Coop Open Application for Membership

As we approach our 10th anniversary, COOP Curatorial Collective is excited to announce a new Open Application process for membership. Until now, our membership has been based on invitation by an existing member. We recognize the limits of that approach and are eager to become more accessible to our fellow artists and arts advocates. 

COOP welcomes applicants of diverse identities and experiences to join. There are no educational requirements for membership and no application fees. Both artists and non-artists are welcome however applicants must be at least 18 years old. More than anything, membership requires passion and dedication to being a part of the community, contributing vision, time, and energy toward contemporary art in Nashville in line with the mission and vision of COOP gallery.

To apply, CLICK HERE and complete this FORM

All Applications due: Nov 30, 2020 by 11:59pm

Fall 2020 Artist-in-Residence: Yanira Vissepo

Coop is pleased to announce Yanira Vissepo as artist-in-residence for September – October 2020. Due to the pandemic, Coop has paused all gallery exhibitions. Instead, we are offering our gallery as studio space for a Nashville-based artist. Thanks to all of the local artists who applied to our fall residency. We received a number of strong applicants. We look forward to seeing what Yanira makes in our space during the next several weeks. You can follow Yanira on instagram @yaniravissepo.

More about the Artist:

Born in Puerto Rico, 1992 Yanira Vissepo migrated to Tennessee with her family in 2002. Uprooted from her culture, Vissepo began exploring creative escapes. Primarily a self taught artist, Vissepo found herself tapping into different mediums through visual art discovering her passion for printmaking. Linocut being an accessible format, Yanira began working from home printing on recycled materials and acquiring skills with the sewing machine, her block printed textiles and tapestries came into existence. In 2016 she was able to work out of a studio located
in Nashville’s arts district, Wedgewood Houston at what used to be a sock factory, the May Hosiery Building. Eventually being displaced by development, Vissepo found herself back at home in her spare bedroom preparing for her first solo exhibition in 2018. Researching the
world of printmaking throughout the years, she was ready to follow her career and further educate herself on the foundation of woodblock print. In 2019, Yanira attended The International School of Mokuhanga in Kyoto, Japan where she acquired skills in traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking. Inspired and surrounded by Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines seen across mountains in Kyoto, her work already naturalistic taps into otherworldly landscapes now influenced by old world traditions. Vissepo merges traditional with new, utilizing mokuhanga as the translator, making her a cross cultural contemporary artist. Yanira has worked with various mediums implementing printmaking; including free form tapestries, block printed textiles, soft sculptures, as well as works on paper. Her work has been seen in various solo exhibitions and group exhibitions in Middle Tennessee.

Nuveen Barwari – Coop’s first Artist-in-Residence

Coop is thrilled to announce our first ever artist-in-residence: Nuveen Barwari! In response to the pandemic, we decided to forego our summer programming, which usually consists of a series of guest curations. Instead, we are offering our gallery space as studio space for a Nashville-based artist. Nuveen will be working at Coop during July-August, 2020. Follow Nuveen on instagram @nuveenbarwari

If you would like to apply to be the next Coop Artist-in-Residence, fill out this form.

Nuveen Barwari
Work by Nuveen Barwari Coop Artist-in-Residence, installed at Coop July 2020

Summer 2020 – Exhibitions Postponed

Due to the ongoing pandemic, COOP has paused exhibition programming
at our physical space.

In light of recent events, we at COOP Gallery affirm our belief that Black lives matter and stand in solidarity with all people of color. Though we have always aimed to be inclusive of artists of diverse backgrounds and identities, we are currently reevaluating how well we have accomplished that goal and how we can improve.

We are listening, learning, and are committed to being an ally to underrepresented peoples and artists.
Though our 2020 schedule has been drastically altered by coronavirus, COOP is working to continue our mission, adapting to new formats and initiating new programs.

While our exhibit schedule is on hold, please follow us on Instagram (@coopgallery) for the most current updates and summer 2020 online programming:

  • June: New Member videos
  • July – August: Nuveen Barwari (artist-in-residence at our physical gallery space)
  • Upcoming content from our Writer in Residence, Ronika McClain

Small Works Holiday Jam

Come join us on Friday, December 6th for COOP Gallery’s Small Works Holiday Jam. That night the gallery will be filled with fine art pieces created by Coop member artists and artists who have exhibited at COOP over our decade of work. With your $20 contribution, you gain entrance to the exclusive VIP Friday night event, mingle with the artists over hors d’oeuvres & drinks and have first pick of the art work, all affordably priced at $100 or less. All your contributions and sales support operating costs for COOP Gallery, Nashville’s longest established, artist run space.
Come join the fun or make a donation to help us continue to support our Contemporary Art community here in Nashville.

To Purchase Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coop-small-works-holiday-jam-tickets-80276042805

COOP gallery is a non-profit, 501C3 organization. More information available at www.CoopGallery.org

Join Us for Spring MicroCinema and Silent Auction

Location: Track One Building, Silo Room, 1211 4th Ave S. Nashville, 37210

Time: 6-9 pm, Wed May 2nd

The Big Payback annual giving day is returning on Wednesday, May 2, and Coop Gallery is excited to take part in this monumental event. For this year’s Big Payback, Coop Gallery is pleased to present “Of Diabase in Time: A Selection of Twenty-one Experimental Films Made by Artists Currently Living in North Carolina.” There will also be music, food, and a silent auction of artwork by Coop Members at the screening! Oh, and free tote bags for anyone who donates! Free and open to the public.

Event Schedule:
6-6:30pm- music, food, and view silent auction
6:30-7:30-micro cinema (Part one)
7:30-7:45-intermission, more food, more auction
7:45-8:45-micro cinema (Part two)
8:45-9- wrap up, announce silent auction winners

For almost ten years, Nashville’s Coop Gallery has been committed to expanding the city’s dialogue with contemporary art by presenting challenging, new, or underrepresented artworks to the community and initiating conversations between Nashville and different art scenes across the country. 

More about The Big Payback:
The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a community-wide giving day that celebrates Middle Tennessee’s spirit of generosity and supports the life-changing work of area nonprofits. Kicking off at midnight on Wednesday, May 2, the 24-hour online giving day helps organizations, like Coop Gallery, raise much-needed funds and bring awareness to pressing needs in our community.

Gifts made to participating organizations during The Big Payback are amplified by incentives and awards and may help us qualify for special prizes and bonuses throughout the day.
Donate to Coop for the Big Payback here: http://givingmatters.guidestar.org/profile/1162571/coop.aspx