The Arts Company Blog

The Arts Company on 5th Avenue of the Arts Since 1996

2011-11-29T16:44:00.016-06:00

Since 1996, we have become over the years a Nashville kind of place--always welcoming outsiders to Nashville and inviting Nashville insiders back downtown. We have introduced a lot of artists and artwork, made lots of friends, and taken on a lot of Partners in Art, helping businesses outfit their workplaces in distinctive ways. We have become an artistic concierge of sorts for Nashvillians as well as visitors.

We invite you to come drink a toast with us this Saturday, December 3, 6-9 pm, to help us celebrate our 15 years of presenting art in the middle of downtown Nashville. We'll be looking back and thinking forward.

We started as a lone gallery downtown. Looking forward, we are now in league with a variety of other nearby galleries and artistic enterprises on what we proudly call 5th Avenue of the Arts.

We are 15 years in the making...and counting, thanks to our friends, artists, business partners, and other art aficionados. Surely you fit one of those categories, so come join us for more time together with art and artists in a neat city.

Butterflies and space time, new art from gallery artists, and welcoming the new Parnassus Books to Nashville--It's all in a night's work...

2011-09-26T12:01:00.034-05:00

The Art & Science of Space Time / Tony Breuer

Tony Breuer is returning to The Arts Company in October to present his new artistic commentary on the ways aesthetics and science intersect in space time, based on the leading physical theory of our time, the theory of relativity. This year, he has chosen the annual flight of the Monarch butterfly to demonstrate artistically through his paintings how time, light, and space move in and out of each other in the midst of the annual flight of a fragile but resilient insect.

Breuer's own artist statement about this exhibit sets the stage: "This series celebrates the Monarchs fluttering through spacetime on a wing and a prayer--a miracle--definitely a miracle," noting that "The Monarch butterfly undergoes a complete metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly capable of flying, with no training, within minutes of emerging from its chrysalis." Breuer's attraction to the beauty, fragility, and science of his subject prompted him as an artist to portray the fragile but powerful phenomenon of Monarch butterflies. The canvases in the exhibit offer a progression of studies of the intertwining shapes of physical movement and the movement of light that surrounds the butterflies in their flight.

This series of paintings are best viewed as they were created, in a series from one to eight, with two additional pieces focused on the same subject.

Tony Breuer began his professional life as a magna cum laude graduate at Princeton University, continuing his studies in neurological research at Oxford, and receiving his M.D. at Harvard Medical School. His medical career included the practice of medicine as well as research in neurology. For a few years he practiced medicine in Nashville. In the 1990s, he joined his scientific interests with his training in art, receiving a BA from the University of Southern Indiana in 1998, followed by an MFA in painting from East Carolina University in 2003. Since then, he has continued his medical practice while beginning to develop his style and technique as a painter. His paintings are devoted to his exploration of how two-dimensional paintings can represent some of the more complex multi-dimensional realities of the physical universe.

For years now, Tony has been transitioning from being a practicing neurologist to becoming a full-time practicing artist. Early next year, his time will be devoted fully to his artwork. he particularly enjoys talking about his work and what he hopes to achieve through his painting. Don't miss this opportunity to visit with this emerging artist.

Ann Patchett moves the Mount of Parnassus to Nashville

Friends of The Arts Company will know that new bookstores don't just pop up these days. It takes thought, courage, and commitment to the value of books themselves and to the role of books and reading in the life of a community. Within the last year, Nashville has lost all Border Books locations, plus the independent Davis-Kidd landmark store. Those losses, mixed with the recession, painted a bleak picture for the future of books in Nashville. However, instead of gloom and doom, a couple of folks saw an opportunity to put together a new book store concept designed by Nashvillians for Nashvillians.

Thinking mythically, they went to the higher reaches of mythology to brand their enterprise "Parnassus Books," after Mount Parnassus, a high mountain considered to be sacred by the ancient Greeks, a mountain associated with Apollo and the Muses, symbolizing poetry. Reaching high, they are bringing the mountain to Nashville.

Only famed Nashville-based writer Ann Patchett and her colleagues could pull off such a feat. Her total passion for writing and the inestimable value of books has prompted her to provide the primary financing for Nashville's forthcoming Parnassus Books. Tagged as "An Independent Book Store for Independent People," this new enterprise is making its debut against all odds of the shifting landscape of books and bookstores.

When Patchett and Karen Hayes, an experienced and savvy book professional, met and began to talk about what it would take to pull off a new approach to developing a book store, the gods were moving fast to keep up with them. Patchett made the initial financial commitment to support Hayes' business plan, and when they added another consummate book professional, Mary Grey James, as store manager, the new enterprise was on its way.

Lucky for guests of The Arts Company, the three of them will be at the gallery during the October First Saturday, October 1. Ann Patchett will sign her own books from 6-9 pm, and Karen and Mary Grey will be there to show off the plans and to recruit new Founding Members for the new store. Part of their new concept is an invitation to all Nashvillians to become founding members.

Ann and Karen and Mary Grey are bringing the heights of Mount Parnassus directly to us right here in our own city. And they are inviting us personally to participate in this new venture. Don't forget to thank them. Come join in to show your support for this enterprising new business.

And if that's not enough, the October First Saturday promises even more new artwork and more artists to meet...

Charles Keiger, painter

Charles Keiger's exhibit of his signature magical realism paintings in the exhibit Inside Out will continue through October 15. These paintings are polished, engaging, and deeply southern in their narrative feel and content. They are like reading the best Eudora Welty short stories in a visual incarnation. You will not want to miss seeing these gems. The images will linger in your mind....

Bernice Davidson, sculpture and painting

On rare occasion, we get new work from Bernice Davidson, as her time allows in addition to her responsibilities as head of the art department at Martin College. Armed with a master's degree in art from Yale, plus a long-time residency in Tennessee, she observes nature with a keen eye and wit. She will be presenting six new pieces from her mixed-media sculpture series, 4th Dimension Sculpture.

Edie Maney, painting

While Edie Maney does not regularly showcase her paintings at The Arts Company, we have asked her to share her series of Squares, groups of small, lively abstract paintings based on her travels and observations. They will capture your eyeballs on contact, but do not overlook the titles of each piece. Each one is an intentional abstraction of something she has seen. Her work is adventurous and exciting.

Judy Nebhut, photography

We first showcased Judy Nebhut's classy still life photographs just about a year ago. She has added a few new images to her collection that you will not want to miss. She creates a variety of still lifes using ingredients from marbles to sunflowers to stacks of books and paints them through her camera lens. On first look, you will swear you are looking at a painting. She has a style all her own, and she continues to hone it to perfection. There is a classic sense of joy in her work.

And that is a lot of what First Saturdays are like every month at The Arts Company--fresh, original, and contemporary....

Inside Out: New Paintings by Charles Keiger

2011-08-27T16:56:00.037-05:00

Charles Keiger's paintings are great fun at first glance, and even more interesting when you try to figure out what the heck is going on. They blend a semblance of normal reality, obvious at first glance, with many mysterious and intriguing moments happening around the persons, objects, and activities presented.

Keiger paints inside out. He presents inside feelings and observations we all experience—the unspoken kind that go on inside the minds of each of us constantly—and shows how odd these feelings and thoughts seem when presented as part of the subject’s life in the real world. He often adds clues etched or carved into the frames that he builds for many of the paintings.

In each painting, people share the stage with the objects of their feelings or dreams or emotions. Keiger selects specific details from the tableaux he creates and presents them in larger-than-life images out of proportion to the setting. All of the pieces are there for the viewer to put together. A sense of fun, mystery, drama, and subtlety prevail.

Keiger builds in multiple objects or images and leaves them for the viewer to find all of the clues he painstakingly includes. It’s no wonder that his work continues to be fresh and mysterious. There’s never an answer to his work, only a continuing adventure with the clues he has left for us.

Keiger's words express it best: "As a person I am attracted to those absurd moments in life that offer a sense of clarity. Those brief occasions that occur where you say to yourself, 'I am overjoyed to be a part of thing called life.' When I paint I attempt to convey that emotional state to the viewer."

Known as a painter with a combination of southern gothic and magical realism, Charles Keiger is a painter with a southern sensibility--the isolated guitar players, the dog and pony show (above), the big piece of "Sunday night cake" in the sky, the jockey urging his horse across the jet stream in the sky like a modern-day Icarus. The more you look at the paintings, the more the connections are suggested between the paintings and the best of southern writing. Playful and serious like a Eudora Welty story, but never in the darker territory of a Faulkner story or the more sinister characters in Flannery O'Connor.

Keiger's figures are ordinary people stopped still in a particular moment while the artist shows outside what's going on inside--some fantasy or the other, or a narrative of disjointed images that express visually a state of mind or the crux of a particular situation or emotion. His style is reminiscent of Magritte, though not quite as stark. There's a whole lot of story-telling going on in Keiger's paintings.

Chances are you will be attracted to these paintings at first sight. You will be drawn to their elegance, wit, and mystery, and about how feelings often come at us in strange ways that are deeply felt, but often go unspoken. It takes a painter to show us new ways to think visually. When all is said and done, the paintings remain paintings. The narratives are never finished, only suggested. They are fresh every time you look at them.

Charles will be in town for the exhibit opening:

Saturday, September 3, 2011, 6-9 pm

at The Arts Company

215 5th Avenue of the Arts, North

www. theartscompany.com

Tradition matters at The Arts Company, and with good reason

2011-07-30T15:19:00.025-05:00

The Annual Avant-Garage Sale (the 15th edition this year) is one of our top gallery traditions. It is a bear of an event to curate from the point of view of gallery staff, but it's a truly fun, affordable, festive summertime event for the groupies who come every year. Not to mention the new friends we make during the event, we think mostly because they didn't know coming to an artsy garage sale could be such an offbeat and surprising event...so "avant," you might say.

From the August 2010 Garage Sale

The selection of goods is wide and random, though our job is to try to corral the treasures we pull out and try to make sense of them. This year in particular, the sale kind of reveals what happens in the backstage areas of our gallery. Every year is like an archaeological dig with this year's treasures including: extra frames that have lingered long after the project was over; some gear for making shelving; and a few special baskets and boxes used for exhibit props. Our well-loved vintage drafting table and stool have long outlived our need for them, same with a couple of flat files.

Some great white empty frames that need a new home!

Photographs, paintings, and sculpture from estates and/or from our customers who collect and for one reason or another need to bring in pieces that no longer fit their decor or lifestyle or they are moving and can't take it all with them. This second chance for these pieces is a great opportunity for our avant-garage guests to find neat artwork or furniture or related artifacts that suit them perfectly.

Billyo O'Donnell, Last Light of the Construction, oil on canvas

This year in particular, folks have brought us a lot of pieces from a variety of regional artists.

Plus, we always add a lot of truly unexpected fun decor kind of stuff that has lingered for more than a few generations in people's closets far too long and needs new homes. Pieces such as odd assortments of neat bowls, pitchers, baskets, chairs, tables, lamps, some of which are true treasures that mix well in contemporary settings. To name a few: 2 book presses, vintage gold leaf cornices, a rare folding wooden farm table, and 2 sets of sofa chairs designed by Nashville's interior design legend, Herbert Rodgers. We even have signed, limited photographs by Eisenstadt, John Loengard, and others.

Vintage 4-part couch - by renowned Nashville designer, Herbert Rodgers

And then there are the art books and the vintage children's books and the cd's and a selection of classic record album covers (with the records still in them), and a few lingering art posters. Some are signed and rare.

Equally important, the prices are right. And the lemonade is plentiful and ice cold. We give up our two gallery parking spaces in the avant-garage for this one-week-long event.

This Arts Company tradition--our Avant-Garage Sale--continues each year just to see how much neat stuff we can pull out and make sense of so that our guests are inspired to give it a new life in their own lives. Remember, this is a curated exhibit, which means we have seriously searched through the remains of the past year and come up with some gems worthy of your attention.

How many curated art-related garage sales have you been to lately?

15th Annual Avant-Garage Sale

Opening Saturday, August 6, 2011

11-9:00 pm / Reception 6-9 during First Saturday Art Crawl

Continues one-week only: August 6-13

When Artists Collect Art, People Want to Know What and Why

2011-07-22T14:39:00.032-05:00

...not just to be nosy, but to know more about the particular mindset, taste, and interest of the collecting artist. The why's and when's are particularly interesting in the forthcoming August Collectors Art Night guest collector/artist, John Nikolai, because John's work is seemingly eons removed from Andy Warhol's. Yet, John has collected more than one Warhol, and he has lived with them for a long while. The last one we helped him sell sold virtually overnight to an art dealer in London who specializes in Warhol.

John Nikolai in Ireland with his trademark toboggan

But before we put the information out online this time, we wanted to host a special collectors night with John--one of our favorite artists--as our guest so we could pick his brain a little about what has driven him to collect. He's also bringing along a rare hand-written letter from Greta Garbo and lots of Garbo memorabilia he has collected since he was a teenager. Reading the letter will show you just how cranky her mind could be; and looking at the photographs that are beside it reminds you how glamorous she could be.

Andy Warhol, Self-Portrait, offset lithograph on silver-coated paper, 243/300, 1966

The Warhol and the Garbo material will be available for purchase, along with a few other miscellaneous selections John is bringing. But, in addition, we have asked him to bring along other pieces that are of particular personal importance to him, though not for sale, but just there as samples of artwork he chooses personally. For instance, two pieces he is bringing just to show are related to two of his Nashville friends who are also artists--a watercolor by John Baeder and a classic photograph by Jim McGuire.

Greta Garbo hand-written letter and photographs

There is a sub-text to all of this as well. This is our gallery Bon Voyage to John, who will be moving to his beloved Ireland this fall. We will also be showing selected work from his exhibits at The Arts Company in recent years. Their subject? Mostly Ireland, of course. All hauntingly beautiful. Each one an original. No two ever alike.

John Nikolai, Waiting on Shore, archival photograph

We may have to whip up some Irish champagne if there is such a thing, and hope we can persuade him to continue to send us new work from across the water. He just now came back from a trip to Ireland, bringing many rolls of film. Since John prefers the old-fashioned method of shooting with film, it takes time to get everything converted, selected, and printed by him personally according to his most precise expectations. Maybe by the time he leaves the country, he will have a group of new photographs to leave with us.

Come join the conversation with John and consider what makes collecting passionate and personal in your own life. His artistic vision and energy will engage you, for sure.

John Nikolai, Self-Potrait

So, Bon Voyage, Farewell, So Long, and au Revoir to John...and come back soon bringing more fresh art and neat insights.

Visit with John during

Collectors Art Night at The Arts Company

Friday, August 5, 2011

5:30 Reception & refreshments

6:00 Conversation with John Nikolai

Remember: Space Limited. Reservations required.

and Complimentary valet parking

R.S.V.P. to 5thAvenueOfTheArts@gmail.com

and be our VIP guest for the evening

Nashville's tipping point in the arts Commentary by Anne Brown

2011-07-01T08:03:00.028-05:00

You know for sure Nashville is nearing the tipping point in the arts when a national business publication makes the point for us. Here's the way Jason Ankeny put it in his article, "The art of online commerce," in the current issue (July 2011) of Entrepreneur magazine.

"Nashville is justly celebrated as Music City, but the Tennessee state capital's dedication to the arts doesn't end at the Grand Ole Opry. Downtown Nashville is also the nexus of a thriving visual arts community." Pointing out that the city's Fifth Avenue corridor now boasts more than a dozen gallery spaces that attract some 1000 visitors each month during First Saturday, Jason calls what's happening here "Nashville's creative renaissance."

"Spirit of the River" by Charles Keiger

The article then credits The Arts Company as the gallery that pioneered the idea of making the arts a central part of the Nashville marketplace by establishing an art gallery in the middle of a downtown block full of dark empty buildings in 1996, now a vibrant artistic block that boasts many other art venues today.

But that's only the tip of the tipping point to which this article refers. That was then. This is now. The real challenge ahead for the world of art galleries and related artistic enterprises is the same as for other businesses--how to define and build a bold and energetic role for the arts in the new online marketplaces that are evolving all around us. The Arts Company is still leading a charge forward to making an art business a successful player in the middle of the new online marketplaces.

"Dancing Feet" by Norman Lerner

We have learned already that a brick and mortar location is part of the new way of doing business, but expecting that to remain the one and only venue for showing and selling art is a pipe dream. Those days are over. Not gone. Just over. That cannot be the sole model. The business of art is being challenged to the bone like all other businesses. Fortunately, the new days promise to be more interesting.

Necessity number one is latching on to the online revolution. How to harness social commerce in tasteful, exciting ways requires turning a business upside down and recreating it. Constantly recreating it. It helps that art is a passionate and creative enterprise by definition. Clearly, this is no time to be timid.

"Shelby Street Bridge" by Steven Walker

That's why we were attracted to Moontoast, our online social commerce platform. They are open to the challenge of taking online commerce beyond widgets. We are still at the very beginning of re-thinking our online initiatives. What we can say is that it is very labor-intensive. And very exciting!

We can also say there is something about Nashville that brings out the entrepreneurial spirit in lots of folks. It's the spirit that tells you when you know you are on to something you just go with it however far you have to go. For The Arts Company, being singled out as part of "Nashville's creative renaissance" gives us incentive and responsibility to keep on keeping on.

We are ready to embrace the new online art frontier to complement the 5th Avenue storefront we established 15 years ago, and we're looking forward to this unscripted future....

www.theartscompany.com

Why Serendipity at The Arts Company? A Call to Expect the Unexpected

2011-06-25T16:07:00.030-05:00

The real question is what took us so long? Serendipity pretty well defines the personality of our gallery. In the early years, we used to hear the phrase "always the unexpected fun part." Now we have come to think of the way we select and present artists and artwork as a deliberate act of serendipity--namely, finding neat and interesting art and placing other neat and interesting pieces around it to create a comfortable and welcoming environment. For sure, it's an unpredictable way to approach art--finding something really interesting, something unexpected that you hadn't thought of before. Then suddenly, you couldn't stop thinking about it.

For our gallery, context is of equal importance to the art. We want the art and the setting to disarm you and get you comfortable with seeing art in different contexts. That's always seemed important to us, because few of us live in white wall gallery environments at home. Our idea is to engage you with adventure and discovery in ways you haven't thought of art before. Often, this gives you new ideas about how to make art part of your own environment, to begin making your own new connections.

Right now, our Summer of Classic Serendipity at The Arts Company is an experiment in its own right. We are taking our little bizarre idea one step further. We are setting various spaces throughout the gallery as small tableaux or sets that feature a mix of art, furniture, decor, books, music, and whatever else we think fits the particular scenario. Our goal is catch our guests off-guard, to make you want to sit a minute in a particular environment just to try it on for a minute, to see the many ways art can fit into your work or living space.

It's all about welcoming guests into our sense of serendipitous adventure, which is what we think art can be at its best and most personal. We love taking this new approach in our gallery, but that's still not enough. Very soon, we will present our online version of this same kind of art adventure. Stay tuned for that.

Who knows where these new serendipitous adventures will take us?

A Summer of Classic Serendipity begins
at The Arts Company
Saturday, July 2, 6-9 pm
Continues through August 20

www.theartscompany.com

Welcome in to The Intimate World of Leonard Piha

2011-04-30T15:20:00.022-05:00

Leonard Piha's work is a great fit with The Arts Company. We pride ourselves on being the gallery that over the last 15 years has consistently presented artwork that is fresh, original, and contemporary. With Leonard's work, there is something more--a rare artistic vision, in the same spirit as our own Brother Mel. In both artists, their spiritual commitments are deep and personal--Brother Mel in Catholic traditions and Leonard in Jewish traditions. In each, their academic backgrounds are stellar--Brother Mel with a master's degree in art from the University of Notre Dame, and Leonard with an M.F.A. from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Neither of them has ever sought fame and fortune for themselves and their work. Both of them use unusual materials, and they both see themselves as builders, though they are trained in painting as well. They are each genuinely modest about their work, more interested in making the work than in what happens to it.

Leonard Piha, Judah Buddha, 69 x 80 x 3 inches

My first entry into Leonard's world was by fluke, not by plan. It was truly a dark and dreary (and cold) night when some friends and I finally found Leonard's complex of home, studio, gallery, and a large hillside yard full of sculpture of all sizes. Flashlights in hand, we spotted art on buildings and in trees, and on the walls inside various buildings, including his house. It can only be described as a magical evening. We knew we were seeing something we had not seen before. Returning the next morning in daylight confirmed the magic. We were surrounded by literally hundreds of pieces of art as yet unseen beyond the confines of his complex. We knew we were seeing an accomplished artist at work, a trained artist with an outsider aesthetic.

Upstairs at The Arts Company--the right venue

I can only hope that we do some justice to that experience in the way we present The Intimate World of Leonard Piha Upstairs at The Arts Company. We chose the upstairs galleries for his exhibition because it is expansive space that makes it possible to show the scope and scale of his work.

The upstairs gallery at The Arts Company

We hope you will walk through this exhibit and experience the thrill of discovery of a truly unusual body of work, all of it related through Leonard's series of icons gleaned from his personal life and Jewish traditions that are repeated in fresh and surprising ways, using fresh and surprising materials.

Discovering the outsider aesthetic

When Leonard began to study art, his first inclination was to draw rabbis, menorahs, and other Jewish symbols from his family traditions. One college professor steered him away from that and suggested he needed to learn to create art in the style and subject matter of his contemporaries. However, once he discovered outsider art and artists, he was attracted to their work, considering it more direct and profound in subject and form than what he had been doing. Inspired by the work of outsider artists, he began to rediscover his Jewish roots and began to create a new artistic alphabet for himself, both in subject matter and in his choice of rough materials. Equipped with his academic training, but this new passion, something new was bound to happen.

The result is distinctly intimate, engaging, original, and contemporary. "I love finding stuff and putting it together," says Leonard, "I'm always on guard, ready for some idea or some feeling--but I just do things that are important to me." The fact that he translates religious and personal themes into contemporary icons adds a universal dimension. See below his Mondrian's Torah, constructed from cardboard, painted with oil paint, as a sample.

Leonard Piha, Mondrian's Torah, 36 x 41 x 7 inches

Leonard and his wife Cyndy literally built their home together. Since then, he has continued to add various outbuildings such as a studio, gallery, garages, and a gazebo; and he has populated his hillside property with very large and very small sculpture of all kinds. He is an elementary art specialist in a nearby school, a satisfying way to pay his way as an artist. He likes best staying at home and building his work, whether sculpture or painting. He and his wife have two young sons, both of whom have recently completed assignments in Afghanistan.

If you love the adventure and discovery of what a good artist has to offer, come spend some time in the intimate world of Leonard Piha. His is not art as usual.

Meet Leonard

during the First Saturday Art Crawl

at The Arts Company

May 7, 2011, 6-9 pm

Remarks by Anne Brown

Brother Mel has done it again...and again and again

2011-04-30T14:56:00.026-05:00

Brother Mel's 83rd year--which we will be celebrating at The Arts Company during his 14th Annual Artistic Pilgrimage to Nashville June 3 & 4--has truly been another phenomenal year for this rare artist who has been a Catholic brother in the Marianist community for over 60 years and a practicing artist for over 50 years.

Brother Mel outside his studio

Between now and the time we will see him in early June, his year will be topped off in three important ways:

1) First and foremost: On May 21, St. Louis University will award him an honorary doctorate in the arts for his lifetime of making art.

2) As if that is not enough, some 18-20 of his large outdoor sculptures have been purchased by St. Louis University to be placed in a special park at the entrance to the university in the middle of downtown St. Louis in mid-May, just ahead of the degree ceremony. While the university and other businesses and public spaces have purchased and commissioned his work for years, this newest purchase and special presentation, plus this academic honor, is further testament to the demand for and quality of his work.

...and the best for last...

3) Lucky for Nashville, Brother Mel will be coming to Nashville just two weeks after this honor and the formal dedication will have taken place. If you are one of his special collectors and fans, listen up. He will be at The Arts Company for two occasions, accompanied by his latest exhibition of new work.

On Friday, June 3, he will be the subject of that night's Collectors Art Night at The Arts Company. To honor him further, his visit that night will be hosted and presented by some very special collectors who will be there to talk about why they keep coming back to his work and why it matters to them--from corporate to individual collectors.

On Saturday, June 4, he will be available to meet and greet his Nashville friends as they come to see his latest work...and to celebrate his 83rd birthday.

Brother Mel, Ovals, 11 x 21 x 21 inches

This year, we have asked him to focus on small sculptural shapes and colors, more artwork to "bring beauty to space to lift up spirits." It's exciting work commissioned especially for this year's Nashville exhibition. It's artwork we can all take personally.

In true Brother Mel fashion, once St. Louis University made their selections, within a short time Brother Mel had produced more large sculptures to re-populate his own sculpture yard outside his studio. He is never at a loss for new ideas, and his love of working at art all day six days a week never wanes.

We are lucky in Nashville to have direct access to this rare artist during his annual exhibitions.

The Shapes & Colors of Brother Mel

Opening at The Arts Company

Saturday, June 4, 6-9 pm

An Artistic Life in the Fast Lane

2011-03-25T14:53:00.025-05:00

Drew Doggett is an energetic young artist whose entrepreneurial skills keep pace with the broad scope of his artistic vision and philanthropic commitment.

To give you an idea: Drew flew to Nashville, the day after returning from his recent second documentary trip--this one to Africa, to measure every inch of our downstairs gallery walls so that he could tailor-make every piece selected for the exhibit, each one large scale and to be mounted on aluminum. In addition, he was interviewed for a two-part story to appear in the April and May issues of Nashville Arts magazine. All that in a whirlwind trip of six hours.

Drew Doggett (far right) talks with Arts Company Owner and Director, Dr. Anne Brown; Michael Burcham, Executive Director, Entrepreneur Center (far left); and Lon Bouldin, Ventures PR.

His is an artistic life in the fast lane, for sure.

In the five years since he graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Human and Organizational Development, he has established himself as a significant emerging photographer with three distinct bodies of work:

1) high fashion, beginning his NYC-based career with accomplished photographers Mark Seliger and Steven Klein, followed quickly by creating his own trend-setting style of high fashion photography;

2) documentary, committing himself to a 10-year series of documentaries focused on vanishing cultures in remote areas--the first one, Slow Road to China, about the people and landscapes of a remote Himalayan region of Nepal, will be part of this exhibition; and initiating Art Cares, a non-profit organization to benefit the cultures he documents;

3) and urban landscapes, through commissions from private, business and government clients.

As with any artist, the heart of the matter is in his work--his meticulous attention to detail both in his photographs and in their presentation; his clear understanding of what he is looking for in each of the areas in which he works; and his commitment to capturing the beauty of obscure and vanishing cultures in the world. All of this will be clear to you when you step into the door of our gallery. You will know this is a different kind of artistic journey.

The photographs speak for themselves, but they also speak of the spirit of adventure and the vision of this photographer's passion for his work. Think of this as an art lover's adventure--a remote primitive culture meets high fashion and urban environments, each offering distinctive visual insight into some of the beauties and realities of three cultures, all co-existing in our contemporary world, each one enriching the other.

This exhibition introduces Nashville to a young 21st-century artist whose photographic images reveal the work of an artist and entrepreneur who has achieved artistic, commercial, and philanthropic success in a very short time. This is Drew's first exhibit in Nashville, and, we hope, just the beginning of more great photographs and exhibits he will bring back to Nashville.

Join us to welcome Drew back to Nashville

Saturday, April 2, 6-9 pm,

during First Saturday Art Crawl.

A New Online Marketplace

2011-02-23T15:48:00.020-06:00

Charlie Buckley, The Arts Company, oil on muslin-wrapped panel, 14 x 8.5'', 2010

Business models are a dime a dozen these days. Every time we think we have one cornered, it slips away in mid-thought. It's a swift world out here.

From day one in our art business our idea was to make art commercially viable by locating in the middle of an active marketplace where people transact all kinds of business within close proximity to each other on a daily basis. A hundred years ago that was the town square. Then the center of cities. Then the suburbs. Then shopping malls. Now we're back to the town square, but without the brick and mortar.

Bob Grannis, Capital Construction, photograph, 20 x 30'', 1957

The new town square is online, with a multiplicity of communities you can choose to connect with. You create your own town square online, defined by the people with whom you converse and share confidences and by the sources you count on for shopping and purchasing.

Even though we are in the art business where everything is original, one-of-a-kind, it's hard to know how to find a brick and mortar location in a prime traffic location where people go to transact business and look for tangible goods and services. For us, the center of downtown Nashville continues to be a good bet. For a simple reason. Nashville is magnet for creativity, and downtown is an arts destination. People from around the world come to downtown Nashville to seek out the Nashville experience--that is, the unusual combination of lots of institutional and commercial venues in music, art, museums, libraries, and honky tonks, all within walking distance of each other. Fortunately, that combination attracts consistent foot traffic. Still, that's a kind of activity-based market scenario, not the daily kind of traffic that stems from the daily business of people's lives.

Charles Keiger, The Vault, oil on panel, 20 x 18'', 2009

It is not easy to find a thriving daily physical marketplace. The marketplace of our time is online, and any business wishing to thrive has to reckon with that elusive, seemingly amorphous structure and find new ways to get their goods and ideas noticed. Case in point: we now look online or "onphone" to locate brick and mortar places. In essence, when someone finds us now, it's likely through an online source more than just happening to be in the neighborhood.

This is not to bemoan change. On the contrary, we are looking for that new thriving market where real goods and real people can still get together in an active marketplace environment. That's why we are moving forward quickly to adapt ourselves to the new online marketplace. We are launching a new business partnership with Moontoast, an online social commerce platform. We are matching their online savvy and resources to ours--fresh, original, contemporary artwork, a selection that can be encountered and purchased online 24/7.

We can't wait to see who we meet up with in this sprawling new world of tasteful commerce. Join us if you dare. Try it out. Be a pioneer with us. We promise that over time it will be one heck of an adventure. We'd love to have you with us.

All you have to do is click here: theartscompany.moontoast.com. Join our online community, and together we will help shape this emerging marketplace for artwork.

Beauty in the Mystery: by Robin Venable

2011-02-23T14:15:00.044-06:00

*Image of Einstein from: http://wespenre.com/quotes.htm

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."

This is a quotation by one of the most inventive and creative minds of our time - Albert Einstein. His revolutions in scientific thought - specifically the theory of relativity - are some of the most profound revelations of the human mind.

I am currently reading his biography simply called Einstein by Walter Isaacson. Through the detailed accounts of his personal life and scientific struggles and triumphs, one sees a man whose quest for the unknown mysteries of the universe are unquenchable. These mysteries would keep him deeply thoughtful his entire life.

Some of the most (dare I use the word) beautiful artistic expressions are those that leave us guessing... ones that take us on our own quest for understanding with some guideposts along the way...but not too many so that we can find our way on our own.

Here are a few examples from artists that we represent that give the viewer that air of mystery, which, according to one of the greatest minds of our time, keeps us alive.

Tony Breuer, Virginia Falls, mixed media on canvas, 30 x 40''

Bill Starke, Climber, cast aluminum, 25 x 13 x 9''

Jim Hubbman, Corvus Camerae, watercolor and graphite on paper, 40 x 25.5''

Rod Daniel, Canyon de Chelly #9, archival digital print, 48 x 32''

Aggie Zed, Man with Box, porcelain, 7 x 4 x 5''

Don Dudenbostel, Tonna, platinum print, 5 x 4''

Charles Keiger, Wishing for Blue Skies, oil on panel, 22 x 20''

Modern Day "Window People": by Robin Venable

2011-02-12T14:28:00.025-06:00

With the huge success of social media networks like Facebook, we are able to peer into other people's lives. That is, the lives that they want us to see.

In a somewhat-controlled environment I am able to post status updates, pictures, and videos to inform my "friends" of my ever-changing life.

Norman Lerner, "Piano Tuner, 1950's", archival digital print, 13 x 19 inches

When I post something, I know that it will pop up in my friends' news feeds, but I don't know who is actually coming to my page, looking at all of my photos, or analyzing my status updates.

A little creepy? Absolutely.

Norman Lerner, "Elevator Operator, 1950's", archival digital print, 13 x 19 inches

Have you ever felt like someone was looking at you? When viewing Norman Lerner's "Window People" I feel that uncomfortable tingle of watching eyes. The dilapidated windows house all sorts of people - a frowning, bulbous-nosed woman in her seventies sitting instead of standing, an old man who tunes pianos daring you to come in the front door, a bald elevator operator with sunken eyes looking out blankly...

Norman Lerner, "Resigned, 1950's", archival digital print, 13 x 19 inches

Perhaps we should feel that same unpleasant twinge when we log on to Facebook - feeling the clicks of the mouse as people visit our page.

Lerner's "Window People" are timeless. With his camera he has captured moments of connection between the observer and viewer (The original prints are silver gelatin prints that have now been converted to digital prints.) that make us want to know more about the people in the photographs. He has preserved that moment in time in which the gazer is caught looking... and now, just like Facebook, we get to look back...uninterrupted, and with all the time in the world.

Meet Norman Lerner, master photographer and Nashville resident

2011-01-25T16:10:00.023-06:00

Norman Lerner is one of those classic American artists whose photographs have been acknowledged in exhibits, articles, and museum and private collections around the country since the 1960s. His studio was anchored in NYC for a number of years, always near the major art museums he visited regularly during lunch hours, museums that ultimately exhibited and purchased his work. A venerable statesman for photography as an art form, Mr. Lerner and his wife recently selected Nashville for their retirement destination, because of "the civility of the place and the people," he says.

Norman Lerner, Grand Central Station Waiting Room, 1950's

Since his move to Nashville, he has been actively engaged in organizing the various parts of his photography--from the classic fashion photography of the 1950s, to studies of the body, and the documentary-style photography of urban lives in NYC and compelling landscapes to the innovative figurative abstract series, Transfigurations, created and printed beginning in the late 1960s.

Norman Lerner, Lingerie, 1950's

Norman Lerner worked as a fashion and commercial photographer in New York City from the early 50s to the 70s. He maintained an active commercial studio of some 40 employees, their primary work coming from the major magazines in the city. But that was just the beginning for him. He states that, "my photography did not end when the model left the studio. The city and its people were a part of me and I was part of them. Everything about the city fascinated me so it seemed only natural for me as a photographer to record the people and places in which we all lived. When I left the studio the camera was always with me and it because an extension of my being. It was as natural as breathing."

Norman Lerner, A la Klein

His regular forays into the museums, especially one recurring visit to the Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue when they presented the sculpture of Yves Klein, led to another path for him as an artist. His response was "I can do that," meaning that as a photographer he could make figurative sculpture work, photographs that would have sculptural texture. He secured a grant fro State University of New York Foundation to create his Transfiguration series. Armed with a large format camera, models, and his fully-equipped professional printing studio, he set out to make black and white sculpture through camera, paper, and chemistry. The results, inspired by what he had learned about texture from Edward Weston, are not quite like anything else. Minor White, one of the 20th-century American masters of photography first discovered and showed this series.

Lerner's photography has been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. MOMA added selections from his Transfiguration series to their potography collection, as did the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

His photographs have been published in numerous publications, including Color Magazine, Black and White Magazine, Popular Photography, US Camera, Look, New York Times Magazine, GQ, Glamour, Men's Wear, Photographer's Forum, Boy's Life, 35mm Color, Camera, and Darkroom; it has been highlighted on The Today Show and Casey Allen's WNDT show, "In Focus."

Norman Lerner, Window Washer, 1950's

In the 1960s, he was founder and chair of photography for the first fashion degree program in the United States at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. In 1986-1994, he was coordinator of the photography studies program at California Polytechnic State University, and remains connected with them as Professor Emeritus.

Mr. Lerner has been able to sustain his creative side while teaching and owning a demanding commercial studio serving high end clients in the magazine world. In all that he has done, his artistic vision has been primary. As he says it, "I have always kept a little seed of creativity alive. I have never permitted it to go dead." That explains in part why at age 83, he maintains that though he is retired from active business, he simply cannot take time off from his work as an artist, because "I haven't reached retirement age. There is this project that I'm working on..." He continues to work on photographic projects and organizing his lifetime of work.

Nashvillians now have a chance to meet Mr. Lerner personally and see his work at The Arts Company. On February 4, there is a Collectors Art Night with Mr. Lerner as one of the guests. Click www.5thavenueofthearts.com to make a reservation. On February 5 during the First Saturday Art Crawl, he will be in the gallery to talk with guests about his work. Click here to preview some of his work-- www.theartscompany.com.

Of Things To Come

2011-01-04T09:41:00.005-06:00

Norman Lerner, "Window Washer", Copyright Norman Lerner

Happy New Year to all of us who love to discover, see, and talk about what matters in the world of art that touches our lives.

We have lots of discoveries to unveil and lots to talk about in this New Year. Check in frequently -- in house and online.

Come see us to toast the New Year this Saturday, January 8th. What fun it will be. Mr Lerner's "Window Washer" will be here to greet you.

Anne, Brian, Robin, and friends

14th Annual Holiday Arts Market at The Arts Company

2010-11-20T16:14:00.020-06:00

We will be filled to the brim with more art and festivity for the holidays than ever this year at The Arts Company. We have scouted around for the neatest collection of art gifts, artwork large and small, and new platforms and palettes from artists than ever for your holidays.

Brother Mel, Utensil Christmas Tree, 60'' tall

There are specific reasons for our special affinity for this time of year:

1) We established The Arts Company with the opening of the first Annual Holiday Arts Market in December 1996. Ever since, we have been on the lookout for really neat art and books and special events we could muster to match the interests of all folks who continue to come downtown Nashville. Therefore, this year marks our 14th birthday on December 4, and we want to have friends here to help us celebrate what's happened to the evolving Fifth Avenue of the Arts over these last 14 years.

2) So it's our birthday and it's one of our most important annual challenges: how do we select some of the neat things that we know our guests and friends will be interested in including in their holiday celebrations?

We say with some measure of modesty that we think we have nailed it this year. It's a little beyond spunky. It's into overflowing with fresh and original art and art gifts. We have commissioned some special gifts and art, and our focus is on the Nashville traditions that we most love. If you are one of our customers reading this, you know that we enjoy showing images of Nashville and new ways of thinking about what we are all about in Nashville.

Small ceramic pieces by Replanski Ceramics

We know that our customers share an interest in specific artists--Brother Mel for sure. But also April Street, Bill Starke, David Swanagin, Charles Keiger, Ed Rode, Bob Schatz, John Nikolai classics, Ed Clark photographs and those of his legendary colleagues through the LIFE Gallery Collection of Photography, Charles Kieger, Pam Moxley, Jim Hubbman, Ansel Adams' protege Robert Kolbrener...plus many more. So some of all of these will be present in our Upstairs Archives.

But we have also introduced a lot of new artists this year--from Tony Breuer to Judy Nebhut; from Denise Stewart-Sanabria and her donut paintings and plywood people to Chris Beck and Deborah Wait's mosaics. We have shown new photography and techniques, new and unexpected outsider artists working on tarpaper or from piles of scrap metal.

Tres Taylor, "Birds of Night", mixed media on tarpaper

For the holidays, we have commissioned some Nashville paintings from Charlie Buckley and have some new tarpaper paintings by Tres Taylor, and a few pieces of metal sculpture by Chris Beck--not to mention some new Nashville images by Kimiko. We have also added a Spirit of Nashville boutique to showcase Joel Anderson's popular Nashville posters.

Charlie Buckley, Construction Site for Music City Center

But preemo as always, Brother Mel always surprises us with new materials and new ideas. This holiday is no exception. We have his version of Christmas trees--from utensils to stainless and glass sculpture made to hold wine bottles, as well as new paintings and Christmas trees as wall sculpture. You will know when you walk in the door that Brother Mel's statement about his work is part of what our holidays are about: "Bringing beauty to space to lift up spirits."

Brother Mel, "Painted Squares with Rods"

We are waiting with great anticipation to have you come see us during the holidays. We are working with our gallery colleagues and neighbors to add special Champagne Saturdays to the holidays this year. More information on that is coming soon.

Oops! I almost forgot. Of course, we have loads of neat pop-up books for adults and children, and selected art books that are really worth taking a look at.

Meanwhile, join us for First Saturday Art Crawl and our gallery birthday on December 4, 6-9. We'll turn the lights on high for you.

Housewives Behaving Badly: commentary by Robin Venable

2010-10-28T16:25:00.040-05:00

Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Gluttony, oil on linen, 40 x 30''

This month at The Arts Company is all about visual archaeology - digging through appearances to find the deeper meanings. Denise Stewart-Sanabria and Chris Beck have each created new bodies of work that are inviting on the surface, but complex in the subject matter. Once you start digging, you will find there are issues that speak into the deepest levels of what it is to be human. When viewed together, each series of work talks to the other one.

Denise Stewart-Sanabria, The Immaculate Confection, oil on linen, 24 x 48''

Denise's sumptuous paintings of personified "donuts behaving badly" allow her to explore the seven deadly sins and other human foibles (such as "Drunks") with more tenacity, humor, and depth than had she painted humans acting out the same indiscretions. Her bold and playful titles such as "The Immaculate Confection" challenge the viewer to see traditional themes in a new light. She entices the viewer with globs of gooey insides and powdery toppings to show how enticing "behaving badly" can be at first, but the crumbs, bitten-off edges, and reflections on the tables they sit on suggest otherwise - like the 17th century Dutch vanitas paintings that were beautifully adorned with pearls and jewels, but also included rotten fruit and hollow skulls to suggest the brevity of life.

Chris Beck, Lorraine, mixed media, 44 x 32 x 8''

Chris's perfectly poised "housewives", some of which are framed, sit quietly among their backdrops from ages past. Using ads from LIFE magazine from the 1950's as inspiration, he, like Denise, invites the viewer into another world where things aren't always what they seem. In the boom of consumerism in post-war America, women who worked during the war to keep the country afloat, returned to the home where pot-roasts and dirty carpets awaited them. Crafting his housewives out of discarded tin and muted colors, the viewer is invited into the nostalgia of a golden age of America. However, his materials that he uses, and his palate of colors suggests an undertone of sadness and tainted dreams that swam underneath the bubbly current of the times.

Chris Beck, June, painted metal, 43 x 18 x 7''

Shown side by side, Denise's maximalist paintings of enticing, naughty doughnuts and Chris's enchanting mixed media portraits of days gone by, interact with each other in an interesting way to create an environment where the consumer is confronted with his own future - and although it is flawed, it is human - which makes it beautiful.

For more information about the show, and to see more images from each artist, please visit our website - www.theartscompany.com

Seeing Through Spaces: Tony Breuer's Universe of Paintings

2010-09-25T15:48:00.023-05:00

Head's up, fans of the physical universe--from space-time, quantum physics, and relativity to the way our human brains work; from the physical properties and materials of making art to the world of human imagination that ties it all together. Dr. Anthony Breuer, aka Tony Breuer, has set out to break into the codes of the multi-dimensional universe by making two-dimensional canvases that show us there is more than meets the eye in the physical universe of our everyday lives.

Crack in the Earth, New Openings, mixed media, 48 x 72 inches

Breuer's paintings are made to engage viewers in Seeing Through Spaces in a practical manner--using artistic materials and practices and ordinary images such as horses, planes, magnolias as metaphors. His paintings offer new insight into connecting the world of art into some of the primary scientific discoveries of the 21st century. There is a lot to see and a lot to know in Breuer's paintings. The process of making the paintings is itself laborious and painstaking. These are physical canvases, filled with action and color and lots of swirls and dimensions. Yet, there is considerable lightness of being implied in the resulting paintings. The things of our world seem to stand still while the universe is in constant motion.

But that's just about the paintings. Before Tony ever touched a canvas, he had a life as a distinguished practicing physician. His specialty, neurology with an emphasis on research, led him to related scientific exploration, specifically into the seen and unseen laws of the universe. In the last one hundred years, our knowledge of the physical laws of the universe has grown exponentially. Current research in relativity and quantum physics tells us that the world is even more multi-faceted than ever before imagined.

Space Magnolia #6, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

Remember that the word "imagination" is a word shared by scientists such as Einstein, Feynman, and Hawking, and artists such as Picasso, Dali, and new-to-the-scene Tony Breuer. As he pursued the study of the laws of nature through the prism of how the human brain works, adding the making of art was a natural evolution in his world.

Breuer's study of medicine began at Princeton, followed by research at Oxford, and he received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Some years later, he began to study art while maintaining a full schedule as a physician, completing his MFA in art in 2004. In recent years, he has begun a balancing act of reducing his medical schedule and increasing his artistic schedule in the studio. The exhibit, Seeing Through Spaces, is a showcase for his new series of paintings, intended to present the awe and beauty of the infinite physical laws of nature that exist among us in our lives, though unseen.

Virginia Falls, mixed media, 30 x 40 inches

Tony Breuer is a bona fide 21st-century emerging artist. The brain, the laws of nature, and the making of art--that's the world of Tony Breuer.

If you would like to meet Tony personally and get a preview tour of his work, join us at The Arts Company on Saturday, October 2, 4:30-6:00, in advance of the always-jubilant First Saturday Art Crawl Downtown, which follows 6-9 pm.

The Journey to "Inspired"

2010-09-10T10:51:00.002-05:00

Commentary by Brian Downey, Associate Director of The Arts Comany and curator of the "Inspired" exhibit:

There is nothing I love more than curating shows. Researching talented artists, seeing the artwork as it's created, planning the layout of the show in the gallery, and watching it all come together for the opening reception is one of the most exciting things I have ever had the pleasure to do in my professional career. I have curated several shows, have worked with some amazing artists, and have had a blast the entire time. "Inspired," however, will always stand out to me and be one the shows I am most proud of.

It all started back in March of 2010 when I was visiting New York City with a friend of mine. We were walking down 5th Avenue in the heart of the city, admiring the stores, wishing I could afford to purchase the beautiful things I was seeing, and staring at all the gorgeous window displays. I was passing Bergdorf Goodman when I looked up and was instantly stopped in my tracks by their window display, not by the clothes, but by the large-scale woodblock prints that provided the backdrop for the fashion. I had no idea who the artist was, but it wasn't something I was not going to forget. When I was finally returned home to Nashville I immediately started researching to find out who this artist was. I learned that his name was John Welles Bartlett and he was living in Brooklyn. I found his website and sent him an email to introduce myself. After a few back and forths, I asked him if he would be part of a show I was curating in late summer. I expected an immediate "No thanks." I assumed that someone, who was getting this kind of exposure and attention in New York, would already be booked solid with other shows. To my surprise, he said "Yes!" Now I actually had a show to start planning!

"TV Donkey with Ant" by John Welles Bartlett

I wanted this exhibit to be a two-person show, and I already had an idea floating in the back of my mind about how to make this more than just an average exhibit of two artist's work. The trouble was finding that other artist who was just the right fit with John. I found a couple artists who I was very interested in, but unfortunately (or fortunately...as it turned out) they were either already booked for shows, or just didn't return my emails. Then I ran across Julianna Swaney, and I was so happy those other artists didn't work out. I found her work on My Love For You and was instantly a fan. I knew her small, intimate works would be a nice contrast, and yet completely complement John's large-scale woodblock prints. I emailed her, and her quick reply couldn't have been nicer. Even though she was already booked for three other shows in September, she still agreed to be a part of mine. I don't know how she found the time to create all the work for these four shows, but she did...and personally, I think I got the best ones!

"Hidden Birds" by Julianna Swaney

Once each artist was confirmed for the show, I ran my idea past them. I wanted to engage each artist and have them create something that would be special for this exhibit and very interesting to all the folks who would make it to the show. I asked each artist (who were total strangers at the time) how they would feel about studying the body of work of the other artist and creating one piece for the show that was inspired by the other. I didn't know what kind of reaction this would get, but I was hopeful. As it turned out, both artists loved the other's work and were very excited to take on this challenge. Personally, I think they were even more excited to see what the other artist would create knowing that they were the inspiration behind it. As the months went on, I would receive images from the artists of all the new pieces they were working on...but I still hadn't seen the inspired piece. I was starting to get worried. I had already sent out the press release, hyped the theme of the show, given interviews to some local publications--all based on the idea that each artist was creating this inspired piece, and the show was even called, "Inspired." What in the world would I do if one or both artists decided they just couldn't manage to do an inspired piece? I was nervous. Luckily, each artist was just saving the best for last and when I finally saw the inspired pieces I knew that the show was going to be amazing!

John's work

Julianna's work

The opening reception was this past Saturday. John was able to fly to Nashville for the show, but Julianna had a show opening in Portland, OR, where she currently lives and wasn't able to make it. Even though she couldn't be here, the evening was a huge success. After some great press, including a very nice spotlight in Nashville Arts Magazine, and a wonderful post by The Jealous Curator, hundreds came through the gallery that night. Some were there for the free wine, but the majority were actually there to see this special exhibit. I talked to so many people, answered so many questions, and loved every minute of it. By the end of the night we had sold a lot of artwork (according to Julianna, the most she has ever sold at an opening reception...EVER), and introduced two fantastic new artists to the gallery and to Nashville. I'll never forget the evening. I want to thank both of these great artists who I now consider great friends, the amazing people I work with at The Arts Company (Anne, Robin, and the whole gang), and my incredibly supportive friends and family who made the night memorable and special.

The show continues through September 25 at The Arts Company. Please stop by and take a look if you can, or see the pieces in the show on the gallery's website.

John, me, and the editorial staff of Nashville Arts Magazine

With two of my best friends, Candace and Beth

Our front window display...just as impressive as Bergdorf Goodman, in my opinion :)

The "Inspired" Pieces are Revealed!

2010-09-10T10:32:00.005-05:00

Our current show, "Inspired" features the work of artists John Welles Bartlett (printmaker) and Julianna Swaney (illustrator). Each artist was asked to create one piece for the show that was inspired by the other. Having never met, and living on opposite sides of the United States, it was a fun and unique challenge for each artist to study the body of work of the other and create something, in their own style, inspired by them. Both inspired pieces were wrapped in black paper and were finally unveiled at the opening reception on Saturday, September 4. These pieces were a secret...until now.

Below are John and Julianna's inspired pieces and a brief description, in their own words, on how they were truly inspired by each other:

John's inspired piece, "TV Maiden with Birdhouse"

“When I began looking at Julianna’s work, I felt drawn into a time and place where life is entwined with folklore and spirits, and the secrets of nature. These are themes close to my heart and it was not hard to be inspired by her work. My piece “TV Maiden with Birdhouse” is related to the young girls who appear in a many of Julianna’s works, gingerly interacting with nature and the spirit world.” - John Welles Bartlett

Julianna's inspired piece, "Reception"

“What I initially found interesting in John’s work was the recurring image of the TV set. Especially the pieces where it is strapped to the back of a girl and a donkey, I often draw people or animals with things strapped to their back so I felt like that was a good place for me to start looking for inspiration. I have no idea what his intention for that symbol is but I interpret the TV image as a distraction that is always intruding, always constant, sort of in the background, though...so that you almost don't even realize you are being distracted. That is a familiar feeling I think to anyone around today who has the diversion of phone/email/texting/information with them constantly, you often don't even realize you are not paying attention to what is happening around you because your mind is constantly half on a screen. I incorporated the image of the TV on the back of a wolf, followed by a girl absorbed with it as she walks though the forest to symbolize that sort of distraction.” - Julianna Swaney

Fearless in Nashville

2010-08-28T15:37:00.025-05:00

"Reflections of Nashville" photo by Joe Fizer

Everything is off the charts in the world today. The heat is up. The economy is down. The floods keep coming. People are in desperate straits worldwide. Everyone is digging in.

At The Arts Company in Nashville, we remain drawn to the arts as a constant source to help make sense of good times and bad times. We remain dedicated to the idea that the business of art in the marketplace matters, perhaps even more in grim times than in good times.

Nashville's unspoken civic and business credo is to aspire to a life of creative enterprise. At The Arts Company, our self-imposed mandate is to do our part. Our unwavering commitment is to bring compelling and unexpected artwork to the center of the marketplace of goods, services, and ideas--artwork that communicates part of what the Nashville experience is all about--creativity, new ways of doing business, fresh perspectives.

"Spirit of Nashville" Bluebird Cafe Poster by Joel Anderson

Partly, it's the "Nashville effect" that makes us tend toward hopeful rather than fearful. Nashville at this point in history is an uncanny and unlikely melting pot of creativity and invention, pairing bankers with musicians, attracting poets, artists, and health care entrepreneurs. No matter how bad times are, there are songwriters by the dozens who can help make sense of it. Venture capitalists and entrepreneurs define Nashville's business successes. The arts are equally enterprising and savvy, mirroring the innovative civic and business style that prevails. In Nashville, we speak openly and shamelessly of commerce and business enterprise in partnership with art and artistic enterprise.

However, like all businesses worldwide, our gallery business is facing the new realities of the marketplace. It's not an option to pursue business as usual. Turns out that's a relief. We will now be able to change the dull habits of our business and redefine ourselves as an art business of now--not what we did last year or the year before, but what we plan to do now. We are committed to presenting art as part of everyday necessity. We want to continue to be an active part of keeping ourselves and our city fresh, original, contemporary, inventive, and fearless.

Our goal is modest: to make each new piece of art we bring to the marketplace as exciting as the latest shoe fashion, as necessary as the next carton of milk, and as rewarding as winning the lottery. Well, that may be stretching it, but you get the idea.

Our real job is to ferret out neat and interesting artwork; to find interesting ways to present it; and to engage customers with it. Our approach is to create for our customers a comfortable and welcoming distinctly Nashville experience with art, one on one.

One Answer for All Your Important Questions

2010-07-31T15:34:00.012-05:00

Roy Pace, Artists at Work

Setting up for for our annual avant-garage sale at The Arts Company is a daunting task, with a particular challenge: how to make sense of such a large variety of art, books, decor, furniture, and just plain off-the-charts crazy. It always turns out to be fun. We figure it out as we go along. There is no installation plan upfront, just how to make the mixed variety interesting and appealing.

Vintage cameras of various sizes

More important, how to make everything shockingly affordable. As it shakes down, it always turns out to be a good time for us and for our guests.

Come have fun with us on Saturday, August 7, 6-9 pm during our First Saturday opening. The avant-garage sale will continue upstairs through August 27, if supplies last that long.

And now for the answer:
At The Arts Company's 14th Annual Avant-Garage Sale

Here are the questions: Where can I find the neatest Beethoven socks in town?
Are there any remaining Obama Hot Flop beach shoes still available?
Do you have any Teenie Harris photographs?
How about lots of miscellaneous neat paintings -- all sizes, different artists, from various collections?

Billyo O'Donnoll, Last Light of the Shermerhorn Construction, 16 x 20''

Where could I find a fabulous old wooden ironing board that would make a great bar?
Where could I find a few pieces of artwork by two legendary Nashville area artists -- Roy Pace and Vannoy Streeter?
How about vintage books, art books, and lamps to read by?
Where can I find great buys on vintage and collectors' posters?
How about a couple of antique tables and a vintage drafting table (also doubles as a bar)?
Where can I find some oriental rugs? A Gee's Bend rug? A rug made of cigarette package wrappers?
Where can I find some vintage tins and jars and boxes to use with my ironing board bar?

Do you have a lot of miscellaneous neat art-related stuff that is shockingly affordable?

YES. At this year's 14th Annual Avant-Garage Sale Saturday, August 7, 6-9 pm
Preview some of the pieces on OUR WEBSITE.

Marek Bohemus, Four, 16 x 20''

And while you're here, don't miss all of the Summer Fresh Art that will surround you upstairs and down at 215 Fith Avenue of the Arts, featuring Marek Bohemus' dramatic photographs of "The Majesty of the Horse." Preview his work HERE.

The Necessity of Summer Fresh Art: Commentary by Anne Brown

2010-06-26T13:52:00.027-05:00

And now we come to the middle of a long hot summer. After a week in Texas in 100 degree heat, Tennessee feels like Alaska. Though I grew up in Texas, I had forgotten that Texas heat is very hot heat. Nevertheless, I dragged my mother, now approaching her 97th year, out in it every day, taking her for lunch, supper, and shopping. She is frail, of course, but still ready to go when the going is good. It was sheer pleasure just to walk beside her, knowing that she is well cared for and still has spunk.

Judy Nebhut, Raspberries in Silver, archival photograph

At best, I have a hard time with summertime. It's not my favorite time of year. The heat is unforgiving. I'm always looking for something fresh to divert my attention, some kind of adventure that can take my mind off how hot it is. That's how the July show of SUMMER FRESH ART came to be.

We could call the artists the Summer Four, a group showing of artists who have never met each other and apparently don't have a lot in common, except...their emerging passion for making art.

Chris Beck, Kellie, painted metal

The artists and their artwork being presented are all over the map in variety of mediums, materials, and subjects - from outside materials and self-taught aesthetic to mosaics in glass; from photography in the tradition of modern still life paintings to paintings that explore the space/time continuum through ordinary objects and images.

Altogether, this is a group of artists that offer different flavors of art, each distinctive and passionately pursued. There is laughter and great pleasure for guests who see this exhibit. Check out the front and backside of Chris Beck's sculptural clothes hanging on the wall. Check out the elegance of Judy Nebhut's photography. You don't often get to see such elegant and calming work. Don't miss Deborah Wait's glass mosaic concoctions that continue to grow more ambitious in the sense of movement and shapes she creates. Tony Breuer is in the midst of making a transition from a long and successful career as a neurologist into life now as a trained and skilled artist taking on the ambitious challenge of making time and space stand still so we can contemplate them through regular objects.

Deborah Wait, mosaic

This exhibit calls for chilled wine or ice cold lemonade and a cool state of mind. The work of the Summer Four will make a believer out of you - that life can have freshness and that artistic enterprise offers relief from the harsh heat of summer. Artists have a way of turning the harshness and static nature of materials and the ordinariness of life into refreshing insights, into new ways of seeing and thinking. It's all about well-made work delivered personally by people who truly love to make the art they make and are eager to have others see their work.

Tony Breuer, Space Magnolias #6, oil on canvas

Artists often begin their work in a maze of sorts. Sometimes working on an idea or a technique without a clue in advance as to why and where it might lead them. In the early part of an artist's career, an artist is often simply driven to test certain materials and ideas that attract them. Typically, they have a hard time verbalizing what or why. Without exception, the four artists in this exhibit are driven by an almost blind passion for the materials and subjects of their work. Upfront, they kind of know where they want to go. They have a direction, but also lots of questions and no answers. That's part of what makes this exhibit presentation summertime fresh. There is a sense of discovery in the work of each of the artists, and they hook the viewer into their journey. We get to see where they started and sense of where they are going. And there is a lot of joy in the going. Joy is not exactly an art word, but it fits. Artistic discovery is a joyful thing. When you engage in the new worlds these artists have created for you, some of it inevitably rubs off on you. That's a lot of what this exhibit is about - encountering new work you haven't seen before and wondering how and why it all came about, and what makes it appealing.

So, psych yourself up to come to this particular exhibit prepared to see four worldviews that you haven't seen before. If you come prepared to have an adventure, you will have one cool summer evening.

We ART Nashville Wristbands

At The Arts Company, we will continue to provide a commemorative wristband to every person contributing $10 to the Community Foundation Flood Relief. As a thank you, we will offer each person wearing the wristband a 10% discount on any purchase in the gallery through the month of July. All of us have many friends whose lives have been impacted seriously by the recent flood. We ae proud to have sent several thousand dollars from our gallery alone to date to the Community Foundation. With your help, we can do more. Our gallery discount is our way of saying thanks back to our customers for their help.

The Art of Brother Mel Continues...

The Art of Brother Mel exhibit continues though July, with lots of new work by this popular gallery artist whose work ethic and new ideas never waver and never cease. We have already set to work on a documentary on Brother Mel's life and thoughts as an artist, one who lives and works in a community of religious brothers, but whose work is totally modern. He is truly one of a kind. His views about the art world and his work merit documentation, and The Arts Company Press has set out on this new journey.

Spirit of Nashville and Art & Soul of America

The Arts Company introduces Joel Anderson's signature poster collections, Spirit of Nashville and the newest one, Art & Soul of America. The gallery will be the only venue featuring limited-edition signed prints of images from both of these collections. The Spirit of Nashville series are well-known to Nashvillians, but now the Art & Soul of America is giving a new iconic personality to major American cities and national parks, all places familiar to travelers.

So don't forget your wristband - which is to say, don't forget our many friends who are still working their way out of the Nashville flood - and come on down to The Arts Company on Fifth Avenue of the Arts for First Art Saturday, July 3, 6-9 pm.

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Brother Mel: A Niche All His Own - A Commentary by Anne Brown

2010-06-01T09:31:00.016-05:00

It's that happy time of year at The Arts Company, when Brother Mel comes to Nashville to celebrate his birthday, bringing with him new artwork and signature pieces to keep us updated on what his interests are at the moment.

This year his visit is both literary and artistic--the literary part is a book-signing at Davis-Kidd Booksellers on Friday, June 4, 7:00 pm to talk with me about how his life and art came together in a book-length presentation of the variety and depth of his work. This occasion offers an unusual opportunity for collectors and friends of Brother Mel to have time to ask questions and talk to him in depth. We have created a commemorative bookmark to mark this special occasion.

The next day, June 5, we will celebrate his actual birthday and the art part of his trip--his latest exhibit at The Arts Company opening during First Art Saturday, 6-9 pm. Our gallery will be chock full of Brother Mel artwork--literally from floor to ceiling in a particularly dramatic and theatrical presentation. Some of the larger sculptures featured in the book about his work, Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art, made it to Nashville for his exhibit at The Arts Company this year, including Art 101 and a fresh new version of Don Quixote, complemented by new oversized watercolor abstracts; bicycles and guitars in his new style, new approaches to his signature series of icons, and new pieces mixing dalle de verre with steel sculpture.

As Brother Mel and I were nearing the end of putting the book together last fall, he noted that it was hard for him to tell when the book would reach its final end. His lifetime of energetic art-making drives him always to think that "the best is yet to come." The book might end, but his best work might still be coming. The book has now been out just five months or so, and he continues to do what he does best--make art 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, "bringing beauty to space to lift up spirits."

This year is Brother Mel's 82nd birthday--over 60 years as a Catholic brother in the Marianist order and over 50 years as a working artist. Preview the book about Brother Mel HERE. Better yet, put Brother Mel's visit in your schedule this week. Artists like Brother Mel don't pass our way often. He is a rare phenomenon, an art saint, if ever there should be one. He would seriously scoff at that, but it is an observation with merit. Come see for yourself. He occupies a niche all his own.

We ART Nashville: Helping Make Nashville Whole Again

2010-05-07T13:17:00.006-05:00

First Art Saturday participating galleries in downtown Nashville are launching an arts initiative, We Art Nashville, designed to benefit flood victims through the Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund.

We ART Nashville is scheduled for Friday, May 21, 6-9 pm in the galleries on Fifth Avenue, the galleries in the Arcade, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and the Tennessee Art League. The Downtown Partnership will provide free transportation between all of the participating galleries.

There is no admission fee, but each gallery will have commemorative wristbands available for $10 each, with all proceeds going directly to the Community Foundation Fund. The wristbands will also offer other special benefits at each gallery location.

Notice that this is a Friday night event, not the usual Saturday gallery event. This occasion gives guests the opportunity to view what was on exhibit during the canceled First Art Saturday that was originally scheduled on the weekend of the historic flood. We wanted to distinguish it from a regular First Saturday night opening to emphasize that this is a significant time when Nashville's arts industry can help our fellow Nashville citizens affected by this historic weather catastrophe that has impacted so many lives.

We are all in this together. We look forward to seeing you and doing our part to help make Nashville whole again. We can always rely on the arts to help us make sense of the important things in life.

Connect immediately with We ART Nashville on Facebook and Twitter @weartnashville. You will get regular updates on plans for the event.

A Celebration of The Art of Design: Jane Davis Doggett at The Arts Company

2010-04-24T17:19:00.004-05:00

The Tennessee State Museum organized a retrospective exhibit of Jane Davis Doggett's artwork last fall, which has since traveled to Yale University Art Gallery, where its stay has been extended through July 11, 2010. Ms. Doggett, a Nashville native, was a distinguished graduate both from Newcomb College and then the Yale University of Art and Architecture in the 1950's. Her prime artistic mentor at Yale was Joself Albers, whose groundbreaking books-- The Interaction of Color and Homage to the Square are considered landmark works in modern art.

Concord Installation

She learned her lessons from Albers as well as from other mentors including Louis Kahn and Alvis Eisenman, and then began to blaze her own trails. She is now known by her artistic peers as a pioneer in wayfinding graphics, designing signage for some 40 international airports, among other achievements in her field of design art. She has singularly been instrumental in bringing the primary concepts of modern design-- initiated by the influential Bauhaus school of thought in the 1920's--into the practical world of large public spaces.

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered

In the past decade, she has created her own new approach to combining art, philosophy, and literature in creating affordable contemporary artwork conceived and produced through the latest technologies and materials of the computer and internet mediums of the 21st century.

Ms. Doggett's exhibit opening at The Arts Company May 1st is focused on her recent series of signed, limited-edition wall panels and prints based on selections from proverbs and various cultures, rethinking literary and philosophical ideas in her own visual idiom of graphic design. The panels and prints have been developed by Ms. Doggett to make affordable designs of the highest quality available to the public, using the latest printing technologies and papers, to assure a long life for her visual interpretations of philosophical precepts of cultures of the world. Her visual interpretation of each line in the 23rd Psalm in a series of 12 graphic panels is a case in point.

23rd Psalm

She labels this new work IconoChrome Images, and notes that these images are graphic statements that form a language on their own. They are not illustrations. Each design is based on a combination of iconic shapes and bold colors that present a simple visual way of communicating ideas familiar to lots of people in a fresh new way.

Make it a point to see the array of Jane Davis Doggett's compelling artwork that speaks in color and form to the viewer. You can meet Ms. Doggett personally on Friday and Saturday nights (April 30 / May 1) at The Arts Company as part of "A Celebration of the Art of Design." It's an encounter that will connect you directly with the world of modern art, how it works and how it makes meaning. You can take the opportunity to put Ms. Doggett's book on Talking Graphics side by side with Josef Albers' Interaction of Color.

A Celebration of The Art of Design: Bill Johnson and Rolling Stone Magazine at The Arts Company

2010-04-24T17:18:00.003-05:00

Bill Johnson's story is a Nashville story of the best talent and creativity often attracted to Nashville, ultimately adopting Nashville as his home town and bringing his outstanding artistic credentials with him.

Annie Leibowitz original photos and finished spread designed by Bill Johnson for Rolling Stone

Bill's distinguished career as a Grammy Award-winning art director for CBS Records/Nashville began first in the early heady days of Rolling Stone magazine where he began as art director when their offices were still in California. He worked with all of the big guys in music, pop culture, photography, and politics featured in the magazine in the 1970's; redesigned the original magazine logo to the one still in use today; and went along with the move of the offices from California to NYC. He enlisted artists and photographers such as Annie Leibowitz and Andy Warhol to work with the trend-setting magazine.

In the 1980's in NYC, Bill became art director for CBS Records, eventually coming to CBS Nashville, where many of his album covers won Grammy Awards.

Chakra Series: Green/Blue

Some five years ago, Bill joined The Arts Company roster of artists with his own original artwork, rendering subjects of interest to him in the characteristic clean, exacting, and bold style of his career as an art director. The gallery gravitates to presenting his work in January through spring time because his bold palette breaks through winter doldrums. His technique is accomplished and meticulous-- suggestive of the work of Alex Katz.

Original Andy Warhol contact sheet and spread it was used for in Rolling Stone

As we celebrate the art of design at The Arts Company, we asked Bill to bring samples of his work for Rolling Stone, including vintage tear sheets with accompanying original photographs by Annie Leibowitz and Andy Warhol. The viewer will see the pre-computer processes required for magazine layouts side by side with Bill's recent paintings. It's a trip worth taking. Plus, it's lots of fun just to talk with him about some of the folks he has worked with over the years. He might even bring along some of his award-winning Nashville album covers.

A Celebration of The Art of Design: Joel Anderson and The Spirit of Nashville

2010-04-24T16:20:00.007-05:00

Joel Anderson's design art not only speaks for itself, it speaks for Nashville. His popular series of iconic posters, The Spirit of Nashville, is an artistic success story. Over the last decade, Joel has developed a series of iconic posters that symbolize the institutions, venues, and concepts that make Nashville Nashville.

All of this he has done through the art of design, creating affordable high quality poster art that is attractive to both residents and visitors alike.

For the celebration of the art of design at The Arts Company, Joel has brought in three original composites of his poster icons that demonstrate the effectiveness of the icons he has created for Nashville. As both artist and art director, Joel has selected different artists to help create the icons that speak for Nashville. Currently, he is working with some students at Watkins School of the Arts, encouraging them to find fresh ways to speak for Nashville's sense of itself.

Joel will be available to talk with in person during First Art Saturday at The Arts Company, May 1, 6-9 pm.

Tune In This Sunday: A Note From Anne Brown

2010-04-06T16:12:00.012-05:00

Anne Brown and John Seigenthaler on the set of "A Word on Words"

Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art will be featured on John Seigenthaler's Word on Words on NPT (Channel 8) Sunday, April 11, 10:30 am, when John talks with me about who Brother Mel is and why I wrote a book about him and his artwork.

Typically, John focuses on books about politics, history, and literature, but not necessarily things artistic. However, something about Brother Mel's extraordinary life and his accomplishments as an artist elicited an enthusiastic response from him in this case.

John Seigenthaler's lifelong passion for books and words is obvious in this interview as in all the others he has hosted on NPT over the last 39 years. He greeted me full of enthusiasm for Brother Mel's story and his art. His questions, observations, and responses all indicated that he was thoroughly versed in the book and was ready to explore its subject matter in depth. Rather than being the wise sage that we all know he is, he continues to come across one on one as being a young man anxious to know more about where the writer and the book were coming from. That's part of the magic of his wisdom. It's no wonder that he has had so many viewers for this weekly program.

For me, it was a double honor - first, to be representing Brother Mel's life as an artist and a monk, and then to be seated across from one of the premier book interviewers in the country. It doesn't get any better. Tune in if you can.

Anne Brown and John Seigenthaler following the "A Word on Words" interview

Coming Soon to the Arts Company

2010-03-27T16:34:00.006-05:00

This coming Saturday, April 3, 6-9 pm, we will be setting up a Trailer Park Drive-In Theatre in our Avant-Garage Gallery at The Arts Company, mixing art and film. Selected trailers to be premiered this year at the Nashville Film Festival (April 15-22) will be projected onto one of the garage walls. Nashville Film Festival Planners will be on hand to meet and greet our guests and clue them in on what new films are coming this year. Representatives from the Watkins College of Art Filmaking Department will also be available to offer information about their film programs.

Our host for the event will be Nashville's own Elaine Wood, an artist in her own right and an avowed film groupie, on hand to greet guests in a great trailer park drive-in theatre she will set up and host in our Avant-Garage space. Elaine's diminutive Scamp trailer, hand-painted and outfitted by Elaine, is an artistic happening in its own right. We want guests to enjoy trailer art and hospitality as a backdrop for checking out film trailers from the forthcoming festival.

Other artistic highlights in connecting art, film, and hospitality include: larger-than-life 3-D gallery-goers created by Denise Stewart-Sanabria, located throughout the space to invite conversation with guests; and a group of Brother Mel's new pieces from his "On the Town" series, to be placed on the wall as on-site art and film critics for the evening.

The Avant-Garage gallery is situated on the way from our downstairs galleries to our upstairs galleries. Our front gallery downstairs will be full of April Street's gorgeous and intricate new paintings--accompanied by April herself on hand to meet and greet gallery-goers. And, as always, who knows what we will be showing in our upstairs galleries?

The Arts Company is pulling out all the stops to call attention to one of our primary Partners in Art--the Nashville Film Festival. It's our down home artsy way of presenting this year's preview of the festival, just barely two weeks before the films start rolling. As the film festival folks like to say it: "Something wonderful is about to happen."

April comes but once a year, so listen up!

2010-03-26T10:22:00.006-05:00

The Arts Company is always aflutter when we present April Street's work each year. Last year we missed presenting her new work in a Fall show as usual, because her opportunities in Los Angeles would not allow yet another full body of exhibition-ready work all in the same year. But not wanting to wait through another year, we persuaded her to make an exhibition of new work for us in the Spring this year.

April is one of the hardest working artists we know, and one of the most inventive. Many of our customers have had a chance to meet and talk with her over the last decade. It is unfailingly interesting to follow her annual shifts into new ideas and challenges she creates for herself as an artist. This year is no exception. Those who already know her look forward to seeing what her work is like this year. Is it figurative or abstract or...? Those who haven't had a chance to meet her will want to know how on earth she can produce such intricate and thoughtful work - all by her hand, no gimmicks - and so much of it in just a year's time.

She will be at our place for her First Art Saturday opening reception this Saturday, April 3, from 6-9 pm. Now is your chance to catch up with this deluxe artist who is always willing to talk with folks personally about how she makes the paintings she makes.

THE ARTS COMPANY, NASHVILLE, ELLA STEVE, WOODY AND DENISE

2010-02-04T14:13:00.004-06:00

ELLA
We're thinking about clearing out a space upstairs during First Saturday this weekend (6-9 pm) for those who are inspired to dance to the music of Ella Fitzgerald from the new album, "Twelve Nights in Hollywood." This is the first time these recordings have been made public. They were all recorded in a series of 12 live sessions at the Crescendo in Hollywood in 1961-62, and none of the cuts has been released before. The performances are intimate and swinging--pure Ella. She is accompanied only by a piano, bass, and drums. You may be used to hearing Ella only with big bands and orchestral arrangements, but try this one out. There are 4 discs in this album and a small book of information about the recording sessions.

We have a couple of the albums for sale. We've had a tough time finding them, but we have been able to find them for friends. They are expensive, 4 CD's for one thing, but worth every penny. Whether you check this out this weekend by looking at art and listening or getting up for a quick turn of dancing, this album is an experience.

STEVE
Must mention also that we have been able to corner two of the LP's of Steve Martin's Grammy Award-winning banjo album (just this week). Even Rounder Records has no more, so they are sending us a handful of CD's so that those who are interested can get one this weekend. But the LP is terrific. It even has a special pop-up of Steve and the Crow on stage. Steve has long ties with Nashville. He performed at Exit In in another decade early in his career. This new album, "The Crow," is totally connected with Nashville. Is there a banjo anywhere not connected with Nashville?

WOODY AND DENISE
Thanks also to Rounder Records for sending us another unusual boxed set album, "The Dusty Road." Packaged like a small suitcase from the 1940s, this definitive collection of Woody Guthrie recordings from the mid-40s is Nashville rich by association, if nothing else. The haunted songs and sounds of folks coming out of the Depression have that long and lonesome Nashville feel and sound. The packaging of memorabilia, including reproductions from some of Woody's artwork, takes the listener back to the day. Again, this is on the expensive side of CDs, but worth the price for 4 CDs and all of the materials that come with it. I spotted this small vintage suitcase replica across the room in Denise Stiff's office. Denise has been singularly vigilant and tenacious in bringing The Fairfield Four, Allison Krauss to the forefront, and heavily involved in making the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack a classic. Denise is one of those people who ignites Nashville.

THE ARTS COMPANY AND NASHVILLE
What does it have to do with The Arts Company and Nashville? Everything. It's great music that has heart and soul. In our gallery, the art, music, ideas, and ambience are all eclectic, fresh, original, contemporary, and engaging. It's all about what we care about for ourselves and for our customers.

Jubilation: The Obama Inauguration One Year Later

2010-02-01T10:12:00.004-06:00

Lou Outlaw (aka Lucius Outlaw, Associate Provost at Vanderbilt University) has been a serious student of photography for many years. When he went to Washington last January to be part of the Obama inauguration, he reacted as a photographer. Instead of focusing on Obama taking the oath, at that very moment he could not resist capturing images of the impassioned response of a lady nearby who was totally into the moment of Obama's taking the oath. Lou turned his attention to her and started snapping. He called those moments "Jubilation." The resulting photographs are paired with some images he took a couple of years ago of the Nashville Freedom Riders re-convening in Nashville to re-take the famed civil rights bus ride from Nashville to Birmingham.

Lou has had a distinguished lifetime of personal and professional involvement in black history and civil rights, and has found his own way through photography to express his emotional and intellectual response to historic occasions that mark that part of our common history.

The Arts Company has invited Lou to be our guest during Art After Hours (Thursday, February 4, 5-7 PM). A conversation with Lou begins at 6 PM.

Nashville Town and Country

2010-02-01T09:41:00.005-06:00

The February exhibit of Steven Walker's new paintings of "Nashville Town and Country" has been a long time coming, because of the demand for the work of this rising young artist in other cities. We scheduled this new series as soon as he felt he could complete the work after his last show. Steven's canvases are reminiscent of Edward Hopper's. Each new canvas has more abstract details than the last. We have not seen all of the canvases to be in the exhibit, but we are certain that they will be fresh and very well executed. To see a young painter interested in the traditional techniques of realism, but adding his own brand of insight and abstraction is particularly exciting to The Arts Company.

Steven's first passion in painting is clicking photographs of landscapes while riding down the highway. Typically, his landscapes are seen from a broad distance. But he also excels in selecting urban buildings and urban landscapes as subjects for his paintings. This particular exhibit focuses on both the town and country parts of Nashville. Seeing Nashville downtown up close and landscapes outside the city limits, presented side by side, offers a new context for thinking about this particular city through the eyes of a painter who is only recently acquainted with Nashville. He paints us as we are--a sophisticated and complex city in the middle of trees and farmhouses.

Steven will be in town to talk with guests during the First Saturday opening, 6-9 PM, February 6.

We Like Our Winters Hot!

2010-01-07T11:22:00.008-06:00

We like winter that has such things in it—Mexican-style cinnamon chili hot chocolate made and served by Scott Witherow and associates from Olive and Sinclair Chocolates, a Nashville original.

We also like winter nights with art such as Rod Daniel’s striking new black and white photographs of Canyon de Chelly.

We like classic winter nights spent browsing through Bill Starke’s sculpture that climbs the walls and dives from the ceiling.

We especially like winter nights with friends who share our love of art, books, and imagining what our New Year will turn out to be.

All of this and much more begins this Saturday, January 9, 6-9 pm. It’s only a preview of things to come in this brand new year of what’s fresh, original, and welcoming at The Arts Company in downtown Nashville.

The Arts Company gets "Red Hot" for this year's Artrageous!

2009-10-21T13:16:00.007-05:00

The Arts Company will be spicing things up for this year's Artrageous! With Artrageous 22's theme of "Sweet Imagination," (think Willy Wonka...only wilder, flashier, and trendier) every gallery was given the opportunity to create their own theme inspired by candy, confection, desserts, etc. As quite a candy-lover myself, I decided on one of my favorite candies of all time...RED HOTS!!!

The Arts Company is honored to be a part of this important fundraiser for Nashville Cares, and has been a part of this event for over 10 years! With food provided by Arnold Myint's, Cha Chah resaurant, The Arts Company's own specialty drink, the "Red Hot" provided by Artrageous sponsor Absolut Vodka, new work by several gallery artists, our "Avant-Garage" Lounge/Gallery with red sofa, red hanging lanterns, and much more, you can expect The Arts Company to truly be "red hot" the night of November 14.

You don't want to miss this amazing night of food, fun...and most importantly "red hot" art!

Purchase your tickets now at www.artrageous.org.

New Bob Schatz book: Nashville Architectural Treasures

2009-10-08T11:09:00.013-05:00

Many of our artists are doing exciting new things! Bob Schatz, one of the October Showcase Artists (along with Charles Keiger), is publishing a new book entitled: By Design: Nashville's Architectural Treasures. The book includes many historic and contemporary Nashville treasures such as The Hermitage Hotel, Cheekwood, Fisk University, the Belle Meade Theater, and much more. Visit our website for additional information!

Announcing The Arts Company Press

2009-08-29T17:21:00.002-05:00

The Arts Company and Anne Brown

Announce the Formation of Publishing Arm

The Arts Company Press

Launch of Publishing Company Debuts with

“Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art” in October 2009

Nashville, TN – The Arts Company and Anne Brown announce the expansion of their full-service art business with the launch of The Arts Company Press. Established to expand the market for selected high-end art books, The Arts Company Press and writer Anne Brown will offer a series of art publications on a variety of artists, art initiatives and events. All of the books will feature fresh, original, and contemporary artwork in photography, painting, and sculpture, by artists from emerging to legendary. The Arts Company Press will launch with the October 2009 publication of Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art.

About Publisher/ Writer Anne Brown

Anne Brown has been an innovative and influential arts leader in middle Tennessee for more than 35 years. She has led numerous artistic efforts to make the arts a more prominent part of public life in Nashville, including leadership positions in city and state arts commissions, initiating various citywide arts festivals and arts institutions, and owning a premier art gallery. In addition, she held teaching positions at Fisk University, Belmont University, and Vanderbilt University. In 2002, she developed and wrote the book, The Art of Doug Williams: Salvation and Beauty. She holds a master of art degree in English and history from East Texas State University and a Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of Arkansas, with additional fellowships and graduate study at Rice University and New York University. Dr. Brown resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where she owns and manages The Arts Company and The Arts Company Press.

About Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art

The first part of Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art addresses his life from his family, his spiritual commitment as a Marianist brother in a Catholic community, his distinguished artistic education, his decades of travel, his influences, the development of his studio, and his commitment to making art 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, since the 1960s. The second part of the book is a portfolio of selected images from the thousands of works of art he has produced over a 50-year period. The images are presented in various sections of his special interests and productivity—from his early days of glass, chapels, frescoes, and icons to sculpture, paintings, handmade paper—and his recent work since 2000, which showcases how Brother Mel has experimented sculpturally with all kinds of ordinary materials, including rusted tools, wagon wheels, bicycles and M&M shapes, as well as with large bold abstract watercolors, and other pieces that defy description.

Contact The Arts Company at 615-254-2040 to pre-order your copy of this new book.

Artist of the Week: Rod Daniel

2009-08-14T11:20:00.004-05:00

Rod Daniel, a Nashville native and graduate of Vanderbilt University, has returned to Nashville following his 25 years as a successful Hollywood director. Following his time in Vietnam as an army lieutenant, he began as a television advertising producer and commercial director in Nashville, then Atlanta, and then Chicago. His Hollywood career began in 1978 when he joined WKRP in Cincinnati as a director. From there, the list of Hollywood credits is long, with television shows from Newhart to Magnum P.I. to Everybody Loves Raymond to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. His theatrical releases include Beethoven’s Second and Teen Wolf, as well as many other episodes for television and additional theatrical film credits. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

He has been actively engaged in developing his fine art photography portfolio over the last fifteen years, combining his motorcycle travels with photography on the road.

To see more of Rod Daniel's photography click here.

The Art of Flowers: Nicole Katano

2009-07-08T12:21:00.005-05:00

“The ultimate point,” Katano says, “isn’t to tell people what to see or think. It is to make them feel.”

Nicole Katano's stunning diptychs memorize any whose eyes fall upon them. They are honest pieces of work seamlessly combining two everyday objects to create a harmonious image. Subject matter ranges from flowers to buildings and hits on everything in between capturing not only seasons and intense color but also emotion. These emotions are what draw people to her work.

Recently, The Arts Compnay has had the opportunity to frame some newer works by Nicole Katano. With each having its own story to tell, viewers are able to have an emotional, immeidate and non-verbal interaction with the work.

We hope you enjoy the works below and feel free to come in at anytime to see more of Nicole Katano's work!

Morsel

Botanical Gate

Happy 4th of July from The Arts Company

2009-07-02T13:07:00.012-05:00

From everyone here at The Arts Company we would like to wish you a very happy and safe 4th of July!

We hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!

Happy 4th of July from Brother Mel!

Happy 4th of July from Norris Hall!

Happy 4th of July from Bob McGill!

Art After Hours: The Art of Flags

2009-06-26T12:48:00.008-05:00

Shhhh...Art After Hours.

Sounds like a sneak peek if we have ever heard of one.

So here's the scoop:
Art After Hours is Nashville's 1st monthly, CITY-WIDE art crawl. Participating galleries will be opened late (After Hours) from 5-8 PM on the first Thursday of each month so gallery patrons can stop in after work and see what is new (this is the sneak peek part). Most galleries will also be featuring guest speakers, artist demonstrations, gallery artists will be in attendance, and light refreshments will be served. This special event is being facilitated by the Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD) and a complete listing of participating galleries can be found on their website: www.nashvilleartdealers.net.

During Art After Hours on July 2, The Arts Company will be presenting "The Art of Flags" to celebrate the Fourth of July. This exhibition will feature commissioned works by Jorge Arrieta, Brother Mel, Norris Hall, Myles Maillie, and Bob McGill. Some of our featured artists will be with us that evening and Bob McGill will be giving an artist demonstration throughout the night.

In the spirit of sneak peeks we are offering a sneak peek challenge. Here is what you have to do:

1. Look at the images below and match the flag sections to the correct artist (if you click on the image it will appear in a larger format)

2. Print out the images with your answers written on the sheet

3. Bring your print out with you, complete with answers to Art After Hours on July 2 between 5 - 8 PM

4. If all your answers are correct you will receive a 10% off coupon for The Arts Company

Limit one per customer

Artist of the Week: Aggie Zed

2009-06-19T14:42:00.005-05:00

We recently received a new shipment of Aggie Zed sculptures in the mail. Two boxes full! It was like Christmas, we love getting any new artwork in but two boxes filled to the brim with small porcelain people and creatures is a real treat, especially since we had no idea who we would find in the boxes. It turns out that within an hour: 19 people, 5 elephants, 5 fish, 5 cats, and 4 bull trophies appeared and created a small army on our table. These fascinating sculptures seem to intrigue all audiences who can't help but stare into their small little eyes and marvel at their ever so delicate fingers. Even the animals are mystifying due to their mid-action poses. Aggie Zed sculpts with the intention of presenting art with humor and poignancy both of which are achieved through her fist sized figures.

If you are an Aggie Zed lover or are just hearing about her for the first time please stop in to take a look. You will be delighted with what you see and will more than likely be able to relate to one of these small figures as they all have a personality all their own.

Box one FULL of petite sculptures

The first out of the box, elephants on parade

Brian proudly displaying what he just unwrapped

Our new sculpture army!

The aftermath - two empty boxes and lots of packing material.

Music Fever Has Hit

2009-06-11T11:25:00.011-05:00

Even though Nashville is always Music City this week during the CMT Music Festival and Awards Nashville is truly a place that will eat, breathe, and sleep music. Thousands of people flood the city to hear their favorite musicians and to take part in the annual event. In addition to the CMT Music Festival, not far from Nashville in Manchester, TN, Bonnaroo is held featuring musical artists for four days. These two events would be any music lover's dream.

Even if you are not able to come to Music City to participate in all of the festivities here are some pieces of art from our gallery artists that will help you feel like you are here! Just turn up your stereo and scroll.

If you are in town we would love to see you! Stop by on your way to a concert and see what music related works we have and who knows who you may run into!

The Stage - Kimiko

The Best Days of My Life - Bob McGill

Mose Vinson - Bill Steber

Beatles - Lamar Sorrento

Painted Steel Guitar - Brother Mel

A Lonesome Song - Charles Keiger

Artist of the Week: Nashville, Saturday, July 20, 1946

2009-05-29T15:52:00.003-05:00

On this one afternoon and evening, photojournalist Edward Clark, Nashville native, recorded the familiar weekly ritual of the Grand Ole Opry at The Ryman Auditorium. People arriving by truck, bus, and car from North Carolina to California; standing in line, hanging out backstage, on stage, and in the standing room only audience, and autograph seeking at the stage door. These photographs combine many legends - The Ryman, The Opry, many revered country music artists, whose careers were already at high tide in the 1940s - and Clark himself.

Clark had already recorded, or would soon record in LIFE Magazine, many of the images by which we remember the 20th century. Clark literally captured moments in time when the country music fans of fifty years ago lined up and the stars revved up for an evening at the Opry at The Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

Ed Clark's Opry series contains over 100 images. The photographs were neither printed nor published at the time. The negatives were tucked away in obscurity until 1994 when a chance discovery led to the development of a collectors' portfolio of selected images. Photographs from Clark's personal collection, including the entire Opry series, can be seen at The Arts Company so come in and visit!

Brother Mel Book Update: Only One More Week

2009-05-28T15:25:00.010-05:00

With only one more week until Brother Mel is here for FirstArtSaturday you can feel the energy lifting in the gallery. His new works are being hung downstairs and should be up by this weekend. The works are a great mix of paintings in both acrylic and watercolor and of sculpture- rust works and some painted metal. In addition to these exciting and fresh works, we will be previewing the Brother Mel book in its full form on our Apple TV that will be positioned amongst the art. It will be a perfect combination of artist, art, and books that evening. Here is another page from the Brother Mel book to check out! Enjoy and come visit us on June 6 from 6-9PM!

Brother Mel Book Update

2009-05-23T15:48:00.005-05:00

With only two more weeks until the big Brother Mel opening things are starting to change around the gallery. We are pulling all of Brother Mel's artwork out of the inventory room and mapping out where it will hang. In addition to the physical work many hours have been put into the Brother Mel book also being previewed the night of the opening. The book is looking great and taking on a form true to Brother Mel. As promised here is another page to pre-preview.

We hope you enjoy!

Can't wait to see everyone at the opening, June 6, 6-9 PM.

WHAT’S BROTHER MEL UP TO THIS YEAR?

2009-05-16T10:01:00.011-05:00

Many of you are familiar with Brother Mel and his work and love him just as much as we do here at The Arts Company. Even if you are not in the know about Brother Mel he will not take long to win over your heart. In two weeks, Brother Mel will be here for our FirstArtSaturday opening ( June 6, 6-9 PM) as he makes his 11th annual pilgrimage to Nashville, TN. This year Brother Mel will celebrate his 81st birthday, including over 60 years of being a Marianist brother in a Catholic Community and over 50 years as a full-time artist.

In addition to presenting his annual exhibition, The Arts Company is in the process of publishing a book about Brother Mel's lifetime of making art. The book follows Brother Mel from his early years and continues through his joining the Marianist community, his education, his travel, and the prolific body of artwork he has produced over the last 50 years. The 200-page book will be previewed in June and available in early fall. It is filled with images of the diverse styles and mediums he has employed in his work that numbers over 10,000 documented pieces. It also details the story of his life and work heretofore available, offing insight into a most unusual artist.

Below is a page from the Brother Mel book for your viewing pleasure. Please enjoy and we will make sure to post additional pages in the weeks that lead up to Brother Mel's arrival here in Nashville.

Click here for a larger view

Artist of the Week: The less-traveled path

2009-05-02T10:55:00.009-05:00

Star and Tibia, platinum/palladium print, 4 x 5"

From Polaroid Film to X-Ray Negatives To Platinum Prints

The less-traveled path

Don Dudenbostel is one of the rare breed of photographers who uses an x-ray machine with Polaroid film, and then prints the resulting negatives as platinum prints. Add to that the fact that Polaroid 55 film is no longer available, nor is the traditional paper for making platinum prints. He has definitely chosen the less-traveled path.

In the best of times, platinum printing is a complex mix of art and science, never mind that the platinum solution costs $2,000 an ounce. This kind of photography combined with this kind of printing is a true mix of art and science, the dual basis of photography. Most of the components he uses are virtually extinct. But those who love the beauty of platinum printing will know that his efforts are worth it for the resulting prints. They are rare and luminous in the depth of black and white color they yield.

The exquisite 5” x 7” prints he has produced in editions of 25 have just about reached their end point. A couple of years ago, he stockpiled film and paper. The supplies are running out. He has printed some of the images in larger sizes through the archival digital process, and they, too, are gorgeous prints, but for platinum aficionados, they are not the same.

Don Dudenbostel, a Knoxville-based photographer, is an award-winning photographer who has documented Appalachian culture over a 40-45 year period. There will be a traveling museum show of that work beginning in January 2010. Meanwhile, The Arts Company has some of his small exquisite platinum prints. His subjects are typically flowers, shells, instruments and other objects. He presents them all as equally elegant.

To see more of Don Dudenbostel's work click here.

posted: AB

Artist of the Week: Kudos to Keiger

2009-04-25T11:13:00.006-05:00

Chariot Dream, oil on panel, 20 x 18"

Charles Keiger is the kind of artist you hope to encounter in this life. He is smart, unassuming, has a life, is compelled to make art -- and he is articulate about the mysteries he creates with oil on canvas or wood. He is also ahead of the curve. He has his own blog that he has just started. Do yourself a favor and check into it. In an economic downturn, his art continues, because it must. He responds to the foibles and realities of our culture in a way only an artist can do. He helps us see what we are seeing. He makes meaning of the daily confusions with the specifics of his art.

For the rest of the story, go straight to his blog at www.charleskeiger.blogspot.com .

We have a few of Charles' paintings in the gallery, and hope to get more soon. We are particularly interested in his quick-sketch studies. There's nothing neater than seeing an artist's mind working out an idea. Here's his take on the state of mind of an artist today: "Painting knows no recession and I am pleased with what's going on in the studio."

posted AB

The Women of Gee's Bend

2009-04-24T15:46:00.014-05:00

It was such a great day yesterday that we had to post about it while we are still on the Gee's Bend high. Some of the women of Gee's Bend stopped by the gallery to say hello on their way back from St Louis. They were delightful to have in the gallery and all have the most uplifting spirits. We were privileged to have lunch with them and were even more honored by their impromptu concert. We are hoping that they will join us again very soon and that we will be able to set up a gallery exhibition for them so that more people can be touched by these outstanding women!

To learn more about The Women and Quilts of Gee's Bend check out their website: http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/index.shtml

Here are the women of Gee's Bend singing at The Arts Company! What a treat!

This Week's Featured Artist

2009-04-17T14:24:00.005-05:00

Jim Hubbman

Jim Hubbman is a photorealist in style working primarily in watercolor on paper. The detailed images he creates are still life tableaux. He begins a painting by uniting odd materials and arranging them to make an engaging, realistic image. As he builds a narrative scene, the artist juxtaposes the original functions of the featured objects with contrasting physical properties of shape, color and mass. His photorealist watercolors have the appearance of a digital image with a surreal twist.

To see more of Jim Hubbman's amazing watercolors and mezzotints click here.

"Tough Lunch" by Jim Hubbman

posted: bd

New Work Alert - Insider View

2009-04-15T16:24:00.008-05:00

The past few days have been very busy here as we try to get ready for our May opening featuring Fresh Art by new artists as well as new works by gallery artists. All of the work seems to be coming in all at the same time and is creating an energized environment and actually quite a mess around the gallery.

Let's take a look at the stats so far with five artists in the door and three more to go.

Here is what we have so far:

David Benson = 19 works
Carl Plansky = 3 works
Kimiko = 21 new works
Curt Ginther = 11 works
Jeff Hand = 5 new works

Grand total on Tuesday at 5:00pm = 59!!!!

In addition to these artists mentioned we are expecting a visit from Andy Todd, David Swanagin, and Steven Walker in the next few days to add to the total number of pieces of art that have come in this week. We will keep you up to date on the running tally of works. For the time being here are some images of us processing the new works. Enjoy and feel free to come in, look around, and be the first to see what we have coming up.

In Need of a Read?

2009-04-10T12:04:00.007-05:00

Guilty as charged. We are book lovers! But let me tell you these are no ordinary books.

The gallery is currently featuring four books illustrated by Sam Fink. Fink is 92 years old and still going strong, still driving and still signing! He was gracious enough to take some time and sign all of the copies in stock especially for our customers. We currently have four titles that are beautifully illustrated by Fink: The Constitution of the United States of America, The Gettysburg Address, The Book of Exodus, and Give it All, Give it Now: One of the Few Things I Know About Writing, written by Annie Dillard. Each of these books carries its own charm attributed not only to the stunning illustrations and fascinating subjects but also to their over sized form allowing the illustrations to take life on the page. Give it All, Give it Now even features an accordion design prompting extra inspiration. If you are looking for a fun, inspirational, or special gift or even a new book to delight your own senses one of these titles would be perfect. For more information about the books and to read about Sam Fink in his own words click here.

This Week's Featured Artist

2009-04-08T10:50:00.008-05:00

April Street

April Street's work intersects the animal and human species with painting references to place the viewer somewhere between the abstract and representational, mixing artificial and natural worlds in ways that have become part of the artist's distinctive visual signature.

Her recent paintings are watery and space-like wonderscapes caught in states of advance, recession, and stillness. Precariously balanced by form, and desire, Street creates curiously layered paintings that combine saccharine-like colored stains and symbolic gestures with her own investigative narratives that she sets up, erases, overlaps and retells much like the relaying of an oral history that has been altered through passing.

To see more of April Street's work click here.

"an avalanche of bubbles struck me and popped" by April Street

posted: BD

John Baeder in the News

2009-04-01T13:44:00.011-05:00

The Arts Company is presenting its third and final John Baeder exhibition; American Roadside Early Photographs. The show opens this Saturday at FirstArtSaturday. Recently we stumbled across this article in the Tennessean and wanted to share it with you. We hope you enjoy reading it and that the article will give you some insight into John Baeder and also his artistic works.

We hope to see you on Saturday for the opening. John will be joining us and will be giving a special exhibition preview starting at 5PM. Don't miss out!

Painter dishes on dining

"Renowned photorealist painter John Baeder, who has an exhibit of photographs at the Arts Company on April 4-24, has seen his share of restaurants. His life's work has been painting America's roadside diners, and when you're talking to a man who has downed countless meals on the go, you can't help but wonder where he likes to eat in Nashville, which he calls a "magical, spiritual wonderland."

Joey's House of Pizza in Brentwood makes the cut, as does Bombay Palace Fine Indian Cuisine on West End and Hayashi Japanese Buffet in Franklin, Martin's BBQ in Nolensville serves a brisket that he says is almost as good as the true Texas article - "close, no cigar"."

William Ayers, The Tennessean
April 1, 2009

To read more click below!
"Painter John Baeder unveils his photo trove"

Also, make sure to visit John Baeder's website to view his paintings at: http://www.johnbaeder.com/

Makin' it Fresh

2009-03-26T16:29:00.005-05:00

Hey Art Lovers!

For those of you who know The Arts Company well, and for those who don't, welcome to The Arts Company Blog. The Arts Company has and will forever be based on the principles of fresh, original, contemporary and affordable. In an effort to stay fresh we have broken into the cyber world with quite some thunder, the blog being the "frame on our painting". Here at The Arts Company we realize the importance of the internet along with the power of virtual communities. Not only are we interested in getting the word out about our exhibitions and happenings but we are more interested in becoming part of a conversation between galleries, artists, art lovers, museums, and anyone interested. Everyone here at The Arts Company will be contributing to the blog and we ask that you do the same through your comments that can be added under any post. As stated before we cannot promise what you will find on here but be assured it will always be interesting, thoughtful, and quirky. We will also try to throw in surprises along the way like insider looks into the gallery and maybe even a few competitions with prizes! The blog will not take the place of the actual gallery experience but hopefully it will hold you over until you can come visit us again. We hope you enjoy reading and will come visit us soon.