Hot Wild Alive

Solo-Show from Juliana Morgan Alvarez

The Forge Gallery, 29 May 2025 - 1 July 2025

217 Willow St, Nashville, TN 37210

The Forge is proud to present the opening of Hot Wild Alive, the debut solo exhibition by Nashville-based interdisciplinary artist Juliana Morgan Alvarez, on May 29th from 6–9 PM. Known for their evocative performance work and recent sculptural creations, Juliana expands on pieces first seen at Elephant Gallery earlier this year. Their hand-built ceramic sculptures—smoke-marked and flame-scorched—call to mind ancient landforms and tender bodies paused mid-motion. Delicately carved, both grounded and hung, these works of elemental force elicit sensory interaction. At the center of the exhibit is “Collapse,” a supernova-like installation of over 750 suspended tiles.

The coloration on every work in the exhibit is left behind by live-flames. Intentionally exposed to erosion and breakage, pit-firing violently pushes the pieces toward evolution. Awaiting the mostly inevitable high-pitched ping that rings out from the fire signifying a fissure eruption somewhere along its form, caring for the bodies after the embers have cooled becomes a process of healing fortification. 

One may read ocean currents in the patterns enrobing the sculptures. Or well worn wind patterns. Or paths carved by those escaping to find better lives for their families, as Juliana’s ancestors did when leaving Romania, when leaving Poland, when leaving Cuba, when leaving… The work invites you to touch its animal hide-like appearance; fur that converges into whorls of a fingerprint or advancing lateral marks of a cracked nautilus shell. At the same time each one is stoic, resistant and fragile, with its tarnished, sooty surface that speaks to a past event that has not been witnessed by the audience. A remnant from another life displayed, but not fully known.

Hot Wild Alive explores themes of trauma, transformation, and tactile movement. A performer with an MFA from California Institute of the Arts (2020), Juliana found their voice in sculpture after moving to Nashville and developing their work as a fellow of Buchanan Arts under the mentorship of ceramic artist John Donovan. Their work now stands in quiet power: shaped by personal history, ancestral movement, and natural phenomena. As part of the show, Juliana will engage in a month-long durational performance, disassembling “Collapse” and gradually reassembling it into a new form by July 1st. Visitors are invited to witness and even take part in this evolving process—touching art, quite literally, as it comes undone and becomes something new.

Vipassana in Bloom

As part of the immersive exhibition Shabazz Larkin: Flowers and Deamons, The Forge is proud to host a special evening of reflection, storytelling, and collective introspection: Vipassana in Bloom, a meditative journaling event and artist talk led by Shabazz Larkin.

Taking place in the heart of Vipassana Suspended—Larkin’s monumental installation composed of 1,200 handwritten notes, meditations, and drawings created during his 30-day silent retreat—this gathering invites guests into a rare, quiet dialogue with the artist. Surrounded by the suspended fragments of his inner world, attendees will hear firsthand about Larkin’s journey through stillness, fear, beauty, and impermanence.

Guests will be seated on either side of the central installation for a thoughtful conversation with Shabazz Larkin, who will share the personal experiences and reflections that shaped Vipassana Suspended. Drawing from his 30-day silent meditation retreat, Shabazz will speak candidly about the fears, realizations, and questions that surfaced during that time—and how they found their way into the work.

This artist talk will also include space for guided journaling. Guests will be offered prompts to help explore their own thoughts around change, stillness, and impermanence. The atmosphere will be quiet and unhurried, allowing everyone to move at their own pace. This is a chance to listen, to reflect, and to be present—with the work, with the artist, and with whatever comes up in the process.

Complementing the experience are live floral installations by Alex Vaughan of FLWR Shop, now in various stages of decay—embodying the exhibition’s meditation on time, transformation, and what remains when beauty fades. As petals fall, guests are invited to consider their own cycles of becoming and letting go.

This intimate event offers a contemplative space to slow down, reconnect with self, and find community through presence and page.

RSVP HERE: https://www.theforgenashville.org/workshops/p/shabazz-larkin-vipassana-in-bloom

You’re Invited to The Forge Nashville Holiday Party! 🎄

Join us on Thursday, December 19th, from 6 PM to 10 PM, as we come together to celebrate the end of an incredible year! This is our chance to honor our thriving maker and artist community, connect with friends and family of The Forge, and toast to everything we’ve accomplished together.

Enjoy an evening of music, activities, a festive open bar + light holiday bites as we celebrate what makes our community so special. Whether you’re a maker, an artist, or one of our biggest supporters, we can’t wait to see you there and share in the season’s joy.

📍 The Forge Nashville: 217 Willow St Nashville TN 37210
📅 Tuesday, December 19th | 6 PM – 10 PM

Let’s close out the year with laughter, connection, and warm holiday wishes. See you there! 🎉

Never Sent

An event that celebrates the most important conversations we've never had. 

Synopsis: 

This storytelling format features real folx who read texts, emails or letters they've never had the guts to send. Performers share work an audience has never seen. 

About: 

NeverSentwas created to build community through honoring individuality – forming a loophole
for conversation and a stage where participants, sometimes unheard, can finally express themselves.

Inspired by formats like The Moth and Mortified; Never Sent is a simple design. It calls to the people of Nashville, asking if they have something to get off their chests. Reads and performances range from heartfelt to heavy, all with a healthy dose of humor. Hosted by its creator, Alie Stewart, and curated with 5 – 7 reads as well as 1- 3 special performances – this show promises to deliver something impactful. 

Its home this season, is The Forge Nashville, opening its doors to 2 special nights -  Dec 13th & 14th, with 3 scheduled showcases. 

Get your tickets at - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/raganacreative/1465443

Never Sent

An event that celebrates the most important conversations we've never had. 

Synopsis: 

This storytelling format features real folx who read texts, emails or letters they've never had the guts to send. Performers share work an audience has never seen. 

About: 

NeverSentwas created to build community through honoring individuality – forming a loophole
for conversation and a stage where participants, sometimes unheard, can finally express themselves.

Inspired by formats like The Moth and Mortified; Never Sent is a simple design. It calls to the people of Nashville, asking if they have something to get off their chests. Reads and performances range from heartfelt to heavy, all with a healthy dose of humor. Hosted by its creator, Alie Stewart, and curated with 5 – 7 reads as well as 1- 3 special performances – this show promises to deliver something impactful. 

Its home this season, is The Forge Nashville, opening its doors to 2 special nights -  Dec 13th & 14th, with 3 scheduled showcases. 

Get your tickets at - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/raganacreative/1465443

Calling all collectors and interior designers! ✨ Curated at The Forge is your destination for extraordinary, one-of-a-kind pieces by Nashville’s finest artists and makers.

Explore artisan furniture, original artwork, and fine gifts that will elevate any space or collection. 🪑🖼️

Whether you’re searching for a show-stopping centerpiece or a thoughtful addition to a curated home, you’ll find something truly special here.

📅 Thursday, December 12th, 2024 6pm-9pm
📍 The Forge Nashville: 217 Willow St Nashville TN 37210

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with local talent and bring home a piece of Nashville’s creative brilliance. Open bar and light refreshments provided.

See you there!

The holiday season in Nashville is set to become even sweeter with David's Den hosting the city's largest cookie exchange event.

This festive gathering is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together in support of Homies 615, a local initiative to raise funds and awareness for connecting local musicians and creatives with mental health resources, while providing anti-suicide and depression support.

Bakers and cookie enthusiasts alike are invited to share and savor a diverse array of homemade cookies. With the promise of each participant taking home an impressive assortment of four dozen cookies, the event is sure to spread joy and a spirit of generosity. For those who prefer to relish the treats without baking, tickets offer a chance to partake in the festivities and leave with a dozen cookies.

This event is not just about the cookies; it's a celebration of local culture, showcasing over 100 varieties of cookies from Nashville's home kitchens and renowned local shops. It's an event that encapsulates the warmth and community spirit that is synonymous with the holiday season!

Click here for tickets to the event, we can’t wait to see what you bake!

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

This October, The Forge is proud to present a special exhibition of Helen LaFrance, covering a large collection of her iconic Memory Paintings, as well as a selection of her later works, ‘Revelations’. The exhibition will be on view October 12th through November 16th, with a special opening reception and several public events throughout its term. (Opening October 12th, Exhibition October 12th - Nov 16th)

Helen LaFrance (1919 - 2020), was a self-taught Black American artist from Graves County, Kentucky, celebrated for her poignant depictions of vanishing rural life. LaFrance depicted scenes steeped in nostalgia—family gatherings, church rituals, and everyday activities, earning her renown as a memory painter despite a lack of formal training. LaFrance's work has found its way into numerous esteemed collections and exhibitions, including the Speed Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, and the National Black Fine Arts Show in New York City.

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

Sai Clayton: NEUTRAL ZONE

STATE Gallery at The Forge 

217 Willow St Nashville 37210 

Opening: Friday, July 26th 6pm - 9pm

Exhibition Run: July 26th - August 21st

This July, STATE Gallery and Studios at The Forge is proud to present Neutral Zone, a new exhibition from Sai Clayton. Sai is a previous recipient of the STATE Gallery and Studios residency program, which gives six artists a full year of free studio space as well as a solo exhibition and mentorship throughout their tenure. 

Neutral Zone will open on Friday, July 26th with a public reception from 6pm to 9pm, and continue through August 21st, 2024.  

Sai Clayton's artistic practice is deeply rooted in both their Japanese heritage and southern upbringing. In her own words, “My work reflects the absurdity of negotiating between two cultures and races. Combining self portraiture with icons of Japanese and American culture, my work explores dichotomies of masculinity/sensitivity, spectacle/performance and the inner and outer self.”

Much of Clayton’s new work joins classically American figures with iconic Japanese imagery, in varying degrees of realism. American Football figures become performers of a transcultural paradox, their silhouetted bodies adorned with Japanese Noh masks. Referencing Japanese minimalism while contemplating the nexus of masculinity/sensitivity and spectacle/performance in relation to biracial identity, this body of work positions football players as the embodiment of Americanness and the face of Japaneseness.

In a larger sense, Neutral Zone depicts the disparity between outward racial perception and inward cultural identification. In her particular method of nuanced intersection, Clayton weaves together Japanese and American iconography to create unexpected relationships and evoke masculine and feminine dualities. This amalgamation forms a unique visual language that delves into the complexities of cultural identity and gender within the broader context of contemporary art.

We hope that you will join us for the opening reception of Neutral Zone, and that you will visit us throughout its exhibition run. Regular gallery hours are 10am to 6pm Monday through Thursday, as well as viewing by appointment with the artist or the Artistic Director. Please utilize the contact information below for any further inquiry. 

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

Sai Clayton: NEUTRAL ZONE

STATE Gallery at The Forge 

217 Willow St Nashville 37210 

Opening: Friday, July 26th 6pm - 9pm

Exhibition Run: July 26th - August 21st

This July, STATE Gallery and Studios at The Forge is proud to present Neutral Zone, a new exhibition from Sai Clayton. Sai is a previous recipient of the STATE Gallery and Studios residency program, which gives six artists a full year of free studio space as well as a solo exhibition and mentorship throughout their tenure. 

Neutral Zone will open on Friday, July 26th with a public reception from 6pm to 9pm, and continue through August 21st, 2024.  

Sai Clayton's artistic practice is deeply rooted in both their Japanese heritage and southern upbringing. In her own words, “My work reflects the absurdity of negotiating between two cultures and races. Combining self portraiture with icons of Japanese and American culture, my work explores dichotomies of masculinity/sensitivity, spectacle/performance and the inner and outer self.”

Much of Clayton’s new work joins classically American figures with iconic Japanese imagery, in varying degrees of realism. American Football figures become performers of a transcultural paradox, their silhouetted bodies adorned with Japanese Noh masks. Referencing Japanese minimalism while contemplating the nexus of masculinity/sensitivity and spectacle/performance in relation to biracial identity, this body of work positions football players as the embodiment of Americanness and the face of Japaneseness.

In a larger sense, Neutral Zone depicts the disparity between outward racial perception and inward cultural identification. In her particular method of nuanced intersection, Clayton weaves together Japanese and American iconography to create unexpected relationships and evoke masculine and feminine dualities. This amalgamation forms a unique visual language that delves into the complexities of cultural identity and gender within the broader context of contemporary art.

We hope that you will join us for the opening reception of Neutral Zone, and that you will visit us throughout its exhibition run. Regular gallery hours are 10am to 6pm Monday through Thursday, as well as viewing by appointment with the artist or the Artistic Director. Please utilize the contact information below for any further inquiry. 

Haley Gallery Presents Fuse, a Collaborative Art Exhibition with The Forge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – July 3, 2024 – The Haley Gallery at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum presents Fuse, a collaborative exhibition with STATE Gallery + Studios of The Forge. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public beginning the evening of July 25 through Sept. 20, will showcase a retrospective selection of STATE’s 2021-2024 artist residency recipients.

With over 20 works that together demonstrate the diversity of Nashville’s emerging visual artists, the collaborative exhibit includes oil and acrylic painting, sculpture and collage. Featured artist include Sai Clayton, Hannah Einhorn, Joe Geis, Chris Hundo, Dylan Lynch, Alena Mehić, Jernicya Onyekwelu, Meg "Pie" Pollard, Maggie Sanger,, Lorenzo Swinton, TC, Alison Underwood and Brian Wooden.

The Forge is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to advocacy among Nashville's creative community. The organization offers space and resources to makers and artists of all kinds across Middle Tennessee. STATE Gallery + Studios is a cornerstone initiative of The Forge. The program provides emerging artists with free studio space on an annual basis in addition to solo exhibition opportunities and mentorship for the duration of their tenure. As of 2024, STATE has welcomed 18 artists across various disciplines including painting, sculpture, installation, collage and mixed media.

All work on view in the Haley Gallery is available for purchase. Prices and details are available upon request.

Opening reception: On Thursday, July 25, the gallery will host a reception with the artists to celebrate the exhibition’s opening. The reception, which will take place between 5 and 8 p.m., is free and open to the public. More information on the event and the exhibition can be found on the Haley Gallery’s website.

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

NightLight is Social Cinema! Your favorite films along with local brews, wine, and food trucks— all under a summer night sky. Think of it as a picnic at night with your friends, a dj's curated playlist, and some of the best food, drinks & vibes that Nashville has to offer.

The Forge is NightLight’s nonprofit partner, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure you ask about us at the bar where our volunteers are helping out! Any tips are generously donated to The Forge and its programs - we appreciate all of your support and hope you enjoy these summer events as much as we do!

MOVIE SCHEDULE and TICKETS HERE: https://nightlight615.com/pages/2024-schedule

This May, STATE Gallery and Studios is proud to present Through My Eyes: A Memoir of My Childhood, a new collection of works by Nashville-based collage artist T.C.

The exhibition will open on Saturday, May 25th with a public reception from 6pm to 9pm, and run through June 25th, 2024. T.C. is a 2023/2024 recipient of the STATE Gallery + Studios program at The Forge, an arts nonprofit dedicated to advocacy among Nashville’s creative communities.

As its title suggests, Through My Eyes is an immersive tour of T.C.’s childhood memories, exploring the pivotal moments of the artist’s youth through a joyful, nostalgic and sometimes fantastical lens.

The exhibition evokes a real-life pop-up book, with various scenes constructed in T.C’s many different forms of collage, including wall pieces, sculptures, interactive installations and hand-constructed clothing. We are able to wander through the artist’s childhood home, referenced through their front steps, kitchen, living room and bedroom - and walk down the street just outside, vibrant and alive, teeming with the energy of youthful exuberance.

Augmenting the exhibition’s immersive quality is a variety of accompanying sensory experiences. What are the sounds of one’s childhood street? How does the neighborhood feel, look, smell or taste - and how are those formative memories documented, to be revisited as an adult? More broadly, how are these experiences different from one person to another, and how does that impact our intersections?

Through visiting T.C.’s childhood, we are invited to travel back in time, remembering through shared experiences and touchstone emblems —a cereal box, a game controller, or even a puzzle— that individual histories often coalesce with a larger collective memory.

Through My Eyes: A Memoir of My Childhood opens Saturday, May 25th; please contact the gallery and Artistic Director Alyssa A. Beach (alyssa@theforgenashville.org) for more information!

Join us for an Artist Talk with Alena Mehić, Thursday May 16th from 6pm to 8pm! Admission is free while donations are welcome and will go towards next year’s STATE Studio Scholarship Program.

In her latest collection, Alena presents a stunning collection of varied media: notably, sculpture, installation, paintings and drawings. Dolina places real-world people, places, and events alongside depictions of utopian futures as a way to question our perception of perfecting the future.

The entire installation functions as a sort of city center, using Alena’s hometown of Zavidovići as a broad blueprint, and gradually revealing inconsistencies and moments of uncertainty. Incorporating print media, set design, surrealistic elements, allusions to folklore, and parallel universes, the project examines the disconnect between past projected futures and current realities, through predominantly imagined space. Rich in ubiquitous symbolism, Dolina portrays images of an ideal era that transcends cultures and time periods throughout history.

JOIN THE FORGE NASHVILLE AND FOUND MOVEMENT GROUP FOR CARTE BLANCHE, A SITE- SPECIFIC SERIES HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 2023 - MAY 2024!

Join Found Movement Group and The Forge Nashville in our brand new creation of "CARTE BLANCHE", A site-specific performance series happening once per month from September to May 2024! Upon entering our warehouse at 217 Willow Street, Guests will be immediately immersed in the world of an aspiring artist and everything that surrounds their work.

CARTE BLANCHE weaves the experience of Its artist with that of The Commissioner, A Curator, Muses and their works of art - all personified in a choose-your-own-adventure designed to take us from inspiration to creation. Will this be the artist's Masterpiece? Inviting each guest a voyeuristic experience which is often coveted but rarely exposed. CARTE BLANCHE explores it ALL.

SUPPORTING ONE OR MORE OF OUR PERFORMANCES BENEFITS OUR DANCERS, MUSICIANS AND FACILITIES DIRECTLY; 100% OF FUNDS RAISED ARE USED FOR PROGRAMMATIC EXPENSES, ENSURING THEIR ABILITY TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF NASHVILLE’S VISUAL ARTS COMMUNITY.

Doors open at 7:30 (Enjoy complimentary refreshments from Bearded Iris)

Show starts at 8:00 pm (the show runs approximately 1 hour and 15min)

Meet and Greet after until 10pm

Purchase tickets here!

Music Production by: Aaron Miller

Costumes in Collaboration with Elise Drake