Once Upon A Time: Visual Tales of Hope, Resilience, and Imagination

Once Upon A Time: Visual Tales of Hope, Resilience, and Imagination is a new group exhibition by Daybreak Artists inspired by fairy tales, folklore, and fantasy. This exhibition in Gallery 59 of The Arcade Nashville opens July 11th during the Downtown Art Crawl, transforming the gallery into an immersive storybook world where art and personal storytelling intersect. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media, artists explore themes of resilience, hope, courage, and renewal, using the language of myth and imagination to reflect real-life journeys.

For generations, fairy tales have offered stories of transformation—ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges, navigating uncertainty, and emerging changed by their experiences. Once Upon A Time reimagines these timeless narratives through contemporary artwork that invites viewers to consider their own paths of growth and perseverance.

The exhibition features work by artists who have experienced or are overcoming homelessness, offering a powerful perspective on the universal themes found in classic folklore. Like the heroes and heroines of fairy tales, these artists know what it means to face adversity, seek safety, rely on unexpected allies, and continue forward despite difficult circumstances. Through creative expression, they reclaim their stories and envision new possibilities for the future.

Visitors are invited to become part of the story through interactive spaces including a Wishing Well, Enchanted Forest, Bedtime Story Corner, Alice in Wonderland Realm, and a Coastal Odyssey. These participatory experiences transform visitors from observers into active participants in the exhibition's unfolding story. These artworks remind us that transformation is possible, that resilience can be found in unexpected places, and that every person has a story worth telling.

By blending fantasy with personal narrative, Once Upon A Time celebrates the power of creativity to inspire connection, spark imagination, and foster hope. Together, the artworks form a collective story about overcoming obstacles, embracing possibility, and continuing to write new chapters.

Exhibition Details

Location: Gallery 59 of The Arcade Nashville, 223 4th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219
Opening Reception: Sat, July 11th from 6-9PM during Downtown Art Crawl
Open Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays from 1-6PM through July 31st
Free & open to the public