Collaboration takes new form as graduate student Lindsey Bailey partners with students from the University School of Nashville, Bordeaux Elementary and Lead Academy to host an art exhibit Feb. 29 through April 6 in Gallery 121 in the Leu Center for the Visual Arts. The gallery will include projected animations, costumes, colorful props and stage pieces. In tandem with sculpture students from Belmont University, students from each school will construct stories and create coordinating performance paraphernalia as part of the Deliciously Happy installation.
The gallery will include weekly craft nights facilitated by Nashville’s Craftville. A reception will be held 5 to 7 p.m. March 1 with special guest Megan Kelly from studiOmnivorous.
Bailey, who is working on her master’s degree in education, created Deliciously Happy as an offshoot of her graduate research. Through the project she works with students from the the three schools to create social issue-based stories and accompanying art work. Through her fundraising efforts, Bailey has provided project supplies and video crews to document the students’ works for 12 of the 24 workshops.
“For me, this project is about showing how important art is as a tool to spark people into sharing ideas and working together, one that spans cultures, socioeconomic standing and is widely intergenerational,” Bailey said. “Art making is transformative and helps people be receptive to new information and experiences, leading to positive change and personal growth. It’s a chance for me to collaborate with students from all over Nashville and applaud youth voice.”
Bailey’s work has recently been featured at D!verseWorks Art Space for the Houston Fine Art Fair and Texas Contemporary Art Fair in Houston, the Sideshow Fringe Festival at Belmont University in Nashville and the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut.