Monthaven Art and Cultural Center

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center
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MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY WITH THE ELEGANT ILLUSTRATIONS OF MICHAEL MCBRIDE

Media Inquiries:

Cheryl Strichik: [email protected]
(615) 293-3767

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY WITH THE ELEGANT ILLUSTRATIONS OF MICHAEL MCBRIDE

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 7, 2024) – One of Tennessee’s most gifted visual storytellers will display his work at Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center as part of the organization’s annual Black history celebration. The exhibition, titled Color, Culture and Children: The Illustrations of Michael J. McBride, features more than 60 of the artist’s illustrations for children’s books. The exhibit runs from Feb. 17 to March 24, 2024.

“Michael McBride is an old friend of the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center,” says MACC Executive Director Cheryl Strichik. “He’s on our board of directors, and he’s been instrumental in guiding our organization’s educational mission. We can’t think of a better artist to lead our annual Black history celebration.”

McBride has long been one of Tennessee’s foremost visual artists. He’s been lead artist for many important community-based mural projects, including an amazing four-story mural in downtown Nashville celebrating the life of the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis. His paintings include a remarkable touring collection titled Too Black Too Fast, which tells the story of Black jockeys who played integral roles in the history of Thoroughbred horse racing.

A master book illustrator, McBride has also illustrated over 80 children’s books and book covers for several publishing groups. The illustrations in his Culture, Color and Children exhibition at the MACC celebrate the Gullah-Geechee language and culture of the Carolinas. They also pay tribute to the great African American artist Helen LaFrance.

McBride will be on hand for an artist reception at Monthaven from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. During this time, he’ll sign the following books: ‘S’ is for Sweetgrass: The ABCs of Gullah-Geechee by Dr. Triba Gray Davis; She Remembered It All: The Art of Memory Painter Helen LaFrance by Jayne Moole Waldrop; and Tickle Me Grandma by Delphine Pierce.
On Saturday, March 2, McBride will be at Monthaven to lead a masterclass on the fine art of illustrating children’s books. Registration for this event is required. For more information, go to monthavenarts.org/events.

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 900 children and adults each year. The MACC also provides free arts outreach and healing arts to underserved children, families and military veterans. For more information, visit www.monthavenartsandculturalcenter.com 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.