NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Nashville Farmers Market has always had a focus on supporting local farmers and vendors, but on Saturday, the focus was on the art.
With the opening of the new State Museum, the Farmers Market changed their entrance and added two new murals as well as a piece from artist Seitu Jones to welcome people into the Farmers Market.
"When the Tennessee State Museum project was announced, our board got together and tried to figure out how we could make some renovations to our property to welcome our new neighbor," Tasha Kennard, executive director of the Nashville Farmers Market, said.
What resulted from those conversations was the decision to change the market's loading dock into a brand new entrance, and they worked with the Metro Nashville Arts Commission to bring art to the entrance, including two murals from Arjae Thompson of Norf Art Collective, and a piece from Seitu Jones.
"With this new entry here, I wanted this to be the thing or one of the things that welcome you into this space," Jones said of his art, which is a giant turnip basket that hangs from the rafters, inspired by a previous visit to the market.
"I came here a year ago and was blown away by the bushels and bushels and bushels of turnip greens that I saw out back here in the shed," Jones explained, adding that he wanted to convey that experience to everyone entering the market while honoring the farmers. "To have these turnip greens that are floating in the air above you, to have them spilling out of this bushel basket."
Jones said that the work also shines a light no food injustice, as well as sending a big thank you to farmers who work to bring communities fresh food.
"There's no way that we can meet all farmers that produce the food for us, but this is a small way that we can stretch out our hands and embrace those folks," Jones said.
For those who haven't been to the Nashville Farmers Market recently, Kennard said there's no better time to come out and not only see the art, but to get some great local food and see art from local vendors.
"There's something for everybody here, we really do believe that food brings our community together," Kennard said.
The Nashville Farmers Market is open every day, starting at 8 a.m.
