pARTisan to return to David Lusk Gallery
Top 3: Vadis Turner, “Seam Grid”, Natalie Harrison, “Rainbow Square Quilt 2”, Madison Thorn, “Downtown Nashville, TN. 2023. 3:58pm.”
Middle 3: Shepard Fairey, “Raise the level (peace)”, Alfredo Gonzales, “Aún Así, 2025”, Jodi Hays, “Homage to ACT UP”
Bottom 3: Elisheba Israel Mrozik, “Iya Mimọ Ekun (Weeping Holy Mother)”, Donna Woodley, “Cast Irons and Collards”, Lindsy Davis, “Topple”
Following a landmark debut that raised more than $31,000 for advocacy and artistic support, David Lusk Gallery is set to host the return of pARTisan, an exhibition examining the intersections of art and politics in Tennessee. Running August 18–23, 2026, the second annual collaboration between the gallery and Tennessee Rise seeks to expand upon what organizer Sarah Baer describes as a successful “proof of concept”—evidence that Tennessee audiences are eager for spaces that encourage meaningful civic dialogue.
A Legacy of Creative Resistance
The idea for pARTisan emerged from a desire to move beyond the exhaustion of contemporary political polarization. Baer argues that many people have disengaged from activism amid the relentless noise of modern discourse, while art offers a more humane and emotionally accessible point of reentry. The exhibition draws inspiration from Tennessee’s long history of democracy work, from the nonviolent leadership training of the Highlander Folk School to the organizing efforts behind the Nashville Sit-Ins. By bringing together artists, organizers, and community leaders, pARTisan situates itself within a broader Southern tradition of cultural resistance and social change.
Its inaugural 2025 edition featured work by artists including Shepard Fairey, Herb Williams, and Donna Woodley. The 2026 exhibition aims to broaden that reach further. While the physical exhibition remains in Nashville, organizers are making a deliberate effort to include more Memphis-based artists, uniting Tennessee’s “Grand Divisions” through shared creative expression.
The Artist x Activist Model
What distinguishes pARTisan from a traditional thematic exhibition is its emphasis on active civic engagement. The 2025 program was anchored by a series of Artist x Activist panels pairing creators with movement leaders to discuss the overlapping motivations behind their work. The conversations revealed how deeply intertwined artistic practice and community organizing can be, prompting many attendees to return multiple times during the exhibition’s five-day run.
The 2026 edition will continue that dialogue while responding directly to the current political climate. Following a legislative session marked by both contentious proposals and a surge in grassroots organizing, Baer hopes this year’s participating artists will create work that “amplifies the people doing meaningful work on the ground” while encouraging broader statewide voter engagement.
Direct Impact: Auction and Advocacy
At the center of pARTisan is a funding model designed to support both artists and activism in tangible ways. Every artwork included in the exhibition will be available through a live online auction, with proceeds divided evenly between participating artists and Tennessee Rise. Half of all sales go directly to the artists, ensuring creators are compensated for their labor rather than simply being asked to contribute work philanthropically. The remaining fifty percent supports Tennessee Rise’s grassroots advocacy and democracy initiatives across the state.
For supporters, the model transforms political giving into something deeply personal and enduring. Rather than making a purely transactional campaign donation, collectors are able to support organizing efforts while also bringing home artwork that continues to inspire conversation long after the exhibition concludes.
Galleries as Civic Hubs
The return of pARTisan also reflects the evolving role of galleries within contemporary public life. At a moment when much political discourse feels reactive, fragmented, and performative online, spaces like David Lusk Gallery offer an opportunity to pause, gather collectively, and engage with complexity face to face.
“Galleries have the ability to make civic engagement feel more accessible,” Baer explains. “Not everyone is going to attend a political meeting, but many people will walk into an exhibit, connect emotionally to a piece of work, and leave thinking differently than when they arrived.”
As the 2026 exhibition approaches, organizers hope pARTisan will continue imagining what civic participation in Tennessee can look like when culture and community work in tandem. By supporting artists willing to grapple with questions of justice, identity, and democracy, the exhibition positions the gallery not simply as a place of observation, but as an active site of public engagement and change.
Exhibition Information
Dates: August 18–23, 2026
Location: David Lusk Gallery
Hours: Wednesday–Thursday (10 AM–5 PM), Friday (10 AM–7 PM), Saturday (10 AM–5 PM), Sunday (10 AM–2 PM)
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Another contribution from one of our hugely talented minions!
