METRO ARTS HOSTS DOWNTOWN SANCTUARY EXHIBIT Artists Share Works from Downtown Presbyterian Church Studios
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 29, 2012 – Downtown Sanctuary, an exhibition featuring the work of resident artists of the Downtown Presbyterian Church collective, opens Friday, March 16 in the Metro Nashville Arts Gallery located on the fourth floor of the Metro Office Building at 800 Second Ave. S.
In 1996, the Downtown Presbyterian Church welcomed a local artist to use one of its unused rooms for a personal studio in exchange for volunteer help, such as outreach to the homeless. Downtown Presbyterian now offers studio space to nine artists as part of the program.
“Artistic expression is a powerful gift from God. By welcoming artists we support God’s gift within them. By using their art in worship we are awakened to God’s presence. By displaying their art in our building we are challenged by their questions. By welcoming artists we embrace God’s gifts in others and open ourselves to the divine,” said Ken Locke, pastor of Downtown Presbyterian.
The Downtown Sanctuary exhibition is the first time the artist group has exhibited together outside of the church’s gallery space. It will feature collections from Tasha French, Beth Gilmore, Tom Wills, Sarah Shearer, Elizabeth Streight, Richard Feaster, Erika Wollam Nichols, and Jodi Hays.
“The exhibit is another opportunity for us to showcase a group of artists who might not otherwise have a chance to show their works publicly. Not too many people are aware of the Downtown Presbyterian program, and we want to showcase it and make sure more Middle Tennesseans are aware of this distinctive artist/volunteer initiative,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.
Metro Arts will host an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 16, and the art will remain on display through May 4.
About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.
In 1996, the Downtown Presbyterian Church welcomed a local artist to use one of its unused rooms for a personal studio in exchange for volunteer help, such as outreach to the homeless. Downtown Presbyterian now offers studio space to nine artists as part of the program.
“Artistic expression is a powerful gift from God. By welcoming artists we support God’s gift within them. By using their art in worship we are awakened to God’s presence. By displaying their art in our building we are challenged by their questions. By welcoming artists we embrace God’s gifts in others and open ourselves to the divine,” said Ken Locke, pastor of Downtown Presbyterian.
The Downtown Sanctuary exhibition is the first time the artist group has exhibited together outside of the church’s gallery space. It will feature collections from Tasha French, Beth Gilmore, Tom Wills, Sarah Shearer, Elizabeth Streight, Richard Feaster, Erika Wollam Nichols, and Jodi Hays.
“The exhibit is another opportunity for us to showcase a group of artists who might not otherwise have a chance to show their works publicly. Not too many people are aware of the Downtown Presbyterian program, and we want to showcase it and make sure more Middle Tennesseans are aware of this distinctive artist/volunteer initiative,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.
Metro Arts will host an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 16, and the art will remain on display through May 4.
About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.
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