Hello everyone kind enough to take the time to read these words and fun artistic thoughts every time I put them out there on the good ol’ internet. Today can sometimes be day that a lot of people bash whether they have someone special beside them or not, but the truth is that it should be- at the very least- a reminder that having love in your life in general is a good thing … a great thing … the only thing that makes this entire thing called life seem meaningful at all really.
All that said above, I hope you have the best HEART day yet! To kick things off in this short but sweeter than milk chocolate piece below, I’d like to share what I am calling the 2012 Valentine’s Day anthem. It comes from the words and hearts of two dear friends, Ben and Emily Roberts, who just so happen to be married, play beautifully inspiring music on a constant tour as Carolina Story (and should be on the radio constantly in my opinion), and live right around the corner from the Nashville’s heART’s Beard Bodega. They have a number of solid hits on the albums they have put out the past few years so far, but they recently put together a video of one of my favorites- the aforementioned anthem above in “Cheers to loving me.” Here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-bNi6NJ0f0. As is always the case with these posts, feel free to share it with anyone that you love or are thankful that has continued to love you during your worst, best, and everyday times. You’re welcome.
Now … back to this Nashville visual art thing. There are a few great events you should check out this week and weekend. First, you should get your plans in check and get on over to register for “Twisted Tales: Animating Fairy Tales and Science!” Part ONE of a Two-part workshop at the Southeast Branch Library tomorrow, Februrary 15th, at 4:30pm. The Frist Center outreach educators and the Nashville Public Library staff are allowing kids 14 and older to register for FREE to explore concepts from the upcoming Frist exhibition “Fairy Tales, Monsters, and the Genetic Imagination.” Participants will discover and recreate an old fairy tale with a terrific, scientific twist while learning the stop animation film process. With limited space available, reserve your spot today for tomorrow by calling 615-862-5871!
Then, Thursday, February 16th, I present you with another two for Thursday deal. First, over at the Leu Center for Visual Arts at Belmont University, you can keep up the art of LA Bachman in her “Keep Up with Jones” series that will is displayed within the “Wealth & Poverty Alumni Art Exhibit” from Jan. 23rd-Feb. 24th. This Thursday, February 16, from 4-5pm, in the Gallery 121 in the Leu Center, you can scope the latest ten acrylic paintings on canvas by Bachman. Within the series, the paintings bring bright light to extreme representative visuals for people who have nothing to those who have everything and everyone in between. Second, across town in another direction altogether, Ovvio Arte presents “Tender Moments” by Garland Gallaspy. What could better represent Valentine’s week as an outlandish masterpiece collection of Polaroid camera pictures that will definitely get a reaction out of you through snapshots of morning drinking, public urination, and random and comical nudity at the most awkward of times? Yes, you will certainly have some kind of reaction to the after-party shots. I wouldn’t mind being there to see your reaction to the reaction actually. Either way, both places will be fun and filled with talented work from creative folks you should have conversations with in the end. The Ovvio Arte opening reception is from 6-10pm this Thursday.
Which brings me to two more things saved for Saturday to whirl your while. First, Saturday, February 18th, from 10am-noon, there will be a sustainable living community workshop presented by Tennessee State University at the Sixty-First Avenue United Methodist Church (6018 New York Avenue). Hosted by Light in the Nations, you can learn about the living art of living smart while saving money, energy, and water all the while reducing waste and improving your neighborhood and the world around you. It truly is an art form to live a more healthy life and bettering your surroundings. That said, after you check that out, you can dip over to The Arcade Saturday for more art all around per usual. Specifically, you should duck into Space 75 occupied by the COOP gallery and its February show “Nice to see you.” A group exhibition of four of its new members (Alex Blau, Amelia Garretson-Persans, Geoffrey Aldridge, and Paul Collins) to see various drawings, sculptures, video, watercolor, india ink drawings, and luscious geometric airbrush paintings for starters.
Yep, I believe there is a lot of love up above and a lot of love around us- even when we don’t see or feel it too well. Anyways, have a pleasant heart day your way and if you can’t share any of the above … try sharing a smile or a hug. You don’t need a special day or much money at all to share those things.
As you were, busy but happy.
much love,
examine this... 