Monthaven Art and Cultural Center

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center
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1968: A FOLSOM REDEMPTION PHOTO EXHIBITION OPENS AT MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER IN HENDERSONVILLE

Media Inquiries:

Ruth Chase: [email protected]

(615) 822-0789

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

1968: A FOLSOM REDEMPTION PHOTO EXHIBITION OPENS AT MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER IN HENDERSONVILLE 

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (March 14, 2024) – One of Hendersonville’s most famous former citizens is the subject of a major photographic exhibition at the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. The exhibit, titled 1968: A Folsom Redemption, runs April 6 to May 25 and features 31 original photographs documenting Johnny Cash’s legendary 1968 performances at California’s Folsom State Prison. Mid-America Arts Alliance is touring this exhibition, which is made possible in part by funding from Sumner County Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Johnny Cash was one of the giants of 20th-century music, and Monthaven is thrilled to present this exhibition in the community where he once lived,” says Ruth Chase, the MACC’s regional arts director. “We’re especially excited that the writer who worked with Johnny Cash on this project will speak at our Art Opening and Artist Talk.”

On January 13, 1968, the writer Gene Beley and photographer Dan Poush accompanied Cash to Folsom Prison, where the legendary singer gave two unforgettable performances. The famous recording of those performances crackled with the excitement of an adoring crowd, documenting Cash’s singular ability to connect with his audience.

Beley’s first-person account of those performances, and his knowledge of the storylines at work behind the scenes, reveals little-known aspects of a well-known popular culture event. 1968: A Folsom Redemption takes the viewer right into the heart of this pivotal moment in the life and career of one of the 20th century’s most important and cherished musical personalities.

This amazing exhibition highlights Cash’s golden era, from the January 1968 Folsom prison album recording to a March 1, 1969 concert in Anaheim, California, where he was getting ready to launch his network television show. Viewers will see intimate portraits of Cash with his family, along with backstage photos of Cash with Merle Haggard and other notable personalities.

Writer Gene Beley will be on hand at Monthaven on Saturday, April 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. for an Artist Talk. Admission is free to hear his fascinating first-hand account of Johnny Cash’s famous performance at Folsom State Prison. The Art Opening takes April 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sumner County Tourism is sponsoring 1968: A Folsom Redemption locally as part of its Historic Sites Kickoff from April 5-7, 2024. For detailed information and a schedule of events, go to visitsumnertn.com.

This exhibition is toured nationally by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to over 100 small-and mid-sized communities every year. Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our region and beyond. They achieve this primarily through their national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making. M-AAA is especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. They believe in more art for more people. Additional information about M-AAA is available at www.maaa.org.

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) is a jewel-box art museum and education facility housed in one of Tennessee’s most spectacular historic 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, go to 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.