Media mahem....

Well it's nearly zero hour as we continue to put the final touches on the gallery for the "Nothing by Nude" opening tonight.
I was on 101.5 fm this morning talking with Steve and Greg during the 7:30a segment. What a hoot they are about our art opening tonight. The only time 101.5 and any of their staff has said anything about any of our shows....figures it'd be the nude show. But how perfect! Press is press!
...and to keep the anticipation in the air about our opening at 7p tonight...I'm the gallery doors will be locked until then (7:00p)...we've had a few folks come through this week checking to see if they could catch an early glance...all of which have had nothing but GREAT, raving reviews about the pieces selected.
"Best of Show" has been chosen and that ribbon will be awarded to the deserving artist this evening, and the People's Choice will be chosen and awarded tonight as well...thanks to the votes of those who attend tonight...so come one, come all...it's gonna be a night to remember in downtown Jackson Tennessee here at the Dickson Gallery.
for details about this show and other upcoming events visit: www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm

"Nothing but Nude" ~ Opening Tonight (Friday 2-29) at 7:00p-9:00p

We're live on eplus TV 6! Tuesday at 2p cst!

Hey Dickson Gallery fans!!! Tune in tomorrow via the internet at 2p CST for "Six in the City" a local tv talk show about all things Jackson and Madison County. I'm gonna be on the show talking about our upcoming "Nothing but Nude" art opening. This is a one hour show with multiple segments. Not sure which segment we'll be put into...but hey, watch the whole show...who knows what all little fun tidbits you'll find about our fair city?
Tune in via the internet by going to www.eplustv6.com
Airs at 2:00pm CST and then replays multiple times throughout the week via local tv station JEA Eplus TV6 and also on the internet it will be archived for viewing there again later too.
OH!!
onward for the arts!
Rachel
for more details about the upcoming "Nothing but Nude" show visit www.dicksongallery.com

Cnn.com video states "Art as an investment"

CNN's Christine Romans takes a look at an "off-the-wall" investment that could be "Right on the Money."
Click here to watch video clip.
CNN.com posted this interesting video referencing the value of owning artwork as not only being a potentially wise investment but also talks about the beauty of owning art.
"Art is an enjoyable thing to invest in," says Michael Moses co-founder of the Mei Moses Fine Art Index and www.artasanasset.com
see for yourself...click on the image to the left to view this video.

Dickson Gallery artist Jacque Hillman's tv debut!

Congratulations is in order to Dickson Gallery jewelry artist, Jacque Hillman. Tennessee Crossroads, a Nashville Public Stations contribution to Tennessee artists and artisans featured a segment recently showing Jacque's work.
It's exciting to watch Jacque's work blossom in the short time we've been representing her work here in her hometown of Jackson, TN.
To view this segment online simply click on the image to the left or click here.

Lookin' good!

We're well underway in our "gear up" for the Dickson Gallery's next art opening "Nothing but Nude" Feb 29-Mar 14. Yes, we're hosting Jackson's first ever all nude fine art show...but taking careful precaution to ensure all the artwork is very classy and tastefully presented.
Entries are all but in, selections are being made, artwork will be delivered next week, the show will be hung on the walls the following week just in time for the opening on Friday night, February 29th.
I'm excited, the artists are excited, and I have faith that the community will also embrace this yet another great art experience at the Dickson Gallery.
for all the details see www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm
(oh and tornado recovery is well underway, those effects are working towards putting the pieces back together.)
happiness,
Rachel

Here's a photo of that nasty booger!

Customers in Jackson, TN from Montreal, Quebec, Canada took this shot from a cell phone as the tornado approached Jackson on Feb. 5, 2008. They were staying at the Old English Inn. This photo was submitted to the Jackson Sun by Keith Mosley.
The most incredible photos though are the aerials taken by Andrew McMurtie, photographer for the Jackson Sun as he rode along yesterday morning in the black hawk helicopter that carried Governor Phil Bredesen around to view the aftermath. Also on the aerial tour was Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and FEMA Director David Paulson.
To view some pretty amazing photo galleries of the damage from this ugly tornado that blasted Jackson on Tuesday night visit: The Jackson Sun's Photo Archive.

How you can help...tornado recovery efforts in Jackson, TN.

There's been a lot of inquiry by folks wanting to offer assistance towards the recovery efforts here in Jackson to Union University students, Jackson area residences who've lost their homes and so forth. MANY people have lost their homes in and around the I-40 area.
Here's some resources, contact information that will be helpful.

Union University's Recovery website: http://uurecovery.blogspot.com/
(there's now a 24hr Call Center to learn where to go and how to help)

also...the Red Cross is also a leader in the recovery process. Donations can be made to
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
Jackson Area Chapter
1981 Hollywood Dr, Jackson, TN 38305
731-427-5543
redcross@aeneas.net

Also to keep abreast of ongoing updates see: www.jacksonsun.com

Again, we here at the Dickson Gallery received no damage and are all fine...
Thank you to the many of you who've called and emailed inquiring as to our wellbeing.

Sincerely,
Rachel Dickson

The day after, we're counting our blessings!

Many, MANY friends and family members have been contacting me via email and by phone about the tornado(s) that hit Jackson, TN last night (2-5-08).
I'm counting my blessings today...that's for sure!
We here at the Dickson Gallery send out our thoughts and prayers to those who've lost their homes, experienced damage to their cars, and have belongings blown all over town. I've talked to all of our member artists who I knew might have been in the path of that nasty thing last night. Many spoke of "smelling its breath" it was so close. But miraculously, Dickson Gallery artists are all here uninjured and have little if any damage. Untold numbers of Jacksonians don't have homes, don't have cars, and I'm sure you've heard of the damage at Union University and the surrounding residential areas.
For official, up-to-date, play-by-play details of the aftermath progress Union has put up a blog site to keep everyone informed as to how we can help...
see: http://uuemergency.blogspot.com/
see: http://uu.edu/
For the best local coverage of what's where, who's who, and what's been effected check out the Jackson Sun's website: www.jacksonsun.com
To see reader submitted photos of just how much damage and to see just how powerful nature can be see (which is what the photo above came from) : reader submitted photos here
Thankfully, the Dickson Gallery of Fine Art is unscathed...and I'm fine as well. I have a whole new respect today for storm shelters! They might not be the most comfortable things...but heck, comfort goes out the window in such times. You also learn what's truly valuable in life during such times.
Most of the damage occurred just North of I-4o across a pretty wide path through the middle of Jackson.
Thank you to all of you who inquired as to my personal status! It has meant a lot!
I'm certainly counting my blessings today...and note to the wise, when you hear the tornado sirens seek shelter immediately. I know I certainly respect that sound...not to mention the sound of snapping trees.
sincerely,
Rachel Dickson