Well, the sun is beating everyone down, down, down like a waterfall today and for the extended forecast. I thought that I would give you a few things to cool off with instead of the norm this week. I really like cool things and waterfalls, and actually had my first trek to Cummins Falls this past weekend with some close friends. That was not really steady art information, but I traveled with two visual artists, a musician, and the coolest dog ever (fact) if that counts for inclusion in this post.
Without further ado, let me enter cool event of the week numero uno. Painter Ed Nash is having an Open Studio this Thursday night, June 28th, from 6:30-8:30pm. You’ll need to RSVP for this shindig at ED@EDNASHART.COM, but it will be well worth it. Ed owns/runs one of the most unique art spaces that is a hidden gem in the East side of Nashville. He has currently has exhibitions in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis alongside work showing at the Huntsville Museum of Art and being featured in last month’s American Art Collector Magazine. Point being, he’s got some great stuff to check out. So, you have the time, you have the date, you have the RSVP to attend to, and now you have the location – 1015 W Kirkland Ave, Nashville, TN 37216. You are very welcome.
Next on the list is a wee bit early to talk about but the picture on the side says it all. I couldn’t wait a week to talk about it when the picture of someone swimming in a pool could refresh you NOW! This is the unofficial sneak preview for Tinney Contemporary’s The New Real: a contemporary realism exhibition curated by Sarah Wilson that will feature works by 6 nationally recognized artists from across the country. Artists Eric Zener, Ali Cavanaugh, Danny Heller, Kay Ruane, Brian Tull, and Ron Porter are using inventive techniques and captivating subject matter in an attempt to reinvent our perception of it. The opening reception is next Saturday, July 7th, from 6-9pm.
And since good things come in 3’s most of the time, I figured I’d give you something else out of the box for a change while I am at it today. Last week, my wife and I happened to find ourselves in Marathon Village for a non-profit get together with some very interesting people doing some pretty amazing things. We heard several great speakers from The Contributor and several other noteworthy organizations. One that particularly spoke out to us, maybe because she was sitting next to us, was that of Tallu Schuyler Quinn- the Executive Director of The Nashville Food Project. A native Nashvillian, and papermaker and bookbinding artist in her own right, Quinn spoke passionately about her role with The Nashville Food Project and what they are about. Alongside other solid young adults who just so happen to fall into the artists and modern day theologian bunch, The Nashville Food Project provides increased access to healthy foods in homeless and working poor communities across Davidson County. The have gone back to and teach the basics and show people of all backgrounds about how growing and eating good food is a right instead of a privilege. They do what they do by giving out gifts without an expectation of receiving anything in return … and that’s a concept we at Nashville’s heART hold close to our own life and home too. You can check out more information about Tallu and her friends HERE.
And speaking of gifts and great local art, YOU should check out Seed Space’s release of CSArt Summer Bumper Crop of Art like NOW! If you make an order this week, you could get your share in time for the next CSArt Pick Up Party on Friday, June 29th, at 6-8pm at Seed Space (427 Chestnut Avenue). You can get a mini share- $100 includes 2 artworks, a ½ share- $250 includes 5 artworks, or a FULL share- $400 includes 8 artworks. Shares include original, one-of-a-kind artworks from local greats that include small sculptures, mixed media, video, fine photography, and hand painted prints. It is a collectable steal that won’t be around forever. Did I mention that every share is totally unique? It is. See more information about it and the local artists involved HERE. Again, you’re welcome.
That is all for now this week. Be on the lookout for next week’s mega post. Remember, like any cycle worthwhile, the arts tend to rise with the moon as well and the first week of the month next week will lend itself to a bright beginning on a number of levels. Until then, be well and nice to each other.
PS- THIS JUST IN … Threesquared (also at 427 Chestnut) is having an opening art party this Friday, June 29th, for Nashville artist Matt Christy called Arguing Alone. The exhibition is filled with paintings, prints, textiles, video works, and drawings by Christy. From 6-9pm this Friday, andthrough July 31st during regular gallery hours, you will be able to enjoy Christy’s immense imagination and creative talents for yourself in a superb location. Parking is FREE and light refreshments will be available on site as well.
Now, back to the visual arts in town specifically. This Friday, tomorrow, marks a brand new exhibition at the 
And after you party like a superstar at the above locations, aside from the regular art galleries you decide to crawl or run towards, there is a great time to be had involving the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, June 15 &16, from 10am-4pm, YOU can join San Francisco-based artist Ben Venom, for a 2-day workshop exploring quilt design and construction and challenging the concept that quilting is only folk art or for old ladies with nothing better to do. The workshop will begin at the 
And a little something extra that you should make time to see in person this week or very soon is Material Glance: A Portfolio of Lithographs by Antoni Tapies and Poems by Shuzo Takiguchi at the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery and curated by Joseph S. Mella, director. First published in 1975, Material Glance (Llambrec Material)brings two of the most important creative figures of the 20th and 21st centuries together in Antoni Tapies and Shuzo Takiguchi. Tapies (who passed away this year) was one of the most recognized Spanish artist to come on the scene after World War II (best remembered for his paintings but was also a highly accomplished printmaker during his time as well). And Takiguchi (say that 3 times fast and not smile) was a famous Japanese writer, critic, and proponent of avant-garde art during his time. The collaborations of these two greats between the lithographs and poems are often regarded as the most innovative collaborative work in the print medium. This show will run through July 26th, but it is never too late for you to witness greatness before it leaves your back yard. The exhibition will also include other works by Tapies from the gallery’s collection, and some of this stuff will actually be on view for the very first time ever. Try that on for seeing something special. For further information about this exhibit and other quality shows at Vanderbilt in general, you are always one click away from 
Thanks again for taking the time to read this and help support the local art scene. I can never say it enough … it takes a village to keep this whole thing going strong.
Speaking of a creation story, YOU really should make it a point to drop by the Frist Center to join Shaun Giles, educator for outreach at the 
Specifically during the Hillsboro Village Art Walk, make a special note to drop by Zeitgeist anytime 6-8pm to see A Bigger Picture. Zeitgeist is presenting work from gallery artists working on larger installations and series and kick it off with Lain York’s latest work called Permian Chaptersrevealed on June 7th. Trust me; you won’t want to miss out on this one. Permian Chapters will be an installation consisting of 12 panels that will change your view on landscapes and geologic time as you know it.
examine this... 