The Sporting Life: Fun at the Frist Edition

Frist Art Museum hosts three events—photography panel, Frist Fridays 21+ celebration, and Music of the Black Diaspora performance—highlighting exhibitions “Kindred Spirits” and “David C. Driskell & Friends” through May.

Young woman looking at black and white photographs.

Come over to the Frist Art Museum to celebrate the phenomenal exhibitions, “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship” and “Kindred Spirits: Intergenerational Forms of Expression, 1966–1999,” as they enter their final month on display. Three really cool events will help us to really appreciate these exhibitions and the folks who put them together.

“The Frequency of Images: Photography in ‘Kindred Spirits’” is Thursday, May 1, 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Frist Auditorium; Gallery admission is required. Join photographers Michael D. Atkins, John Simmons, and George Walker III for this conversation with Frist Art Museum Associate Curator Michael Ewing about their works in the exhibition “Kindred Spirits: Intergenerational Forms of Expression, 1966–1999,” which is on view through June 1, 2025 in the Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery — Fisk University, and the Upper-Level Galleries — Frist Art Museum.

George Walker, III

George Walker Ill is a retired photographer and photojournalist who grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and studied photography under Robert A. (Bobby) Sengstacke at Fisk University. His work has appeared in national and international publications including Bunte, The Chicago Daily Defender, Ebony, L’Express, Manchete, Newsweek, The New York Times, Paris Match, The Tennessean, and Time.

Frist Fridays returns Friday, May 2, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. for those of us aged 21+. (Additional Frist Friday events are coming August 22 and November 7). Celebrating the enduring legacy of local HBCU art programs as seen in current exhibitions “Kindred Spirits” and “David C. Driskell & Friends,” this Frist Friday is a toast to creativity, collaboration, and community on campus. Break out your smartest looks and come dance, mingle, and make art. You won’t want to miss a one-night-only exhibition inspired DJ set curated by Michael Ewing, Frist Art Museum Associate Curator. Throughout the night, enjoy artist led activities in Martin ArtQuest with Dominique “YOUNIQUE” Coleman.

Reserve tickets today, General Admission: $30; Frist members: $15. Members party with half – off general admission, so join today. Advanced tickets are required. All sales final / no refunds. Themed menu items will be available in Café Cheeserie from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Limited paid onsite parking is available, and they strongly recommend using rideshare, as their lots may reach capacity before you arrive. No outside food or beverages are permitted.

“Music of the Black Diaspora,” presented by Nashville Opera’s Opera On Wheels, is Sunday, May 4, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium and admission is Free. Join the audience for special performance from the Nashville Opera with operatic, musical theatre, and spiritual selections by Black composers and arrangers. This performance is inspired by the current exhibitions “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship” and “Kindred Spirits: Intergenerational Forms of Expression, 1966–1999.”

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