WSMV Channel 4 Art event brings together students and the public

Art event brings together students and the public

A local artist and students from four different Nashville schools are creating an event that will allow the public to get creative.

It's described as "Deliciously Happy," and it's all coming together on the campus at Belmont University.

"Deliciously Happy is a coupling of words that I came up with that describes this place I go to when I'm creating and collaborating," said artist and show organizer Lindsey Bailey.

Bailey came up with her idea to collaborate on an art show with students from Belmont, LEED Academy, Bordeaux Elementary and the University School of Nashville.

"These are students from various different parts of the city, and they're getting to show (art) together and engage one another, and I think that's really important," Bailey said.

The college students are from a Belmont sculpture class. Their assignment was to come up with their own performance art pieces.

Belmont junior Jordan Burrier and senior Ashley Lehenbauer are using JELL-O and broken plates to bring attention to a child hunger.

"JELL-O has no nutritional value at all and it's this fun way of dealing with food and over consumption," Burrier said. "Each broken plate represents a family or home that isn't getting to eat tonight or isn't getting the nutrition they need to have a well-maintained diet."

"It deals with a big issue, but we wanted to make sure fun was at the core of the piece. So, while you're sitting down having fun I think the grown-ups are going to understand it deals with a bigger issue as well," Lehenbauer said.

"It's going be like a carnival. It's going to be fantastic," Bailey said.

The gift for Bailey is watching what happens to the elementary, middle and high school students as they create.

"It's really injecting a lot of energy into their school day because they're used to coming in, sitting at their own desk and working on a worksheet. This project is having them be social and talk to each other and problem-solve with each other and think about things in a very 3D, maneuverable way. It's very exciting for them," Bailey said.

The "Deliciously Happy" art show runs Feb. 29 to March 20 at Gallery 121 in the Leu Center for Visual Arts on Belmont's campus, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212. An opening reception will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on March 1.

Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and  Sunday 2 to 7 p.m., with holiday exceptions.

"Craftville," a local nonprofit group, is hosting craft night every evening at the gallery. Those who attend can make their own art to add to the show or to take home.

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