You're invited ~
*Small But Mighty; The Art of Autism: Grace Walker Goad
Poston Outreach Gallery, Tennessee Art League, downtown Nashville's 5th Avenue of the Arts
Opening Reception: Fri., Apr. 4, 6-8 PM, featuring the work of the **Inaugural Artist's Co-op Workshop Prints
Also on The First Saturday Art Crawl, Sat. Apr. 5, 6-9 PM and on exhibition during TAL hours, April 1-26.
So, why *Small But Mighty–? Several reasons. Culture, unfortunately, tends to minimize the contributions and even existence of individuals with disAbilities. And yet, the art of individuals such as Grace Walker Goad and many locally and nationally and abroad attest that "Art is a window to the beauty and potential of people with disAbilites." (-LAH, 2006)
And literally, the majority of original art pieces at this show will be small. Again for more than one reason. Grace's art therapist and I are trying to help Grace develop hone her current style in a more controlled way. Many an artist can create a stellar piece of work and then have a random stroke that leads the eye astray. Grace is going smaller scale to help her strengthen her composition. (The colors she chooses, the strokes, the media, her style, is all hers and never taught; when needed, lovingly guided, just as any good art mentor would do.)
Secondly, many of Grace's larger originals looked to be about purchased near the time of the show. Several did sell and many are being considered for a future collection, so we plunged ahead and curated a show with these smaller pieces. *Small But Mighty.
It's been quiet over here at the blog a lot lately. Much in the arena of both Grace's art and the present and future art of local artists with disAbilities have been in the works. One of these endeavors will debut also in the Poston Outreach Gallery of TAL along with Grace's show: the Inaugural Artist's Co-op Workshop Prints. We are starting a nonprofit social enterprise (best practices and thus inclusive) of adult artists with and without disAbilities to create, exhibit and sell their work. This new Nashville venture is modeled after similar arts centers that have existed nationally since the '70s.
The other project, which also includes some of Grace's larger originals is "The ArtAble Collection I of Village Green Hills." Brent Smith, developer of the new luxury apartment building taking occupancy in April, contracted Gallery One owner Tammy Parmentier to curate "art with a good cause." GraceArt merchandise was featured at the gallery since it's move to 3rd Avenue and Parmentier contracted me to assist her in curating a permanent purchased collection for Village Green Hills. Village Green Hills will have a companion building and much more is in the works to continue this groundbreaking and long-awaited development for the community of artists in Nashville. More here to come, including details about the a June public reception for the art and its special artists.
Will we see you Friday? Saturday? I hope so. And if not, the art, again, will remain on exhibit from April 1-26. The show premieres three new lines of GraceArt merchandise: a new and third series of notecards, a second series (coaster-size) of tiles and a first-ever print line. Some or all of these will remain for sale at TAL after the show as well as be available elsewhere and eventually GraceGoad.com.
