Leah Foote on the Downtown Artists Co-op as part of the essay series “The Road to 250: Community Spirit in Action,” celebrating the history of unity in Clarksville ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

In 2001, while downtown Clarksville was still reeling from the F4 tornado of 1999, two local artists had a vision to bring life, energy, and culture to this ravaged historic area. Beverly Parker and Susan Bryant imagined an art cooperative. Their goals were simple but far-reaching: The gallery must be located in Clarksville’s historic downtown; the cooperative would foster cultural activities which all Clarksvillians could enjoy, and it would provide opportunities to showcase the work of area artists and help develop new artists. At this time there was a limited gallery presence in town despite there being a well-respected Art Department at Austin Peay State University. Timing, need, and vision merged. These two industrious women set to work, persuading artists to join in their concept of a gallery. Local attorney Mike Pugh advised on legalities, and soon the Downtown Artists Co-op became a reality. 

Through the generosity of local businessmen and a significant donation from the local Trane plant, the Downtown Artists Co-op, usually referred to as the DAC, found its first home above the Front Page Deli on Franklin Street in 2002. In 2004, the gallery moved to its current location at 96 Franklin St. in a building owned by Bobby Roylance.

First Thursday opening reception and awards presentation for the 2022 Regional Juried Art Exposition at the Downtown Artists Co-Op. (Barb Cobb, contributed)
First Thursday opening reception and awards presentation for the 2022 Regional Juried Art Exposition at the Downtown Artists Co-Op. (Barb Cobb, contributed)

The next step in rejuvenating downtown and bringing cultural activities to Clarksville was to start Clarksville’s First Thursday Art Walks. Other downtown businesses embraced the event and began hosting Art Walk receptions featuring artists’ work. Currently, an active Art Walk Committee works to expand the size and scope of this monthly tradition. The DAC gallery remains one of the most popular stops during these monthly art walks.

In 2003, the leadership of the DAC conceived and conducted a yearly downtown Plein Air Event. This activity was so well received, the DAC was approached by Doug Barber and Teresa Harrington on behalf of the city. They proposed the city would reimagine the event under a new name: Rivers and Spires. At their request, the DAC managed the event for a time. Later the city, inspired by the success of Rivers and Spires, instituted another downtown event, Frolic on Franklin. Again, DAC was an active participant in this street art event.

Some members of the 2 Rivers Plein Air Painters group gather at the Downtown Artists Co-Op to paint a still life. (Leah Foote, contributed)
Some members of the 2 Rivers Plein Air Painters group gather at the Downtown Artists Co-Op to paint a still life. (Leah Foote, contributed)

In 2019, the COVID virus nearly closed DAC. Through the hard work of then-president Daniela Thomas, the DAC was able to keep its doors open on a limited basis, and largely because of her efforts, it survived.  Today it continues expanding opportunities for artists to bring original art to Clarksville. One popular outreach activity is maintaining two external galleries, one at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library and another at the Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital. The DAC also hosts two regional juried art shows each year, one for photography, and one for art. These juried art shows draw artists from the Middle Tennessee and Kentucky areas. Work submitted to these shows is displayed in the DAC Gallery and in a virtual gallery on DAC’s website, providing participating artists much wider exposure.   

Clarksville also takes pride in being home to Fort Campbell Army post, and many DAC members have military ties. In 2022, DAC member Stephen Schlegel, a retired Army veteran, and Sherry Pickering, then president of the Montgomery County Veterans Coalition, cohosted a veterans’ art exhibit in the DAC Gallery. The exhibit showcased veterans’ art while contributing to the Coalition by dividing entry fees with them. It has since become an annual exhibit.

The DAC also hosts workshops that are open to the public and art talks where featured artists discuss their work. In inclement weather, DAC provides a space for a local plein air group to create and paint still life setups. It also hosts a group focused on memoir writing and has hosted poetry readings. Additionally, the DAC has worked with Clarksville’s Arts and Heritage Council and the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Department to put on a juried Plein Air Event that draws many regional plein air artists.

Today, Clarksville’s Historic Downtown District has become a vital area with a strong art presence. The Downtown Artists Co-op takes pride in its role in Clarksville’s cultural development and embraces future cultural growth opportunities.

Leah Foote

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