Franklin Art Scene offers variety of fresh talent
With its one-year birthday, the Franklin Art Scene talent Friday will set a nice precedent for the event’s milestone event in September. The downtown tour of the arts in Historic Franklin, Tenn. has added six new stops since May and will feature fresh talent at its 30-plus locations—including work by more than 200 elementary and high school students who spent time at O’More College of Design’s annual summer art camp.
“Each year we have a culminating Summer Studio Gallery exhibition that allows campers to experience the privilege of having their work shown to others,” said Sorrel Dugan, O’More Summer Studio director. “We decided to showcase that art during Friday’s Franklin Art Scene to demonstrate the serious art making and young talent developing in our area.”
Nearly 250 pieces will be on display at the Abbey Leix Mansion on the College campus during the event, 6-9 p.m. The projects have been pre-juried in eight categories and the award-winning artwork will be prominently featured during the event.
This month’s Franklin Art Scene will be a welcome respite from the heat: nearly all of the participating locations will display work indoors. The event is free, but a $5 unlimited trolley ticket runs all night to take guests from spot to spot. Many of the locations serve complimentary wine and hors d’ouevres. For more information, visit www.franklinartscene.com
Other highlights include:
J.L Clay Senior Center, a daily activity center at 420 Bridge Street, is a new Art Scene participant that will feature painter and sculptor Pamela Davis Irvin. Irvin is the non-profit’s Monday art instructor and also teaches at the Centennial Art Center in Nashville. She has painted for more than 30 years, and is also a book illustrator. The stop will also host Barbara A. Stone, a center member who will play several classical piano pieces for guests.
Scarlett Scales Antiques on Second Avenue South will feature Lori Durso, a local photographer who specializes in vintage photographic art. Durso’s rustic-looking work conjures nostalgic memories of yesteryear.
Down the road, Gallery 202 on Second Avenue South will be highlighting Colorado-based sculptor Laurel Gregory and a collection of her bronze pieces. The Sedalia, Colo., native is known for her whimsical work represented through animal depictions. Gregory uses a particular wax method to produce limited-edition bronzes in complex, rich patinas.
Across the street from the gallery, Village Real Estate at 202 Church Street will host painter and illustrator Melissa Alahverdian and interior painter Jason Duran. Both will exhibit paintings that depict vibrant nature, abstract figures and intriguing textures.
Past Sweet CeCe’s and the Firestation at 604 West Main, Stites & Harbison will host the Burnside Duet on the front porch and artwork by Joseph Bibb inside the building. Bibb studied art at the Burren College of Art in Ireland and received a BA in Studio Art from Wake Forest. The Burnside Duet composed of Bennett and Mia, both attend the Nashville School of Arts and are talented Franklin residents.
For a full list of art stops along the trolley route, please visit http://franklinartscene.com/art-scene-map.
