In these uncertain times, it’s exciting to see one of the South’s newest and most unique arts traditions return to Nashville with a full complement of outstanding master artists and craftsmen.  With a reputation for eclectic collections of extraordinary works, the Temple Arts Festival—now in its fifth year—enjoys national renown and an enthusiastic following.  Loyal patrons and first-timers alike will find non-financial assets to invest in and delightful works of art or jewelry to brighten their lives without breaking their budgets.  What’s more, up to 40 percent of artwork purchased may qualify as a charitable donation.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2009, in Nashville, the Temple Arts Festival will present its fifth annual juried exhibition and sale, featuring the works of nearly 50 hand-picked acclaimed artists, craftsmen and jewelers from across the country.  They are expected to offer over 500 pieces of exceptional, original jewelry and art—glass, ceramics, sculpture, painting, tapestry, drawing, photography, ‘outsider art’ and more.  Prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, 1st Place in 2-Dimensional Art, and 1st Place in 3-Dimensional Art.

The collectible works of this year’s artists have been displayed in museums, galleries and juried exhibitions nationwide.  Many are rarely available in the Nashville area, and over half of the artists are new to the event this year.  Art and jewelry will be priced from $40 to thousands of dollars, with many pieces available for under $150. 

Selected for their appeal to a wide range of arts enthusiasts and collectors, artists will include:

New Yorker turned Nashvillian, fine art photographer Nick Dantona emerged as a digital artist after decades in the commercial media world.  His body of exquisite work is, in his words, “bound together by each scene’s ability to relate its story to me for translation. These secrets are sometimes whispered to me in the lush monochrome tones of the Pictorialists, sometimes in the deep dramatic hues of the Baroque and other times in brash Modernist colors.“

Born in Vietnam, Binh Pho endured Communism for four years after the war ended, before escaping to the U.S. in 1979.  Since discovering woodturning in 1992, he has been creating intricately carved, beautifully painted wooden urns, bowls and more, their almost porcelain-thin walls making them all the more magical. Pho’s work reflects the Far East culture and his journey to the West, creating “a character and soul” in each distinctive piece.

Because creating glass is physically demanding—and dangerous—Marlene Rose of Clearwater, Fla., is one of few women who choose this medium.  Adding to the difficulty, she searches junkyards for objects that can be transformed by intense heat and uses them as integral parts of her creations.  This innovation is truly unique to her work and makes each piece both ancient and modern, not blown but hand cast from molten glass in a spectacular process of heat and light.

Herb Williams of Nashville is the only individual in the world with an account with Crayola.  His sculptures are made with crayons—roughly 150,000 in each piece, cut to size one-by-one with dog nail clippers or cigar cutters.  Having previously worked with stone, steel and bronze, the idea of working with crayons came to Williams in a dream, and he’s been having fun with them ever since.  Says Williams, “My intent is to continue to seriously create art that looks at itself unseriously.”

For the first time at the Temple Arts Festival, E.J. Sain Jewelers will be on hand Sunday from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. buying unwanted gold and platinum, a service recently introduced by the company.  Checks will be written on the spot to  those who choose to sell. 

Also new this year, three lucky people will win prizes in drawings held during the Festival. In a drawing on Saturday at 10 p.m., one of the day’s visitors will win a bottle of champagne.  One of Sunday’s visitors will win a bottle of wine in a drawing that day at 5:30 p.m.  At 12:30 p.m. Sunday, a drawing will be held for a $100 gift certificate, to be used toward the purchase of art or jewelry at this year’s show.  Both days’ attendees (through 12:29 p.m. Sunday) will be eligible for the gift certificate drawing.

Donations from the net proceeds of the Temple Arts Festival will be made to Congregation Ohabai Sholom, Nashville’s oldest and largest Jewish congregation. Proceeds from Saturday night’s admissions will benefit Room in the Inn, a program through which The Temple and other congregations provide food and shelter to Nashville’s homeless population.  Because The Temple is a 501(c)(3) organization, sales tax will not be charged.  Up to 40 percent of artwork purchased may qualify as a charitable donation, but patrons are advised to consult with a certified public accountant or tax advisor.

Advance Purchase Certificates are recommended for those willing to commit to a purchase in advance, in exchange for the opportunity to browse the exhibition and make their selections before the general public is admitted.  Certificates can be purchased for between $250 and $2,000, all of which will be applied toward the purchase of art and/or jewelry at the 2009 Temple Arts Festival. For details, visit www.TempleArtsFestival.com or call The Temple at 615-352-7620.  Gift Certificates are also available.

The schedule of events and admissions is as follows: 

Saturday, April 25, 2009

4-5 pm    Connoisseurs’ Champagne Preview for holders of Advance Purchase Certificates of $2,000 toward the purchase of art and/or jewelry during the show

5-6:30 pm    Collectors’ Preview and Cocktail Supper for holders of Advance Purchase Certificates of $500-$1,999 toward the purchase of art and/or jewelry during the show

6:30-7:30 pm     Critics’ Wine and Dessert Reception for holders of Advance Purchase Certificates of $250-$499 toward the purchase of art and/or jewelry during the show

7:30-10 pm    Grand Opening – General Admission, $20 per person; proceeds from admissions benefit Room in the Inn

Sunday, April 26, 2009

10 am – 5:30 pm    Open to the Public – Free General Admission

The Temple Arts Festival is held at The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom, 5015 Harding Road [next to Belle Meade Mansion], Nashville, TN 37205; phone 615-352-7620; www.templeartsfestival.com.  Ample adjacent free parking is available for all events.

2009 Temple Arts Festival Chairs:  Bruce and Rae Hirsch; Mary L. Jones; Heidi O’Neil; Lisa and Stephen Small; Rhonda and Alan Wernick; Louanne Wolfson.  2009 Honorary Chair: Anne Bernard.