See what’s going on at the Frist during the dates you are planning to visit.


Martin ArtQuest®

ArtQuest is the Frist’s inclusive and interactive art-making space where guests of all ages can get creative—draw, animate, make prints, paint, and more!

ArtQuest is open all hours the Frist is open and is included with gallery admission (youth 18 and under are always free).

Mom, dad and two young daughters smile and hold up paintings they just made


Exhibitions

Drawing of a black man in four different poses drawn in different colors.

Sole Study

Apr 10, 2025–Apr 10, 2026
Under the direction of Student Curator Gopal Pokharel (Sumiran) from Fisk University and Student Designer Myles Jones, a senior at Tennessee State University, Sole Study was created through Project Uplift, a program designed in partnership with Fisk and TSU to offer a student or recent graduate an opportunity to curate,… Read More
The bustling opening entrance of the Venice and the Ottoman Empire exhibit.

Venice and the Ottoman Empire

May 31–Sep 1, 2025
Venice and the Ottoman Empire invites us on a journey to the Mediterranean Sea between 1400 and 1800. During this period, Venice—an astonishing city built on hundreds of small islands off the coast of northeast Italy—stood at the crossroads of a vast trade network connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. To… Read More
Close up of a group of gourds of varying shapes and sizes

Ellen Altfest: Forever

May 31–Sep 1, 2025
With their scrupulously rendered detail, unlikely juxtapositions, and tightly woven compositions, Ellen Altfest’s paintings comprise an intimate poetry of the everyday. This exhibition’s title is inspired by Emily Dickinson’s line “Forever – is composed of Nows,” an encouragement to live fully in the present. Turning inward, away from the noise,… Read More
Two women looking at quilts

Fabric of a Nation:
American Quilt Stories from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Jun 27–Oct 12, 2025
Seen by many as a timeless, democratic art form, the quilt has evolved throughout United States history and continues to develop today. Made by a broadly under-recognized diversity of artistic hands and minds, the medium offers an opportunity to tell a rich and complicated story of our shared and contested… Read More
Two textile artworks

Art in the Atrium

Jun 27–Oct 12, 2025
This year’s Art in the Atrium project was selected to complement the exhibition Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a selection of textile works made by Nashville-based artists Ashley Larkin and Shabazz Larkin, the project shares personal stories related to their family—the… Read More
Rendering of a possible idea for the east bank in Nashville showing buildings and a park like setting with people milling about

Avenues to a Great City

Jul 4–Dec 14, 2025
The Civic Design Center and the Frist Art Museum have partnered to create Avenues to a Great City, on view in the Conte Community Arts Gallery from July 4 through December 14. Visitors are invited to consider the complex art of civic design through an exploration of the growth of Nashville… Read More
A mixed media painting of two children smiling titled Distance Bond

Teens Take the Frist!
Breaking Barriers

Jul 19–Aug 18, 2025
Prompted by our vision of inspiring people through art to look at their world in new ways, the Frist Art Museum invited teens to submit their artwork for this seventh edition of Teens Take the Frist! The resulting selection features artworks that explore what it means to break barriers in… Read More
figure dressed in long strand of blue and pink jute like material with a tall painted wood mask with a beak like nose with two deer stacked on top

New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations

Oct 10, 2025–Jan 4, 2026
New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations highlights the stories of four contemporary masquerade artists, their motivations, artistic choices, and the patronage and economic networks with which they engage. Through the presentation of works of Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa (Nigeria), David Sanou (Burkina Faso), Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah (Sierra Leone), and Hervé… Read More
Black man wrapped in a translucent turquoise cloth on a turquoise background

Fahamu Pecou: This Face Behind This Mask Behind This Skin

Oct 10, 2025–Jan 4, 2026
Dr. Fahamu Pecou is an interdisciplinary artist and scholar whose work bridges hip-hop, fine art, and popular culture to examine contemporary representations of Black men. This exhibition surveys two recent bodies of work: End Of Safety and They We Didn’t Realize We Were Seeds: We the Roses. Bridging the two… Read More
A young Paul McCartney holding a camera taking a photo of himself in a mirror

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–1964: Eyes of the Storm

Nov 7, 2025–Jan 26, 2026
Organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, this exhibition is an intimate and historic opportunity to see the extraordinary archive of recently discovered photographs taken by Paul McCartney between December 1963 and February 1964. Over the course of these three short months, The Beatles—Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and… Read More

Events

Group of people gathering at the entrance to Venice and the Ottoman Empire

Member Moment:
Venice and the Ottoman Empire

Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10:00–10:30 a.m.

Reservations are not required

We’ve set aside time for members to see Venice and the Ottoman Empire for the first thirty minutes of the day without the crowds. It’s a great time to enjoy this exhibition at your own pace or take a docent-guided exhibition tour. This ambitious cross-cultural exhibition explores the relationship… Read More
Dozens of bottles sitting on a table and plastic vials in a cup

Adult ARTlab: Ancient Perfumery of Venice and the Ottoman Empire

Saturday, July 12, 2025, 1:00–3:30 p.m.

SOLD OUT Studio A

Join us for an immersive perfumery workshop led by Sanae Barber, a master perfumer specializing in raw materials, as we explore the rich olfactory traditions of the Ottoman Empire and Venice, two vibrant cultures celebrated for their luxurious fragrances. Read More
Frist Art Frest Sunday, July 13

Frist Arts Fest

Sunday, July 13, 2025, 1:00–5:30 p.m.

Free for members and guests ages 18 and younger $20 for adults* *Military, senior, and student discounts are not available during Frist Arts Fest

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. Read More
Visitors looking at a large quilted ball.

Thirty-Minute Exhibition Tour 

Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Gallery admission required

Repeats every Thursday evening
Learn more about Fabric of a Nation on this informal thirty-minute tour with a Frist Art Museum docent. Tours meet at the Ingram Gallery Information Desk. Read More
Graphic about Woven Nashville event with photos of featured performers.

Woven Nashville: An Evening of Music, Art, and Conversation

Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Woven Nashville: An Evening of Music, Art, and Conversation is a creative experience hosted by Sunday Night Soul’s Jason Eskridge and East Side Storytellin’s Chuck Beard at the historic Frist Art Museum. This monthly event brings together unique pairings of extraordinary Nashville creators working in all kinds of media. Read More
Woman looking at a large painting while another woman walks by in the foreground

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Saturday, July 19, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Studio B

Additional events in this series occur on August 9 and September 20
Slow down, reflect, and renew through art and writing. As current studies attest, contemplative practices like expressive writing, art viewing, and meditation can support human health, healing, and well-being. Read More
Register
Group of teens discuss their artwork to a crowd.

Opening: Teens Take the Frist!

Saturday, July 19, 2025, 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Auditorium and Upper-Level Education Corridor Free; gallery admission not required

Join us as we celebrate the opening of our seventh annual Teens Take the Frist! art show with a screening of Nashville Film Festival Film Camp participants’ work followed by an afternoon of art-making activities and performances by Southern Word, YEAH! and Girls Write Nashville. Schedule of Events 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Nashville… Read More
A mother, father, and young son, talk to a volunteer at the Multi sensory station

Sensory-Friendly Sunday Morning

Sunday, July 20, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Registration not required.

This event is also offered on December 7
The Frist is dedicated to creating a welcoming and accessible environment for all our guests. We’re excited to introduce Sensory-Friendly Sunday Mornings, where we will open an hour early on select Sundays throughout the year, offering sensory-friendly resources and experiences. During this time, we will reduce the volume of any… Read More
Three women looking at pieces of art they made

Acrylic Painting Workshop Series

Monday, July 21, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Frist Art Museum, Studio A Free; registration required; ages 55+

Occurs every Monday, July 21 through September 22, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Explore your creativity in this free acrylic painting workshop at the Frist Art Museum, supported by E.A. Michelson Philanthropy and the West End Home Foundation. Read More
Register
Two women at a table working on an art project

Textile Art Workshop at FiftyForward

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

FiftyForward Madison Station (530 Madison Station Blvd., Madison, TN 37115) Free; registration required

Occurs every Thursday, July 24 through September 18, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Participants will work with teaching artist Alice Aida Ayers to explore art making using textiles. This project will begin with a storytelling circle where participants will develop their subject matter. Read More
Tramaine Arte’Mis performing

Music in the Café: Tramaine Arte’Mis & The I7 Jazz Band

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Tramaine Arte’Mis & The I7 Jazz Band—making waves and turning heads with their authentic and eclectic smooth jazz sound. Read More
Visitors looking at red, white, and blue quilts

Thirty-Minute Exhibition Tour 

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Gallery admission required

Repeats every Thursday evening
Learn more about Fabric of a Nation on this informal thirty-minute tour with a Frist Art Museum docent. Tours meet at the Ingram Gallery Information Desk. Read More
Woman holding a tubular object over several silver and gold vessels

Sound Bath Meditation

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Auditorium Registration required

Join us for a special sound bath meditation presented by Kayce Laine. Sound baths are full-body meditative experiences involving singing bowls, resonant sounds, and good vibes.   Wel Read More
Register
Two potholders made from different patterned yellow and black materials

Adult ARTlab: Quilted Potholders

Saturday, July 26, 2025, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

SOLD OUT Studio A

SOLD OUT Presented by Jill Anderson Join us for a cozy and creative workshop inspired by the exhibition Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Participants will learn about some basic quilt blocks and the essential parts of a quilt—such as the top, batting,… Read More
A female holds a young female while looking at artwork in the gallery for the Farm to Table exhibition.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, July 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members; $16 adult admission for not-yet-members; youth ages 18 and under are free

Homeschool Mondays fall on the last Monday of the month (except May, November, and December due to holidays) and are designed to maximize the experience of our homeschool-community members. These drop-in days (no registration needed) offer special opportunities to learn more about selected exhibitions. All adult visitors enjoy our discounted… Read More
The Look Aways

Music in the Café: The Look Aways

Thursday, July 31, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by The Look Aways in Café Cheeserie. Read More
Harrison Douglas

Gallery Talk: “Ellen Altfest: Composition of Nows”

Thursday, July 31, 2025, 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Gordon Contemporary Artists Project Gallery Gallery admission required

Join us for a gallery talk with Harrison Douglass, the Frist Art Museum Education and Engagement Department’s summer intern. Together, we’ll explore Ellen Altfest’s work on display in the exhibition Forever. Read More
Man leaning over to look closely at a small painting pf a blue flower

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Saturday, August 9, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Studio B Gallery admission and parking included with registration

An additional event in this series occurs on September 20
Slow down, reflect, and renew through art and writing. As current studies attest, contemplative practices like expressive writing, art viewing, and meditation can support human health, healing, and well-being. Read More
Register
Green book with white pages

Teen ARTlab: “Book It: Make Your Own Book”

Saturday, August 9, 2025, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Studio C Free for ages 13–19; registration required; space is limited; all skill levels are welcome

Learn how to bind a book using sewing, tape, and ribbon with bookbinder Jerry Bedor Phillips. In this workshop, you’ll be guided through the process of binding a sketchbook or journal step-by-step from start to finish. Read More
Register
drawings of cats under blankets

Family Sunday

Sunday, August 10, 2025, 1:00–5:30 p.m.

Free for members and guests ages 18 and younger; gallery admission required for not-yet-members

On the second Sunday of each month, join us for special kid-friendly programming, family tours, and multisensory gallery experiences. Read More
Dozens of bottles sitting on a table and plastic vials in a cup

Adult ARTlab: Ancient Perfumery of Venice and the Ottoman Empire

Thursday, August 14, 2025, 5:30–8:00 p.m.

Studio A

Join us for an immersive perfumery workshop led by Sanae Barber, a master perfumer specializing in raw materials, as we explore the rich olfactory traditions of the Ottoman Empire and Venice, two vibrant cultures celebrated for their luxurious fragrances. Read More
Register
Tim Gartland performing.

Music in the Café: Tim Gartland

Thursday, August 14, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Tim Gartland in Café Cheeserie. Read More
People walking through a gallery looking at art

Member Morning:
Venice and the Ottoman Empire, Ellen Altfest, and Fabric of a Nation

Sunday, August 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Reservations are not required

Members are invited to join us on Sunday, August 17, for a special opportunity to view three amazing exhibitions: Venice and the Ottoman Empire, Ellen Altfest: Forever, and Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories. Enjoy docent-led exhibition tours and exclusive time in our galleries and… Read More
Raihanna Estrada

Music in the Café: Raihanna Estrada

Thursday, August 21, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Raihanna Estrada, a country artist and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee with a voice that is vulnerable, powerful, and undeniably country. Read More
A female teaches three young males how to make prints in Martin ArtQuest. Another male joins them. There are other people in the background creating and experiencing art.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, August 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members; $16 adult admission for not-yet-members; youth ages 18 and under are free

Homeschool Mondays fall on the last Monday of the month (except May, November, and December due to holidays) and are designed to maximize the experience of our homeschool-community members. These drop-in days (no registration needed) offer special opportunities to learn more about selected exhibitions. All adult visitors enjoy our discounted… Read More
Jeff Taylor

Music in the Café: Jeff Taylor

Thursday, August 28, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Jeff Taylor, a Grammy Award–winning musician who has played with The Time Jumpers for twenty-five years. Read More
Hoosier Suffrage Quilt, before 1920. Cotton plain weave, pieced, embroidered, and quilted. Frank B. Bemis Fund and with funds donated anonymously. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Studio B Gallery admission and parking included with registration

Slow down, reflect, and renew through art and writing. As current studies attest, contemplative practices like expressive writing, art viewing, and meditation can support human health, healing, and well-being. Read More
Register
A young male looks at his reflection at an activity in Martin ArtQuest. Other children create and experience art around him.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, September 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members; $16 adult admission for not-yet-members; youth ages 18 and under are free

Homeschool Mondays fall on the last Monday of the month (except May, November, and December due to holidays) and are designed to maximize the experience of our homeschool-community members. These drop-in days (no registration needed) offer special opportunities to learn more about selected exhibitions. All adult visitors enjoy our discounted… Read More
Two young females create art in Martin ArtQuest.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, October 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members; $16 adult admission for not-yet-members; youth ages 18 and under are free

Homeschool Mondays fall on the last Monday of the month (except May, November, and December due to holidays) and are designed to maximize the experience of our homeschool-community members. These drop-in days (no registration needed) offer special opportunities to learn more about selected exhibitions. All adult visitors enjoy our discounted… Read More
Mom and daughter reading a book

Sensory-Friendly Sunday Morning

Sunday, December 7, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Registration not required.

The Frist is dedicated to creating a welcoming and accessible environment for all our guests. We’re excited to introduce Sensory-Friendly Sunday Mornings, where we will open an hour early on select Sundays throughout the year, offering sensory-friendly resources and experiences. During this time, we will reduce the volume of any… Read More
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