The Annual exhibit of Tennessee Craft at Centennial Art Center Commemorates 50 Years of Creative Collaboration
The annual Tennessee Craft exhibit at Centennial Art Center (CAC), The Art of Craft, bears a greater significance this year as CAC celebrates its 50th year of cultivating and promoting Tennessee artists and artisans in Middle Tennessee. On display August 8 – September 20, 2022, this exhibit commemorates the long-standing relationship between Tennessee Craft (founded in 1965 and originally known as TACA) and Centennial Art Center. This collaboration began in 1972 when the first annual “Tennessee Crafts Fair” was held around the exterior perimeter of Centennial Art Center. The inaugural fair began just one week year after the building was reopened as the art center following its conversion from a public swimming pool that had closed ten years prior. The Tennessee Craft fairs in the spring and fall each year have grown so large; they now take place on the great lawn adjacent to the Parthenon in the front of Centennial Park. Hosting this exhibit in the Art Center’s gallery each year brings Tennessee Craft back to its roots.
In discussing his excitement about the upcoming exhibit, Metro Parks Visual Arts Supervisor, Joshua Wagner, shared, “Nashville is so fortunate to have organizations like these that work together to provide resources for artists—helping our creative communities thrive. The legacy produced by these partnerships is woven into the fabric of our local community and is part of what makes Nashville one of the most creative cities in the United States.”
Kim Waag, Executive Director of Tennessee Craft congratulates Centennial Art Center on their 50th Anniversary – “The Tennessee Craft Governing Board and staff, and those who launched the Centennial Art Center and Tennessee Craft collaboration in 1972 reflect with gratification the five decades of opportunities and experiences made possible to Tennessee artists, members, and the craft arts community. We enthusiastically look forward to continual connections for artists and the growth of arts and culture through the sum of the efforts of our strong partnership and relationship.”
This year The Art of Craft exhibit welcomes Tennessee Craft artists from four regional chapters located across the state. Artists from the Southwest Chapter include Frederique Zindy (watercolor) and Felicitas Sloves (fiber art/handwoven tapestry). Representing the Midstate Chapter are Ashley Seay (printmaking), Audrey Deal-McEver (ceramics) and Beth Barnard (sculpture). The artist from the Plateau Chapter is Jessica Hagar (fiber art), and representatives from the East Chapter include Julie Boisseau-Craig (mixed media, glass) and Tiana Boisseau-Palo(Intaglio and screen prints).
The gallery reception for The Art of Craft will be held in conjunction with Starry Night, an annual fundraiser organized by Creative Parks Nashville (CPN), on Saturday, September 10 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CPN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit “friends” group dedicated to supporting music, visual arts, and theater education in Nashville’s parks. In addition to live entertainment, there will be an art show and sale featuring plein air paintings by the Chestnut Group and other local artists. The evening will also feature drink tickets and refreshments from Phat Bites as well as a silent auction. Reserve your free tickets at starrynight.eventbrite.com.
Join Centennial Art Center and Tennessee Craft as they celebrate 50 years of community partnership with this special exhibit.