SiTe Specifics
Beautiful objects from Nashville’s museum gift stores
by Angela Wibking, photos by Virgil Fox
Some say shopping is an art. We agree, and to prove the point we shopped Nashville’s museum gift stores to see what treasures they might hold for the home. From Cheekwood, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and the Tennessee State Museum to the Parthenon and even the Nashville Zoo, we found artful items anyone would love to take home with them. Of course, while you’re shopping, don’t forget to visit the exhibits of art and exotic animals that you can’t take with you.
Modern Art
Tennessee artist Susan DeMay’s ceramic pieces can be found in several Nashville museum shops, but this ensemble comes from the gift shop in the Pineapple Room at Cheekwood Museum of Art and Botanical Gardens. DeMay’s designs are inspired by nature, landscapes, and modern art—which is why her works remind us a little of van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces. Square platter, $186. Bowl, $38. Vase, $58. Current art exhibits at
Cheekwood include “American Impressionists” through Nov. 18, installation art by Terry Adkins through Nov. 25, and new media art by six regional artists through Feb. 24. Cheekwood is at 1200 Forrest Park Dr. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun. For information, call 356-8000.
It’s Greek to Me
Not surprisingly, this collection of objects for the home comes from The Parthenon, the only full-scale replica of the ancient Greek temple in the world. What may surprise shoppers, though, is that these high-quality reproductions and crafts are all handmade in Greece. Greek vase, $200. Hand-woven and hand-sewn wool pillowcase, $100. Seated Venus statue on base, $90. Bronze horse, $20. Bronze owl, $8. The Parthenon is in Centennial Park. Hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Current art exhibits include works by members of the Nashville Artist Guild through Nov. 17 and Japanese wood-block prints by Paul Jacoulet through Nov. 24. For information, call 862-8431.
Eclectic Style
From Byzantine treasures to modern art, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts knows how to put on a show—in its galleries and in its gift shop. The shop boasts a wide variety of objects for the home, in styles that range from Art Deco and pop art to Turkish exotic. Istanbul throw with fringe, $74. Cast metal candlesticks, $69.50 each. Bone-handled wooden salad set, made in Kenya, $25. Wooden bowls by Tennessee artist Brenda Stein, $160, $325, and $350. Current exhibits include contemporary sculptures by Petah Coyne through Jan. 13, “Realms of Faith: Medieval & Byzantine Art” through Jan. 13, and “Leaves of Gold: Treasures of Manuscript Illumination” through Jan. 6. The Frist Center is at 919 Broadway. Hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun.; extended hours until 8 p.m. Thurs. For information, call 244-3340.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts building is itself a gem of late Art Deco styling. If you love the look, you can take it home with you in the form of accessories like this Tiffany-style stained glass and metal urn lamp with peacock design, $195, available in the center’s gift shop.
Home Grown
The Tennessee State Museum often features exhibits of works by Tennessee artists. You can also pick up exquisite examples of Tennessee artistry to exhibit in your own home from the museum’s gift shop. These graceful wooden figures are by Crossville artist Sean Boring. Center figure of box elder, $150. Smaller cherry figures, $75 each. “The Best of Tennessee,” a juried show of works by 78 Tennessee artists, runs Oct. 27-Dec. 30. The museum and gift shop are on TPAC’s lower level, 505 Deaderick St. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. For information, call 741-2692.
It’s a Jungle in Here
If you want to walk on the wild side of home decorating, you owe it to yourself to visit the Safari Gift Shop at the Nashville Zoo. The shop has an extensive selection of upscale items for the home, ranging from small figurines, picture frames, and candles to statuary, pillows, and mirrors. Raku kitten on glass base, $144. Handmade glass elephant figurine, $159.99. Zebra-pattern charger of natural kappa shell, $39.99. Zebra place mat, $8.99. Candles, $13.99 and $14.99. The zoo is at 3777 Nolensville Rd. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. At present, shoppers can only access the zoo’s gift shop after paying admission ($6/adults; $4/seniors and kids) to enter the zoo. So plan to enjoy the zoo’s animal exhibits and historic 1880s home/working farm before or after your shopping spree. For information, call 833-1534.
Glass Act
Tones of copper, silver, and gold play through this handmade, signed glass vase balanced on a metal stand from the Safari Gift Shop at the Nashville Zoo. The vase is a work of art in itself that hardly needs to be filled with flowers, though it’s designed for that function as well. Vase with stand, $374.99.
Comments (0)