Galleries October 2023

October in the Gordon JCC Galleries: Works by SNAP Photography Group, The Nashville Artist Guild

Throughout the month of October, the Gordon Jewish Community Center Galleries will feature the work of SNAP Photography Group and The Nashville Artist Guild.

The Janet Levine March Gallery will feature the annual show from the SNAP photography group. Renowned for their fine art photography, the Society of Nashville’s Artistic Photographers (SNAP) creates images that make the viewer smile, think, question or wonder. The members’ work has not only been featured in local and regional exhibitions and collections but has also garnered recognition in national and international forums. The current exhibition at the Gordon JCC is curated by Mike DuBose.

In 2004, a handful of Nashville photographers came together with a shared passion for the creative aspects of photography, forming what is now known as SNAP. Today, SNAP provides a forum for discussing the work of members and notable photographers. Its intimate size and informality enables members to engage in active conversations and invite external experts. In short, SNAP is dedicated to the promotion and creation of fine art photography in Nashville.

The Sig Held Gallery will feature the works of the Nashville Artist Guild. Despite Nashville's emergence as a hub for visual and performing arts, it wasn't until 1950 that the city saw the establishment of a cohesive arts organization. That is the year Nashville Artist Guild was founded, created through collaboration between art faculty from Vanderbilt University, Ward-Belmont College, Watkins Institute, and UT Extension School, talented students, and local professional artists.

Maintaining the legacy set by its founding artists the Guild upholds high standards for membership. Prospective members must undergo a jury vote from its existing members, demonstrating a professional history of exhibits, juried shows, and in-person presentations of original works. The Guild was never intended to be an all-encompassing umbrella group, but rather a space for artisrs deeply committed to their work.

This professional art group continues to honor its commitment to artistic excellence, ethnic diversity, art education, and the elevation of fine art. Current Guild members work across a range of mediums including oil, enamel, glass, encaustic, wood, marble, clay, photography, and digital

media. Bringing together those who make art and those who love art, the Guild is alive and well today – thanks to the individual commitment of so many.

The Senior Lounge continues to feature the work of Carrie Mills, who also serves as the curator for the Gordon JCC art galleries. Mills, an alumna of Parsons School of Design with a focus on Fashion Design and Art History, boasts an impressive career history, including design roles at Anne Klein Design Studios and extensive work in handbag design and product design for Leeds of Pittsburgh. Currently, she collaborates with her fashion photographer son, Garrett Mills, offering her expertise in styling, designing, and art direction while crafting model portfolios. In addition, she conducts a successful Fashion Camp for Camp Davis during the summer at the J, among her various contributions to the Jewish Community.

The House gallery will feature the Under One Roof collaborative exhibit.

The Exhibition Dates are October 3rd – 30th. The Artist Reception is set for Wednesday, October 11th from 6 - 8 pm.

The exhibitions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the GJCC at 615.354-1699, Curator Carrie Mills at carrie@nashvillejcc.org, or go to www.nashvillejcc.org.