October 5–11
Nashville’s visual art scene, all in one place.
The month of October not only brings fall, but it brings plenty of opportunities to meet other creative people. This month celebrates art crawls, artist talks, and several gallery openings. There is even an entire weekend of handmade art at Centennial Park and the 10th anniversary of the North Nashville Culture Crawl.
The monthly guide helps you plan your artsy itinerary ahead of time. Our weekly editions, bring you those same schedules, but in more detail.
Explore for seeing art, Create for hands-on activities, and Connect for meeting people and getting involved.
Tuesday, October 6
OZ Arts Season Preview
October 6 · 5:30–9 PM
Connect · OZ Arts Nashville · Free
Get a first look at OZ Arts’ 2026–27 performance season over drinks and light bites. Mark Murphy will share what’s ahead, with Banning Bouldin and Ciona Rouse offering a glimpse of their forthcoming world premiere, DECLARATION.
Included: Complimentary drinks and light bites.
Friday, October 9
Fall Tennessee Craft Fair
October 9–11
Explore · Centennial Park, near the Parthenon · Free
Wander among handmade pieces in clay, wood, metal, and glass at the 48th Fall Tennessee Craft Fair. Approximately 200 artists will be there with their work, so you can ask how a piece came together and buy directly from its maker.
Also on site: Artisan demonstrations, food vendors, and hands-on activities in the Kids’ Tent.
Saturday, October 10
Fall Floral Weaving
October 10 · 10 AM–noon
Create · Cheekwood Estate & Gardens · $48 members / $60 nonmembers
Spend the morning weaving textiles and dried flowers into a tapestry wall hanging. You’ll leave with something of your own to hang at home.
Downtown Makers’ Market
October 10 · Noon–4 PM
Explore · Riverfront Park · Free
Browse local vendors under the pedestrian bridge, with live music, food, and drinks along the way. Make an afternoon of discovering handmade goods and supporting small Nashville businesses.
Rain or shine. Bring your Metro Courthouse/Public Square Garage parking ticket to the market for parking validation.
Dax van Aalten: Incidental Meditations
October 10 · Opening reception, 5–8 PM
Explore · Red Arrow Gallery
Explore six paintings that hover between abstraction and landscape. Leaves, water, weather, and terrain emerge without settling into a single place, giving you plenty to look for as you move through the show.
Second Saturday Art Crawl
October 10 · 6–9 PM
Explore · The Arcade
Give yourself an evening to wander the Arcade’s art spaces. The Second Saturday Art Crawl offers a reason to step inside, see what catches your eye, and spend a little longer with the work.
Hatch Show Print Block Party
October 10 · 6–8 PM; October 11 · 10 AM–noon
Create · 224 Rep. John Lewis Way South · $75
Print your own design on paper or fabric using Hatch’s hand-carved blocks. Instructors will guide you through composition, layering, and color, with a blank tea towel or tote bag ready for your creation.
Sunday, October 11
Oil Workshop: Holbein, Legion Paper + General Pencil
October 11 · 10 AM–noon
Create · The Forge Nashville
Try traditional, water-soluble, and Vernet oil paints alongside different papers and drawing materials. Erica Feinberg leads this hands-on workshop featuring Holbein, Legion Paper, and General Pencil, giving you time to see how the materials behave before choosing what belongs in your own practice.
Included: Materials. All experience levels welcome. Ages 18 and up.
Family Sunday
October 11 · 1–5 PM
Create · Frist Art Museum · Free for members and guests ages 18 and younger
Make paper butterflies inspired by the autumn monarch migration to Mexico, then explore the exhibitions together. Family Sunday also offers tours and Martin ArtQuest stations for painting, printmaking, animation, and more.
Gallery admission required for adult nonmembers.
Move & Make
October 11 · 4–6 PM
Create · White Limozeen · $65
Start with 30 minutes of mat Pilates, then head indoors to bedazzle claw clips, lighters, and other small items. Nashville Craft Club and The Brokerage bring movement and making together, with goodie bags and little surprises along the way.
Bring: Your own mat. Discounted valet available for attendees.
Have an event you’d like included in a future guide? I’d love to hear about it. Email me at vellaforma@gmail.com
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