Nashville, TN — Cheekwood is thrilled to announce a $1 million endowment to fund a new Artist-in-Residence program to be named in honor of Martin Shallenberger as a gift from a private foundation.

Shallenberger was an artist who studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington; the Art Students League and National Academy of Design in New York; and the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. In 1971, Cheekwood hosted an exhibition of Shallenberger’s paintings of places he visited around the world, including Paris, Florence, Amsterdam and Cologne. After opening his Cheekwood exhibition, Shallenberger left for a summer residency in Eferding, Austria, where he spent July and August. It is a very fitting tribute to this international artist to name an artist-in-residence program after Martin Shallenberger.

"Martin Shallenberger would be so pleased to know that there is now an artist-in-residence program at Cheekwood,” said a spokesperson for the foundation. “He was keenly aware of how difficult it can be for artists, especially ones early in their careers, to find a place to work that is safe and supporting, yet will also challenge them to stretch and grow as artists. "

Cheekwood has a tradition of exhibiting modern and contemporary art, most recently with its award-winning series Temporary Contemporary which focused on emerging artists from the Southeast. The artist-in-residence program will allow Cheekwood to continue its commitment to contemporary art. The program will bring national and international artists to Nashville, have them work here on site, and interact with Cheekwood staff, visitors, and the arts community. Through its gardens and art collections, Cheekwood offers visiting artists a great set of resources to reflect broadly on nature and sustainability within a global art world.

Cheekwood will feature French artist Mathilde Roussel as its first Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence. During her residency, the artist will be working on an installation at Cheekwood featuring Lifes of Grass sculptures that will literally sprout and grow on site. This exhibition also features drawings, sculptures and outdoor fabric installations that play with botany and the human body. Throughout her residency, she will be using studio space at Watkins College of Arts, Design & Film, working with student volunteers, and conducting a student workshop. Her work will also be prominently featured at the annual Antiques & Garden show at the downtown convention center.