Monthaven Art and Cultural Center

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center
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NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE DELTA BLUES

Media Inquiries:

Cheryl Strichik: [email protected]

(615) 293-3767

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE DELTA BLUES

Hendersonville, Tenn. (Jan. 12, 2023) – Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center will mark Black History Month with an original exhibit titled Black and Blues. This show, which runs Jan. 21 to Feb. 19, will feature the colorful mixed media works of Tennessee artist Leroy Hodges along with the blues-inspired woodcuts of artist Kreg Yingst. The MACC’s “Home-Heart-Heritage” quilt project and a special blues performance will round out the exhibition.

“We are thrilled that the terrific artists Leroy Hodges and Kreg Yingst are joining us for the MACC’s most consequential Black History Month exhibition to date,” says MACC Executive Director Cheryl Strichik. “This year’s exhibit will see the completion of our “Home-Heart-Heritage” quilt project, which has been five years in the making. We’ll mark that milestone with art and music that is a celebration of African-American history and music.”

Hodges, a Mississippi native, realized long ago that the blues helped him focus, allowing him to overcome any challenges that came his way. He has pursued his passion for the visual arts for over 30 years and often refers to himself as an “artistic storyteller.” His vibrant, colorful works invariably capture the Black experience in America.

Yingst was initially trained as a painter before he shifted his interests to relief block prints. He has spent the past 20 years working on his “Music Series.” The prints in this series have allowed him to indulge his love for blues, country, jazz, Americana and rock music. These amazing music-inspired artworks will be on display at the MACC.

An opening reception for the artists will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 and will feature the Nashville-based singer and blues-guitarist Gil Gann in performance. Tennessee artist Michael McBride is curating this year’s Black History Month exhibition. A professor of art at Tennessee State University, McBride has recently illustrated two children’s books. He will be on hand with the authors for a book signing on Sunday, Feb. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Black and Blues exhibition includes the fifth and final installment the “Home-Heart-Heritage” quilt project. The quilts in this year’s show pay tribute to African-Americans who have made significant contributions to the U.S. military. Previous quilts celebrated notable African-American doctors, scientists, community leaders, writers and poets. The colorful and appealing quilts are part of a five-year community project. They will become part of the MACC’s Permanent Memory Collection and will be used for future touring exhibitions.

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) is a jewel-box art museum and education facility housed in one of Tennessee’s most spectacular antebellum mansions. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the MACC has staged exhibitions featuring everything from the ceramic art of Pablo Picasso to the evening gowns of Princess Diana. The artwork of local artists and military veterans are also on frequent display. As an art school, the MACC offers classes to more than 600 children and adults each year. The MACC also provides free arts outreach and healing arts to underserved children, families, military veterans and first responders. For more information, visit monthavenarts.org or call (615) 822-0789.

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Kaylin Warden

External Affairs Coordinator

Kaylin Warden joined the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center staff in 2024 as External Affairs Coordinator. In this post, she organizes special off-site events and manages the organization’s external communications. She also works with the development department by updating the MACC’s customer relations database, and she assists the executive director in setting up exhibitions. Above all else, Kaylin is passionate about the arts. It comes as no surprise, then, that she is now pursuing a master’s degree in art history. When she’s not at the MACC, you can find her reading her favorite books (especially ones dealing with maritime mysteries), cooking, gardening, playing with her cat and two dogs, and cheering for the Nashville Predators.

Ruth Chase

Regional Arts Director
Ruth Chase is the Regional Arts Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, joining the team in 2023. For Ruth, the job is all about community, bringing people together to uplift and educate artists and art lovers alike. Her role at Monthaven is to strengthen the local artist community and build connections that will enrich Hendersonville and our surrounding communities through art exhibitions, art education, and opportunities for regional artists.
 
Prior to joining Monthaven, Ruth worked in the arts for over 30 years and is a multimedia artist and graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute. Her artistic practice is inquiry-based and engages in community bridge-building. She was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, curated and juried exhibitions, and has taught at the Crocker Art Museum.
 
Ruth was awarded an Artist-in-Residence for Artist Activating Communities through a grant from the California Arts Council for three consecutive years. Her film Belonging screened at both the 18th Annual Nevada City Film Festival and Wild & Scenic Film Festival. She has received the Legendary Female Artist of Venice award, and she has exhibited in The Crocker Kingsley, the Museum of Northern California Art, and the Diego Rivera Gallery at the San Francisco Art Institute. Ruth also continues her work as a Curatorial Consultant and Art director for the Californian Indigenous Research Project, where she has worked with the local tribe since 2018.