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Franklin Art Scene – Franklin, TN

Franklin Art Scene – Franklin, TN

Franklin, TN – The Franklin Glassblowing Studio on Columbia Avenue will offer live demonstrations of various techniques for working with art glass Friday, April 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of the Franklin Art Scene. The studio will also feature live music by local guitar virtuoso Regi Wooten.

This is the eighth monthly art crawl through the historic streets of Downtown Franklin, Tennessee. Though March’s Art Scene was cancelled due to inclement weather, the free event is every first Friday.

“It’s incredible how much fresh talent accompanies each Art Scene,” said Nancy Williams, director of the Downtown Franklin Association. “There’s a large and steady turnout each month, and we contribute that to the artistic gifts of our community.”

Franklin Glassblowing Studio owner Jose Santisteban will offer participants an inside look at the intricate process of the art form. Santisteban studied with Chihuly disciples in Seattle and with Venetian masters in Italy, and his work is recognized as some of the best in the South.

Some artists—such as Ken Walls and Randy Purcell at Arbor Antique Mall—slated for the MarchArt Scene will return for Friday’s event. Both Walls and Purcell will work on pieces during the artcrawl, giving participants a chance to watch their pieces develop. This is the fifth Art Scene for Arbor Antique’s artist-in-residence Ken Walls, and the first time Purcell will work in public.

“Many people who come through the art crawl have a story to tell about the piece I’m working on. It’s been really fun because I work on things with a nostalgic component,” Walls said.

Live music will be featured at several Art Scene locations this month, including acoustic blues guitarist Tiger Gagan at Damico Frame & Art Gallery and pianist and vocalist Lauren Jane at Gallery 202.

Other highlights this month include:

Gallery 202 on Second Avenue South will be highlighting Leiper’s Fork-based painter Stephanie Hardy and three-dimensional sculptor Emily Allison from Primm Springs. Hardy has earned much praise for her collection of equine portraits, in addition to her abstract landscapes. Allison’s figures, collage, recycled metal art and sculptures made from found objects have been seen at the National Folk Festival and in multiple galleries.

O’More College of Design on South Margin Street will feature the work of the students in the College’s fashion design department. The Student Gallery in the Abbey Leix Mansion is showing photographs of original designs, artful illustrations and completed garments that demonstrate the process of fashion design. The students’ renderings focus on shape, line shading and highlights. At 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., they will also be drawing names for goodie bags from whats-in-store.

The Rains & Christian Realty Office on Fifth Avenue South is showcasing the works of localartists Deann Hebert and Myles Maillie. Hebert is known for her brightly colored and highly textured paintings. Her signature impasto-style of applying layer upon layer of acrylic paint, and finishing with a high gloss UV-protectant varnish is a technique that she developed by trial and error. Maillie’s work has adorned everything from buses, box towers and room size murals to tee shirts and ties, making him one of Nashville’s most recognizable and enduring artists. His style is energetic, often full of frivolity but nevertheless articulate and well conceived.

Kaleidoscope, the antiques and home furnishings shop on West Main, just past Five Points, will host artist/designer Megan Whittier and her colorful acrylic paintings and prints. They’ll have great refreshments, and will also hold a drawing for an 11×14 “quote” print from Whittier, a funart piece created with different typefaces and other flourishes.

The Franklin Art Scene features artists and working studios, with exhibits ranging from originalart to handcrafted jewelry and mixed media. Live music, wine and refreshments are often available at the twenty-seven locations. For $5, participants can hop on and off one of the Franklin trolleys that make the rounds among the locations during the event.

To see this month’s participating locations, and learn more about the Art Scene, visitwww.franklinartscene.com.

Photo: Megan Whittier (Kaleidoscope).