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In it's 10th year of operation, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts keeps getting better. It's newest jewel of an exhibit, Vishnu, Hinduism Blue-Skinned Savior was five years in the making.  Joan Cummins, curator of Asian Art at the Brooklyn Museum curated the exhibit, which premieres at Frist Center and then travels to Brooklyn. 

Cummins curated 170 unique, rarely viewed pieces of Hindu art–bronze, (my favorite,) stone and clay sculptures and stunning textiles and watercolor and ink paintings–from internationally-based collectors and museums. It is the first exhibit ever organized to focus on Vishnu, one of the major deities of Hinduism, known for his blue skin, which is said to represent calm.

The exhibit opens a window to Hinduism–some believe to be the world's oldest religion–spanning from BC to contemporary Bollywood memorabilia.

One of the many things that Frist Center excels at is connecting art with community.  For this exhibit, they created a special room featuring photographs of religious shrines in the homes of Nashville's Hindu population: "Hindu Home Shrines, Creating Space for Personal Contemplation."

Until April 10, the Young Tennessee Artists showcases Advanced Placement art by high school students in  the Conte Community Arts Gallery. The annual exhibit features amazing talent, among them a number of pieces by Hillsboro High School, where my daughter attends. This gallery is the hallway from Frist Center's back entry and is free.