'Artlightenment' to Bring Film, Art, Fashion and Song to Nashville from Nov. 13-15

     NASHVILLE – "Artlightenment", the annual multi-media art show and film festival that showcases dozens of  visual artists, painters, sculptors and filmmakers is slated to run Nov. 13, 14 and 15 at The Celebrity Centre (Old Fall School Building), 1130 Eighth Ave. S. in Nashville. 

     Created by painter, sculptor and film producer Robyn Morshead in 2009, the three-day event also will feature workshops, live music and a fashion show, making it a vital force in Nashville’s creative community. The theme for this year’s festival is “The Light Side of Art” with a spotlight on the works of underwater photographer and filmmaker Christy Rogers, a visionary artist who uses the refraction of light on her subjects to create beautiful images reminiscent of the paintings of Rubens and Caravaggio. Her work, which is being shown internationally, is currently on display at the Angers Nantes Opera House in Angers, France. "Artlightenment" will be the only opportunity to see her large-format prints in Nashville. She will host a special pre-show seminar, “My Career in Underwater Photography and Film”, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

    This year’s festival will also highlight the works of landmark photographer Raeanne Rubenstein whose photos have graced the pages of numerous publications such as People Magazine and The New York Times. Rubenstein will host a talk, “The Funny Side of Art and Film”, at 7p.m. Thursday.

    Actress Carla Christina Contreras will kick off "Artlightenment’s" film festival at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with her talk, “A Long and Successful Acting Career”. Contrera's recent film works include "Two Eggs" (with Tom Skirret), "Self Offense" (Official Selection in more than eight film festivals), "Static" (11 awards including Best Actress), as well as the feature film, "Summer Snow".  Some of her other works include "Army Wives", "America’s Most Wanted", and a co-starring role in "Following Her Heart", which starred Ann-Margret, George Segal and Brenda Vacarro.

     The festival is proud to feature "The MTSU Paris Project", three films produced by well-known documentary filmmaker Tom Neff and shot by student filmmakers from Middle Tennessee State University's Electronic Media Communications Department.  The films center on the unlikely cross-cultural exchange between Paris, France and Murfreesboro, Tenn., as MTSU student-filmmakers traveled there to make these extraordinary documentaries about contemporary French artists, their work and methodology.

     Three-Day Tickets for "Artlightenment" are $15. Ticketholders have access to all exhibits and workshops, as well as the film festival and closing-night awards and fashion shows. For more information on the "Artlightenment 2014 Art and Film Festival" and to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.artlightenment.com  

'Reaching Your Dream' Artist Career/Publicity Workshop to Occur in Nashville on July 26

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2014) -- Artists of all kinds can receive invaluable insights on the professional steps needed to achieve success by attending the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 26 (Saturday) at the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville, 6705 Charlotte Pike in West Nashville.

            The career and publicity training workshop will be led by country/blues/pop artist Amy Allen and award-winning publicist/educator/composer/author Chuck Whiting. Attendees will learn how to write and distribute press releases; develop a one-of-a-kind hook; believe in their talents; plan creative events; develop stage presence; form a team of experts; develop, manufacture, market and sell original products; obtain copyrights; and build Internet exposure.

Amy Allen

            Allen and Whiting will lead artists through the career-building and publicity process step by step with hands-on instructions, examples and feedback. Artist Q&A spotlights (case studies) will feature insights from Nashville filmmaker/visual artist Robyn Morshead, singer/songwriter/musician Sean O'Shea, and author/speaker/edu-tainer/edu-preneur Debbie Watts.

            Attendees will participate in an artist vision-sharing event called "Arts on the Row" from 7-9 p.m. Saturday. The first 15 professionals to sign up for the workshop will enjoy a complimentary tour and demonstrations at a local media operation on July 25 (Friday). They also will have the opportunity to receive complimentary writing and editing critiques during a brainstorming lunch on July 27 (Sunday).

            Tuition for the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop is $95 (registration by July 20) and $120 (registration after July 20). Participation in the "Arts on the Row" artist vision-sharing event, media tour, and critiques/Q&A sessions are included with registration. Meals are not included. Discounts are available for couples, company-sponsored groups, and non-profit organizations. Artist scholarships are available.

            For more information or to register for the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop, call (615) 423-9857 or (888) 80-SHINE, send an email inquiry to Arts@WhitingPublicity.com, or visit www.ReachingYourDream.net.

            "I hear many fellow artists say how overwhelmed they are with the multi-tasking involved in the career-building process," said Allen, who has collaborated with Whiting on product development, performances and publicity for her "Someday Is Today" CD project. "Overcoming self-doubt to believe in yourself can be a huge struggle. And many artists don't realize how important it is to establish a professional self-image. It's very important to develop a one-of-a-kind persona, top-notch marketing tools, and a great team. We also need to protect our intellectual property rights in a fast-changing digital world. Achieving success is a combination of heart and business."

            Allen recently landed two Top-15 country hits from her latest album, “Someday Is Today”. Amy has performed at venues ranging from the White House to the Ryman Auditorium, opening for stars such as John Conlee, Patty Loveless, and Brooks & Dunn. She has overcome a major health-related challenge to become successful in the arts. Learn more about Amy Allen at www.TheAmyAllen.com.

            A former newspaper reporter, Whiting founded Whiting Publicity and Promotions in Music City in 1993 to provide exposure for artists and the organizations that support them. He is the author/co-writer of the book/song “The Littlest Star”, editor of Music City Arts Update, and host of the songwriters show “Tunesmithing”. He teaches communication courses at Middle Tennessee State University and Motlow State Community College. Learn more about Chuck Whiting at www.WhitingPublicity.com.

Chuck Whiting

            "Our goal will be for each musician, author, actor or visual artist to have a career-changing hook, game plan, or press release in hand by the end of the weekend," said Whiting, who is completing a new CD of instrumentals and vocal tunes for release in 2014. "We will be available to provide feedback during a follow-up brainstorming lunch on Sunday."

            For more information about the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop, visit www.ReachingYourDream.net.

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'Publicizing Your Dream' Workshop Set for July 28 in Nashville

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- Artists and entrepreneurs of all kinds can learn the nuts and bolts of the public relations process by attending the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop on July 28 (Saturday) at O Gallery at Marathon Village in Nashville, Tenn.

            The communication workshop, which will be led by publicist, educator and composer Chuck Whiting, will occur from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. in O Gallery's studio at 1305 Clinton St. near downtown Nashville.  Attendees will learn all aspects of publicity, including the tools reporters and editors use; developing news hooks; writing, editing and distributing press releases; adapting press releases for the Internet; and preparing for a news media interview. 

            Whiting founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions and is a former reporter for The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register. He will walk attendees through the publicity process step by step with feedback and professional critiques.  PR case studies will feature insights from professionals in business, literature, music, the news media, songwriting and visual art.  The day will end with an artist/entrepreneur-sharing event called "Arts on the Row".

            Highlights of the workshop are

            *  Educational sessions covering all aspects of the public relations process, including the writing of a press release in Associated Press style.

            * PR case studies (Q&A) with several professional artists/entrepreneurs who have used publicity to land news stories on local, regional and national levels.  Participants include filmmaker/visual artist Robyn Morshead, author/songwriter Candy Paull, and songwriter/visual artist Laura Powers.

            *  A tour of a news media operation (TBA) on July 27 (Friday) with insights from a leading editor or producer.

            * A tour of a Music Row business or organization on July 27 (Friday) with insights from a leading marketing professional. 

            * An artist/entrepreneur show-and-tell event called "Arts on the Row" featuring professional artists in comedy, film, literature, music, songwriting and visual art. 

            Tuition for all sessions of the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop is $95 (for registration by July 20) and $120 (for registration from July 21-27).  Artists can attend individual two-hour sessions for $30 each. Participation in "Arts on the Row" is included with registration.   Complimentary tours of the news media operation and Music Row business/organization are limited to the first 10 people who register.  Employees of non-profit organizations are eligible to receive a 10 percent discount. Advance registration is required.

            "My goal will be to teach artists and entrepreneurs how to handle their own publicity, including the writing and distribution of a professionally written press release," said Whiting, who founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions in 1993.  "We're adding several PR case studies with business and arts professionals to give attendees true-life examples of the communication process.  'Arts on the Row' is a wonderful way for artists to share their visions and receive feedback."

            A former newspaper reporter, Whiting has served the arts, entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries for more than 25 years.  He started his career as a reporter for The Birmingham (Ala.) News and The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register.  He served as the PR representative for the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for more than seven years.  His PR firm currently represents clients such as visual artist/instructor Gail McDaniel, former Harlem Globetrotter "Jumpin' Johnny" Kline, National Vocabulary Championship Coach of the Year Debbie Watts ("Word Woman"), recording artist/songwriter Joyce Rouse ("Earth Mama"), film composer/music producer Greg Sims, award-winning visual artist Charlotte Terrell, two-time Grammy winner Dennis Scott and The WannaBeatles, music producer/songwriter Jerry Michael, visual artist Camille Engel, and speakers/food and beverage educators The Saucy Sisters (Barbara Nowak and Beverly Wichman).

            Whiting also teaches journalism and public speaking courses as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee State University, Motlow State Community College, and Volunteer State Community College.  He is the co-author and co-songwriter of the children's book and CD, "The Littlest Star: a musical story"; editor of the arts newsletter Music City Arts Update; and founder/emcee of the monthly songwriters show, "Tunesmithing Off Music Row".

            For more information or to register for the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop, call (615) 242-9857 or (888) 80-SHINE, send an email inquiry to PublicizingYourDream@earthlink.net or Arts@WhitingPublicity.com, or visit http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com.