Alan LeQuire is one of Nashville's renowned artists. He is the sculptor of the Athena at The…read moreParthenon, for one. This is his gallery and workspace. Like another Yelper said: I ain't fancy enough to visit LeQuire Gallery to purchase artwork. But if you are, then you can! The gallery sells a nicely curated selection of contemporary sculptures and paintings -- some of them by Alan LeQuire himself, and some by other artists. If I were fancy, I would have purchased a sculpture of LeQuire's that depicted a mother breastfeeding her baby. It really spoke to me, as a mom who breastfed her children for a total of five years. (I know!) I couldn't stop looking at it. Alas, I'm not fancy, but I am curious, and so I was able to visit the artist's workspace in the back to peek around. If you're able to go behind the scenes to the studio and see the workspace, you should. You'll see sculptures in all stages: from sketches to blobs of clay to semi-formed blobs of clay to fully detailed, fired and glazed works of art. It's amazing how an artist's mind works! LeQuire Gallery is open by appointment on Tuesdays through Saturdays. If you're interested in local art and sculpture, this is definitely a great gallery to visit in Nashville.

I'm not nearly fancy enough* to afford a piece of art from the gallery. So, I am reviewing the…read morespace as a venue, rather than a place of retail. The gallery is a deceptively large space that offers one-of-a-kind conversation pieces and plenty of room in which to mingle. I'd, gladly, return. In a city brimming with delicious restaurants and cool concert halls, I feel like art galleries get overlooked for event venue spaces. I have fallen into this trap, myself. I can't remember the last time I thought to pair with an art gallery. That's an oversight. I'd never been to the LeQuire Gallery before and was anxious to check it out. I don't spend that much time in this part of town so when I have good reason to do so, I like to take it. The building looks shallow from the outside but once you step inside, you see how much it opens up. The main gallery space is abutted by 3 ancillary spaces for display, storage and office space. The entire venue was open to my group. As you might imagine, art is everywhere. From sculpture to paint, there's something interesting and eye-catching no matter where you look. And when meeting someone new or having a lull in conversation with someone you know, talking about art is always a safe go-to. The white walls and high ceilings don't absorb sound, though. So be prepared to talk loudly as the night progresses. By the end of the evening, my voice was a bit shot. The gallery is a bit by itself on Charlotte but if an event or a purchase puts you on track to cross paths with it, make sure you take the opportunity. Having done so, I realize the need to put more art in my life. *Yet.

What a great way to see some local art and sip on free booze to boot!…read more We checked out the Rymer gallery, the arts company, tinny contemporary, the arcade and the downtown Presbyterian church. Even Woolworth on fifth joined in and had a live mannequin window display. Totally worth checking out for an hour or two. Every first Saturday from 6-9pm.

The downtown art crawl is so fantastic for so many reasons…read more 1. Location: downtown but not near Broadway. You can enjoy being in the thick of the action without the tourists and the smells. The vibe of the lofts where some of the galleries are is so unique and fun. 2. It's free: yes, free! Also a free shuttle to take you from gallery to gallery. 3. Food/drink: some of the galleries have snacks and wine out for guests strolling through. 4. Art: the art itself is so diverse, you can go to this event 4 Saturday's in the same month and see completely different things each time. It's not mundane or repetitive, it's new and fresh each time. Some of the art is available for purchase if you are in the market for a different style piece for your home or apartment. Some crazy expensive, but some absolutely affordable! 5. Culture: there are so many people who come out to the event, it's a great way to meet people who might not normally cross your path. All in all, a unique event and a lovely way to spend a Saturday night in the city. Wear your walking shoes!

If you are a fan of Thomas Kincaid? Dennis the owner is very knowledgeable about these paintings…read moreand also has The Thomas Kincaid group visit the gallery and do touch up enhancing!! I would highly recommend this gallery.

WARNING Any talk of collectibility value as an investment is…read morea false illusion. If you buy collectible artwork, it only has a dollar value if you are later able to resell it for more than what you paid for it. Your Kinkade is worthless. I have a 15-year-old signed and numbered Kinkade canvas with a Certificate of Authenticity that I can't sell at all ... period. A dealer will not buy it back, and there is no online Craiglist type of marketplace where Kinkade owners can buy and sell. If there is NO market of people seeking to buy a collectible piece that you "invested" in years ago ... then your investment is worth $0 zero dollars.

The gallery owner went the extra mile to assure I had all the time I wanted to view a painting…read morebefore purchase. When I decided to own the painting, it needed to be shipped to California. Julia made sure it was packaged securely, shipped safely through UPS at a reasonable cost, and that it arrived safely. I couldn't be happier with my painting and the quality of my transaction with Julia Martin Gallery.

I love this gallery! The owner (who also shows her work as well) is very nice. She takes her time…read moreand explains her views on things. She features different artists every month. She is a native of the city and does beautiful work herself. During the week you call to set up a time to view the work. She is open set hours on the weekend. This is a gem in the new art district. I love this place. If you were afraid to approach art this place is not pretentious at all.

I absolutely ADORE this art gallery and for so many reasons. Not only does this inspired space home…read morestriking contemporary artwork but it possess an energy that can't be replicated. Susan Tinney and Sarah Hays both focus on featuring a diverse portfolio of internationally known artists but still offer an unpretentious experience. The artwork featured at Tinney range in prices and may be purchased from the website too. I would personally love to receive a gift of art from here and will consider that when shopping in the future. Many Nashvillians may have stepped through these doors during the First Saturday Art Crawls but aren't aware that the gallery presents a series of rotating exhibitions throughout the year. I am personally looking forward to the upcoming "Sanctuary" exhibition opening on December 4th with local artist Sharon Lee Hart's long-term project -The Farm Animal Sanctuary Project. This compassionate artist contradicts the commonly held view of farm animals as purely utilitarian food and labor sources. Hart emphasizes the uniqueness of each animal by photographing them individually and titling each photograph with the animal's name. 20% of print sales and 100% of proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to the sanctuaries. When I received this information from Tinney, I knew that I was going to be a huge supporter of this gallery! This space is also available for rental and would be a unique option for a cocktail party, meetings, or an intimate special event. Other services provided by Tinney includes offering guidance for private collectors . They also provide assistance with framing and installing artwork, whether it was purchased it from Tinney Contemporary or elsewhere. The Art Crawl has a whole new meaning for me now.

With its carefully thought out interior design and intriguing, aesthetically pleasing exhibits, the…read moreTinney Gallery is one of the best galleries on the art crawl. When I stopped by on Saturday night, artist Pam Longobardi was giving a presentation of her exhibit entitled "Drifters." Her work featured a sculpture made of meticulously arranged litter she found on the beach and a web of rope, six pack rings, and twine, also made from materials she found on a beach. This may sound like it would look ugly, but Longobardi managed to make this "junk" strangely pleasing to the eye. My favorite part of her exhibit were her collages of tiny images carefully cut out and glued onto white paper. I like the way she arranged the images, leaving plenty of white space, how she used shades of just one or two colors in each piece, and the social conscience (environmentalism) behind her work. I'll definitely be visiting the Tinney gallery again, and I'd recommend it to everyone.

Robin's Gallery is a great place to go for your framing and gift needs. Even if the gift is for…read moreyourself! I've been a patron for a couple of years now. Not only do I go for my framing, I also go to a monthly painting class called Create It. Each month, the resident artist comes up with some fun painting and I sign up to go and paint along. Bring a friend or two, the beverage of your choice and your imagination and have a great evening out for mere $30. The classes are always an absolute blast and it is quite entertaining to see how so many people interpret the painting differently and make it their own. Aside from Create It, framing, paintings and prints, Robin's also has a wonderful assortment of jewelry and gifts. Since I am easily distracted by shiny things, this delights me to no end. Plus, buying from local artists and artisans is a great way to support community and I am all about that! Speaking of supporting all things local, David and Jessica, the owners of Robin's Gallery, are really into that as well. They are very active in both Hip Donelson and Hip Hermitage. They are local business owners who support their local communities not just by word, but with action and actively participating in events within their neighborhood. You really need to swing by and check out all this place has to offer. You won't be disappointed.

The HA Factory is a hidden little gem in the 5th Avenue Art District that I was lucky enough to…read moreexperience last night due to a private event. This newer gallery sits across the way from more known Tinney Contemporary, The Arts Company, and the Rymer Gallery. The front windows are very unpresuming and don't even begin to showcase the fun gallery and lounge inside. John Hung Ha is the owner and artist who is currently working on new Mixed Media Artwork which have a charming Asian flair. A couple of my friends purchased pieces last night during an album listening party that were not only really cool but reasonably priced! I fell in love with his homage to the Japanese Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat that many may refer to as the Lucky Cat) and will likely purchase a piece in the coming weeks. When I was introduced to John, he was very nice and informed me that the HA Factory has occupied the space for around a year. It was really refreshing to meet a young and passionate artist who is not only investing in the arts but also in downtown Nashville. Although the space isn't overtly large, it should be considered for private and special events as it makes for great backdrop. Last night's event included a DJ booth with a wine and bar area that played nicely in the space. I would consider planning a cocktail hour amongst other events here in the future. Currently, hours of operation are on Saturdays from 6-10pm and by appointment only.

I love this place, it's so exciting to see in Nashville the kinds of art that you usually only see…read morein cities like New York and LA! I went to an amazing event there once, the vibe was very friendly and fun. I love their art! The guy who owns the gallery is certainly a true artistic visionary and Nashville is lucky to have him.

Hospitable AND knowledgeable !!!…read more Particularly fine American paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture populate this upstairs gallery hosted by Jim and Randi, husband and wife owners. Folk art is integrated throughout along with decorative arts, all copiously researched. No games or posturing here! Prices are posted. If you need to visit the gallery on an odd day or evening, make an appointment and you will be accommodated. Williams Galleries is a special place. If Art Deco and period jewelry is your weak spot, call Randi in advance to arrange for a special showing. This gallery reminds me of what art galleries used to be like, passionate art devotees who want to share their interest with potential collectors.