Miniature art gallery spotlights creatives in East Nashville

Leave a piece, take a piece — the art box on Petway Avenue follows the same model as the Little Free Libraries you see across town.

A blue box with a glass door sits on a wooden post in the ground. Inside the box, you can see small pieces of art stuck to the walls and people figurines surrounding it.

If you can’t get to the Free Little Art Gallery in person, you can mail anything you’d like to share. | Photo by NASHtoday

An idea that came to Jan Weiss from 700 miles away is now bringing her closer to the Nashville community — one mini piece of artwork on Petway Avenue at a time.

In November, the retired kindergarten teacher settled into her new home in East Nashville to be closer to her daughter, Amelia.

“I moved from Tampa, and somebody had one of these in their front yard,” Weiss said. “I just fell in love with it, so I sent her [Amelia] pictures and said we have to do this at the new house.”

“This” is a Free Little Art Gallery, a showcase of tiny works by fellow Nashvillians, similar to Little Free Libraries. It’s one of thousands across the US.

If you visited today, you’d see a few figurines set up admiring the creations on display, from Gift Horse mini prints to handmade items that have been dropped off. But there’s a lot more in store.

A hand holds open the door to a blue wooden box sitting on a post in the ground. Inside, people figurines are placed looking at the walls of the box, which are filled with small art pieces.

Smaller versions of the FLAG are popping up on community walls now. | Photo by NASHtoday

How to get involved

Following a kickoff event featuring art stations on Saturday, April 19, the duo said they anticipate additional local partnerships with artists and small businesses. Think: Plates of clay food with In Good Company or even an event with The Peach Truck.

If you’re interested in sharing something of your own, just drop it off in the clear box below the Free Little Art Gallery. The inside of the box will change weekly, and you can keep up with what’s inside by following the gallery on Instagram.

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