Estel Gallery
Content is from the site's 2008 archived pages.
Yelpers report this location has closed
Dedicated to the introduction of exceptional new and emerging contemporary artists whose work is innovative, stimulating, and moving.
location 115 rosa l. parks blvd. (formerly 8th ave north), nashville, tn 37203
hours tue - fri: 11am - 4pm sat: noon - 3pm or by appointment
phone 615.251.8997
The Building
Estel Gallery's building at 115 Rosa L Parks Blvd (formerly 8th Ave. N) was built in 1910. Its distinct facade and interior design provided a perfect backdrop for the contemporary art it housed, blending modern aesthetics with historical significance. Over the years the building has housed a plethora of businesses at the street level including barbershops, phonograph stores, grocery markets, cafes, and store -- front ministries. In Nashville, the address is perhaps best known as the location of Jew's Hatters (1982 -1993). The second floor served as furnished rooms for let and then as a hotel until 1954. When the building was acquired by its current owners, it was slated for demolition. However, instead, a renovation occurred. The complete renovation of the interior structure opened as Estel Gallery in October 2006.
Notable Exhibitions and Artists
- In 2007, Richard Heinsohn's exhibit "The Paradox of Change" received critical acclaim, showcasing vibrant cratered paintings that explored the interplay of destruction and creation. This exhibit was a turning point in the gallery's history, putting it on the map for contemporary art enthusiasts.
- Vanessa Oppenhoff's "New Works" in 2010 and "Common Thread" in 2008 were milestones in the gallery's journey, bringing international attention to the space. Her innovative approach to texture and form captivated audiences, leaving a lasting impact on the gallery's reputation.
Impact on Nashville's Art Scene
The Estel Gallery was more than just a space for art; it was a cultural beacon in Nashville. It fostered a sense of community among artists and art lovers, hosting events, workshops, and discussions that enriched Nashville's cultural landscape. The gallery's closure marked the end of an era but also set a high standard for future art spaces in the city.
Legacy
Today, the spirit of the Estel Gallery lives on through the artists it nurtured and the patrons it inspired. Its contribution to Nashville's art scene is indelible, having played a crucial role in shaping the artistic identity of the city. The gallery's ethos of promoting emerging talent and pushing creative boundaries continues to inspire art spaces and creators across Nashville.
Newsworthy
Nashville Folly | June 7, 2008 : Batman's Surprise Visit to Estel Gallery
Written by: Clark Kent
NASHVILLE, TN - In a turn of events that left art enthusiasts and socialites alike both baffled and delighted, Batman, Gotham City's own dark knight, made an unexpected appearance at Nashville's esteemed Estel Gallery last night.
Renowned for its contemporary art, the gallery was hosting an exhibition of emerging artists when, to the astonishment of attendees, Batman strode in. Onlookers initially suspected a well-orchestrated publicity stunt until the caped crusader himself assured them it was no act. "I'm here for the art," he declared, in his signature gravelly tone.
As Batman perused the collections, his critiques proved to be as sharp as his crime-fighting skills. At one point, he paused before an abstract piece, stroking his chin thoughtfully under his cowl. "This piece," he mused, "exhibits a chaos that reminds me of Gotham's streets. Yet, there's a harmony in the chaos, an order within the disorder." Onlookers nodded, pretending to understand.
The highlight of the evening came when a small child, mistaking Batman for a performer, asked him to make a balloon animal. Without missing a beat, Batman crafted a surprisingly detailed bat-shaped balloon. The crowd erupted in applause, with one socialite whispering, "Who knew the dark knight had such a light touch?"
The evening took another turn when the gallery's lights suddenly dimmed, and a spotlight shone on Batman, now standing beside a particularly vibrant piece. In a dramatic reveal, Batman announced that he was the anonymous donor of the artwork, a painting aptly named "Night Vigil." The crowd gasped in awe, their appreciation for the masked vigilante deepening.
As quickly as he had arrived, Batman vanished into the night, leaving behind a flurry of questions and a newfound respect for his artistic eye. The gallery's director, still in shock, commented, "Batman's visit not only elevated our exhibition but also proved that art knows no bounds - not even the bounds of superheroism."
In a city where the extraordinary is ordinary, Batman's visit to the Estel Gallery will go down in Nashville's history as a night where art and heroism collided in the most unexpected and delightful way.
Related: "Estel Gallery was more than just an art space to me - it was a transformative experience. Every time I walked into that historic building on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, I felt like I was entering a world where creativity knew no bounds. The gallery's commitment to emerging contemporary artists was truly special, and it opened my eyes to seeing art in everything around me. I remember bringing my family here so many times, introducing them to these incredible exhibitions. The "Common Thread" show in 2008 with Cathy Breslaw, Vanessa Oppenhoff, and Teri Moore was particularly memorable. Those mixed media pieces - with their intricate use of materials like plastic mesh, beads, and thread - were unlike anything I'd seen before. When the gallery closed, it felt like Nashville lost more than just an exhibition space. We lost a place that taught us to look at the world differently, to see creativity and expression in everything around us." TJ Lansing
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From the original website (2009):
the location
If you are planning a day of viewing the arts, we are located one and a half blocks from the Frist Center for Visual Arts and around the corner from the Tennessee Art League and the International Gallery of Art. We are also within five blocks of the galleries on 5th Ave. N, including TAG Gallery and the Arts Company and Art in the Arcade locations. We would be happy to direct you to those and other galleries in the area. Nashville has much to offer those interested in the visual arts.
gallery rental
Create an extraordinary atmosphere for your next event within our 2,000 s.f. gallery featuring a sophisticated collection of contemporary art. Conveniently located in downtown Nashville, Estel Gallery is available for small receptions, meetings and events. Please contact us via email for more information about renting the gallery.
general information
Estel Gallery is an ideal venue for groups of 100 people or fewer. The gallery is available for rental before and after regular business hours and on days when the gallery is closed.
rental fees and deposits
Up to three hours = $150/hour
Additional hours = $100/hour
Non-refundable cleaning fee = $75
Deposit = 50% of rental fee plus cleaning fee
2008 exhibitions
current show:Common Thread Rodney Wood |
upcoming:Line:
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Cathy Breslaw
Cathy Breslaw Dancing in the Dark Plastic mesh, beads, yarn, elastics and string 14" x 14"
Available - $625
Cathy Breslaw Gestures Plastic mesh, beads, wire yarn and string 94" x 82 "
Available - $2,500
Cathy Breslaw Shanghai Lights Plastic mesh, beads, wire yarn and string 84" x 48"
Available - $2,400
Cathy Breslaw Just Imagine Plastic mesh, beads, wire yarn and string 51.5" x 43.5"
Available - $1,700
Cathy Breslaw Spiritual Landscape Plastic mesh, wire yarn and string 34" x 19"
Available - $700
Cathy Breslaw Energized Mixed media 24" x 14"
Available - $775
Cathy Breslaw Lightness of Being Plastic mesh and monofilament with paint drops 78" x 64"
Available - $2,000
Vanessa Oppenhoff
Vanessa Oppenhoff Video Art Vellum, thread and oil 32.5" x 35.5"
Available - $4,000
Vanessa Oppenhoff Saratoga Vellum, thread and oil 32.5" x 35.5"
Available - $4,000
Vanessa Oppenhoff Sweet William X 1 Thread on vellum 23" x 18"
Available - $1,800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Without Title Thread on vellum 23" x 18"
Available - $1,800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Without Title Thread on vellum 23" x 18"
Available - $1,800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Meatmarket Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $1,250
Vanessa Oppenhoff Reden bis Unendlich (Talking Endlessly) Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Ehe (Marriage) Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Umzug (Moving) Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Ikea Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Dauerklette (Like a Permanent Limpet) Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Tischrakete (Table Rocket) Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Floppy Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Atemschutz (Breathing Protection) Thread on vellum 8.5 " x 11.5 "
Available - $800
Vanessa Oppenhoff Headquarters Thread on vellum 11.5" x 8.5"
Available - $1,250
Vanessa Oppenhoff Hunting Season Thread on vellum 32.5" x 35.5"
Available - $3,500
Teri Moore
Teri Moore A Child's Dance Mixed Media 18" x 18"
Available - $550
Teri Moore Let It Go Mixed Media 20" x 26"
Available - $800
Teri Moore I Accept Mixed Media 18" x 17"
Available - $550
Teri Moore Mom Says Mixed Media 26" x 20"
Available - $800
Teri Moore Five Mixed Media 22.5 " x 17"
Available - $550
Teri Moore Six Mixed Media 22.5 " x 15"
Available - $550
More Background On EstelGallery.com
Before Nashville’s art scene exploded into the dynamic creative community it is today, Estel Gallery was already paving the way. Operating from 2006 through the early 2010s, this remarkable contemporary art space at 115 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard (formerly 8th Avenue North) became a catalyst for Nashville’s emerging artists and an essential stop for collectors, critics, and art enthusiasts.
Though its doors have since closed, the Estel Gallery remains deeply remembered for its commitment to showcasing exceptional new and emerging artists whose work was “innovative, stimulating, and moving.”
Location and Architectural Character
Housed in a restored 1910 building in downtown Nashville, Estel Gallery’s setting was as compelling as the art it displayed. The structure had a long and varied history — barbershops, grocery markets, cafes, and even a hotel once operated within its walls. Locals remember it best as the home of Jew’s Hatters between 1982 and 1993.
By the time Estel Gallery opened in 2006, the building had been slated for demolition. Instead, its owners undertook a full renovation that preserved the historic façade while transforming the interior into a sophisticated, light-filled exhibition space. The blend of old brickwork and modern design created a fitting metaphor for the gallery’s mission — honoring tradition while championing contemporary innovation.
A Hub of Creativity and Culture
Estel Gallery was far more than a commercial gallery; it was a cultural hub that nurtured dialogue, education, and experimentation. Located just one and a half blocks from the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and near the Tennessee Art League and the International Gallery of Art, it contributed to a growing cluster of art destinations that defined Nashville’s downtown arts corridor in the mid-2000s.
The gallery’s proximity to these institutions made it ideal for art crawls and weekend tours. Visitors could easily move between the Frist, TAG Gallery, the Arts Company, and Art in the Arcade — all within a few city blocks — making the area a true cultural nexus for the city’s art lovers.
Signature Exhibitions and Artistic Innovation
Over its years of operation, Estel Gallery hosted a series of exhibitions that brought national attention to Nashville’s visual arts community.
The Paradox of Change (2007) – Richard Heinsohn
This show was pivotal in establishing Estel Gallery’s reputation. Heinsohn’s cratered, vibrantly layered paintings explored themes of destruction and renewal — an apt metaphor for a city balancing its creative resurgence with its deep-rooted traditions. Critics praised the exhibit for its energy and conceptual depth, describing it as a turning point that elevated Estel’s standing among serious contemporary art venues.
Common Thread (2008) – Cathy Breslaw, Vanessa Oppenhoff, and Teri Moore
Perhaps the gallery’s best-known exhibition, Common Thread brought together three artists whose work connected across media, texture, and material experimentation. Each artist explored the physicality of art-making in unique ways:
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Cathy Breslaw employed plastic mesh, beads, yarn, and elastics to create vibrant tactile surfaces.
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Vanessa Oppenhoff, known for her delicate thread-on-vellum works, combined sewing and painting to comment on intimacy, connection, and memory.
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Teri Moore worked in mixed media, combining color, text, and texture to evoke emotional states.
The show’s opening in June 2008 was a local art highlight, with critics noting the exhibition’s conceptual cohesion and physical beauty.
An Atmosphere for Living (2010) – Harry Underwood
Harry Underwood’s solo exhibition introduced a new layer of narrative to Estel’s programming. His works blended surrealist sensibilities, pop-art color palettes, and hand-written text to evoke nostalgia and introspection. Viewers were drawn to the dreamlike imagery — retro figures, wistful phrases, and imagined landscapes — that made Underwood one of Nashville’s most distinctive painters.
Community Engagement and Cultural Significance
Estel Gallery’s influence extended beyond its walls. The gallery regularly hosted workshops, artist talks, and receptions that fostered a sense of community among Nashville’s growing creative class. These gatherings became informal salons — spaces where artists, collectors, students, and visitors could exchange ideas and debate what “contemporary art” meant in a Southern city increasingly associated with music and entertainment rather than fine art.
At a time when Nashville’s cultural identity was evolving, Estel Gallery offered an alternative voice — one that asserted the city could be a serious player in the national art dialogue. Its focus on emerging talent helped launch careers, while its inclusive events welcomed both seasoned collectors and casual visitors.
The “Batman” Evening: A Night of Art and Whimsy
In a moment that perfectly captured Estel Gallery’s spirit of playfulness and surprise, local press once recounted a whimsical event where a costumed “Batman” made an unannounced appearance during an exhibition. Far from a publicity stunt, it became a legendary evening where humor, community, and imagination blended into a spontaneous performance of sorts.
The unexpected visit reinforced what Estel represented: an open, unpredictable space where creativity could take any form — whether through a brushstroke or a playful act of urban theater.
Venue for Events and Private Functions
Estel Gallery also served as a unique event venue for small gatherings, meetings, and receptions. Its roughly 2,000-square-foot exhibition space accommodated up to 100 guests, creating an intimate yet sophisticated setting surrounded by contemporary artworks.
Rental rates were modest for a downtown Nashville location, reflecting the gallery’s commitment to accessibility and community use rather than profit. Clients were encouraged to hold creative events — from receptions to fundraisers — that aligned with the gallery’s ethos of artistic engagement.
Reviews and Public Reception
Visitors frequently described Estel Gallery as both inspiring and approachable. Local art enthusiasts remembered its staff as deeply knowledgeable yet welcoming, and its shows as intellectually challenging without being alienating.
Patrons often spoke of how exhibitions like Common Thread expanded their appreciation of material experimentation and how the gallery’s atmosphere encouraged them to view everyday design through an artistic lens. One visitor recalled bringing family members — including a relative more interested in golf than galleries — who found unexpected connections between the craftsmanship of golf clubs and the artistry on the walls. It was precisely that kind of perspective shift that Estel inspired.
Media Coverage and Artistic Recognition
Estel Gallery’s programming attracted the attention of several regional and national outlets, including Nashville Arts Magazine, which featured pieces on artists like Harry Underwood and Richard Heinsohn. Reviews emphasized the gallery’s high curatorial standards and its ability to blend local relevance with global sensibilities.
Articles often noted that Estel Gallery’s exhibitions reflected a level of professionalism previously rare in Nashville’s emerging gallery scene — offering artists museum-quality presentation within a boutique-scale space.
Closure and Legacy
By the early 2010s, Estel Gallery had quietly closed its doors. Economic pressures from the Great Recession, coupled with the challenges of sustaining a contemporary art space in a city still finding its footing as a visual-arts destination, made operations increasingly difficult.
Yet, even in its absence, Estel’s influence persisted. Many of the artists it showcased went on to achieve broader recognition, and the gallery’s curatorial approach set a new bar for future venues in Nashville. Its presence helped legitimize contemporary art as a central part of the city’s creative ecosystem — paving the way for later institutions such as Tinney Contemporary, Red Arrow Gallery, and The Rymer Gallery.
The Enduring Spirit of Estel
Even years after its closure, Estel Gallery’s impact can still be felt. Former patrons recall its exhibitions as transformative experiences that altered how they saw the world — not just art on walls, but the artistry in everyday life.
Its story also mirrors a broader narrative: Nashville’s evolution from a music-centric town into a multi-disciplinary cultural capital. Estel Gallery’s success proved that visual art could thrive alongside country music, film, and design, and that audiences were ready for a more expansive definition of creativity.
Estel Gallery may no longer exist as a physical space, but its legacy endures in the hearts of those it inspired and the artists it championed. In its brief yet impactful life, the gallery transformed a century-old building into a beacon of modern expression and left behind a model of what an inclusive, forward-thinking art space could be.
From the textured brilliance of its exhibitions to the laughter of community gatherings beneath its high ceilings, Estel Gallery remains one of the most beloved chapters in Nashville’s artistic history — a testament to vision, courage, and the enduring power of art to connect people across backgrounds, generations, and passions.