by Elisabeth Crane ’27
December 5, 2023
As students, teachers, faculty, and families walked into the Sperling Gym on October 19, they no longer saw bleachers lining the walls with basketball hoops hanging over their heads. Instead, they saw the sleek, buzzing artsy scene known as Artclectic. Black carpeted floors, hanging overhead lights, and vibrant paintings welcomed them into this annual USN tradition.
It may seem to many that Artclectic is merely an art show, but Susan Chapman—the coordinator of Artclectic—offered a new perspective on the event’s impact. Chapman sees Artclectic not only as a fundraiser, but also as an opportunity for the community to come together.
“[Artclectic is] a community building event for the USN and outer community. It’s art, it’s education, it’s friend building. It’s just a nice weekend,” Chapman said.
As Artclectic coordinator, Chapman is responsible for overseeing all volunteers, maintaining relationships with artists, and managing the financial aspects of the show. For 11 years now, Chapman has seen the gym change into what it becomes every year—in fact, she sees it as the most exciting aspect of the event.
“My favorite part of Artclectic is seeing the students…enhanced by the gym [being] transformed…and [how] you first see the gym…then you see the hanging panels and then you see the art on it [and] it’s just this magic that opens up everybody’s eyes,” Chapman said.
Creating this magical art show, however, takes some time and planning. USN always holds the event around the same time each year— as soon as students leave for Fall Break, the artists begin setting up their displays.
Originally, Artclectic’s decor was much less elaborate.
“At first it started out very basic, [and] there were almost like science fair holdout panels that artists hung their work on… and then about 20 years ago, a group of volunteers decided to take it up a level,” Chapman said. Now, Artclectic’s event space boasts a distinct, gallery-like ambience.
“Now you see the black drapes and panels hanging from the ceiling and…[Artclectic] stands out in the art community as being…a different art show [and] a little bit elevated,” Chapman said.
Originally, volunteers and parents decided to start this USN tradition for reasons beyond supporting Nashville artists: members of the USN community saw it as a great supplement to the arts education students were already receiving in the classroom.
“I think it goes right back to the community. Education is [also] such a critical part of it for us…[we] love seeing students go through having a chance to interact with the artists,” Chapman said. Chapman also pointed out one specific artist who continuously talked to the students this year.
“James Threalkill has been demonstrating and answering questions and producing paintings in front of people’s eyes all week. [Artclectic] is allowing students to see what can happen if they love art, which I think is really important,” Chapman said.
Chapman believes that Artclectic also creates opportunities for students to make lasting relationships with the school.
“The [school] community, in addition to current parents…alumni and parents [of former USN students] have a lot of [memories] back there in the gym. [Artclectic] just gives you that connection, a forever connection,” Chapman said.
The memories USN students have of the event are a testament to that connection. Laila Fierce ‘27 has been attending USN for three years now, and some of her most significant memories of USN were made during Artclectic.
“Me and my mom would always go, and would go very often since my mom was a volunteer for it at some point. We both loved it and at one point we bought matching necklaces,” Fierce said. “I always thought of it as a really nice fundraiser and a way to get art noticed.”
Fierce even remembered specific artists from the event whose style had stuck with her long after its conclusion.
“There was this one artist, I forget what his name was, but he would draw these vibrant pictures. I even have one of his paintings in my room,” Fierce said.
These types of memories are exactly what Chapman was referring to when discussing the connections Artclectic can create. Not only does the event build community, but it also creates opportunities for teachers and others away from USN.
“[Artclectic’s profits] go to the endowment for innovative teaching, [which] allows teachers to take different extended learning classes that they might not otherwise have the money for. During COVID it actually helped them learn how to teach on Zoom versus teaching in person,” Chapman said.
The backbone of Artclectic, however, is the artists themselves, each of whom brings their own creative style and technique to every piece of art in the gallery. This year, USN hosted 57 artists, half of which are new.
Both Fierce and Chapman expressed that the artists are one of their favorite things about Artclectic.
“My favorite part is just seeing all the paintings. One of my favorite artists, he’ll make paintings out of…chunks of paint and then make paintings out of them…[creating] some texture,” Fierce said.
Each year brings different works, artists, or attendees of Artclectic; regardless, the show always unites the community. Students and administrators had a variety of perspectives on Artclectic.
Fierce referred to the event as peaceful—this could be because of the ambience and sleek look of Artclectic’s space.
Chapman, though, has a different view regarding the feeling of the event.
“It’s got a lot of energy…[the art] just kind of bursts out at you as [you walk in], [which] I think has kind of directed the energy of the whole event. Everybody is just bursting with excitement, fun and happiness,” Chapman said.
Artclectic is a way to support education, spread the love of art, and appreciate artists from all over Nashville. It’s an amazing way for USN to open people’s eyes to the beauty of artwork and community.
“If you’re thinking about going next year…definitely go!” Fierce said.
