Art Galleries in Franklin and Williamson County, TN: An Art Gallery Guide
No matter what time or place we find ourselves in, art remains a significant part of culture. Since ancient times, it has been a primary medium to nurture wonder and express the intricacies of the human condition. Here in Middle Tennessee, we are rich with artistic legacy, from hallowed music history to talented local artisans.
The distribution and observation of works of art is more important than ever, as we exist in a time largely defined by widespread hurry and online presence. The ability to make something beautiful by hand is invaluable, and it is a necessary and cathartic experience to admire that work. If you’re an artist yourself, there are an abundance of opportunities for you here in Williamson County, whether you are interested in growing in your vocation or want to share it with your neighbors. If you consider yourself to be more of a patron of the arts, below is a survey of local galleries, so you can get acquainted with Williamson County’s vibrant art scene.
Gallery 202
Located in downtown Franklin, Gallery 202 is a premier destination for fine arts and antiques in Franklin, celebrating and supporting artists who work with a variety of mediums. Pieces on display include paintings, pottery, sculptures, antiques, glass, and jewelry. Embracing the intersection of art and history, the gallery is located in the Historic Clouston Hall, a Federal Style house built in 1821 as a town home meant primarily for entertaining. In its heyday, it’s believed to have hosted 3 U.S. Presidents: Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James K. Polk. Like many historic buildings still standing downtown, Clouston Hall served as a hospital during the Battle of Franklin. Since 2009, the restored home has been a centerpiece of Franklin fine art and culture, showcasing incredible talent and hosting events in the elegant Clouston Hall Carriage House, available for booking.
You can visit Gallery 202 Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the spring and summer months, or Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter. If you’re interested in the potential of having your work displayed at Gallery 202, inquire via their artist submissions portal.
Address: 202 2nd Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064
Stonebridge Art Gallery
Tucked into The Factory at Franklin, Stonebridge Art Gallery is an accessible, chic, and locally-owned fine arts gallery that collects and sells works from both near and far. The gallery opened its doors in 1998 as one of the founding tenants of the Factory. The mission of Stonebridge Art Gallery is to support artists, ultimately building a community that celebrates beautiful work that caters to all tastes. The successful gallery is a great place to purchase artwork for your space, or simply admire the work of local, national, and international artists. The majority of works displayed at Stonebridge are original, unframed oil paintings or original acrylic paintings on unstretched canvases. With this in mind, they offer an in-house framing studio for artwork purchased at the gallery, aiming for fast turnaround, competitive pricing, and quality.
You can visit Stonebridge Art Gallery at the Factory Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sundays 12-5 p.m. Individual Inquiries can be made through their contact portal.
Address: 230 Franklin Road, Suite 11-CC, Franklin, TN 37064
DeAnn Art Gallery
Situated on the City of Franklin’s bustling Main Street, DeAnn Art Gallery is housed in what was once a stove factory. The gallery showcases the beautiful work of Williamson County local DeAnn Hebert, an artist trained at Auburn University and The Chelsea School of Art & Design. Her originals, which include landscapes, still life, biblical scenes, and more are distinct in their layered texture and serene, soft color pallet. Alongside DeAnn’s original collections—available for purchase in a variety of forms—she offers commissions, pet portraits, and wedding portraits. There is also a new, custom hat bar on site at the gallery. Additionally, The Loft at DeAnn Gallery remains a top boutique event venue in downtown Franklin, available for daily and hourly rental.
You can stop by DeAnn Art Gallery during their regular hours, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. or contact the artist via her website portal.
Address: 343 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064
Leiper’s Creek Gallery
Nestled in the historic heart of Leiper’s Fork, Leiper’s Creek Gallery is a space that facilitates beauty and fosters connection. Since 2001, the space has been curated with the community in mind, regularly showcasing a diverse selection of art and hosting events. Of the 26 award winning artists represented at Leiper’s Creek Gallery, 17 are local. The charming gallery space is a piece of art in and of itself: a historic, renovated gas station that has been carefully designed for comfort and serenity. Although representing a variety of artistic concepts and origins, the gallery remains a capsule of authentic fine art, preserving the artistic integrity and prominence of the South.
Visit the gallery Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12-5 p.m. Gallery space submissions for 2025 have closed; however, for future inquiries artists can keep up to date through the Leiper’s Creek Gallery website.
Address: 4144 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, Tennessee 37064
The Copper Fox Gallery
An artistic, authentic experience in Leiper’s Fork, The Copper Fox Gallery features a diversity of work that celebrates Southern craftsmanship, representing both traditional and contemporary charm. Visitors can find a wealth of incredible artwork and goods, including handmade textiles, wood, glass and metal, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, and leatherwork made by artists across the Southeastern United States. Easily recognized by its copper roof, the warm and inviting space is carefully curated with quality goods and artistic vision. Alongside showcasing and selling one-of-a-kind art, the Copper Fox also hosts regular events, exhibits, and demonstrations for immersive, interactive experiences.
Browse The Copper Fox Gallery and its incredible collections Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12-4 p.m. For artist inquiries, please fill out the online submission form provided via the gallery’s website.
Address: 4136 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064
Southern Underground Gallery
A modern destination in Leiper’s Fork, Southern Underground is a contemporary gallery featuring some of the most innovative up-and-coming artists in the state of Tennessee. Southern Underground showcases new wave paintings, photography, prints, journals, jewelry, wood carvings, sculptures, and merchandise that represent a variety of artistic styles including conceptual, abstract, non-objective, multi-media, representational, contemporary, and more. The gallery has been around since 2023, and is a space dedicated to the creativity of local artists and artisans, with dynamic, immersive exhibits and an environment that empowers artistic vision locally.
Visit Southern Underground every Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact the gallery through their website and online store front.
Address: 4208 Old Hillsboro Rd Suite 6, Franklin, TN 37064
David Arms Studio
David Arms, also located in the artistic hub of Leiper’s Fork, features the works of Tennessee native David Arms, whose art is heavily influenced by the landscapes and wildlife of his beloved home state. The beautiful artwork, available to peruse and purchase in a variety of forms, is a culmination of natural scenes and symbols that represent a rich spiritual life. The warm, hospitable gallery was once located inside a renovated barn, and recently moved up the street to a larger space that continues to encapsulate the same sense of peace and wonder cherished by the artist. Alongside original artwork, there are a number of home items, tools, and merchandise collections based of Arms’s work that can be found and purchased at the gallery.
Stop by Monday through Saturday from 1o a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or directly contact the artist via the website portal.
Address: 4157 Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064
Ward Galleries Framing & Fine Art
With Williamson County locations in Brentwood and Nolensville, Ward Galleries Framing & Fine Art is an elevated space run by artists, designers, printing specialists, and professional framers. With a passion for protecting priceless works of art for generations, Ward Galleries specializes in print reproductions and custom archival and conservation framing. The team, which has 50 years of combined experience, works closely with artists to ensure that their art is well displayed and protected, making Ward Galleries a corner stone of local art.
For your framing needs, stop by the Brentwood location Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or the Nolensville location, by appointment only, Monday through Friday 2-6 p.m. or Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For high volume and custom design orders, local designers, restaurants, and corporations can inquire through the gallery website.
Address:
Brentwood: 91 Seaboard Lane, Suite 105, Brentwood, TN 37027
Nolensville: 7240 Nolensville Road, Suite 315, Nolensville, TN 37135
The Gallery At Firstlight
Firstlight Art Academy is an art school located in Brentwood, offering classes and workshops for artists of all ages. The academy, which was founded in 2006 by renowned local illustrator, designer, and artist Dennas Davis, serves the community by providing need-based art scholarships and supporting nonprofits Touchtone Youth Resource Services and Franktown Open Hearts. Although adjacent to the school, The Gallery at Firstlight does not sell student art, but rather showcases original paintings by professional artists, including Davis’s own work. The goal of the gallery is to foster a purposeful space to help art buyers find something special, ultimately connecting friends and neighbors through the love of art.
The gallery is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Mondays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To set up an appointment, contact The Gallery at Firstlight at 615-450-1648.
Address: 1710 General George Patton Drive, Suite 108, Brentwood, TN 37027
Downtown Franklin Art Crawl
For an immersive exploration of local arts and crafts, the Downtown Franklin Art Crawl is a free, monthly event hosted by the Arts Council of Williamson County, whose mission is to serve our community by promoting artist visibility and access to the arts, ultimately establishing our region of Middle Tennessee as a cultural powerhouse. If you’re especially moved by this cause, consider getting involved with the council via membership, donorship, or volunteer work.
The Franklin Art Crawl, which is hosted the first Friday of each month from 6-9 p.m., weaves through historic downtown buildings, churches, and businesses, as well as The Factory at Franklin, showcasing a plethora of local artists and their incredible pieces. To help get around, Franklin’s transit shuttles run from 6-8:45 p.m. As an added bonus, many of the stops include complimentary refreshments while you peruse; some even host live music or live art exhibits. The art crawl is a special opportunity to get to know the faces of the local art community, while simultaneously supporting small businesses in Franklin, as many downtown shops stay open late in support of the event.
Next Door: Nashville’s Art Scene
Our neighbors over in Nashville may be defined by generations of musical talent, but Music City has proven to be a flourishing place for hopeful artists of all kinds. If you’re looking for more exposure to the arts, or are an artist looking to tap into nearby resources, Nashville is a great place to expand your horizons. Dubbed “The Athens of the South” in the 1850s, Nashville has remained one of our country’s top destinations for Americana culture and art. Alongside over 50 individual galleries, the centerpiece of the visual art scene in Nashville is Frist Art Museum, the only large-scale art museum in the city. The museum is housed in a gorgeous, art-deco era building which was once the city’s main post office. The Frist hosts revolving exhibits, making it a dynamic space to experience some of the best art the world has to offer. Nashville’s Cheekwood Estate and Gardens is also a place to see incredible works of art. Their second floor galleries display a rotation of American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the estate’s permanent collection.
A exciting new addition to Nashville’s art scene, and a mark of our region’s cultural influence in the years to come, is the nationally recognized CASS Contemporary Gallery, which will make its debut in the Wedgewood-Houston area with a grand opening set for September 12, 2025. The space will be a celebration of modern art and the inaugural exhibit will be CLTRL CNTXT, a show that will feature 7 artists from 7 countries whose work will explore global identity and connective across cultural boundaries.
A Place For Creatives
Another opportunity to share your art with the community, Williamson County Public Library invites local artists to display their work. Exhibits change each month. There is no cost to exhibit work. For inquiries, artists are encouraged to contact the library at 615-595-1250.
If you’re searching for a new outlet to express yourself, the creation or appreciation of visual art might be the answer. In the same vein, Williamson County is a great place to pursue a new hobby that could be a catalyst for joy and fulfilment. Alongside visual mediums, pursuing music is a worthwhile, artistic pursuit strongly encouraged and supported in our corner of the world. If you’re interested in learning an instrument or taking the stage, check out the abundance of resources for local musicians in Franklin and Williamson County.
No matter what your creative endeavors are, here there is opportunity to dive all in, surrounding yourself with a community of people who are passionate about artistic works that speak to and ultimately shape our experience of the world, enriching lives across Williamson County and beyond.
