The Arts Company Presents SIDE BY SIDE Next Month

The Arts Company presents its February exhibition, Side by Side, showcasing contempo- rary diptychs from current and new gallery artists. Highlighting a diversity of styles, materials and techniques, fea- tured artists were asked to create new pieces reflecting February's diptych theme. Works will range from traditional diptychs to pieces that offer a unique take on the diptych style. Opening during FirstBank First Saturday Art Crawl on February 2 from 6-9 p.m., the exhibition will continue through February 21 during regular gallery hours, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, at The Arts Company's downtown Nashville location.

About the Exhibition-Side by Side A diptych is a work of art formed in two parts. Traditional diptychs were first created centuries ago by artists who would carve religious scenes into two flat panels that were joined by a hinge and presented as altarpieces and icons. In more recent decades, contemporary artists have used diptychs to explore new ideas and ways of presenting art. Whether through a landscape scene extending across two panels, an abstract painting with similar color values or a juxtaposition of contrasting concepts, artists continue to innovate how to shift the intention and evolve the diptych tradition. In The Arts Company's Side by Side exhibition, current and new gallery artists will present a vast array of styles, techniques, colors and concepts. From bi-folded game boards with hand-stitched sequins, to exploring the idea of "reflection as diptych," to bold colors, shapes and sizes of abstract pieces, artists will showcase their own signature styles in these contemporary diptych works.

Featured artists include Cassidy Cole, Nick DeFord, Ke Francis, Mandy Rogers Horton, Charles Ivey, Bill Steber, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Daryl Thetford and more.

For more information, please visit www.TheArtsCompany.com or www.FirstSaturdayArtCrawl.com.

The Arts Company is a primary art destination in downtown Nashville on 5th Avenue of the Arts. Since 1996, the gallery relies on three key words-Fresh. Original. Contemporary.-and often adding Legendary. Setting the pace for art in downtown Nashville, the 22-year old gallery's mission from the beginning was "to bring an eclectic selec- tion of original art to the downtown marketplace to offer individuals and businesses access to art every day."

FirstBank First Saturday Art Crawl, under the management of Nashville Downtown Partnership, is a free event that occurs every first Saturday, 6-9 p.m., with approximately 20 galleries opening their doors to approximately 2,000 Art Crawlers. For 12 years, Art Crawl has featured art galleries on and around 5th Avenue of the Arts - founded by The Arts Company, The Rymer Gallery and Tinney Contemporary. The appeal is generated by the chance to meet and converse with the artists, view artwork in a welcoming environment with a variety of entertain- ment options and complimentary refreshments; as well as ride the free Gray Line Art Crawl Trolley-hopping on and off at other art stops such as Art at the Arcade, the Country Music Hall of Fame's Hatch Show Print and Haley Gallery, Music City Marketplace, 21c Museum Hotel and other boutique lodging, Studio 208 and the Downtown Church.