My First Art Festival

It's blazing hot, but it's pretty out here. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, head on out here. Correction to my last post: Sunday hours are 10-6:00.

In the Rollicking Fields of Dickson TN

Come meander through the meadows at the Firefly Arts Festival at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN. If you are coming from Nashville:
I 40 W to exit 172
Turn right off the exit
Look for signs 2 miles down on the right
PLEASE stop at McD's and bring me an ICED COFFEE!
Hours:
Fri 10- 8, Sat 10-8, Sun 12-6

Come See Me @ the Firefly Arts Festival!

If you've always heard great things about the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN, but just haven't had a chance to get out there- NOW IS THE TIME!





"The Firefly Fine Art Festival is a FREE cosmopolitan celebration of the visual arts complimented by music, dance and theater held outdoors on custom designed grounds at The Renaissance Center on June 26-28th, 2009.

Over the three-day weekend, about 75 visual artists from across the country will have booths selling art in various media such as glass, ceramics, jewelry, wood, painting and more. A sculpture garden highlighting large works of art as well as an artist demonstration tent will showcase artworks by local acclaimed artists as well as the exceptionally talented, juried artists. In addition, an Emerging Artist program will allow guests the chance to see raw talent and a glimpse into the contemporary world.

In addition to the visual arts, theatre, dance and music acts will be performing on one of two outdoor stages as well as in The Renaissance Center building. Free music performances will be held by The Time Jumpers, the Gypsy Hombres, Pat Flynn, the San Rafael Band and more! Ticketed events inside the building include Nashville’s premiere modern dance group, Nashville in Motion and the swingin’ sensation, The Dean Martini’s.

Special kid friendly acts include Farmer Jason, Conductor Jack, the cast of Willy Wonka and The Wood & Strings Theater! In addition to the performances, the Firefly Fine Arts Festival also has the Jerry’s Artarama Kid’s Zone featuring arts related activities sponsored by the Frist, Cheekwood, Nashville Children’s Theater, the Girl Scouts, Country Music Museum, TPAC, and more! And for kids who are still feeling energized, the area will be equipped with a bouncy tent and obstacle course, all free of charge.

The Festival will also be providing a special time for handicap accessibility from 10am – noon on Sunday, June 28th. In addition, throughout the Festival golf carts will be available in order to accommodate the needs of people. The Renaissance Center will also have special hearing devices available for indoor performances.

The Firefly Fine Arts Festival is a partnership between the Community Arts Development of Dickson County and The Renaissance Center through a grant by The Tennessee Arts Commission. For more information please visit www.fireflyartsfestival.com."

* this is the Renaissance Center's press release for the festival

Java Monster!

My nickname OR my new favorite drink? You decide! I'm in a frenzy prepping for this weekend: the Firefly Art Festival at the Rennaissance Center. Details on the way...

Be There & Be Scantily Clad

YESSSSS! I never thought I'd get to use that as a blog post title! I feel it's very applicable, reasonable even, considering the occasion. The artists in residence at the Downtown Presbyterian Church (myself included) are happy hosts of an open studio tour on Saturday, July 11. from 6- 8:00 pm. This will also be the evening of July's Art Crawl, so you multitaskers should be happy about that. Oh, if you don't already know: the studios are NOT air conditioned! Hence, the comment about scant clothing!

Your Name Must Be Summer, Cause You're Hot

Actually, the name of an upcoming photography show is "Summer". It will be hot, as is the group- SNAP- who are creating the show. I didn't know much about this group until I went to one of their meetings tonight- and really enjoyed it. Walking into it not really knowing many of the members seemed like it might be awkward, but I couldn't have found a much more welcoming and friendly gathering! Aside from the tasty olive tapenade and red Smoking Loon wine, the highlights of the meeting involved planning various group shows (@ Downtown Presbyterian Church), individual shows (@ Blend in the Arcade), community outreach (w/ kids @ area public schools), and FIELD TRIPS (to the Big Band dances @ Centennial Park)! Pretty sweet, huh? Want more info? They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, as well as having several ways to connect online:
SNAPNashville@yahoo.com
www.SNAPNashville.org
www.flickr.com/groups/snapnashville


*image above by Eric Denton

*Whew*

This past week marked the launch of a sweet new blog for the artists in residence at the Downtown Presbyterian Church. Ms. Streight did a killer job designing it- so check it!
Also of note, the First Saturday Gallery Crawl has been postponed a week due to the first Saturday falling on July 4th this year. It's still on, just one week later: July 11th. *sigh* I'm so relieved. Don't make me chose between fire works and art shows!

Chapter 3

History, mystery: I dig the New Orleans vibe.

Chapter 2

Even the drainpipes are cool here.

I Heart Charleston

Gorgeous architecture.

Art After Hours

Have you heard about tomorrow night? Art After Hours? It sounds like the perfect summer evening event. You could even start off with an icy treat like my current obsession, the snocone (pineapple upside down cake in the pic). Here's the scoop thanks to Alan LeQuire's email:

Please Join Us

Thursday, June 4th

5-7pm

for the launching of Nashville's first Citywide Art Crawl.





The Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD) presents a new opprotunity for art lovers and patrons to explore Nashville's diverse and growing art scene. "Art After Hours" - Nashville's first monthly, city-wide art crawl - seeks to elevate awareness and support for the visual arts in Nashville. On the first Thursday of each month participating galleries will remain open late from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, inviting the public to come and enjoy art after work.
Participating galleries in the first Art After Hours include:
Bennett Galleries, Cumberland Gallery, Estel Gallery, Finer Things Gallery, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Gallery One, HA Gallery at Hanging Around, LeQuire Gallery, Local Color Gallery, Midtown Gallery, Richland Fine Art, Rymer Gallery, The Arts Company, Tinney Contemporary and
Zeitgeist Gallery.

Go to www.nashvilleartdealers.net for a gallery map.

9th Year

Today is the 9th wedding anniversary for Jon and I. Nine long years. Oh, I kid...I read that china is the traditional gift for this anniversary (and apparently leather is the modern gift- umm-no thanks), but thankfully we have chosen to skip those and go to Charleston, SC to spend a week at the beach. Yippeeee! We both stay so busy that the opportunity to spend every day together for a whole week just makes me smile- let alone that it will be a week on the beach!!! I'm a lucky woman. I'm so lucky to have found and be married to a man I didn't think I'd ever find. I could go on for pages about why I love him, but I'll restrain myself and mention one thing specifically. Dedication. His dedication shines in so many ways through our lives: he is a loyal friend, a hard worker, a driven musician, and a devoted husband. I read this quote and thought of him- and I hope he knows how his dedication has inspired me through all these years. Painter Philip Guston, advised that "someone who could be talked out of being an artist shouldn't be one in the first place". I see that kind of dedication (the kind you can't talk someone out of) in my husband, and I look forward to sharing many more years with him.