First Ever Arts Advocacy Day on the Hill Festival Was a Success

Nashville, TN --- Although the weather was chilly yesterday, artists from all over the state received a warm reception from the crowd.  Tennesseans for the Arts, a statewide arts advocacy organization, hosted an arts festival open to the public, for Arts Advocacy Day on the Hill.  The group hosted fifteen performers and an array of craft artists from around the state Tuesday, April 14th from 10:30a.m.-3:30p.m. outside on top of Legislative Plaza.  

“This was a fantastic first event to showcase artists from all over this state,” said Sameera Lowe, executive director of Tennesseans for the Arts.  “I heard first hand how impressed the legislators were with the incredible talent of our state’s artists.  It was wonderful to have the opportunity to show them how the arts really do change people’s lives.”

In the past, Arts Advocacy Day consisted only of visits to legislators and a membership meeting with a performer or two.  This year, instead of just telling legislators how vital the arts are they had the opportunity to show them. 

The day included performers from Maryville to Memphis, and everywhere in between.  The organizations represented were:  The Rose Center, Appalachian Ballet Company, Chattanooga Ballet, Tennessee Women’s Theater Project, Tango Nashville, The Nashville Symphony, Old Time String Band Association, Global Education Center,

 Nashville Opera, Jackson Plectral Society, the New Ballet Ensemble and School, The Country Music Hall of Fame, Oak Grove Elementary in Cleveland, TN and Dickson Elementary in Dickson, TN.  Stacey Padilla, winner of the Poetry Out Loud contest, also performed.   

Craft artists included a wood turner, chair maker, potter, jeweler, clay sculptor, painter, print maker, free form silver caster, and a basket weaver.  Many of the artists were members of the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists and the Oak Ridge Art Center

“Now more than ever, it is so important for us to remind legislators and citizens of this state of the economic and cultural value of the arts,” said Bob Willie, president of Tennesseans for the Arts.  “They absolutely change lives, and the earlier the exposure the better, both for the individual and the entire community.”

This event was free and open to the public.

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