The Pride Portraits

The month of June marks a special pride month as it is the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when gays and lesbians fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted homosexuals, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.


The Pride Portraits is a series of 7 paintings that helped lead up to and past that defining moment in 1969. These are people whose unique courage and foresight have influenced not just how I view my world but how the world views me.



Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon
diptych Nancy VanReece
Acrylic and ink
© 2009 Contemporary Expression, a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management
Inspired by photograph from the archives of the San Francisco Chronicle

To read more about these works visit: http://www.nancyvanreece.com/prideportraits.htm

A reception will be help by Nashville Pride on Tuesday June 9th, 2009 from 5:30-7pm at Ugly Mugs where these 7 works and others will be on display through out the month.

The works are also committed for display at the K. C. Potter House on the campus of Vanderbilt University in October for LGBT History month.

A Refreshed Artist Statement

Artist Statement
No matter what phase of life I am in I have learned to always apply a basic principle to my approach to art: I need color, texture, movement and light or I am just not interested. These fundamental elements form the cornerstone of all of the many ways I express myself, but have their origins in my work on the canvas.

I began my career in contemporary and abstract expression in the mid- 90’s focusing on elemental and nature themes until a hand injury left me without the ability to paint for over 18 months. A retreat to Santa Fe, New Mexico in spring of 2003 renewed my body and my mind with inspiration and guidance from other respected expressionists.

This renewed period in my life produced many changes in my approach to my expression on canvas by encouraging me to create energy and movement in multimedia spaces through multi-layered acrylic and series of antique photographs. I also adopted the method of using water in differing streams of force as well as natural texture elements with acrylic on canvas. These techniques allowed me to more fully express new ideas and inspirations through the use of movement and texture along with color and light.

In 2004 and 2005 I applied my newfound dedication to these four essential elements to any art to several popular series on behaviors, whimsical animals and large scale landscapes. 2006 saw me interpreting show places in my memory or places I wish existed. And I am currently focusing on abstract expressions of people and places of import to my personal continuity and sense of history.

Without what I feel to be the essential elements of expression—movement, texture, color and light—my art would be severely handicapped. History moves us forward in time. The texture of culture, fashion, ethos and ideas make up the fabric of all history. Color has always been a powerful interpreter of emotion and light has shaped all things by shades throughout recorded time.

It is my sincere hope that my approach to the idea that a person is the sum total of all the events, people and places that went before them will resonate in these expressions. If someone walks away having learned that their own journey is an artful one, then I have accomplished my goal. I will have helped by creating an object that tells us the story of what has gone before us in the past that made us what we are and will continue to shape us as we move forward.

I hope that you will join me at Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea in Nashville, TN during the month of June for a exhibition of new portraits and recent expressions.

The works will be up for viewing at Ugly Mugs as well as on my website as of June 1, 2009

There will be a reception sponsored by Nashville PRIDE on Tuesday June 9th from 5:30-7pm - 50% of the proceeds of any artwork purchased that evening will be donated back to Nashville Pride.

Free Screening of the film ASK NOT

Community Cinema in Nashville: Ask Not by Johnny Symons
Wednesday - May 20
Location: Conference Center at The downtown Nashville Public Library on Church Street

Ask Not This documentary by Johnny Symons explores the tangled political battles that led to the infamous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the U.S. military, and reveals the personal stories of gay Americans who serve in combat under a veil of secrecy.

Join us for refreshments at 5:15, followed by the screening at 6:00 p.m.
Co-production of ITVS and NPT.

Reception at 5:15-films begins at 6:00.

To secure a seat for the FREE screening, please RSVP to rsvp@wnpt.net

May Day

"Work" by Nancy VanReece 30 x 30 Acyrlic on canvas (c) 2007 Contemporary Expression,

a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management.

All Rights Reserved

There is a lot of work to do and I can't do it by myself. Who would want to? The joy of collaboration between creative individuals working toward a common goal is the best part of life. I am happy to be working in an environment that encourages collaboration on each project. We also encourage individual achievement and take responsibility individually for tasks to be accomplished but in the end, we all know that none of it will work as well as when we do it together.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.- Margaret Mead

The culture of Nashville is collaboration. I think that speaks so highly of our character and we should embrace it! When we see a problem, we work it. We work it together. There is fantastic leadership at the helm and when that leadership fails, we work as a team to learn and move forward.

Mayor Dean will present his budget today. I know he understands the importance of the arts in every city but particularly for this city. I anticipate as much funding as possible, no more, no less. I believe under Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors' leadership a full and concise debate over the budget will take place at the council.

But what are average citizens to do? Yes, make sure your council person is aware of your concerns and hold them accountable to collaborate! But what else? We need to, as a city of individuals, step up once again and participate in the success of our own culture.

You wanted the Predators to stay, so you bought tickets. You wanted a symphony hall, you pledged support to build it. You wanted a skyline, you got it. Sidewalks, check. (well most places anyway)

What other cultural icons do you care about, how are they doing? Check in with them and help. Do you love your metro park? Let them know and ask how you can help. Do you use our awesome library? Tell them how important they are to you and collaborate on a project as a volunteer.

Do you love being in a city that offers free, professional Shakespeare in the Park for anyone and everyone to see each year? Even if you aren't one of the over 10,000 people that go each year, I bet you value what it says about our city that it exists. If so, give, volunteer, help.

Nashville, now is the time to collaborate. Let's work.