CONTACT US

To reach the Festival team, please email us at americanartisanfestival@gmail.com
 
THE AMERICAN ARTISAN FESTIVAL TEAM

Nancy Saturn, our founder and visionary, lost her battle to breast cancer last year. Her daughter Samantha Saturn is thrilled to have the opportunity to carry her vision forward this year alongside Nashville's own Jerry Dale McFadden, Artistic Director of the 4 Bridges Arts Festival in Chattanooga, TN. The American Artisan Festival's loyal team includes Lucienne Reed, Julie Sola, Jackie Potts, Mary Beth Harding, and Lacey Keller.   

It was Nancy’s wish that the festival be a celebration of her life’s work.  What Nancy loved most was being in Centennial Park alongside the incredibly talented artisans, being with her husband Alan as well as her family and friends, and watching the joy on the faces of so many Nashvillians who come year after year to shop, celebrate Father’s Day and enjoy the Festival that she built.    

THE AMERICAN ARTISAN FESTIVAL MISSION

The American Artisan Festival will celebrate its 42nd year in 2012.  The mission of the Festival is to showcase the finest in contemporary american handcrafts and fine art, as well as deliver a fun-filled weekend of arts and music to Nashville residents and visitors alike. 

For some history of how much the Festival has changed over the years, it all started in the early seventies when Nancy Saturn set up just a few booths in the backyard of what was then called The Craft Cranny, located on Bandywood (now a Kroger's parking lot).  Nancy later renamed her gallery The American Artisan in the early 80's, moved the store to Harding Road in Belle Meade, and created The American Artisan Festival to become an annual celebration of the work that was carried in the gallery.  Finally, The American Artisan Festival has also been an important contributor to community organizations such as The Gilda's Club of Nashville and The Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.  In fact, proceeds from The American Artisan Festival have raised almost $1 million for Gilda's Club Nashville - and counting!