Artlightenment 5th Annual Festival to Take Place this Fall

The annual Artlightenment Festival is set to take place November 14-16^th at the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre in Nashville, Tennessee.

Visual artist Robyn Morshead decided to create an art show in 2009 with a special purpose: elevate the artist to elevate the culture.

She has continued moving visual art to the foreground in the city of music through the Artlightenment festival, now in its fifth consecutive year. It was expanded in 2011 to include film about art, artists and the art of existence, which encouraged further collaboration between the worlds of filmmakers and visual artists of all kinds.

The festival will take place November 14-16 at the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre in Nashville. Rev. Brian Fesler who pastors the church says, “It’s part of our mission to assist the artists in society.  Artists have the power to uplift the culture, and society depends on their creativity.” 

In 2012 the film “Miracles on Honey Bee Hill” by Bob Pondillo won the Artlightenment award for Best Film. Pondillo won many other awards of the evening including Best Sound Design, Costume and Editing. “Molly and the Kids” by Raeanne Rubenstein won the overall Audience Choice award and was a resounding favorite. Carla Christina Contreras won the Audience Award for Best Actor or Actress. Holly Carmichael won the Best of Show Art prize.

The Artlightenment show also featured special presentations by successful artists. Filmmakers Daniel Lir and Bayou Bennett traveled from Los Angeles to give a talk called “The Art of Making a Successful Film.” Marlene Rose, an internationally known glass artist, spoke about and showed her documentary film “From Fire.”

Morshead could hardly contain her excitement, “I really want all filmmakers and artists to learn and advance their careers and connections and to gain a new audience for their films and art.” Acceptable art submissions include paintings, mixed-media, photographs, sculptures and film. All submissions should be suitable for general audiences.  Prospective participants may submit their film or artwork online at www.artlightenment.com.