An Intimate Evening of Art and Impact Sets the Stage for the Frist’s Milestone Year

On a beautiful spring evening, art lovers and supporters arrived at the Frist Art Museum for the annual Frist Gala Patrons Party — an unofficial start of the spring social season. Bursts of bright yellow flowers adorned the tabletops, adding pops of color to the Art Deco space.

The event was sold out — a testament to the work of the gracious co-chairs Karyn, Ashley, Elizabeth and Margaret Frist. And the milestone celebration of the Frist’s 25th anniversary only elevated the evening. Susan Edward, the museum’s first executive director and CEO, made an appearance to mark the occasion.

The party was a progressive feast for the senses, starting with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the lobby. After enjoying those palate-teasers, revelers moved between the main exhibition hall and the third floor to explore two powerhouse exhibits. In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century showcases female artists from Nashville, while The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art features works by Edgar Degas, Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot. Each represents a shifting perspective — In Her Place is the first local exhibit showcased on the Frist’s main floor, and the Impressionists famously offered a new way to see the world — mirroring the ways the Frist is challenging tradition and making art more accessible.

When guests headed to the auditorium for dinner, Seth Feman, Frist executive director and CEO, expanded on the power of events like the patrons party and subsequent gala. “We’re very fortunate here, because we operate continuously with a lot of community support,” he said. “But the extra we’re getting this year gives us a chance to try new things.” Thanks to the funds raised through the Frist’s 25th anniversary celebration, the museum can send more art to community partners, give specialized tours and expand its income-based Explorer membership program.

“It’s a vote of confidence to see this kind of giving,” Seth added. “And it has a direct impact on our community-facing work.”