It is an honor for an artist of any stature to be invited to exhibit his or her work in a gallery, whether that venue is local, known statewide, or acclaimed worldwide. Alan Shuptrine can claim all of the above accolades, and his skill and talent as an artist are remarkable. For over 35 years, Shuptrine has honed and perfected his craft through countless hours of hands-on experience. His mastery in gold leaf appears in every aspect of his work - from a dogwood blossom etched into a large gilded panel to delicate designs carved into a fine art frame.

Sought after for his expertise in the decorative arts, Shuptrine has provided handcrafted, custom water gilded fine art frames, restorations, and conservation of gilded period pieces throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. His work can be found in both the Georgia and South Carolina Governor’s Mansions, Natchez National Historical Park homes, the Atlanta History Center and the corresponding Philip T. Schutze Swan House, as well as many other galleries, historical institutions and museums and both corporate and private collections. In 2005, he was chosen to provide restorations for the entire permanent collection of frames and gilded artifacts in the New Orleans Museum of Art following Hurricane Katrina. 

Nationally renowned for years if not decades, Alan Shuptrine, is headed to a place known as the mecca of world-famous masterpieces: Florence, Italy. The birthplace of the Renaissance, this city holds its art in high regard and is home to Michelangelo’s “David,” Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” and Vasari’s “Last Judgment.”

Mr. Shuptrine is invited to exhibit his 22kt gold leaf, water gilded art panels at the Florence Academy of Art throughout September 2022. The panels are exquisitely decorated with genuine gold leaf and etched with the centuries-old technique of sgraffito, a form of decoration made by scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting color, typically done in plaster or stucco on walls.

Concurrent with the exhibition, Shuptrine will teach a master class in water gilding with genuine gold leaf. This rare opportunity is open not only open to students of the Academy, but also to anyone interested in learning this lost art. Held in a city with some of the most beautiful and artfully gilded frames in the world, the workshop will include a tour, led by Shuptrine, through the nearby Uffizi Gallery. Students will be able to experience the historical beauty of gold leaf as they learn from the past and utilize the same methods perfected by masters centuries prior. In case you are abroad and near Florence, the class dates are September 12-16, 2022.  For more information, email [email protected].

It is quite the feather in an artist’s cap to be given the nod by this city, but how to describe the honor it would be to be asked to instruct other artists on your craft?

“As you know, I love to teach, and to get an opportunity to teach the Old World craft that gave me my start in the art business 37 years ago is priceless. And then when you consider that it’s Florence, Italy - the gold leaf capital of the world (in my opinion) - you can understand why I’m ecstatic!” Alan said.

Florence, Italy, can add this American master artist to its list.
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by Ferris Robinson

I’d like to take you, dear readers, on a walk down memory lane – a visit to the Plum Nelly clothesline art show started by Fannie Mennen well over 50 years ago. It was “the event” of early autumn and not to be missed. The Plum Nelly was the “place to see a topnotch arts and crafts show in a beautiful scenic setting in the open woods with an awe-inspiring view of the valley,” according to a flyer from 1972. The flyer also  claimed “original works of art add distinction to your home, including pottery, prints, handcrafted jewelry.”
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Fannie Mennen, born 1903, was an amazing person. She was an artist as well as a businesswoman. She was proud of the fact that she grew up in Chattanooga after coming from Lativia with her parents at 8 months. She loved to read at the Carnegie Library on Georgia Avenue. (This building is being brought back to life by Christy and Todd McCain as headquarters of Cumberland Title, their business.) Fannie was especially proud of the fact that her father was Chattanooga’s first permanent rabbi at the oldest synagogue in the city. She earned degrees in music and education in 1929 from Peabody College and a master’s degree from Columbia University. Studying at night at the University of Chattanooga, she was awarded the Ford Foundation Fellowship in 1953 to travel to Haiti. That country’s culture continued to be shown in her primitive block designs. Fannie taught art at Northside Jr. High School for 30 years.

Fannie Mennen loved nature. The rocky bluff of Lookout Mountain overlooking Rising Fawn spoke to her, and it was meant to be her home. In 1934 she bought the property, paying for it over the years on a teachers’ salary, and moved to the log cabin after remodeling it and adding a second cabin. Her brother just shook his head doubtfully and said, “This is plum out of Tennessee and ‘nelly’ out of Georgia.” The name stuck.

Fannie started the show in 1947 in an effort to showcase her own artwork, printmaking; she cut her own blocks and mixed her own dyes to make wall hangings, note cards and tote bags. Her designs included wildflowers, trees and Appalachian animals in shades of black, brown, orange and green. The first show attracted 30 fellow artists and featured paintings, jewelry, woodcarvings, prints, pottery, weavings and other arts. To reach the show on her property, folks traveled up a winding road through grassy meadows under mature shade trees. She was very protective of nature, and did not allow nails to be pounded into the trees; the clotheslines displaying the art were all tied.

“On my first years to visit there, Fannie Mennen had done a number of watercolors of insects – the subjects were enlarged visually – quite colorful – the public loved them. But her specialty was printmaking. Her own Persian cats were models. In the middle of the property was an area for musicians to play. For several years, a small string orchestra performed. They played under a canopy of autumn leaves with the sun dappling through. The effect was charming. Cider was for sale, but not food. She wanted nothing to litter her grounds, such as discarded plates or wrappers.

“People flocked to Plum Nelly from everywhere, including Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham, as well as Chattanooga. Parking was handled as the crowds increased. It could be pandemonium outside but tranquility inside,” said Chester Martin, historian and painter.

As the art show continued to grow, a puppet show was added, to the delight of children. The New Salem Methodist Church began serving sandwiches, hotdogs, chili, cake and coffee. Wonderful mushrooms made of concrete, handmade by Josie Sibold, can still be found in many Chattanooga gardens. Pottery and paintings from this iconic show are still in places of honor in many Chattanooga homes.

Plum Nelly contributed much to the spirit of the art community, although all good things must come to an end. Miss Mennen ultimately decided to work on her art fulltime and let the “clothesline art show” live on only in people’s memories. There was a great feeling of sadness that was almost palpable in the entire art world.

Bringing part of the arts and crafts spirit to the city, Fannie and her sister Celia Marks opened the Plum Nelly Shop on Hixson Pike in 1972, along with Cornelia Bradshaw and Liz Phillips. In 1985, Joy and Jim Storey purchased the thriving business and moved it to the Corner in Riverview.

The legacy of fine craftsmanship lives on now through Plum Nelly owner Catharine Daniels. She represents the fourth generation of female-owners in a continuous succession since its inception. Located on Frasier Avenue, it is a treasure trove of local artists’ works. Catharine invites you to stop by and sample a bit of Chattanooga history when you are looking for a unique gift or treasure for your home.

by Judy Rowland