Artclectic’s 25th-anniversary show combined stunning art with festive gatherings and the chance to reconnect in-person with USN family and friends.
By Susan Chapman, Artclectic Coordinator
Artclectic’s 25th-anniversary show combined stunning art with festive gatherings and the chance to reconnect in-person with USN family and friends. So many people helped to make the weekend a success, thereby supporting USN’s work to educate children and build community in Nashville.
“Artclectic is like Thanksgiving for our school community. We can all celebrate it — show up to see the fabulous art, embrace each other and support our teachers and the school,” said Melanie Block and Tory Fitzgibbon, Artclectic 2021’s Co-Chairs. “This event takes so many volunteers and so many hours of work every year but when it all comes together, it feels like magic. Our hope is that more parents mark their calendars to attend and find time to volunteer. We want to thank everyone again who showed up to make the 25th anniversary of Artclectic as joyful as it was.”
A few thousand people descended on USN’s campus throughout the weekend. They bought enough artwork to this year the fourth-highest grossing sales in the show's 25-year history and impressed artists with their knowledge of art and their thoughtful questions about processes and motivations.
“I just wanted to give you, your team and all the volunteers a big thanks for a wonderful Artclectic,” wrote participating artist Andrew Johnson. “This is a first-class show! No detail is overlooked. And what I really like is that the artists are treated like royalty.”
Possibly one of the best events was the return of Education Day. Hundreds of curious art-loving students toured the gallery asking thoughtful questions and picking out their favorite pieces.
Eighty-seven percent of art buyers had some connection to USN as parents, staff, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and other friends. In all, 46% of income came from art sales, with another 29% from patrons' tickets and donations and 25% from sponsors.
Best of all, we anticipate making a significant contribution to the Artclectic Endowment Fund for Innovative Teaching.
Middle and High School Art Teacher Emily Holt will be honored with the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools’ Hubert Smothers Excellence in Teaching Award on Monday, November 9 in Memphis.
Third graders visited Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area for an immersive history lesson and guided site tour that will set the stage for this year's studies in Tennessee history and Native American history.
Middle School and High School Chinese Teacher Josephine Huang has been involved with USN as a volunteer, a parent, and a teacher. Now in her 20th year as a faculty member, Huang's innovative lessons and belief in relationships continue to instill in students a lifelong love of learning.
With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.
Winged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season.
Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.