The story of Art Beat began in the fall of 2021 with a gift store and gallery in the Gulch. Two things quickly became obvious: rent prices were only going up, and what I loved the most about Art Beat was the community of artists I had come to know, their talent, who they were, and how it felt to be with them in community.
I wondered how many people knew the amount of visual art talent around us. It felt overlooked and by default, art takes side stage to the unique and incredibly talented music scene we have here. And it is definitely a scene with Honky Tonks and their neon lights on Broadway, while the studios, galleries, and spaces that sell art are challenged by the realities of retail becoming harder. And so, it seems like a good time to try something different.
An online marketplace gives artists a stage 365 days of the year. But I think it is really more than a stage. It is a home. It is home for me, and I hope it feels like a home to everyone who comes through our virtual doors. I see it as the beginning of many doors opening as we grow, whether it is a pop-up, an art crawl, an event, coming into your home to talk about art that works on your walls, or giving you an inside view of the heart, homes, and studios of the artists who color our city.
Is everything on here from Nashville? The heart of Art Beat is Nashville. Most of our artists live and create right here or in nearby neighborhoods, with others from around Tennessee. Every now and then, we will also feature a gift or artwork from outside the state when it adds something that feels right for our collection. We share who created each piece and where it was made, so you always know exactly who you are supporting.
Art Beat is energized by my love for my lifelong home of Nashville, my admiration and respect for the many local artists I know, and the countless more I have yet to meet. I am honored to be part of Nashvilles well-established art community!
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