This year, to save you from tears, we’ve made you something special: the Winter Arts Guide. As with every Flyer Arts Guide, we’ve compiled a list of all the exhibitions, plays, musicals, and more that ought to be on your radar. We also got a chance to speak with DeMarcus Suggs, Memphis’ director of creative and cultural economy; Greely Myatt, the man behind the Brooks’ latest installation; and Preston Jackson, the Metal Museum’s Master Metalsmith. Oh, and right now is ARTSmemphis’ ARTSweek.
On Display
“Healing Through Color”
Exhibition by Alexandra Baker.
Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School, through Dec. 16
“A River I Loved”
New works by Maysey Craddock.
David Lusk Gallery, through Dec. 21
“ANA•LOG, Size Matters, Still”
Work by Lester Merriweather, Alex Paulus, and Michelle Fair.
Crosstown Arts, through Jan. 19
“Green Fountain”
Justin Bowles’ fanciful garden installation.
Tops at Madison Avenue Park, through Feb. 16
“Beyond the Surface: The Art of Handmade Paper”
Explore paper’s shape-shifting quality.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, through Apr. 6
“Loose Ends”
Work by Brittney Boyd Bullock.
Sheet Cake Gallery, Dec. 14
“Back for Seconds”
Work by Roger Allan Cleaves, Melissa Dunn, Stephanie Howard, and Clare Torina.
Sheet Cake Gallery, Dec. 14
“Small Spaces”
Jennifer Watson’s bright and kaleidoscopic art.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Jan. 26-Apr. 13
“Thomas Dambo’s Trolls: Save the Humans”
Thomas Dambo’s folklore-inspired troll sculptures.
Memphis Botanic Garden, Feb. 1-May 21
“An Occasional Craving”
Chris Antemann’s porcelain figures.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Feb. 9-Apr. 6
“House of Grace”
Floyd Newsum will have the first major exhibition of his art in Memphis, despite his untimely death on August 14, 2024.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Feb. 9-Apr. 6
On Stage
Clara & the Nutcracker
Tennessee Ballet Theater’s rendition of the beloved holiday tale.
Cannon Center For The Performing Arts, Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.
The Nutcracker
Ballet Memphis’ stunning new production is both familiar and unexpected.
Orpheum Theatre, Dec. 13-15
The Nutcracker
Singleton’s Esprit de Corps Dance Company performs this holiday classic.
Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center, Dec. 20-Dec. 22
Wurlitzer Wonderland
Orpheum House Organist Tony Thomas plays a special one-night concert featuring the historic Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.
Orpheum Theatre, Dec. 21, 7 p.m.
Magic of Memphis
Featuring the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus — and Dancing Santas.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin
Follow two actors as they prepare for their most significant role yet: Joseph Stalin.
The Circuit Playhouse, Jan. 10-Jan. 26
Say It Loud: The Overlook Quartet
An eclectic program of music by underrepresented composers.
Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Inherit the Wind
Two great legal giants of the century battle over state law banning the teaching of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
Theatre Memphis, Jan. 17-Feb. 2
Parade
In 1913, Leo Frank is caught in a grueling trial after the murder of his factory worker.
Playhouse on the Square, Jan. 17-Feb. 16
American Maestro, with Bernstein’s West Side Story
The MSO will also perform Bernstein’s Slava! and works by other composers. With Carl St. Clair, conductor.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. | Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m.
Cirque Kalabanté
Afrique en Cirque shares the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture.
Germantown Performing Arts Center, Jan. 24, 8 p.m.
Black Odyssey
This vibrant reimagining of the Odysseus saga is set in modern-day Harlem.
Hattiloo Theatre, Jan. 24-Feb. 16
Carmen
Bizet’s sizzling epic.
Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, Jan. 24-25
Steve Martin & Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown!
Two of our funniest, most influential and acclaimed talents come to Memphis.
Orpheum Theatre, Jan. 25, 8 p.m.
Skeleton Crew
As the Great Recession looms over a Detroit auto stamping plant, workers confront tough choices.
The Circuit Playhouse, Jan. 31-Feb. 16
Alison Cook Beatty Dance
World-class dancers enmesh classically-based modern technique with elements of contemporary movement.
Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School, Jan. 31, 7 p.m.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Collage Dance’s reimagining of Zora Neale Hurston’s iconic 1937 novel as a ballet.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Feb. 1-2
The Minutes
A scathing new comedy about small-town politics and real-world power.
New Moon Theatre, Feb. 7-23
Dance Theatre of Harlem
A dynamic force in the ballet world, captivating audiences both nationally and internationally.
Orpheum Theatre, Feb. 7-8
Valentine’s Day with Kortland Whalum
A night of music and romance with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, Feb. 14, 8 p.m.
Hamilton
Follow the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.
Orpheum Theatre, Feb. 18-Mar. 2
Variations on a Theme: Love, Longing, and Lederhosen
A curated evening of music and one-act operas.
Opera Memphis, Feb. 15-16
Winter Mix
Ballet Memphis presents two new commissions and the reprise of an audience favorite, Trey McIntyre’s The Barramundi.
Playhouse on the Square, Feb. 21-23
Yo-Yo Ma
The renowned cellist appears with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.
…
In 2020, the city of Memphis and Shelby County declared ARTSweek as an official holiday. A brainchild of ARTSmemphis, the week’s purpose is to drive awareness of local arts’ impact, demonstrate the creativity of Memphis’ artistic contributions, and grow community engagement with the arts. This year’s ARTSweek has already begun, starting on December 1st with its end date on Sunday, December 8th.
Music
Moon Taxi
The five-piece band hails from Nashville.
Minglewood Hall, Dec. 6
Kortland Whalum
Kortland Whalum is a singer-songwriter and actor whose talents span from music to the stage.
Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Dec. 6
Handel’s Messiah
Featuring the MSO’s Memphis Symphony Chamber Chorus.
Germantown United Methodist Church, Dec. 5
Jolly Jam Sessions
Young musicians celebrate the start of the Christmas season with classic holiday jazz favorites.
Pink Palace, Dec. 6
Memphis Black Arts Alliance Presents an Evening of Ellington
A star-studded cabaret of jazz.
Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, Dec. 7
Jonathan McReynolds: Red & Green
A new sound for the holiday season.
Minglewood Hall, Dec. 8
Theater & Dance
Annie Jr. the Musical
Everyone’s favorite little redhead on stage.
Germantown Community Theatre, Dec. 6-22
A Motown Christmas
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this Christmas musical.
Hattiloo Theatre, through Dec. 22
A Christmas Carol
A classic holiday ghost story.
Theatre Memphis, Dec. 6-23
Nutcracker: Land of Enchanted Sweets
Buckman Dance Conservatory’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
Buckman Performing Arts Center, Dec. 6-8
Tía Pancha: A Christmas Story
The classic Christmas story of Scrooge with a Latin twist.
TheatreWorks at The Evergreen, Dec. 7-8
Who’s Holiday!
Cindy Lou Who takes center stage.
The Circuit Playhouse – The Memphian Room, through Dec. 22
Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder
Junie B. Jones is facing a challenging week.
The Circuit Playhouse, through Dec. 22
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Bright Star
A story of love and redemption.
Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center, Dec. 6-8
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage
Everyone’s favorite holiday classic.
Orpheum Theatre, Dec. 7
Cabaret Noel 9: A Kaleidoscopic Christmas
An evening of holiday songs and hilarious slapstick humor.
TheatreWorks @ The Square, Dec. 6-8
The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy Gale gets her Oz on.
Playhouse on the Square, through Dec. 22
Twelfth Night
Shakespeare’s most charming comedy.
Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Dec. 6-22
Visual Arts
Artist Meet & Greet
A free evening of conversations and connections at The Memphis Art Salon.
Minglewood Hall, Dec. 4
“All Aboard: The Railroad in American Art, 1840 – 1955”
Examine the relationship between painters in the United States and the passenger and freight trains.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, through Jan. 26
“Energy States”
Scott A. Carter’s sculptures.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, through Jan. 19
Natural Histories: 400 Years of Scientific Illustration
Hidden gems and unique masterworks from the American Museum of Natural History’s rare book collection.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, though Jan. 26
“Intertwine”
MadameFraankie’s new media works.
Beverly + Sam Ross Gallery, through Dec. 13
Gallery Talk with Elle Perry
Arts and culture journalist Elle Perry delivers a gallery talk about Andrea Morales’ show.
Brooks Museum of Art, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.
Holiday Bazaar
Join Arrow Creative for a monthlong shopping event.
Arrow Creative, through December 22
“Roll Down Like Water”
Andrea Morales presents 65 photographs spanning a decade of work.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, through Jan. 31
“Pissarro to Picasso: Masterworks from the Kirkland Family Collection”
Enjoy 18 art treasures from the Kirkland family’s collection.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, through Jan. 26
MidSouth Toy Fest 2024
Your gateway to a treasure trove of collectibles.
The Great Hall & Conference Center, Dec. 7
…
Reframe Culture
In October, the city of Memphis hired its first ever director of creative and cultural economy — DeMarcus Suggs — as part of the newly established Office of Arts and Culture.
Suggs describes his position as one of a centralized collaborator and convener, supporting artists and cultural organizations while boosting their economic impact. It’s about making sure the city’s ecosystem — businesses, restaurants, hotels, sports, and cultural policy — complements, welcomes, and retains the arts on a citywide scale.
“Memphis has a lot of really talented artists. We also have some really grit and grind entrepreneurs that have a vision. They have a dream, and they’re willing to build it,” Suggs points out.
With this in mind, Suggs is ready to listen. So far, he’s been in conversation with arts organizations and philanthropists, and now he’s ready to talk to individual artists in a town hall listening event on December 9th, with more to come. He wants to hear the strengths and weaknesses of Memphis. “I’m an optimist that loves to have the full picture, and so I don’t ignore the challenges,” Suggs says.
This first year, he says, will be themed “reframe culture.” “That’s really us being able to use [and collect] data,” Suggs says. “We’re going to be framing what success looks like for us as a city.”
Artist Listening Session, Madison Tavern, Monday, December 9, 5-7 p.m.
…
Starry, Starry
You don’t need to look too far in the sky to see the stars, not at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. That’s where Greely Myatt has installed his Starry, Starry starscape for the museum’s inaugural Winter Art Garden — an installation which opened at the end of November and stemmed from the artist’s recent obsession with stars.
A massive star — aptly titled Big Star, with a nod to the Memphis-based band — sits against the Brooks Museum near its entrance; at night, neon lights the star’s five edges made of scrap signposts. To the side of it, on the pedestals where statues Spring and Summer once stood, another star is propped up, this one made of charred wood. “It’s a fragmented star,” Myatt describes. “When I was making the other stars [for previous shows], I kind of became interested in, instead of the completeness of it, letting the mind mentally finish it.”
The wood of this fragmented star — Star Fall — comes from a pine tree Myatt grew himself. Meanwhile, Sirius (Dog Star and Pup), which is suspended between two trees, is made of broom handles, and Star Sprays, which fill up spring up from the plaza’s tables like bouquets of sparklers, are made of traffic signs.
Reflecting on the use of stars in his work, Myatt says, “They’re abstract, but they’re real. It’s kind of like Dave Hickey once said, ‘A Pollock doesn’t mean anything, but it has meaning. [We can find meanings for it, if we care to.]’”
Starry, Starry, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, through January 2025
…
Q&A: Preston Jackson
Earlier this year, the Metal Museum named Preston Jackson as its 38th Master Metalsmith. “A Hidden Culture,” the exhibition now on display in honor of Jackson’s achievement, features 16 freestanding sculptures and four paintings by the artist, who describes the show as revealing “history that has been buried, forgotten, or deemed unimportant by society.” The Flyer had a chance to speak with Jackson about the show.
Memphis Flyer: What was your reaction to being named the Metal Museum’s Master Metalsmith?
Preston Jackson: When I got the call to get involved in this, especially being in Memphis, you know, where my ancestors are from that area, I jumped at that opportunity, and I took it on, even preparing new works for the show. So it was an uplift to do what you’re supposed to.
I didn’t realize it had inspired new works.
Some of the pieces, maybe two or three, are in the show, and the one at the [Memphis] Botanic Garden, there’s a very large relief piece there [Tales of the River Cities].
Your work goes into history and wants to uncover hidden histories, right?
Yeah, things that people feel uncomfortable talking about. … I find that looking back and re-understanding, rethinking about things that were only a hint in your past because you didn’t have the facilities to understand them or express them, it’s almost like admitting it’s good to be human.
Did you always know that you wanted to tell stories of other people, or was this kind of like something that you developed?
A lot of these traits that I have today were discovered, as my parents tell the story of my growing up, many years ago, right at the beginning of my little life as a young kid. Growing up in Decatur, Illinois, a product of the great migration that happened, my life is so much a part of that history. My exhibit gave me a chance to express my feelings about that.
And when you’re looking at these stories, are you doing a lot of research?
Yeah, you don’t want to be wild in your thinking, because of how important it is to tell the truth. Just look at our politics today. Truth is sought after, and it’s valuable. If we live a lie or believe in lies, we’re going to sort of destroy the entire civilization.
“A Hidden Culture,” Metal Museum, through January 26