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Chattanooga to Host Tennessee Residence Art Exhibit

Statewide Exhibit to Benefit Restoration of the Tennessee Residence

1/05/2006

“Far Hills – Images of the Tennessee Residence,” featuring the drawings and paintings of renowned landscape artist Charles Brindley, will be in Chattanooga at the Tanner Hill Gallery from January 31 to February 14. The traveling exhibit benefits the Restoration and Preservation of the Tennessee Residence and the work of the Chattanooga Arts and Education Council.

The exhibit will provide an opportunity for high school students to show their artwork through The Tennessee Residence Brindley Scholar Art Contest, which gives each high school in the state the option of submitting one student’s artwork for local exhibition during the tour. The student artwork will focus on subjects significant to Tennessee’s history and will be shown at the exhibit with a chance to become part of the statewide tour.

“We are thrilled to have the art tour visit Tanner Hill Gallery,” said Angela Usrey, owner of Tanner Hill Gallery. “The exhibit does a wonderful job of illustrating an important part of Tennessee’s history, and we are proud to share this with the people of Southeast Tennessee.”

Visitors at each stop on the tour will vote on their favorite student piece, with the winning artwork becoming a part of the traveling exhibit. The student winner from each exhibit location will also receive a $300 scholarship. All winning works from the tour will ultimately be shown at the final exhibition in Nashville, where a grand winner will be chosen and awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

“These students are being encouraged to take a new look at Tennessee history and explore this history through visual art,” said Jeanette Crosswhite, Tennessee Director of Arts Education. “It will be a wonderful and unique experience for them to combine their study of Tennessee history with their artwork.”

Brindley is a highly respected artist who has exhibited his works in galleries from New York to New Mexico. Producing both paintings and drawings, he is widely recognized by art enthusiasts for his landscape images. Brindley has been actively involved in the Restoration and Preservation of The Tennessee Residence by creating images of The Tennessee Residence.

“I’m so pleased that the City of Chattanooga and the Tanner Hill Gallery have embraced the restoration project,” said First Lady Andrea Conte. “This statewide tour is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the historic Tennessee Residence and its many artistic treasures.”

The exhibit was recently in Knoxville where Bailey Priest, a student at Bearden High School, received the most votes for her watercolor work titled “Trail of Tears.” She will receive a $300 scholarship and her artwork will join the tour to travel throughout the state. “I’m so excited about winning the Knoxville exhibit, and I look forward to the chance to win the statewide contest,” said Priest. “I am thankful to have this opportunity.”

Other cities and dates confirmed as tour stops include:

  • Johnson City, February 21, 2006
  • Humboldt, March 14, 2006
  • Memphis, April 8, 2006
  • Smithville, April 19, 2006
  • Nashville, May 2, 2006
  • Cleveland, June 13, 2006

Half of the proceeds from the exhibits will go to a local nonprofit arts agency, and the other half will go toward the Restoration and Preservation of The Tennessee Residence. In Chattanooga, proceeds will be shared with the Chattanooga Arts and Education Council. More information regarding tour stops will be released closer to individual event dates.

Tennessee’s Residence, originally referred to as “Far Hills” because of its beautiful view, was built in 1929 by the William Ridley Wills family, and was purchased by the state of Tennessee following the death of Mr. Wills in 1949. The third and only remaining Governor’s Residence in the state, it has hosted numerous events and celebrities during its 54 years as the state’s Executive Residence. The house has been visited by such famous people as the Rev. Billy Graham, Elvis Presley, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, President and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, and numerous governors and royalty from around the world.

The Restoration and Preservation of The Tennessee Residence was initiated in 2003 by Gov. Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte in an effort to preserve the history and integrity of the home. The first phase of the restoration, which is under way, includes replacing deteriorated doors and windows, updating mechanical and electrical systems and bringing the Tennessee Residence into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The public is invited to attend an opening night reception with Charles Brindley and the First Lady on Tuesday, January 31, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tanner Hill Gallery. Tickets are $100. To purchase tickets or make a donation to the restoration, please call the Office of the First Lady at (615) 741.7846. For information about the Tennessee Arts Commission, visit http://www.arts.state.tn.us/ or call (615) 741.1701.