We are pleased to announce that ART CLASH, presented by Lightning 100 and held on Friday, June 15th at the Texas Troubadour Theater was a roaring success! Art Clash was Nashville’s first live upcycled art making competition (think "Iron Chef" for artists). Funds raised will support SmART! Supplies, the social enterprise of Progress that sells donated arts and crafts materials and employs people with disabilities.

During the competition, five teams created one-of-a-kind artwork out of upcycled materials in two hours. Teams were required to incorporate a selection of upcycled materials provided by SmART! Supplies, including wine corks and crayons, and were also permitted to bring their own materials from an approved list.

The event featured a panel of judges consisting of some of Nashville’s most notable artists and leaders in the art community. Judges included Beth Inglish, founder of Nashville Creative Group, Éva Boros of Nashville Walls Project, Brian Sexton of Nashville Creatives’ Day, Colin Pigott of Creative Mornings, Metro Council Member Jeff Syracuse, and critically-acclaimed artists Wayne Brezinka and Randy Purcell. The event was hosted by Torri Yates-Orr, CW58 Nashville multimedia host and actress.

“Art Clash has proven that a live, upcycled art making competition has a strong place in Nashville’s art scene. The event raised important awareness for SmART! Supplies. We brought something entirely new to the community, participants and spectators had a blast, and we are thrilled with the results,” shared Kyle Graden, Marketing and Outreach Manager for SmART! Supplies.

Teams included Post Future (1st Place), Minds Unchained (2nd Place), Trash Mob (3rd Place), Team Blend and the Weary Easel. More than 50 attendees viewed the live competition, and winners received comprehensive prize packages.

Planning for Art Clash 2019 is underway, visit www.artclashnashville.com for details about this year’s event.

Progress is pleased to announce a new event in support of SmART! Supplies!

​ART CLASH, presented by Lightning 100, is a completely new, exciting, LIVE art making competition happening on Friday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the Texas Troubadour Theater (2416 Music Valley Drive, Nashville TN 37214). During the competition, teams will have two hours to create a piece of artwork out of upcycled materials. The event will feature a panel of judges consisting of some of Nashville’s most notable artists and leaders in the art community. Judges include Beth Inglish, founder of Nashville Creative Group, Éva Boros of Nashville Walls Project, Brian Sexton of Nashville Creatives’ Day, Colin Pigott of Creative Mornings, Metro Council Member Jeff Syracuse, and critically-acclaimed artists Wayne Brezinka and Randy Purcell.*

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the competition will occur from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., with winners announced at 9:30. Tickets are $10, and a cash bar will be available. Winning teams will be determined by the judges, with first, second and third place winners receiving comprehensive prize packages. Attendees will vote on a People’s Choice winner. Proceeds from the event will support SmART! Supplies, Progress' social enterprise that sells upcycled arts and crafts materials while employing people with disabilities.

“We are thrilled to bring such a unique event to the community, and can’t wait to see the range of art that teams create in two hours.” Kyle Graden, Outreach and Marketing Manager shared. “This event will help us raise important awareness about upcycled art, but more importantly about the work that we do to help people with intellectual disabilities live as independently as possible.”

Tyrone, an employee at SmART! Supplies shared that he “loves working at SmART!” and would “like to work here forever!” Tyrone has an intellectual disability and has worked at SmART! Supplies since opening in 2014.
​
In addition, during the competition SmART! Supplies (located next door to the Texas Troubadour Theater) will be open to attendees, and will feature a gallery of work available for purchase from artist judges Beth Inglish, Wayne Brezinka and Randy Purcell. Full details about the competition, ticket info and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.ArtClashNashville.com.