Monthaven Art and Cultural Center

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center
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DISNEY ANIMATOR JAMES COLEMAN SHOWCASES HIS WORK AT MONTHAVEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER

Media Inquiries:

Cheryl Strichik: Cheryl@monthavenarts.org
(615) 293-3767

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 6, 2025) – One of the 20th century’s most influential animators will showcase his fine art in a major exhibition at Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. Bringing Disney to Life: The Artistry of James Coleman (Nov. 15, 2025 through Jan. 11, 2026) features 53 original artworks by famed Disney animator James Coleman. The exhibition will include paintings depicting characters from such films as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Some of Coleman’s impressionist landscapes and other fine art works will round out the exhibit.

“This exhibition celebrates an artist whose work has touched generations through his luminous color, warmth and imagination,” says Cheryl Strichik, the MACC’s executive director. “Having the opportunity to share Coleman’s art here at Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center is both an honor and a testament to our museum’s continued growth and mission to bring extraordinary art experiences to our community.”

Over the course of his storied career with Disney, Coleman contributed to nearly a dozen feature films, including The Rescuers (1977), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), The Little Mermaid (1989) and Beauty and the Beast (1991). Coleman’s specialty was in animating the backgrounds. His colorful, impressionistic style endowed these films with their dreamy, storybook quality.

Coleman’s style also lent itself to fine art. So, after 22 years in the animation business, he decided to devote himself full time to painting his own works. He creates art in a variety of mediums, including oil, watercolor, gouache and pastel. The artist notes that when painting, he goes by instinct, allowing his intuition to guide him and his color choices. It’s no surprise that his art appeals to a wide audience. That’s why his paintings can be found in collections around the world, including in some of the most prominent and respected galleries in North America, Asia and the Hawaiian Islands.

An opening reception for Bringing Disney to Life takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 at the MACC. Coleman will be on hand to greet visitors and discuss his art. He will also present an Artist Talk from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Space for this free event is limited and registration is required. Go to monthavenarts.org/events to reserve your place.

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 1,200 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.monthavenarts.org or call (615) 822-0789.

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Robin Willis

HEALING ARTS COORDINATOR

Robin Willis is the MACC’s Healing Arts Coordinator. She also works as the Exhibition and Events Manager and Director of Outreach. Robin has a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Clemson University with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is a multi-discipline artist with emphasis in writing, mixed media abstract painting, alternative process photography, collage, and book arts and binding. In addition to her art practices, she holds several healing modalities certificates, such as extensive kundalini yoga teacher training and education, Reiki master, systemic family constellation facilitator, and depth psychology-based therapy trainings. As an avid learner, she explores and encourages others in their exploration in art, psyche, and our relationship to the micro and macro worlds within and around us. Influenced by John Muir’s quote, When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe, she fuses art, healing, and organization throughout her work and personal life as a creative-scientist minded person.

Kaylin Warden

Creative Design and Operations Manager

Kaylin Warden serves as the MACC’s Creative Design and Operations Manager. In this post, she oversees the organization’s graphic design work for exhibitions, events and special projects. She also coordinates the MACC’s arts outreach activities and assists with bookkeeping, among other duties. Kaylin, above all, 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. 
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