Join us for a day of performances, art making, music, and more celebrating the Frist Art Museum’s twenty-fifth birthday as well as the current exhibitions In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century, Sistah Griot: The Iconoclastic Art of Barbara Bullock, and The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art.
Schedule of Events
10:00–5:00 p.m.
Plein Air Painting Demos
Observe the Chesnut Group and their artists as they create plein air paintings in the courtyard. The Chestnut Group, a nonprofit based in Nashville, celebrates the tradition of outdoor painting by bringing together a diverse community of plein air artists. They are committed to preserving Middle Tennessee’s natural habitats, landscapes, and historic sites. This inclusive, non-juried group welcomes artists of all skill levels and media, fostering collaboration among plein air painters, volunteers, and environmental advocates.
Temporary Tattoos
Join In Her Place artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik for a playful pop-up tattoo experience, featuring buzzing (but fake!) tattoo machines and sponge-applied temporary designs.
Community Mural
Get creative and leave your mark on our twenty-fifth anniversary mural, designed by local artist Andee Rudloff.Jump in, add your splash of color, and help bring this community celebration to life!
Architecture Bingo
Keep your eyes peeled around the building—get a bingo to claim a prize!
Frist Postcard
Inspired by the exhibition A Landmark Repurposed, color your very own postcard in celebration of the Frist’s twenty-fifth birthday. You can even send your creation to a friend in the mail!
Artist Portraits
Join local artist Ember for a customized take-home portrait!
Community Organizations and Activities
Join local organizations and groups including Nashville Bonsai Society, APSU Printmakers, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Forge Nashville, Nashville Pride, and the Nashville Calligraphers Guild to learn more about their respective passions, look at displays, and enjoy activities.
Scavenger Hunt
Keep your eyes peeled as you make your way through the galleries. Complete a scavenger hunt featuring In Her Place artworks to claim a prize!
Multisensory Cart
Immerse yourself in textures, scents, and visuals drawn from In Her Place. These interactive carts allow visitors to have a hands-on and up-close experience with the artwork!
Drop-In Drawing
Enjoy our pop-up drawing cart stationed in The Impressionist Revolution. Sketch your surroundings, an artwork on display, or anything that your heart desires.
Impressionist Floral Bouquets
Enjoy the smells and sights of floral bouquets inspired by The Impressionist Revolution. The bouquets on display were made in a Frist workshop prior to this event.
Studio A
Create a unicorn quilt button inspired by Lauren Gregory’s work in In Her Place. Wear your button to show off your artwork!
Studio B
Decorate and color your very own Frist-inspired birthday hat! Wear your party hat around the museum to show off your design.
Studio C
Make your very own lily pad inspired by Monet’s artwork in The Impressionist Revolution. Start by creating a vibrant green lily pad and then add exquisite flowers to finish off your artwork!
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Docent-Guided Tour
Join a museum docent for a guided tour of The Impressionist Revolution. Explore the fascinating story of impressionism, from its birth in 1874 to its legacy in the early twentieth century through nearly fifty paintings and sculptures.
11:30 a.m.–noon
Trivia: 25 Years of the Frist Art Museum
Join us for a fun, competitive game of trivia—no experience required! We will cover categories that relate to the Frist, the exhibitions that have been shown here, and art in general. It is anyone’s game!
12:30–1:00 p.m.
Ballet Folklorico Performance with Sol de México
Experience a vibrant showcase of traditional dances from Mexico and across Latin America, celebrating rich cultural heritage through music, movement, and colorful costumes.
1:00 p.m.
Director Remarks and Birthday Cupcakes
Join us in the auditorium for Frist Art Museum Executive Director and CEO Seth Feman’s remarks on the Frist’s twenty-fifth birthday. Afterward, we will celebrate with Frist-inspired cupcakes. Get ready to sing “Happy Birthday” loud and proud!
1:30–2:00 p.m.
Music in the Galleries
Enjoy a string trio performance inspired by The Impressionist Revolution, featuring music by Maurice Ravel, Erik Satie, and Claude Debussy. Performed by Nashville-based musicians, the performance evokes the color, atmosphere, and expressive beauty of French impressionism.
1:30–2:30 p.m.
How to Haiku: A Drop-In Workshop
Never wrote a Haiku before? No problem! Join the Porch for this drop-in hour to learn what a haiku is and how to write one. No experience is required, and people of all ages may participate. Our poems will reference the Frist, its birthday, and art in general. If you’re proud of your finished poem, read it aloud in the Frist Haiku contest to compete for a prize and bragging rights!
2:30 p.m.
Frist Haiku Contest
Come prepared or write your haiku before the contest during drop-in haiku workshop! Visitors who wish to participate in the contest will read their haiku aloud to the audience. Winners will be chosen for the most funny, nostalgic, and creative haikus by Frist Art Museum and The Porch staff. Poems should reference the Frist, its birthday, or art in general. Sign up to participate in the contest between 1:30 and 2:30 pm in the Rechter Room.
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Music in the Galleries
Enjoy a string trio performance inspired by The Impressionist Revolution, featuring music by Maurice Ravel, Erik Satie, and Claude Debussy. Performed by Nashville-based musicians, the performance evokes the color, atmosphere, and expressive beauty of French impressionism.
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Sankofa Drum and Dance Performance
This high-energy, interactive performance features vibrant African drumming and dance, including an audience-participation segment that invites the community to join in. Sankofa African Drum and Dance Company is a Tennessee based performing arts company whose mission is to rally communities around the beat of the drum to unify, heal, and inspire.
3:00–4:30 p.m.
Ask an Artist
Chat with In Her Place artists Karen Seapker, Alex Blau, and Kristi Hargrove! Learn more about these artists’ creative processes, and gain insight into the ideas, materials, and stories behind their work.
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Architecture Tour
Join a museum docent for a guided tour focusing on the architecture and history of our building.
4:00–4:30 p.m.
Trivia: 25 Years of the Frist Art Museum
Join us for a fun, competitive game of trivia—no experience required! We will cover categories that relate to the Frist, the exhibitions that have been shown here, and art in general. It is anyone’s game!
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 Finch restaurant on Tenth Avenue.
Here’s an interactive map from Nashville Downtown Partnership’s Park It Downtown.
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