NASHVILLE, TN - (Nov. 18, 2024) – Metro Parks’ Parthenon and Centennial Park Conservancy announced today Christy Lee Rogers - The Muses, a visually stunning underwater contemporary photography exhibition, will be on display in the East Gallery of the Parthenon from December 13, 2024, to June 1, 2025. A free opening reception will take place on December 12 at the Parthenon from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Christy Lee Rogers’ photographs have graced the walls of galleries and museums across the globe but this is the first museum exhibit in the South for the artist, who is based in the Nashville area. Her work has earned praise for its emotional depth and otherworldly beauty. While the ancient Parthenon was a temple dedicated to Athena, the word museum originates from the Greek term for a temple for the Muses. Noticing Rogers’ mythologically influenced collections, the Nashville Parthenon sought a collaboration related to the nine Greek Muses.
“The Muses embody the essence of artistic creation," says Rogers. "By drawing from various collections, I hope to show how their influence transcends time and discipline, remaining as relevant to artists today as they were in ancient Greece."
Since antiquity, the nine Greek Muses have been called upon by artists to aid in the writing of poetry and heart-wrenching dramas, to guide the feet of dancers, to inspire laughter, or to provoke deep contemplation of history and the stars. While there is no Greek Muse for visual art, Rogers’ photographs touch upon inspiration in all its forms. Her images, like the Parthenon, are a testament to the enduring power of art to elevate the human experience, connecting us to something greater than ourselves.
In The Muses, visitors will be introduced to Rogers’ dazzlingly original process and what inspires her. Rogers orchestrates submerged models, fabrics, and lights to satisfy her ineffable visions. Working with water in this way, her pieces take on painterly qualities uncommon in photography. Rogers' works often evoke comparisons to Baroque masters like Caravaggio and Rubens, with striking lighting contrasts and active compositions.
“By drawing from human creativity across centuries, I believe Christy's photography will inspire some of our visitors to create something new once they leave the exhibit,” says Jennifer Richardson, curator of the Nashville Parthenon. “The urge to create is at the core of what makes us human. It is mysterious and unpredictable. The pieces selected for this exhibit are overwhelmingly beautiful and make the impossible feel within reach. Museums should be the home of the Muses, a place where we feel connected, transported, and transformed.”
Rogers was most recently commissioned by filmmaker James Cameron for an Avatar-inspired photo collection, a piece from which will be included in the Parthenon exhibition. Her work resonates with other creatives, leading to many significant collaborations and awards. She was commissioned by Apple for the Shot on iPhone campaign the same year Sony named her 2019’s Open Photographer of the Year. Her artwork was also selected for Personal Structures–Open Borders, a group exhibition at the 57th Venice Art Biennale.
To enhance The Muses impact on the local community, the museum will host a series of hands-on workshops and events connected with each of the nine Greek muses. Through partnerships with creatives and beloved Nashville institutions, several of the workshops will be held on-site at the Parthenon while others will take place at Dyer Observatory, Parnassus Books, and online. Inspired by the Greek muses and their unique areas of influence, the workshops will include modern dance instruction, comedy improv, writing seminars, and more. Complete details will be available on NashvilleParthenon.com.
A free opening reception will be held on Dec. 12 at the Parthenon from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can RSVP here.
For more information on the exhibit, please visit nashvilleparthenon.com/events/christy-lee-rogers.
Christy Lee Rogers - The Muses is presented by Loden Vision Centers.
Exhibitions and educational programming at the Parthenon are underwritten by the Centennial Park Conservancy and its generous partners, including: Amazon, Advance Financial Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Dettwiller Foundation, HCA Healthcare Foundation, Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Old Town Trolley, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Sandra Schatten Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Subject matter of Parthenon exhibitions does not necessarily represent the opinion of partners or sponsors. For more information, please visit conservancyonline.com.
ABOUT CHRISTY LEE ROGERS
Based in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, Christy Lee Rogers is an internationally renowned underwater photographer known for her ethereal creations combining water, models, fabric, and light. Her work has been featured globally in exhibitions and prestigious projects, including commissions for James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, Disney, and the Nature Conservancy. She has also been recognized for her contributions to major campaigns like Apple’s iPhone launch and the Lavazza New Humanity calendar. Rogers' artistic achievements include the Sony World Photography Award for Open Photographer of the Year and her iconic piece “Reckless Unbound,” currently housed at Longleat House in the UK. Her artwork was also selected for Personal Structures–Open Borders, a group exhibition at the 57th Venice Art Biennale. Learn more at christyleerogers.com.
PARTHENON HOURS & ADMISSION
The Parthenon is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Parthenon is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors 62 and over; and $8 for children 4 to 17. Children under 4 are admitted free. Centennial Park Conservancy members receive free museum admission.
ABOUT CENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCY
Centennial Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve, enhance, and share the Parthenon and Centennial Park so all future generations may benefit from these cultural and enriching landmarks. The organization works in partnership with Metro Parks to protect and revitalize the Park’s green space, underwrite the Parthenon’s exhibition and educational programs, and present accessible and inclusive community programming to sustain the Park’s vibrancy.
ABOUT THE PARTHENON
The Parthenon, owned and operated by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s Parks and Recreation Department, the world’s only full-scale replica of the fifth-century BCE temple in Athens, Greece. Opened as a museum in 1931, its galleries are home to the distinguished Cowan Collection of American Art and feature several temporary exhibitions per year. The galleries are housed on the lower level of the Parthenon, Nashville’s oldest art museum. Beloved symbol of civic pride to Nashvillians since its original manifestation as the art building for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of Nashvillians and visitors to the city per year.
ABOUT METRO PARKS AND RECREATION
The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County. Currently, Metro Parks oversees 15,114 acres of open space, including 184 parks and 85 miles of greenways. It is the department’s mission to sustainably and equitably provide everyone in Nashville with an inviting network of parks and greenways that offer health, wellness and quality of life through recreation, conservation and community.
The Metro Board of Parks and Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, or disability in admission, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. For TTY (relay service), call 1-800-849-0299. For questions, concerns, or requests regarding the American Disabilities Act call 862-8400.
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