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The Artist's Colony
CHURCH STUDIOS ON CHURCH STREET
Where would you expect to find six local artists sharing studio space in downtown Nashville? Your first guess probably wouldn't be the third floor of the historic Downtown Presbyterian Church! But for the past few years, this arrangement has proved to be a "win-win situation" for both the church and the artists. Artist and church member Tom Wills says the artists benefit by having the work space and they give the church "time and energy . . . through volunteer work such as outreach to the homeless or . . . at Hodge Podge Lodge, an art camp for children."
The space was not being utilized, and the church is pleased with the partnership. Jim Hoobler, chairman of the church's Spirituality and Arts Committee, says the arts, "either performing or visual, are one of the most beautiful ways to share God's creation." The artists and the church sponsor an annual event, DIG (Dialogue: Interaction for Growth) THROUGH ART, which is attended by 300 to 500 people on a Sunday afternoon. In the church recreation hall, up to 30 local artists are invited to display their works in various mediums - painting, sculpture, poetry and film - for this event.
Anne Brown (The Arts Company on 5th Avenue) coordinates exhibits with this group of artists, one of whom is an employee at The Arts Company. "This group of artists has a tremendous potential to have an important impact downtown," says Brown. "What they do is exciting, and I look forward to their community doing more on a consistent and continuous basis."
It's a good fit. Artists need spacious well-lit places to work but often can't afford high rent. And having other artists as neighbors is another plus. For more information on housing art communities in downtown historic buildings, see www.artspaceprojects.org/