In December, the Janet Levine March Gallery will feature the work of the Nashville Collage Collective. The Nashville Collage Collective is a unique forum where local artists can share materials and ideas while they support each other in the exploration of collage techniques, collaboration, and exhibition of work. Members have gathered regularly for the past 12 years to work side by side at free-form workshops which have taken place at venues such as Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Zeitgeist Gallery and the home studio of organizer Lisa Haddad.
Artists come from a wide array of artistic backgrounds - assemblagists, sculptors, fiber artists, painters and collaborators - all bringing their unique techniques and processes to Collage. This year they present a great variety of wall-collages as well as 3-D items that are more gift-oriented. Over 20 artists will be participating, showcasing a stunning range of experimentation and materials
The JLMG2 gallery will feature the work of Colette Wise and Carrie Mills. Nashville-based painter Colette Wise was born and raised in Canada.
Art, in its many forms, has always been central to her life. Wise has been a professional singer, songwriter, avid photographer, and gardener.
In 2005, Wise’s life changed when she founded the non-profit Free for Life International, helping to rescue over a thousand young women from sex slavery around the world.
In 2017, Wise began to lose her eyesight from a genetic disease. She drew strength from her love of art and began painting what she saw, arranging images to create an intriguing visual poem. Colette has dedicated the past four years to oil painting. Her loss of sight has drawn her closer to Tonalism, as she sees in more muted values. Colette's work inspires others with and without disabilities to find courage and hope to create.
Mills is an artist and has been curator of the J galleries for almost 20 years. Her creative life encompasses the world of fashion, fine art and music.
The Sig Held Gallery will feature the art of Alexa Lipman. Lipman is a visual artist based in Nashville, TN. She creates abstract mixed-media art, often incorporating recycled and unexpected materials. With a refined eye for fashion and interior design, Alexa’s work reflects texture and dimension. Driven by genuine authenticity and curiosity, her portfolio remains fluid, always on the verge of transformation. Each piece she produces encourages introspection, conversations, and the forging of human connections. Her latest venture dives deep into the intersection of technology and our mental psyche, challenging viewers to reflect on the digital age's impact on our well-being.
The Senior Lounge Art Gallery will feature the work of Marilynn Derwenskus. Derwenskus is from the Midwest, but now resides in Franklin, Tennessee. She is a member of the Michigan Watercolor Society, Watercolor South, and Nashville Artist Guild. She has an extensive exhibition record in the United States and has won 90 awards altogether. As well as received 22 grants. including the Pollock/Krasner Grant, 14 Ball State University Faculty Grants, and the Lilly Foundation Award. Derwenskus considers these grants and artists residencies as very significant for the development of her paintings. She is now a retired professor but is still a dedicated artist.
All the galleries will feature local artisan gifts to purchase for the holidays.
The House gallery will feature the Under One Roof collaborative exhibit.
The Art Reception will be Wednesday, December 13th from 6 – 8pm and will feature a holiday gift fare and music by DJ Joseph and jewelry by Chandler Dezigns.
The Exhibition Dates are from December 2-30.
The exhibitions are free and open to the public. Attendees will need sign in at the front desk. For more information, contact the GJCC at 615-354-1699, Curator Carrie Mills at carrie@nashvillejcc.org, or go to www.nashvillejcc.org.
The Jewish Observer is published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and made possible by funds raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Become a supporter today.