NASHVILLE, TN – (June 27, 2024) – [The Parthenon](https://www.nashvilleparthenon.com/) and [Centennial Park Conservancy](https://www.conservancyonline.com/) have announced an upcoming exhibit titled “David Gootnick: Contemporary Kumiko,” featuring works inspired by the ancient Japanese woodworking technique of Kumiko. The exhibition will be on display from July 26 to December 1 in the Parthenon’s East Gallery. A free opening reception is scheduled for July 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Parthenon.
Kumiko, developed roughly 1,400 years ago, is a traditional Japanese woodworking technique often used in ornamental shoji screens and decorative features of homes. It involves arranging narrow pieces of wood into intricate geometric designs and patterns. Gootnick primarily uses yellow cedar from Alaska, a close analog to the traditional Japanese woods, to create his works. His designs often draw inspiration from nature and science, with new pieces such as RNA, Mitochondria, and DNA.
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“David Gootnick’s work is a harmonious blend of the ancient and the contemporary,” said Parthenon Curator Jennifer Richardson. “We are excited to host this exhibition at the Parthenon, where visitors can explore the similarities between these art forms, which sprang from very different cultures but reflect a common aesthetic sense and passion for precision.”
Gootnick’s journey in woodcraft began during his time at Harvard University in the mid-1970s, where he apprenticed with master luthier Donald Warnock. This experience ignited his passion for woodcraft, leading to further internships with master luthiers Bernie Lehman and Curtis Bryant. He began studying Kumiko in 2015 and now pursues his craft from a self-built studio in Washington D.C.
For more information on the exhibit, please visit [here](https://www.nashvilleparthenon.com/events/david-gootnick). Details about the Centennial Park Conservancy can be found on their website, [conservancyonline.com](https://www.conservancyonline.com/).
Exhibitions and educational programming at the Parthenon are supported by Centennial Park Conservancy and its partners, including Amazon, Advance Financial Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Dettwiller Foundation, HCA Healthcare Foundation, Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Old Town Trolley, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Sandra Schatten Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
The Parthenon, Nashville’s longest-lived art museum, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children aged 4-17, and free for children under 4. Centennial Park Conservancy members receive free museum admission.
Centennial Park Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining the vibrancy of Nashville’s Centennial Park, supporting revitalization efforts, and presenting community programming. The Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the fifth-century BCE temple in Athens, Greece, has been a symbol of civic pride since its original construction for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897. The Metro Parks and Recreation Department oversees 15,114 acres of open space in Davidson County, including 184 parks and 85 miles of greenways. For more information, visit [conservancyonline.com](https://www.conservancyonline.com/).
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Cheekwood to Feature Ann Carrington in 2024
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