Bring the whole crew—Frist Arts Fest has something for everyone!

Join us for a day of performances, art making, and live music celebrating the exhibitions Venice and the Ottoman Empire and Fabric of a Nation. See glass-blowing demonstrations and quilt displays, make shield buttons and sunken treasure charms, take an exhibition scavenger hunt, and much more!

Current Exhibitions

Avenues to a Great City Now On View

The Civic Design Center and the Frist Art Museum partnered to create Avenues to a Great City, a new exhibition on view in the always-free Conte Community Arts Gallery through December 14. Visitors are invited to consider the complex art of civic design through an exploration of the growth of Nashville as envisioned in the Civic Design Center’s 2005 publication The Plan of Nashville: Avenues to a Great City.

Discover the extraordinary stories behind 300 years of American quilts

Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston features nearly 50 quilts and coverlets made over 300 years by a diverse range of artists—many historically underrecognized. With bold designs and intricate craftsmanship, they tell a rich array of stories woven through our shared and complicated history from the 18th century to 2021. Learn how these timeless objects are an evolving art form that continues to shape and reflect our shared experience.

Explore creative ArtQuest activities inspired by historical Mediterranean cultures!

Dive into our lineup of art activities in Martin ArtQuest inspired by Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Try your hand at drawing a self-portrait inspired by the powerful Venetian doges, or design your own shield. Build an ancient Italian city at the block table or trade goods at the interactive magnet wall. You can also create a shimmering painting using gold watercolor and help weave a collaborative sculpture using rich, textured fabrics. And don’t miss the chance to sketch a mannequin dressed in an elaborate doge’s outfit!

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Upcoming Events & Programs

Thursday, July 10, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Opening Panel: Avenues to a Great City

Thursday, July 10, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Music in the Café: Curtis Godino

Thursday, July 10, 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Thirty-Minute Exhibition Tour 

Saturday, July 12, 10:00–10:30 a.m.

Member Moment:
Venice and the Ottoman Empire

Sunday, July 13, 1:00–5:30 p.m.

Frist Arts Fest

Thursday, July 17, 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Thirty-Minute Exhibition Tour 

Saturday, July 19, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Saturday, July 19, 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Opening: Teens Take the Frist!

Sunday, July 20, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Sensory-Friendly Sunday Morning

Thursday, July 24, 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Thirty-Minute Exhibition Tour 

Thursday, July 24, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Sound Bath Meditation

Saturday, July 26, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Adult ARTlab: Quilted Potholders

Monday, July 28, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Homeschool Monday

Thursday, July 31, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Music in the Café: The Look Aways

Saturday, August 9, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Thursday, August 14, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Music in the Café: Tim Gartland

Thursday, August 21, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Music in the Café: Raihanna Estrada

Monday, August 25, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Homeschool Monday

Thursday, August 28, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Music in the Café: Jeff Taylor

Saturday, September 20, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Monday, September 29, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, October 27, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Homeschool Monday

Sunday, December 7, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Sensory-Friendly Sunday Morning

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Please consider supporting the Frist Art Museum with a donation. Your gift is essential to our mission of serving the community through the arts and art access in particular. We truly appreciate your generosity.