CRYSTAL WAGNER SETTLES IN AS CHEEKWOOD’S 2017 MARTIN SHALLENBERGER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Contemporary artist Crystal Wagner is Cheekwood’s 2017 Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence.

For the month of March, Wagner will work onsite, transforming Cheekwood’s Frist Learning Center Courtyard Gallery with one of her large-scale and site-specific installations which will be on display April 1-June 25.

“Crystal Wagner’s installations are brilliantly colorful, and are truly unlike anything you’ve seen before,” said Brian Downey, director of exhibitions and associate curator at Cheekwood. “Her designs are equal parts disruptive and playful, so it’s going to be a real treat for us to get to watch her creative process right here in our own studio.”

During her residency, Wagner will host an Artist’s Lecture 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25 in the Potter Meeting Room at Cheekwood where she will discuss the process of her work and the sources of her inspiration. Guests will enjoy a sneak peek of the installation before it opens to the public on April 1.

Cheekwood will host a Public Opening event 6-8 p.m. March 31 with artist remarks at 7 p.m. Accompanying programming includes cash bars, Bajo Sexto and Jeni’s Ice Cream food trucks and live music in the Frist Learning Center Courtyard. Additionally, The Farmer’s Florist will be onsite creating a floral installation inspired by Wagner’s work.

For more information on the events and activities surrounding Cheekwood’s Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence, visit www.cheekwood.org.

About the Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence Program

Now in its sixth year, the Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence program brings national and international artists to Nashville to create one-of-a-kind pieces at Cheekwood, interacting with staff, visitors, and the arts community throughout the creative process. With its renowned gardens and art collections, Cheekwood offers visiting artists a great set of resources to reflect broadly on nature and sustainability within a global art world.

About Cheekwood

Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Its mission is to preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. Cheekwood presents world-class art exhibitions, showcases breathtaking gardens, and offers education programs and seasonal festivals to school children and families as well as to the citizens of Nashville and its visitors. Each year, Cheekwood welcomes over 250,000 visitors, making it one of the city’s top cultural attractions, with approximately 13,000 member households. Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive, 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Daily hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For further information, call 615-356-8000 or visit www.cheekwood.org.

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