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On November 11, 2001, J.D. Wilkes, Leslie Paterson-Marx and I opened The Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative in a 700 square foot storefront in Historic Lockeland Springs, East Nashville. We were three artists trying to find a way to help our community heal after the devastating events of 9/11. Our goal was to provide a venue for local artists to show their work together in an open environment and to counteract the pervading feeling of helplessness. We wanted the Plowhaus to be a place where every artist could declare ownership in a true, grass-roots venture. |
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Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative – Franne Lee
On November 11, 2001, J.D. Wilkes, Leslie Paterson-Marx and I opened The Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative in a 700 square foot storefront in Historic Lockeland Springs, East Nashville. We were three artists trying to find a way to help our community heal after the devastating events of 9/11. Our goal was to provide a venue for local artists to show their work together in an open environment and to counteract the pervading feeling of helplessness. We wanted the Plowhaus to be a place where every artist could declare ownership in a true, grass-roots venture.
The Plowhaus is the first art gallery to have opened in the area, the first co-op in Nashville and now holds the distinction of being Nashville’s longest lasting co-op. The gallery is nestled in an up-and-coming residential neighborhood that has recently seen a wave of renovation and restoration in response to the extensive tornado damage suffered in 1998. The renewal taking place in East Nashville appeals to creative types—musicians and artists alike—and has become a center of art and culture in its own right. Even so, East Nashville and the Plowhaus remain somewhat of mysteries to most traditional Nashvillians who have never ventured past downtown to the other side of the Cumberland River. Apparently, mystery only adds to the allure of the Plowhaus, as we are beginning our fifth year of operation stronger than ever.
The name Plowhaus sets the tone for this southern coop with international roots by combining the idea of the Bauhaus (also a successful artists’ co-op) and J.D.’s cartoon character “The Urban Plow Boy.” The hard work implied in the word “Plow” is undertaken by the 50 or so members who run and maintain the gallery in return for a place to display their art at a low cost and high sales profit. Thematic group shows with 25 to 30 artists, small group shows, solo shows, fundraisers, benefits and outreach shows fill up the Plowhaus calendar. Some memorable titles include “MySpace @ the Plowhaus,” “Naughty or Nice Christmas Show,” “Pie in the Sky,” “Impromptu,” “Funambulesque” and the annual “Value Menu” show that advertises “Haute Cuisine at Fast Food Prices.” In keeping with East Nashville and its unwritten standards of individualism, most of our shows have a loose theme, but artists are never required to conform to the one given.
Our first show of 2007, “My Bloody Valentine: Art to Die For,” visually studies the relationship between human love, sensuality and the physical body by depicting exposed body parts and organs as metaphors for the vulnerability experienced in love and relationships.
One of the most important aspects of the Plowhaus is our commitment to modeling citizenship and building community through outreach. In our unique partnership with local elementary schools, artists mentor children for one month in preparation for a gallery show. These children exhibit at the Plowhaus alongside their mentors and their pieces are hung at child’s eye-level to bring into focus their unique perspective. Hopefully this unique experience will inspire the children to support the arts or even to become artists themselves in the future.
As for the future of the Plowhaus, we have since upgraded to a 2000 square foot space next to the old storefront, grown exponentially in membership and gained a great deal for our non-profit last year. Our executive board is working hard to obtain big company sponsorship so we can continue to serve the community through outreach and eventually establish a finishing school for professional artists in our new space. After all, I can dream too.
