Faced with a national epidemic of gun violence, and the wake of our own tragedy, we turn to each other to find strength. Join us as we channel our collective grief into art and impact.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Nashville (MOCAN), Cë Gallery, and Arts4Impact joined together to spark Nashville Promise, an evolving, community-driven, interactive Arts Memorial that speaks to the heart of humanity.
Through the power of art, music, and collaborative craft, we aim to uplift the human spirit and inspire a safer, kinder, and more hopeful future for us all.
UP IN ARMS • CURATOR STATEMENT
In the vibrant city of Nashville, amidst the unfolding stories and challenges that shape our communities, we invite you to embark on a thought-provoking exploration.
This evocative exhibition delves into the layered significance of being ‘up in arms,’ capturing the intense emotional response to disheartening realities that weigh on our minds.
‘Up in Arms’ examines the very weapons that dismantle the fabric of families and communities in Nashville and beyond. It shines a spotlight on the arms that should offer support but instead inflict harm. It questions the arms entrusted with protection, yet cause immeasurable damage. It challenges the arms that seek to restrict and deny basic rights. It challenges the arms that legislate love and suppress self-expression. We strive to shift from being ‘up in arms’ to being embraced within the loving arms of our family, friends, and community.
As curators, we approach this topic through a lens of empowerment, love, and unity, amplifying our collective voice and artistic expression to say, “Enough is Enough.”
No more excuses. No more lives cut short. No more distorted notions of protection. No more absence of diverse representation in our decision-making bodies.
It is time to confront and challenge the normalization of these circumstances, urging us to no longer accept them as the status quo and demand change.
Learn the facts about gun violence across the country here.
Nashville Promise
The evolving piece builds on the Highland Park Arts Memorial and installations from around the country, and features 30K strips of orange fabric representing all the children killed by gun violence since Sandy Hook.
A sacred space to give our heartbroken community somewhere to come, create, and commune in a productive, deeply connected way.
Here, you will leave feeling more hopeful than when you arrived. Here, we transform pain into poetry.
Here, we channel our collective anguish into action.
Yes. Amen. Let it be.
Art Exhibit
Established & emerging visual artists, particularly women & people of color, whose work focuses on gun violence & resilience.
dynamic programing
From tactile arts & crafts, to sound baths & meditations, to yoga & songwriting, there’s something for everyone.
live music
Daily sing-a-longs, MOCAN live, concerts & MOCAN Jam unplugged. Open invite Pickin’ Party. Your backyard awaits.
YOuth CoffeEHouse
Join young people on the lawn for coffee & conversation. All authentic, positive voices welcome. Join us!
Why ORANGE
On January 21, 2013, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, she was shot and killed on a Chicago playground. Her friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
We create in orange to honor the memory of Hadiya – and Evelyn, Mike, William, Katherine, Cynthia, Hallie – and hundreds of thousands more.
We create in orange to support survivors and families.
We create in orange to inspire systemic change.
We create in orange because we are spitfire, rebirth, and above all, love.
Learn the facts about gun violence in Tennessee here.
Find Us
Merritt Mansion • Wedgewood-Houston Arts District • 441 Humphreys St.
Visit our evolving Arts Memorial on the lawn to find hope and healing, place and purpose – a way forward.
Mansion Gallery hours: Sun – Fri, noon to 7pm; and Sat, noon to 9 pm. Free.
We invite you to bring a blanket, a picnic, art materials, and an instrument if you play.
All ages welcome. All light and love.
Merritt Mansion
A Note to Contributors
Nashville Promise is an organic, deeply collaborative, nonpartisan, exclusively positive community expression. We invite you to add your authentic voice and any handmade artistry in the orange theme. Create at home or onsite. We’ll have tons of crafting supplies on hand to engage and inspire.
Whatever you contribute, know that others will build upon your work. Organizers will be ‘gently curating.’ So, no ego. And alas, sometimes stuff we adore goes missing. It’s the way of things.
Bring what you want, take what you need. Godspeed.
Notice of enthusiastic filming and photography.
curators
YOUTH TEAM LEADS
NASHVILLE PARTNERS
#UpInArms #NashvillePromise
@Mocanashville @TheCeGallery @Art4Impact_
