Join us for a day of performances, art making, music, and more celebrating the exhibitions Venice and the Ottoman Empire and Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Schedule of Events
1:00–5:00 p.m.
Glass Blowing Demonstrations (Turner Courtyard)
The Music City Mobile Unit is a glass studio on wheels, owned and operated by Blaine Steiner and Samuel Spees. This traveling creative space is dedicated to demonstrating the art of glassblowing and developing a relationship between makers and the public.
Pop-up Trunk Show (Gift shop)
Shop for treasures with local artisans and sellers in the Frist Gift shop! Tony Perrin with Lock & Key will be selling Venetian jewelry, Lisa Elms will be showcasing Fortuny wares, and Suraj Spices will be there to sell teas and coffees.
Calligraphy Bookmarks (Upper-Level Foyer)
The art of beautiful writing, also known as calligraphy, flourished in Venice during the Ottoman Empire. Come watch the Nashville Calligraphers Guild as they create a beautiful bookmark with your name on it to take home as a memento of your day.
Quilt Square Magnets (Studio A)
Design a fabric mini quilt square inspired by Fabric of a Nation. Your creation will be sealed and turned into a magnet for a fridge!
Shield Buttons (Studio B)
Create your very own mini knight’s shield in the form of a button inspired by Venice and the Ottoman Empire.
Sunken Treasure Charms (Studio C)
Pick out fun beads and trinkets to create a sunken treasure charm inspired by Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Turn your creation into a necklace or bag charm!
Quilt Display (Rechter Room)
Join the Music City Modern Quilt Guild to see and learn about some beautiful quilts!
Founded in 2010 in greater Nashville, Music City Modern Quilt Guild is a vibrant, inclusive guild centered on modern quilting—bringing together creative sewists in Nashville to learn, connect, and create quilts with fresh, contemporary flair. This chapter welcomes sewists aged 16 and older who are passionate about modern quilting and community.
Scavenger Hunt (Grand Lobby)
Keep your eyes peeled as you make your way through the galleries… Complete a scavenger hunt featuring works displayed in Venice and the Ottoman Empire to claim a piece of sunken treasure as your prize!
Multisensory Carts (Ingram Gallery and Upper-Level Galleries)
Immerse yourself in the textures, scents, and visuals from the exhibitions Venice and the Ottoman Empire as well as Fabric of a Nation. These interactive carts allow you to have a hands-on and up close experience with the artwork!
Target Practice (Turner Courtyard)
Take aim! Give it your best shot at archery, an ancient method of combat, inspired by military accessories and weaponry found in Venice and the Ottoman Empire.
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Docent-Guided Tour (Upper-Level Galleries)
Fabric of a Nation
Join a Frist docent for a tour of this fascinating exhibition featuring nearly 50 quilts and coverlets made over 300 years by a diverse range of artists—many historically underrecognized.
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Performance: Vaveyla (Auditorium)
Vaveyla is Nashville’s first multicultural professional music band, originally founded by Kurdish musicians with a mission to preserve and share the spirit of Kurdish music. Over time, the group expanded to include talented musicians from Venezuela and the United States, creating a rich fusion of cultural sounds. With the saz at its heart, Vaveyla blends traditional Kurdish melodies with global influences, offering audiences a powerful and emotional musical experience. The band has performed at major events such as the Newroz festivals organized by KACA and TKCC and continues to grow as a vibrant symbol of cultural unity through music.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Docent-Guided Tour (Ingram Gallery)
Join a Frist docent for a guided tour through the exhibition Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Featured works include a diverse array of paintings, detailed maps, shipwrecked treasures, Ottoman-era helmets and shields, handcrafted textiles, and more. Come explore this enchanting history of trade, commerce, and craftsmanship on display spanning nearly half a millennium.
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Stand Out Quilt Tour (Upper-Level Galleries)
Join members from the Music City Modern Quilt Guild as they guide you through the exhibition Fabric of a Nation. These quilters will choose their favorite pieces throughout the show and share why these quilts stand out to their trained eyes!
Founded in 2010 in greater Nashville, the Guild is a vibrant, inclusive association centered on modern quilting—bringing together creative sewists in Nashville to learn, connect, and create quilts with fresh, contemporary flair. Members gather monthly (usually on the third Saturday) for business updates, engaging show‑and‑tells, skill‑building demos, open-sew sessions, and occasional workshops or special programs.
3:30–4:00 p.m.
Music in the Galleries (Ingram Gallery)
Francis Perry on Lute
Francis Perry began playing the guitar at the age of six, and his lifelong love of the instrument has provided the foundation for his career as a performer and teacher. As a classical guitarist, and specialist on the Renaissance and Baroque lutes, he has appeared at colleges and music festivals in the United States, Italy, and Spain. Along with his duo partner, Timothy Broege, Mr. Perry was a featured performer at the American Recorder Society’s concert series at the Boston Early Music Festival.
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Architecture Tour (Grand Lobby)
Take a tour with one of our docents to learn all about the interesting history and beautiful architecture of the Frist’s art deco building, which was originally built as Nashville’s main post office.
Admission
- Free for members and guests ages 18 and younger
- $20 for adults*
Tickets may be purchased on site on the day of the event. Advance tickets are not required.
*Military, senior, and student discounts are not available during Frist Arts Fest.
Parking
Discounted parking is available in the Frist Art Museum lots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking is at a premium in our area, but there are many lots close by. There is a parking lot on Tenth Avenue directly across the street from Cummins Station. There is also parking available in the Gateway Parking Lot behind Union Station, accessible from an entrance just past the Flying Saucer restaurant on Tenth Avenue.
Here’s an interactive map from Nashville Downtown Partnership’s Park It Downtown.
Supporting sponsor
Supported in part by
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