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Frist Art Museum Announces 2026 Exhibition Schedule Celebrating 25 Years of Art

The Frist Art Museum in Nashville has announced an exciting lineup of exhibitions for 2026 in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The museum will showcase a diverse array of artistic expressions, featuring local talents, international art movements, and significant cultural narratives that reflect on the past, present, and future.

Commemorative Exhibition: A Landmark Repurposed

Starting the year, the Conte Community Arts Gallery will host the exhibition A Landmark Repurposed From Post Office to Art Museum, running from December 19, 2025, to August 2026. This exhibition highlights the building's transition from Nashville's main post office, established in 1934, to its current role as a pivotal art museum since 2001. Visitors will encounter a rich narrative through photos, videos, and interviews that illustrate the architectural evolution of the building and the significance of its historical contributions to the community.

Spotlights on Women Artists

Beginning on January 29 and running to April 26, 2026, the Ingram Gallery will host In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century. This exhibition celebrates nearly 100 works from 28 celebrated women artists who have deeply impacted the local and national arts scene. Their works, including paintings, textiles, and installations, explore themes of place, identity, and cultural heritage, emphasizing the vital contributions of women in the arts.

Exploring Social Themes Through Art

The Gordon Contemporary Artists Project Gallery will feature the monographic exhibition Sistah Griot: The Iconoclastic Art of Barbara Bullock, highlighting the life of the late Nashville artist Barbara Bullock from January 29 to April 26, 2026. Bullock's work challenges societal norms and critiques systemic inequities, while also reflecting on her personal journey of recovery after life-altering health challenges. Her vibrant paintings, characterized by bold colors and unique spatial compositions, will be showcased alongside her commentary on race, gender, and class.

A Journey Through Impressionism

From February 27 to May 31, 2026, visitors can delve into The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse, drawn from the Dallas Museum of Art. This exhibition encompasses nearly 50 works that trace the origins and evolution of Impressionism. Highlighted are influential artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Berthe Morisot, whose innovations reshaped the landscape of modern art, offering a rich retrospective of their lasting impact.

Discovering the Depth of Surrealism

From May 22 to August 30, 2026, the Ingram Gallery will host The Surrealist International: Fifty Years of Dreams, bringing together significant works from renowned figures in surrealism, including Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. This exhibition explores the profound psychological and cultural dimensions of surrealism, emphasizing its relevance a century after its inception.

Indigenous Art and Cultural Narratives

As the summer unfolds, from June 26 to September 27, 2026, the museum will present An Indigenous Present, showcasing a century of modern and contemporary Indigenous art. Curated by artist Jeffrey Gibson and independent curator Jenelle Porter, this exhibition features the works of 15 artists who engage with abstraction to narrate personal and collective stories that honor cultural traditions.

Technology, Art, and New Visions

Later in 2026, the Ingram Gallery will transform into a space of exploration with Shimmer Dreaming the Posthuman, scheduled for September 25, 2026, to January 3, 2027. This exhibition will explore the intersections between technology, creativity, and the natural world through the works of 16 contemporary artists who challenge established norms and provoke thoughtful discourse around humanity’s relationship with the earth.

Celebrating Jewish Art and Culture

To conclude the year's exhibitions, from October 30, 2026, to February 7, 2027, visitors are invited to experience Beauty and Ritual: Judaica from The Jewish Museum, New York. This display will feature over 130 ceremonial objects, illuminating the diverse practices and cultural narratives across Jewish history, especially in relation to significant traditions and rituals.

Conclusion

Each exhibition at the Frist Art Museum in 2026 not only exemplifies artistic excellence but also fosters connections between visitors and the vibrancy of cultural conversations. As they celebrate their 25th anniversary, the Frist continues to be a cornerstone of the Nashville arts community, inviting all to engage with the transformative power of art.