It is hot in here?

Or is it just Nashville ’s art scene right now? I know … I know, but it’s the truth. Am I really the only one that wakes up, walks outside, and hears that classic 80’s song, “Cruel Summer” in my head over and over before I wake up and realize it’s not summer yet? Not only have we seemed to have skipped over the ordinary spring heat (I would say spring weather but this darn pollen still seems to show up out of the blue and pester a few unlucky sneezing souls … bless you too) right into what appears to be all of us standing directly on the summer sun, but I kinda feel like everyone in and around the area has already kicked off their shoes, put on their swim shorts, rolled up their sleeves, and have jumped right into the creative pool.

 

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

Another month of love and art

I can’t think of a better way for theNashvilleart scene to kick off the 2012 month of Valentine than what it has in store for use around town this week.  In fact, I can’t even think right now about how to build it all up or elaborate more on the events than simply coming right out and telling you where and when to go see them all live.

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

Raindrops and memories keep fallin on my head

 

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

Sweet Tomorrow

I forget his name, but I vaguely remember a great urban philosopher once reminding the people to “Wake UP! Wake UP!  It’s the 1st of the Month!”  I find such an unforgettable quote is very appropriate when celebrating the art openings going on around town this week and also when reminding us that hopefully the worst of the recent storms that swept through our city have passed.  I’m not saying that I’m searching for any double rainbows outside or anything to that effect, but I do feel like things are getting better and better by the day.

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