Periodically the Creative Spirits class takes art-related field trips. This past Saturday was such a day where a few members of the class ventured in the 105* heat index morning to see all the wonderful arts and crafts at The American Artisans Festival in Centennial Park near Vanderbilt in Nashville. 

The festival was full of talented artists - Wood Carvers, Wood Turners, Glass Blowers, Sculptors, Fiber Artists, Potters, Painters, Photographers, Jewelry makers - the beauty and inspiration was endless. But the heat was BRUTAL. 

We were zapped from the heat and decided to move our party to the Parthenon Gallery. 

Here we viewed photos and artifacts from the 1897 Centennial Exhibition celebrating Tennessee's 100th Anniversary. 

I was especially thrilled to view the Cowen Collection of American Art. Included were paintings by Emile A. Gruppe and William Merritt Chase.

The pièce de résistance was the statue of Athena, a replica of the classical original that stood in the Greek Parthenon.

We ventured up West End (becoming Harding Road) and lunched at Harding House at the Belle Meade Plantation.

And treated ourselves to ice cream for dessert! (Did I mention it was nearly 100*?)

We attempted to drive through the Cheekwood Estate with one student's annual pass, but our plans were foiled. Our August 2017 field trip was to Cheekwood, so no one was disappointed, but we'll have to plan to go again when we have time  and energy to enjoy it. Hopefully, it will be on a day that is cooler, too. 

If you are in the middle Tennessee area, join us! Creative Spirits painting classes meet on Thursday mornings 10am to 11:30am in Spring Hill, Tennessee,, and many days we go to lunch together after class. You have fun and creative friends you haven't even met yet!!