The Amazing Art Expo!
Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, and Chainsaw Man, Oh My!
The Amazing Art Expo came to the Sheraton Hotel in Nashville on January 3rd-5th. The event featured art from anime, video games, Disney, horror films, Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and more. In the time of AI, The Amazing Art Expo had a statement about the use of AI on the website: “All our art sold on our website and featured at our show was created by human hands and all made in the USA. We do not believe A.I. art is actually art and we stay firm with that decision.”


The Sheraton had a wonderfully large conference room all set up for the event. Filled with tables full of interesting art canvases and prints, there was lots to see. Even more fun were the people in cosplay. If you’re unfamiliar with cosplay, participants wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character from popular culture. I didn’t recognize most of the costumes because I don’t watch enough anime, but there were people with intricate makeup, wigs, and even tails! There was a cosplay contest on the 4th and the 5th and I was able to get there in time to see the winners on the 4th. First place prize went to Chainsaw Man, a character from a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Costumes had to be at least 40% handmade to win, and Chainsaw Man’s costume received cheers and applause.

This was a family friendly event where all are welcome. I saw lots of kids dressed up as comic characters and having fun. The vibe itself was very relaxed and friendly, with everyone milling about and looking at the art. Also present were some famous voice actors that have played multiple characters in popular anime: Eric Stuart (Seto Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh!), Darren Dunstan (Maximilian Pegasus from Yu-Gi-Oh!), Megan Hollingshead (Nurse Joy in “Pokémon), and Amy Birnbaum (Téa Gardner in Yu-Gi-Oh!). Although the event itself was free, it was $40 for an autograph with these stars.
Nastiya Grushovenko, a self-taught watercolor and oil artist, was there autographing her work and adding paint embellishments to canvases every day of the event. Grushovenko’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries and art shows nationally and internationally. One particularly fun painting of hers is of the Nazgûl from Lord of the Rings sitting around a table playing Dungeons and Dragons and eating pizza. You can check out her art on instagram @nastiya.g.art. The next time this comes to town, note that there’s a $20 VIP experience. You will receive one specialty 12″x16” premium paper print of your choice and have the chance to skip the lines with a one-hour early access to the event including the voice actors, art and artists before the doors open to the general public.
If you love fantasy shows, movies, anime, or games, this is a great way to spend a few hours. If you have a favorite character, you can bet there was at least one original painting/drawing featuring them. Next time they come to Nashville, be sure to check it out!