Customs House Museum Celebrates Tennessee Artists with New Exhibits

Clarksville, TN – Plein air is a term derived from the French phrase en plein air, which literally means ‘in the open air’. In the late 1800s the Impressionists ventured out of their studios into nature to investigate and capture the effects of sunlight and different times of day on a subject, creating a new style of painting. Jason Saunders may be painting far from the French countryside, but his landscapes of Tennessee are just as breath-taking.

Jason has studied with world renowned painters Everett Raymond Kinstler and Dawn E. Whitelaw. He is a member of Oil Painters of America, Tennessee Art League, The Chestnut Group, and a founding member of The Cumberland Society. The Museum will showcase Saunders’ oils of Tennessee from October 14th through January 3rd. In conjunction with this exhibit, the museum will feature the film “Degas” on October 20th as part of its monthly Art & Lunch programs.

The Orgain Gallery will house the photography of Anthony Scarlati during the same timeframe. Scarlati’s photographs in Notes in Black & White are at once intimate and larger-than-life. Anthony’s iconic portraits bring the viewer into a beautiful and almost voyeuristic moment. A native of Chicago, Scarlati now calls Nashville home. He is a contributing editor for Nashville Arts Magazine, and for Southern Exposure. Recent projects include working with People.com, Jazz Times, and with BMI World Music.

Large, up-close images of colorful rocks created by Nashville-based artist Mitchell Chamberlain are on display through October in the museum’s Planters Bank Peg Harvill Gallery. His paintings explore the abstract qualities found in an intimate study of nature, and portray the dynamic forces of destruction and renewal that constantly occur in our world. Mitchell has exhibited in solo and juried shows across Tennessee as well as selected venues in Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, and Georgia.

Located at the corner of Second and Commerce Streets, the Customs House Museum is the second largest general museum in Tennessee. Regular museum hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Sundays. Adult admission is $7.00, Sr. Citizens and College ID $5.00, Ages 6 to 18 $3.00, and under six is free.

For more information on above events contact Terri Jordan, Exhibits Curator, at 931-648-5780 or terri@customshousemuseum.org.