"Crossing Lines" explores visual art created by area musicians

You expect musicians to be creative. After all they write lyrics and form melodies. But what you don’t often know, or expect, is that many have other creative outlets as well. Such is the case with the eight regional artists who are featured in "Crossing Lines: Art Through the Eyes of Musicians."  The exhibition is on display at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, Brownsville,  May 25-July 11, 2021. Exit 56 Blues Fest attendees will also have an opportunity to view the artwork during the annual music festival May 29.

“Watch Yourself” is by Memphis assemblage artist and singer songwriter Nancy Apple. She calls her unique style "Guitart," taking old instruments and adding found objects to tell what she hears as the guitar's last song.

The exhibit will feature glass blown objects, assemblage and found object art, as well as more traditional mediums such as oils and acrylics, according to the Center's director Sonia Outlaw-Clark.  The idea developed after a series of interviews with area songwriters revealed their other creative pastimes.

"I knew of a few musicians who were also visual artists," says Outlaw-Clark, "but never really thought about putting a show together until I began interviewing songwriters for our bi-monthly spotlight series."

Discovering there was nothing ordinary about the artwork being produced, she set out to develop a show that would showcase this variety with the only common denominator being that the artists are all musicians. 

You can expect to be surprised by the pieces, says Outlaw-Clark. "There are some extraordinary works that are going to evoke lots of emotions and, in some cases, nostalgia."

Regional artists featured in the exhibition include:

·         Nancy Apple, singer/songwriter, guitarist (guitart - assemblage)

·         Bill Criss, drummer, percussionist (pen and ink sketch)

·         Kenny Hayes, singer/songwriter, guitarist (assemblage - found object art, sculpture)

·         Dan Knowles, Luthier, stringed instruments (mixed media, sculpture)

·         Patrick McGee, singer/songwriter, guitarist (oils)

·         Leland Porter, singer/songwriter, guitarist (acrylics, airbrush)

·         Shawn Pitts, drummer, percussionist (glass)

·         Wayne Russell, singer/songwriter, guitarist (acrylics)

The show is free and open to the public Tuesday - Saturday from 9-5 and Sundays 1-5.