack that’s on the table (another full-length piece in itself for later). But on a bright note about Friday, August 5th, it is the next Collectors Art Night. From 5:30-8pm, The Arts Company and The Rymer Gallery will be presenting intimate and insightful art talks by photographer John Nikolai(at The Arts Company at 6pm) who will speaking about his personal collection of rare Andy Warhol artwork (have I mentioned that you need to go to the Frist Center to see their Warhol exhibition yet?) and the artist Charles Clary (atThe Rymer Gallery at 6:45pm). If you wish to attend, pleaseRSVP to 5thAvenueOfTheArts@gmail.com. Over atTinney Contemporary, the wine and hors d’oeuvres begin at7 pm and the Artist Talks begin at 7:15 pm (as usual, you’ll need to RSVP to sarah@tinneycontemporary.com). The featured artists are painter Claire b Cotts and celebrity photographer Raeanne Rubenstein.

Saturday night, August 6th, will have all of the galleries and stores within The Arcade popping like no other. I will tell you right now that the party of all pARTies will be at Twist Art Gallery. They will not only have Todd Greene’s exhibition opening, but they are also celebrating their 5th birthday that night with cake. This is a well deserved celebratory mark for a very sweet place to show and view some of the most creative art around.

And just down the balcony from Twist, just before you reach Blend Studio (which will also be open at that time but I’ll give more of a shout in a couple of write-ups soon enough), you will be able to witness the newest art showing at the COOP gallery. Consisting of sculpture and installation, Alabama artist Erin Cunningham’s show titled “Elemental Topographies” is a stellar show that questions social perceptions of all sorts. I suggest you drop or pass by even for a moment to take a refreshing view at your own world.

Then, on Sunday, August 7th, you thought you were going to rest … but you can’t. You can’t rest quite yet because this Sunday marks the grand opening of Dustin Dirt Waltke’sexhibition titled “Mashed Potatoes and Manic Depression! An artshow by Dustin Dirt!” To be found and discovered by one and all at Octane! Art Gallery (1000 Main Street, East Nashville), Dustin has put aside his clean lines and nice monster images for the moment and run straight forward into inspirational, raw and messy compositions that capture the immediacy of pure emotion. Sound heavy? That’s because it is some of the heaviest, in the best of ways, craziest, in the best of ways, mysterious, in the most mysterious of ways, and more mind-bending than an Olympic gymnast who has 3 doctorates in Psychology art show that you will find opening anywhere around town on Sunday, August 7th, from 8-11pm at Octane! Art Gallery.

And with that I bid you good rest for next week’s atomic bomb of an art festival write-up to describe one of the best days of the year going down outside of Art & Invention Gallery in East Nashville. YEAH! I said it! The 2011 Tomato Art Fest is next week and just writing that much out here makes me want to take a nap to rest up and cool off so I can experience all that fruity fruit has to offer this year.

Anyways, be well to yourself and to others. Enjoy the day and make your own way.

much love,

chUck

Fast forward to the weekend and another first of the month round of art exhibition kick-off parties (or opening receptions as most refer to them).  Leading off the pack in the very random order I’m going to write about a few coming off the top of my head is the COOP Gallery announcing its July exhibition by Chicago artist Steven Frost.  Titled, “everyman a winner,” Frost uses various sculpture and fiber-based media to combine assumed cultural and economic value of materials with that of visual language from comic books, sports, popular culture and plain queer effect.  The result is an index of eclectic ideas and visually-captivating pieces of work.  The show opening is Saturday, July 2ndfrom 6-9pm at The Arcade, Space 75 and runs through Saturday July 30th.

Also running along The Arcade on Saturday, July 2nd, from 6-9pm Twist Art Gallery is shining a little light on singer/songwriter and visual artist Julie Lee’s latest creative endeavors.  A Nashville resident of 16 years, a musician that provides a beautiful collage of folk, blues, bluegrass and country, Julie Lee is a visual artists that takes bits and pieces from all over the place to make something of her own that is both old and new.  Her work will be up and around Twist for the entire month of July.

And just down the Arcade balcony of Twist you’ll find Blend Studio presenting “Combustion: A Group Show.”  Combustion, as appropriately titled, is a group show consisting of drawings, sculptures, painting and mixed media from Mandy Brown, Charles Clary, Amanda Dillingham, Jason Driskill, Derek Gibson, Hannah Maxwell Rowell, Sarah Shearer, and Ben Vitualla.  From July 2nd-29th, Combustion represents the premiere show for a new collective (which includes all of the names above) that was organized to meet for critical discussion and progress reports about each other’s work.  Within this specific group format, creative accountability is highly valued incorporated in these individuals’ new works and new ideas.  Such a solid structure among artists helps keep these college art instructors, curators and administrators consistent in their own disciplines while fostering growth beyond themselves for future works. 

Also kicking off the summer in style during the First Saturday Art Crawl on July 2nd from 6-9pm is The Arts Company presenting A Summer of Serendipity: Eclectic Adventures in Artwork, Décor, Books, Artifacts, Music & More.  Featuring “The Shapes and Colors of Brother Mel,” “The Intimate World of Leonard Piha,” “65th Anniversary of Ed Clark’s Grand Ole Opry Photographs: July 20, 1946,” “Thornton Dial Original Drawings,” and “Jim Hubbman Watercolors,” The Arts Company is pulling out all the fun guns to make July a month with a big creative bang.  Collectively, the selection of gallery artists (a few local and all legendary) mixed with artifacts and décor signal the unexpected adventures for all of us to anticipate and experience within this distinctive Summer of Serendipity which lies ahead.  To save me the words and you the time, if you’d like to read more about this extreme line-up, feel free to click www.theartscompany.com/press/.

But before I leave you so I can go find and watch my own fair share of fireworks to light up the July sky, I want to remind you about a cool exhibition over at Vanderbilt University that has been around since June 16th and runs through August 13th in case you need to plan a visit in your busy schedule.  Titled “10 West Coast Artists,” this exhibition is a portfolio of lithographs published in 1967 by aforementioned and described 10 West Coast artists who were at that time beginning to receive international attention for their art practices of painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, and filmmaking.  The exhibition is on view for the first time since its acquisition in 2003 and includes the works of Keith Boyle, Bruce Conner, Richard Diebenkorn, Roy De Forest, Sidney Gordon, Frank Lobdell, James Melchert, Manuel Neri, Felix Ruvolo, and Peter Voulkos.  Presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Fit to Print: Contemporary Posters from the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery Collection,” “10 West Coast Artists” is the first in a five-part summer series examining portfolios and serial graphic arts projects.  Trust me; this is fun stuff.

much love,

chUck

Starting on the 1st of June’s month, sweet tomorrow, the always wonderful, and owner of Twist Gallery and Twist Etc., Beth Gilmore is displaying an art show of her new works at the Downtown Presbyterian Church (154 5th Avenue North).  The art show, “Ghosts we live with … an art show,” is filled with photographs and printmaking created this year as part of Gilmore’s participation in the Vermont College MFA low-residency program.  As mentioned in the title of the exhibition, the main focus of the art is about ghosts; the way we are ghosts that haunt our own lives, how it’s difficult not to live in the past while living in the South, and examining all the things we need to leave behind in order to grow.  The historic Downtown Presbyterian Church is the perfect place to host such a ghostly and introspective exhibit, and although there is no specific opening reception, the show runs from June 1st-30th.

Then, for your daily fix, on Thursday, June 2nd, everyone is invited to the Hillsboro Village Art Walk from 5-8pm.  This month’s 1st Thursday Art Walk is filled yet again with a number of receptions, shows and events all hosted by the Hillsboro Village shops and restaurants.  There are always an ample amount of movies, music, artists, demonstrations, book signings and much more.  There is FREE parking after 6pm behind Cornerstone Financial and on 21st Avenue.

A very interesting note not overly publicized from this point beforehand is that this Thursday, June 2nd, marks the opening reception for a new exhibition for an artist that you may already love and didn’t know it before now.  Brad Vetter, printmaker extraordinaire that usually makes his marks on concert posters atHatch Show Print that I and you and countless others have purchased while at The Ryman for classic shows we couldn’t miss, is showing his latest, independent print works at The Belcourt Theatre.  From 5-8pm this Thursday, Brad’s exhibition titled “From This Point On” will totally blow your mind and will beup for the entire month of June at The Belcourt in case you can’t make it by for the opening night.

A good way to find something cool during this week ahead of forecasted record high temps is to look for other FREE events around town.  You won’t have to look for long if you find yourself around The Arcade say Friday, June 3rd.  Specifically, this Friday from 5:30-7:15pm, the next Collectors Art Night will take place at The Arts Company and The Rymer Gallery.  Presented by 5th Avenue of the Arts, Collectors Art Night is a FREE event that celebrates Nashville’s visual arts community with insightful art talks.  A very intimate atmosphere is created with Brother Mel and collectors speaking at 6pm at The Arts Company and Catherine Foster speaking about her new exhibition “Still Waters” at The Rymer Gallery at 6:45pm.  Cocktails are included, but RSVPS are required (RSVP by simply emailing 5thAvenueOfTheArts@gmail.com.

Skipping ahead to the heart of the weekend, aside from the usual, deserved hype surrounding the First Saturday Art Crawl, there are two exceptional exhibitions opening that I feel the need to get your undivided art attention.

First, Blend Studio is opening “Before/After” by Iwonka Waskowski.  A solo show of multi-media works by local Nashville artist, Iwonka Waskowski, Before/After is a collection of mixed media drawings, sculpture and installation pieces that represent conversations and connected moments (before) and the missing dialogue and lost moments between sisters (after).  Many of Waskowski’s pieces focus on ideas relating to human potential and loss, the psychology of behavioral patterns and childhood memories.  It is beautiful, deep stuff here and the opening reception is Saturday, June 4th, from 6-9pm (exhibition running thru June 25th).

Second, Tinney Contemporary has yet again hit the nail right on the hammer (or vice versa if you talk like that) with “Sparked: New Abstract Paintings by Jeanie Gooden.”  Sparked, also with an opening reception on June 4th, from 6-9pm, is a unique blend of cultural, emotional, and creative influences that truly sparked moments of inspiration inside of Gooden.  Combined with deep introspection, Gooden brings a lot of interesting Southern characteristics into her work.  And by Southern characteristics, I mean deeper than the Deep South characteristics in a great way.  You see; Gooden lives in both the USA and Mexico, and while most of her paintings in recent years have been created in her studio in the colonial city of San Miguel of Allende, Mexico, her paintings use the rich colors, cultural history, classic architecture and textures of Mexico to make for quite the intimate conversation between the art and the viewer.  Again … I’m talking about beautiful, deep stuff here.  Sparked runs thru June 18th.

So whether you decide to get out and see all of the above and more, or if you choose to enjoy your spare time by doing nothing at all, make the most of your time.  Life is a beach (I miss the beaches of Charleston, SC from this past weekend already!).  Sometimes the tide is up.  Sometimes the sand bar is the place to be.  Sometimes you have to go all out playing games with your friends, and sometimes it’s best to just relax and do everything by doing nothing with your family.  Either way, enjoy your day and I hope to see you around sooner than later.

much love,

chUck

In the first corner, Friday & Saturday, April 1-2, from 6-9pm both nights, let there be no April Fool’s about it at all when you step face to face at St. Cloud Corner (500 North Church St.) with the ArtisTree: The Tomorrow Fund Annual Art Show.  It is here where you can help the Tomorrow Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in its 7th annual ArtisTree Art Show to benefit the Tomorrow Fund and its grant-making to support programs for children in the Nashville area.  Right from the start, your heart will jump into action with the pleasant distraction of fresh paintings, prints, and jewelry by the likes of the great participating artists including Quinn Ballard, Casey Brooks, Margaret Elliott, Elizabeth Foster, Sarah B. Gilliam, Michael Howard, Julia Martin, Eli McFadden, Trevor Mikula, Amanda Norman, Amanda Sears and Wee Seing.  On top of that, there will also be a special guest painter, Heidi Schwartz, painting during the event on a canvas to be auctioned at the end of the night.  Did I mention that it is FREE admission, cash bar, and music by DJ Scissor?  Well, it is FREE admission, cash bar, and music by DJ Scissor!  Believe it!

In another corner, you can venture deeper downtown Friday, April 1st, from 5:30-8pm to celebrate and weigh in on several options for Saturday’s art crawl that lies ahead.  Specifically speaking, you can RSVP (by emailing 5thAvenueOfTheArts@gmail.com) to attend Collector’s Art Night: Art Talks on 5th Avenue of the Arts happening this Friday.  The event is FREE admission at Tinney Contemporary but you must RSVP at the mentioned email because there are only 125 spaces available.  The event begins with cocktails at 5:30pm, followed by a discussion featuring Drew Doggett at 6pm, then talks by Luke Hillestad at 6:45pm, and ending with the fabulous Patricia Bellan-Gillen at 7:15pm.  The special event includes refreshments, complimentary valet parking, amazing artwork, and the opportunity to ask questions directly to the artists that have made the work on display.  For more information on this event, check out www.tinneycontemporary.com.

In the final corner, for the knockout punch and 2-for-1 dealio, you will find the First Saturday Art Crawl in all its glory.  First, this Saturday, April 2nd, from 6-8pm, you can get things started right by experiencing red carpet treatment at The Arts Company.  In fact, The Arts Company has “Partners In Art” with Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) to present the Fifth Annual Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) Official Preview.  The Gallery’s “Avant-Garage” showcasing, beginning at 6pm, will give you the ultimate sneak peek film experience (including compelling trailers, popcorn and refreshments, meeting Film Festival artistic personnel, and more interactive surprise experiences) for the upcoming 2011 Nashville Film Festival that will take place April 14-21 at the Regal Green Hills Cinema.  But, more real than anything you’ll ever find on the make-believe big screen, if you take a walk inside Art at the Arcade this Saturday night, you will easily spot a must see exhibition opening that you’ll kick and hit yourself later if you miss … literally.  Do yourself a favor and see Blend Studio’s “Floats Like a Butterfly Stings Like a Bee: Who controls Art?” 

A multi-faceted exhibition beautifully arranged by Andee Rudloff, Lindsey Bailey and Allie Sultan, “Floats Like a Butterfly Stings Like a Bee: Who controls Art?” is a splendid combination of 8 mixed media works to be installed on walls and in video to allow the public to vote on who controls art.  The artists are inviting the public to purchase wooden nickels and have the visitors either choose to keep the wooden nickels as keepsakes or donate them to one of 8 categories.  Each category will have an organization associated with it and all donations will go directly to the corresponding organization from the following: Millersville Elementary, Arts & Business Council, Metro Parks Art Programs, Untitled Nashville, friends of Shelby, Welcome Centers/Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Nashville STARS & KOB, and 5th Ave for the Arts.  By visiting, voting and contributing, this original and innovative art show will become a wonderful gift that will keep on giving.  The opening reception is FREE admission, open to the public at Blend Studio and goes down this Saturday, April 2nd, from 6-9pm.

Remember, you gotta fight … for your right … to do pretty much anything these days.  Why not make this first weekend of April (the best month of the year in my humble opinion) one for the ages by checking out a little bit of everything above.  You’ve got nothing to lose and a world of art and new friends to gain.  And by the way, don’t forget to stop by the other local art galleries downtown and all around the city as well.  Nashville is steadily becoming more than just a Music City, and YOU are an intricate part of this movement and experience if only by showing up to support.  Help the artists and those who promote art by sharing the news above and other sites as well. 

Fight the good fight.

much love,

chUck  

First up to set the weekend mood and heat things up a bit, I’d suggest since Barry White is no longer alive for you to see perform in person that you stop by the Frist Center for the Visual Arts to enjoy the hearty vocals and deep sounds of Mister Hazelwood.  After having a successful CD Release Event back in November at the same locale, Joseph and his fellow friends are returning to the ideal setting of classical architecture and pitch perfect acoustics to grace the friendly staff and open-minded visitors with more great music.  An early show, FREE of charge, Friday, February 4^th, from 6-8pm will allow you to take in the music, possibly a few glasses of wine and/or other beverages and set up a lovely dinner and a show night out on the town with class.

To stir up a little more love on the first Friday on the first weekend of February, Tinney Contemporary and Fifth Avenue of the Arts have put together Collectors Art Night about the same time Mister Hazelwood is rocking Broadway’s business socks off.  Also happening February 4^th, but from 5:30-8pm, Tinney Contemporary, The Arts Company, and The Rymer Gallery are excited to invite 125 guests to its inaugural event that’s a special, first-look preview of their impressive new exhibitions.  The inaugural program, free but limited to 125 spaces (you must e-mail 5thAvenueOfTheArts@gmail.com or contact Tinney Contemporary to RSVP and become a VIP guest for the program ahead of time), will provide cocktails, free valet parking upon registration, three “art talks” with photographer Norman Lerner at The Arts Company at 6pm, sculptor Gordon Chandler at The Rymer Gallery at 6:45pm, and painter Brett De Palma at Tinny Contemporary at 7:15pm.  All three locations are excited about the program and want it known that the event (changing names and exhibitions of course) will be presented every other month on the day before the First Saturday Art Crawl.

And speaking of the First Saturday Art Crawl, I will not build any suspense by just letting the cat out of the bag and telling you that opening Saturday, in conjunction with the First Saturday Art Crawl, February 5^th, from 6-9pm, at 73 Arcade Building, Twist is proud to present Suspension: an art show by Jaime Raybin and Ryan Hogan. Suspension, a show that will continue at Twist through February 26^th, is filled with a spectacular collaboration that has been a year in the making.  Hogan’s sculptures that are partially obscured from the viewer within contained displays mixed with Raybin’s confrontational and abstract slide show might just remind you about the games we’ve all seen before or played in life and love.  A creative cat and mouse simulation of not seeing enough yet knowing too much all at the same time, your night and senses might never be the same.  Jump on in and see what I’m talking about for yourselves.

On a similar note, if you are up for doing a lot of crawling, walking, and anything but sitting down on Saturday, February 5, any time from 6-10pm, and you find yourself smack dab in the Arcade, I would suggest that you stroll through MIR Gallery and check out Wesley Kinsman Hall’s exhibition appropriately titled Inadequate Seating Art Show!  That’s all.  Enough said. 

Be well, love one another and safe travels on your way.  Come back now, ya hear!?

much love,

chUck

The theme for this story and my stellar weekend ahead in general. by David Hellams

Excuse mE, Mother Earth, but did Nashville as a whole do something directly to cause this terrible ongoing BP oil disaster or anything else out of the blue we are unaware of to deserve this past month’s onslaught of water from the skies above? It doesn’t seem like anybody is really happy about the level of storms we have been through recently except the weatherman’s agent. I personally felt like I was Bad Luck Schleprock from The Flintstones cartoon with a torrential rain cloud overhead escorting me back to Nashville yesterday on my blinding drive home. Weather that we cannot control, among other things I’ve learned, is simply something we can’t control … something we have to just … well, weather!
That being said, there are a few things left in our own worlds that we CAN control besides our attitude and attitudes towards collectively boycotting BP until the recent disaster has been fixed. Starting today and lasting throughout this weekend, I can think of at least four for your Thursday’s wonderful weekend forecast off the top of my head to give yourself and others relief from any more downfalls. Side forecasting note, I’m always looking for a good publishing agent if you know of any.

First, to keep the flood assistance fresh in mind and present in all our wallets, Art After Hours is presenting a citywide artistic opportunity that supports victims of the Nashville flood with “Art Saves Lives.” Today, June 3rd, from 5-8pm, Art After Hours and The Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD), in cooperation with The Cumberland Gallery (Green Hills), Gallery One (Belle Meade Galleria), LeQuire Gallery (Charlotte Avenue/Green Hills), Local Color (on Broadway) and Zeitgeist (Hillsboro Village), will be donating 10% of all this evening’s art sales. Other galleries participating in Art After Hours include (but not limited to) The Arts Company, Midtown Gallery, Bennett Galleries, Richland Fine Art, Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery, among others. Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Parthenon at Centennial Park present exhibitions free to members and with a fee to non-members.

Second, for more focus on flood recovery in our hearts, feel free to join SNAP (The Society of Nashville Artistic Photographers) and many others for Focus on Recovery: a photography auction where all proceeds will be matched by corporate sponsors and will go to Rebuilding Together Nashville to purchase materials to rebuild homes devastated by the May floods in Nashville. With a preview party at 211 South 17th Street, East Nashville, tonight, June 3rd, from 7-9pm, and the actual auction at the same locale tomorrow, June 4th, from 6-10pm, this is a grand opportunity for you to obtain priceless images taken and donated by the likes of Nashville’s finest photographers such as Jack Spencer, John Guider, Stacey Irvin, members of Aerial Innovations Inc, other members of SNAP and much much more for a worthy cause.

Third, if you haven’t already planned a pretty picnic around your favorite Love Bird for Saturday, why not go to church a little bit early this weekend to remind yourself of all that is good in your life. While you are there, at the Downtown Presbyterian Church to be exact, you can more easily than not also take in the first solo exhibition by local representational artist, David Hellams. During the regular Downtown Art Crawl hours, from 6-9pm this Saturday, May 6th, Hellams has organized his new paintings in canvasses that add up to either a complex of many rooms within the church or a narrative with many separate threads. Sound confusing and yet very much appealing … welcome to the world of a priest. Lucky for you, Hellams will be present to answer any questions you have (about his art specifically-please hold religion questions for Sunday). This is one sermon you’ll be glad you witnessed.
Fourth, and finally, I just wanted to mention a quick note about two special artist receptions. One is A Refreshingly New Twist: featuring new works by both Twisted Sisters Art and Lindatwist Jewelry Creations at Euro Décor (531 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN) this Saturday, June 5th, from 6-9 and Sunday afternoon, June 6th, from 1-4pm. And another is for Celestial: works by Anna Jaap, Steven Knudson, and Ian Kessler-Gowell at Estel Gallery also during the First Saturday Downtown Gallery Crawl this Saturday, June 5th, from 6-9. I’m sure I’ll write more about Ian’s spectacular glass blown creatures before the extended show ends next weekend, but this is just another great opportunity for you to see the art and talk to the artists behind the work that impresses you in person.

Whew, that felt like a lot to relay to you on short notice. I’ll be around here and there all week, but thanks for continuing to read along and spread the word about the ongoing, often times underground and expanding art community of Nashville. It may not have the bright lights of the honky tonks, but it definitely makes you feel better the morning after. Like a superb gift that keeps on giving, help do your part … help support Nashville’s local art!

Thank you!
Salud,
Chuck Beard

I’m getting ahead of myself as usual. For full satisfaction of this Saturday’s art lineup, mix together the following components (notice how some of the names resemble those of the horses sure to make history this weekend as well):

-Minor Victory: A true 2-to-1 deal in the making, Minor Victory is an eclectic mix of Chicago and Nashville printmakers joining together for a group show at Twist Art Gallery. Mark Hosford and 12 others have creatively lampooned the ideas of traditional print alongside abstract images to push printmaking boundaries and definitions out of conventional thought. Come down to Twist this Saturday, May 1st, between 6-9pm for an opening reception with the talented artists and get to know the lovely ladies that run one of the best galleries of Downtown Nashville.

-Southern Organic: At a lucky number post of 3-to-1, southern artists Michael Brown, Jonathan Ferrara and Erin Anfinson are off to the races at The Rymer Gallery-starting this Saturday and finishing sometime around June 26th. Brown, a painting professor at Savannah College of Art and Design’s Atlanta campus, creates fantastical paintings of animals and flowers that exist in between Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland and a Southern Gothic picture book. Ferrara, a New Orleans artist and gallery owner, proclaims his work as political and textural with direct intention of replicating the very process of his subject rather than provoking translation. Anfinson, an Assistant Professor of Art at Middle Tennessee State University, rounds out the group with her new series Collapse-based on Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybee populations. Also as part of the Downtown Saturday Crawl, Southern Organic combines 3 distinct southern elements and helps reminds us all why we are and should be so proud of being from and/or living in the mondern day South.

-Tenn Show: Another 2-to-1 standout is The Arts Company’s presentation of Tennessee’s top graphic designers gathering for AIGA’s statewide competition this Friday and Saturday, from 6-9pm on both (Friday is the actual awards event with a small price of admission and Saturday is free for the public to enjoy all of the pieces and also the company of special guest, master design artist Jane Davis Doggett). A small dark horse in general, just outside the Downtown radart, you can best believe that The Arts Company, under the guidance of Tinnin Bouldin, is always on top of its game and value for your time.

-The Harding Art Show: Grandeur in its name and history, this magnificent annual event steps into the race confusing all odd-makers due to its longevity and purpose as a well-known favorite. 35 years in the running, the 2010 Harding Art Show will be held this weekend, Thursday, April 29th through Saturday, May 1st. With the Preview Party on Thursday night, from 6-9pm, providing a chance to meet all of the artists (from over 70 artists from the Southeastern United States- including one of my favorites during any season of the year, The Twisted Sisters), to the Fiesta Friday Party Friday evening following the show sale hours of 10am-9pm on Friday and then 10am-3pm on Saturday, the parking lots at Harding Academy are sure to be full of joy and free of the dirty Swine flu that disrupted events last year.

- Uproot: Last in the entry polls, but certainly not the least, local artist Erika Johnson continues to introduce her new work at Blend Studio in the Arcade this Saturday evening from 6-9pm and is definitely worth the trip in between the other events at Twist and Rymer. Uproot, sometimes meaning to draw strength and support from new sources, is an installation/collaborative project with Johnson as she continues to send her creative roots upward and outward while gaining attention from new sources such as YOU.

In the end, when the mint julep Derby cups run empty, all ticket stubs are returned to the payout counters, and you’ve recapped the weekend’s highlights alongside Brandon and Steve on Steve Gorman Sports’ latest podcast a number of times to see if there were any insider tips on life that you missed out on for future references, we’re all winners. No; I’m not being overly optimistic like the parents of kids these days that hand out trophies simply for putting on uniforms instead of giving forth extraordinary effort and actually excelling in the sport. I am, however, trying to let you know that it truly is how you run the race AND how you finish. So take my advice above and do whatever you want. All I can do is write … and hope somebody out there listens.

Is anyone listening? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
 
Above Image: The Epic by Michael Brown, therymergallery.com

First, let me say that Thursdays have never been better at the beginning of the month now that the Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD-an organization that has been together for over 21 years) has started ‘Art After Hours.’ It is a monthly citywide art event that not only supports the visual arts in Nashville but also elevates the awareness of the participating galleries by opening and staying up late from 5pm-8pm every first Thursday of every month. This first Thursday, Tonight, The Arts Company is proud to bring in renowned artist Brother Mel for a special night of book signing and reception celebrating the recent publication of Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art. Alongside a brief presentation and discussion about his work, Brother Mel will showcase the process of making the book with the help of his friend and the incoming national president of the Women’s National Book Association, Mary Grey James.

Next, with no resemblance whatsoever to the glory days of my generation’s youth of TGIF on television, you can feel free to introduce the next wave of artistic endeavors by giving praise to the soon to be graduates at Watkins College of Art, Design and Film. The Graphic Design Senior Show titled ‘Taking Flight-Launching Our Careers’ will be held at Rhythm on Music Row this Friday, December 4th, from 6pm-9pm. Be there to support Random Allen, Julian Baker, Guy Coffin, Craig Gwin, Lydia Light, Holly Mathews, Teela Shandess and Andy Young with their final projects for their time at Watkins.

Well, well, well … looky here. Saturday has more people and places to see stuffed into the First Saturday Art Crawl than your holiday dinners last week! You can see the highlighted link in the previous sentence for a good guide of the participating galleries and events scheduled (and feel free to come back here for write-ups soon to be written up about the galleries’ ongoing exhibitions thru December after their opening nights this Saturday), but I would like to point out one event in particular. Yes, it may be because some of my own work with my first book will be sold there as well, BUT I would not be doing a good job for you or Examiner at all if I didn’t bring up the events that contain charity causes built within their purposes. Connect with a Cause is an event featuring the Connect 12 Artist Collective and ASK Apparel. Located at Blend Studio, this exhibit and holiday sale offering handmade goods from several Nashville-based artists and artisans. Though the event will last thru January 30, 2010, please make the time to come down for the opening reception in the Arcade this Saturday, December 5, from 6pm-9pm, and connect with the artists themselves. Help Eric Denton, Tiffany Denton, Stacy Irvin, Andee Rudloff, Ben Vitualla, Daniel Lai, Samantha Callahan, Chris Hill, Alesandra Bellos, Sarah Bellos, Kate Bellos and other Connect 12 artists raise money and needed awareness for Safe Haven, Oasis Center, Downtown Presbyterian Church, Urban Housing Solutions, Adventures Inside a Campus for a Cure and several other Nashville community organizations. From t-shirts, prints, sculptures, to paintings, all items purchased can be taken home immediately and you can also direct your monetary donations to your choice of local community organizations! Everyone wins!

And speaking of everyone winning for a finale within this epic Examiner, I have a treat for you in an Art Crawl after party of sorts. As soon as you put all of your purchased artwork back into your car, start up your engines and drive on over to The End for an event organized by local photographer and art of all types aficionado, John Brassil. In what is now sort of an annual show of electronic music from Nashville in its various forms, you can check out David Maddox and Brady Sharp performing duets and then see Maddox tag along with Ben and Amy Marcantel’s Forest Bride. With the show not starting until 9pm and lasting until whenever they shut the doors at some point when Sunday morning rolls around, you can experience all that the Art Crawl has to offer and unwind at The End for the end.

THE END

Ps- Not mentioned above but filled with loads of art and good times this Saturday, December 5th, are the following galleries: Art and Invention, Tinney Contemporary, Plowhaus at the Arcade, MIR, Blend, Twist, Estel, Rymer, Zeitgeist at Terrazzo, Downtown Presbyterian Church among others.

Salud,
Chuck Beard