Since opening its doors in 1978, Bennett Galleries Nashville has featured a wide variety of both established and emerging artists, showcasing their contemporary fine art paintings and sculptures. Many of these have included very talented local artists.
“We usually have between 20% and 25% Nashville/Davidson County Metro artists on our roster,” says marketing manager Melanie Davis. “When you add in our regional artists – those in Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Columbia - that number is closer to 30% to 40%.”
On Saturday, March 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the gallery will be hosting an art reception highlighting two such artists. Sherrie Russ Levine and Sarah Kaufman, explains Melanie, both started as landscape painters portraying the scenic beauty of Tennessee. “Sarah mostly focuses on the parks around Nashville, but Sherrie has actually switched her focus beyond Tennessee.”
Levine has been represented at Bennett for over 15 years. “She’s been doing a lot of plein-air painting in Europe - France and Italy specifically - and some in Spain too,” says Melanie. “It’s really exciting to watch her grow as an artist and modify the way she puts paint on the canvas.”
While Kaufman, who has been painting for over 30 years, is newer to the gallery, she has collections all over the world. Her focus is portraying the way light bounces and fractures through the architectural path of a forest.
The reception is open to all – no tickets needed – and guests can enjoy appetizers and beverages while viewing collections from Levine and Kaufman, plus the gallery’s other hundreds of artists as well.
“As a gallery, people may feel kind of intimidated coming in, but we want them to feel comfortable rubbing elbows with both the art and the artists,” she says. Both artists are expected to be on hand that evening. “Meeting artists gives people a sense of connection to the artwork.”
People should also feel free to come in to browse; they don’t necessarily have to buy anything. “We are not a hard-sell gallery,” says Melanie. “We want them to enjoy coming in to see some beautiful art. Especially on a rainy or cold day. What a great respite!”
Others come in for Bennett’s incredible ready-made framing selections and custom framing, including archival, museum-quality materials and European moldings. There are also caring and skilled staff to guide customers with their choices.
“We have a variety of people who come in because of that, so we really try to have a wide variety of price points available in all of our departments, whether it's art or custom framing,” she says.
Over the years, the gallery has had a lot of repeat customers, as well as many new customers. Stop in on March 29 to meet the artists and see their incredible works.
Sarah Kaufman:
Kaufman gains her inspiration from the landscapes around Tennessee. First, she captures photographic images. Then, she displays them on a large screen in her studio to give her a feeling of being back in those woods. Using color, light, and geometric forms, she replicates the beauty of nature on canvas.
Sherrie Russ Levine:
A landscape artist originally focused on the scenic beauty of Tennessee, Levine has expanded her horizons. “She’s gone from doing large swaths of color that turn into very beautiful and serene lake scenes to these plein air paintings that are more finely detailed,” says Melanie.