Because the snow and the prices of some excellent local gifts are starting to fall, I feel that it is my duty to let you know about a few places you should visit this week and the days leading up to Christmas day in the morning. You never know; you might just be able to knock out all of your shopping in a short time before the last mad dash Christmas Eve. I know I will.
Welp, first and foremost, I cannot stress enough that you need to drop by Art & Invention Gallery every chance you can. This week is no exception. Aside from having unique and fun gifts on sale throughout this month during their holiday store hours, a little elf told me that you should join them this Thursday, December 9th, from 5:30-9pm for an exciting reception and book signing. This Thursday, Art & Invention is hosting an event for the new book, Return of the Dapper Men, written by Jim McCann and Illustrated by East Nashville’s own Janet Lee. The book containing original words and art work by two very talented artists in their own right, is already getting amazing reviews and has even made it to the New York Times holiday gift guide! Both McCann and Lee will be at Art & Invention during the reception this Thursday to sign books and answer questions about their collaboration.
Then, again not so shocking if you read this site from time to time, you would be right in guessing that my second must stop around town to find great deals and artistic gifts is to visit the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and its delightful gift shop. Right beside the Birth of Impressionism exhibit, the Frist Center Gift Shop will wrap the gifts you buy on site for FREE! Also, Frist Center Members receive a 10% discount on all gift shop purchases. Some of the hot items I’ve seen in person and around my house already are the Jellycats Stuffed Animals, museum holiday cards from MoMA and The Met, 3D cards, various Hanukkah Gifts, scarves and hats, beautiful ornaments, jewelry, museum jigsaw puzzles, Degas Dancers, Dale Chihuly DVDs and Umbrellas, and there’s always the reliable gift to reveal smiles by giving others the gift of becoming a Frist Center Member (membership includes free admission for a year, guest passes, invitations to member previews, discounts in the gift shop, and more!).
If you are craving a private holiday reception featuring a new exhibit with a festive theme, you need only drop by The Rymer Gallery this Friday, December 10th, from 6-8pm to see White As Snow: New paintings by Seth Conley. White As Snow, this Friday only, will include an exclusive “behind the art” talk given by Seth Conley himself. If you plan on and want to attend, please RSVP by Thursday, December 9, 2010 at tonia@therymergallery.com. Let it snow, let it snow, White As Snow will be up and showing until January 29th of 2011 in case you miss this extra special first snowfall.
And if it’s a fun family field trip of sorts you are trying to find for the holidays besides driving around neighborhoods who have had lights up all year round, then don’t be scared to visit the Hermitage mansion and their special Holiday Night Tours. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through December 19th, from 7-7:30 pm (tour run 1.5 hours), the Hermitage mansion is providing everyone with the opportunity to experience the renowned Hermitage mansion in the evening light as did President Andrew Jackson and his family did when they kept Christmas in the 1830’s and 40’s. Reservations are recommended for the candlelight tours because it has already become the rave for many to see the Hermitage mansion, Alfred’s Cabin, and the Jackson family cemetery this holiday season on top of learning just how Americans celebrated the holidays during the Jacksonian Era.
Speaking of holiday treats, it’s a privilege for me to let you know about the new sweets that John and Regan Ackerman are making just up the road of Nashville. Inside my home state of Kentucky, the Ackermans are now making gourmet confections made by hand using only the finest local bourbons, imported Scotch whiskeys and fine Irish whiskeys. Their company, A Dram’ll Do, is fully capable of getting any and all of your holiday party needs met with the help and delivery of their traditional semi-sweet chocolate “small batch” Bourbon Balls, seasonal inspired “Mint Julep” bon-bons, and other sweet choices to boot. Don’t let your holiday sweet tooth go empty handed this time of year.
Regardless if you decide to ever listen to what I’ve suggested above or any other time, just don’t get caught out in the cold on all of the above and other fun artistic finds that are all around us in Nashville. I need to run, quite literally, but I hope that I helped with some of your gift giving needs and don’t be scared to come back here again and again and share this with all of your friends.
Remember to be safe, be kind, and help out one another.
As you were … busy but happy.
ps- So I need to get this word out there to help out any interested artist around town. It has come to my attention that the people of Harpeth Hall is hosting an exhibition of “Green Art” in The GREEN Show. The theme of Green may be interpreted in many ways, including the use of the color, art made from recycled materials, art revealing environmental concerns, and other ideas that the word GREEN generates in the individual artists that submit their work. The Marnie Sheridan Gallery located at Harpeth Hall will host the juried exhibition. The work of the registered artists will be due in February of 2011 and the show will open in March. Of the sold art, 75% of the sold price will go towards the artist of the piece. If this interests you or someone you know around town that does art, feel free to register HERE. Thanks for your help.
examine this... 