Belmont Mansion Announces 2^nd Annual Tennessee Decorative Arts Symposium: The People’s Present from the Past

Tennesseans have played important roles in shaping the character of our nation. Learn more about their contributions to the decorative arts and culture with the Belmont Mansion this spring.

Nashville, January 25, 2011 – Belmont Mansion hosts its 2^nd annual Tennessee Decorative Arts Symposium Saturday, April 9, with sponsors including Case Antiques Inc., Auctions & Appraisals; Becky Puckett Antiques and Estate Sales; Belmont University and Belmont Mansion’s board of directors.

Join scholars, collectors and historians as they examine and interpret the material culture and decorative arts of the South and Tennessee through history.

“Our theme for this year’s symposium focuses on the legacy left by our forebears to help us better understand our Tennessee heritage,” said Ashley McAnulty, Belmont Mansion board member. “The objects have so much more meaning when we understand who made them, for what purpose they were made and how they have survived to the present day.

Many of the early items used by Tennesseans were made for functional use by local craftsman and later evolved into “fancy” works of art, furniture and architecture.

“This year’s symposium is shaping up to be a real exciting and educational event.  The symposium offers individuals interested in Tennessee decorative arts and architecture a chance to see and hear about many of the objects in private and public collections,” said Mark Brown, Belmont Mansion’s executive director.

The symposium, titled this year “The People’s Present from the Past,” will feature guest speakers highlighting specific examples and recent discoveries addressing the stylistic changes in the decorative arts of Tennessee and their origins. It will also address the ever-growing interest in the decorative arts of Tennessee and encourage the sharing of ideas and information.

Speakers this year include, with their subject title: Steve Brown, Early Tennessee Migration; Michael Gavin, Early Tennessee Interiors; Robert Hicks, Tennessee Maps; Suzanne McDowell, Regional Textiles; Tracey Parks, Tennessee Furniture; and Samuel Smith and Steve Rogers, Tennessee Pottery: 1790s to 1950.

“The market for Tennessee regional art and antiques is very strong right now, and the more people research and understand these objects, the more we expect that trend to continue,” said Sarah Campbell Drury, vice president of Case Antiques, one of this year’s sponsors. “The lineup of speakers is excellent, and we are thrilled to support this symposium for the second year in a row.”

A VIP pre-symposium reception will be held at the home of one of the area’s recognized Tennessee collectors Friday, April 8.

Registration is $125 and includes the pre-symposium reception, symposium and lunch the day of the event. Registration for the symposium and lunch is $100.

Seating is limited to 100 persons and advance registration by mail, fax or online is required. For planning purposes, there will be no refunds for cancellations after March 31.

To Register, Click Here

Saturday October 2nd 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Like Adelicia Acklen’s Belmont Mansion, the Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood remains a beacon of modern living, evolving as times change while preserving the scale and unique character that continues to make it one of Nashville’s most appealing communities. Find out what modern city living is like in Nashville’s most walkable historic neighborhood.

The trees and gardens along Paris and Oakland Avenues, Cedar Lane and Belmont Boulevard make the 10 homes on historic Belmont-Hillsboro 2010 Tour of Homes an easy, beautiful walk from each other and some of the city’s most popular places to eat and shop.  Meet friends or family for coffee, tour the homes and then discuss your favorite additions or restorations over lunch or dinner in the 12South District or along the Boulevard.

Within just a few short blocks of one another, the homes were built over a 36 year period from 1899-1935. The wide range of architectural types on exhibit provides a feel for the changing fashions and amenities during the early part of the Twentieth Century. Tudor Revival, American Foursquare, Dutch Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, Bungalow and even a Sears & Roebuck kit home provide an appealing peek into the lives of the families that have added a bit of their own personal style to each home through the years.

Tickets are $10 for adults, free for children under 12. Home Tour tickets also provide free admission to the Belmont Mansion on the day of the tour.  Advance tickets available at Helios Artglassworks on Belmont Blvd. and Hillsboro Hardware on 21st Ave. On the day of the event tickets will be available at the corner of Belmont Blvd and Dallas Ave. More information about the historic Belmont Hillsboro neighborhood is available at www.belmont-hillsboro.org.

On Oct. 23, the Nashville Opera brings a special preview of Hansel and Gretel to the Belmont Mansion, transforming the mansion’s Grand Salon into a wonderland filled with musical, and edible, confections. The Nashville Opera’s supplying the witch and is hoping Nashville residents will bring along the kids.

Geared specifically toward younger listeners, “Hansel and Gretel – A Gingerbread House-Raising” will consist of duets and arias selected from Engelbert Humperdinck’s classic opera. Musical selections will include the Witch’s Aria and Hansel and Gretel’s Dancing Duet.

Samantha Jeffreys, as Gretel, and Sabrina Laney Warren, as the Sandman/Dew Fairy, will perform the selected pieces alongside debuting cast members Sarah Klopfenstein, as Hansel, and Alexandra W. Lobianco, as Gertrude/Witch.

Following the sneak preview, children and their parents can meet cast members and view costumes and props on display while enjoying refreshments. Children can also decorate their own edible version of the witch’s house with gingerbread cookies and an assortment of candy.  

Belmont Mansion’s history is rich in music, arts and culture. It’s home to the Chickering Grand Concert Piano that accompanied Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind during her 1851 performance at Nashville’s Adelphi Theatre.

Nashville Opera, which toured Middle Tennessee’s schools and libraries earlier this year with its presentation of The Three Little Pigs is currently celebrating its 30^th anniversary with a selection of four productions for the 2010-2011 Season including Hansel and Gretel, to be performed at the Noah Liff Opera Center in November.

“Hansel and Gretel – Gingerbread House-Raising” begins at 10 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 23 in the Grand Salon at Belmont Mansion, located on the historic campus of Belmont University. The event is sponsored by the Savannah Tea Company, a restaurant and gift shop located in Nashville’s historic Germantown.

Admission is $7 per person. Although it is general seating, space is limited, so guests are advised to register online at NashvilleOpera.org or by contacting the Nashville Opera at 615-832-5242.