Performing during First Friday April 2nd

Nelson's Fine Art Center is proud to host Pat Whisnant, better known to to local club-goers as guitar slinger "Stogie the Bluesman" through tenures with many local bands. Pat will display a decidedly softer side April 2 during First Friday celebrations. Without band or vocals, he will deliver ambient music via his unamplified violin. During breaks in the music, Pat will have on display priceless originals from the "Golden Age of Penmanship." If interest is sufficient, and he feels in "good hand" he may be persuaded to pen a bit, himself. At any rate, the samples he'll have for viewing will be truly stunning examples from virtuousic exponents of a uniquely American artform that has all but disappeared. Pat has been commissioned for several weddings and one-off pieces where dignified script with a human touch is still valued. Musically, he is moving toward solo violin, guitar and mandolin (vocals optional) gigs for quieter and more thoughtful audiences and performance spaces. He can be reached: 423-202-1783 orjackpotts@winning.com. Be specific in subject line to avoid being missed in the spamstorm.

Custom Framing

In the 19+ years that I have owned a custom picture framing business, I've never seen the nature of the market change like it has in the past 2 years. Sometimes I wonder if people will stop having things framed. Of course, that's the extreme worrier in me. But, it is a good indicator of the priorities at least in this market in which we operate. In the past, that thought never even floated through my noggin. If you'd told me 5 years ago that Essyx, the oldest framing business in Johnson City, TN, would go out of business, I'd have laughed. Now, the doors are locked and there are 4 framers in a town that just a few years ago supported 8.

Our gallery is fortunate that we have more than one source of revenue although the framing is 75-80%. If it wasn't for framing, we'd have no art gallery or regular receptions for artists. So if you like what we're doing in the art community and you can't buy the art, keep us in mind for custom framing. It keeps us open and bringing local art to the community.

ETSU Sculpture Student Exhibit

This First Friday, April 2, from 7-9 p.m. at Nelson Fine Art Center, the ETSU Department of Art and Design invites you to see the "Student Sculpture Exhibit". ETSU specifically looks to provide an excellent education to the Northeast Tennessee region. This art exhibit showcases the quality of sculpture being produced by students that call the Tri-Cities and the surrounding area home. The students have produced great artwork that incorporates traditional and contemporary practices in sculpture. Please come out to support and see the great artwork of students in your community.

For more information about this event, call (423) 926-2931 or see us on Facebook. If you haven't already done so, please become a fan of Nelson Fine Art on Facebook for more news about exhibits, artists, and framing tips.