'Building Bridges Through Art' Exhibition and Silent Auction to Occur in Franklin on Oct. 12

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 2013) – Artist/instructor Gail McDaniel and nine of her student artists will premier original watercolor paintings in a special exhibition benefiting Bridges Domestic Violence Center from Oct. 1-31 at the CharacterEYES Boutique, 407 Church St. in Franklin, Tenn.

(Gail McDaniel's "Sunset Petals")

     The "Building Bridges Through Art" exhibition will feature a reception and silent auction from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 12 (Saturday). During October, the exhibition can be viewed from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Art lovers will be able to see paintings by McDaniel and student artists Chris Burns of Nashville; Linda Curb of Nashville; Judy Howell of Columbia, Tenn.; GiGi Mallory of Brentwood, Tenn.; Vikki Nordstrom of Nashville; Billie J. Osborne of Whites Creek, Tenn.; Iris Rotker of Franklin, Tenn.; Terri Tyler of Nashville; and Sandy Weddle of Nashville. 

      The paintings feature breathtaking images of landscapes, animals and people using various watercolor painting techniques. Proceeds from art sales will benefit the Bridges Domestic Violence Center, a domestic abuse shelter in Franklin. Each artist is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of at least one painting. "Building Bridges Through Art" is part of an ongoing series of exhibitions established by CharacterEYES Eyecare and Optical.

 (Iris Rotker's "Stormy Cove")

     McDaniel, who lives in Franklin, has served as an associate member of the Winsor & Newton Creative Artist Network in London, England. From 2001 to 2012, she helped raise more than $90,000 for the arts in area public schools through the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards". Workshops and classes led by McDaniel have drawn students from 36 states (including Alaska and Hawaii), the District of Columbia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and South Korea.  

     For more information about the exhibition, call (615) 599-1800.  To view Mcdaniel's artwork, visit http://www.gailmcdanielart.com.

(Linda Curb's "Pink Water Lillies")

(Gail McDaniel's "Vintage Wines")

(Vikki Nordstrom's "Aspen Afternoon")

(Gail McDaniel's "Serengeti Sunset")