History of the Tomato Art Fest

The Tomato Art Fest was founded by Meg and Bret MacFadyen, owners of East Nashville’s Art and Invention Gallery. In 2004, the gallery hosted an art show celebrating the tomato in late summer, and planned a few neighborhood events to promote the show. The Tomato Art Fest proved so popular that it immediately turned into an annual, signature event for the hip, urban neighborhood of East Nashville.

National and Local Publicity

A community builder, the Tomato Art Fest has steadily drawn larger crowds with each year that passes. Lastyear, an estimated 18,000 came to celebrate this beloved fruit/vegetable and enjoy the day’s festivities.The Tomato Art Fest is a well-established and highly visible event that will be promoted heavily in print, radio, television, online and through other promotional venues. We are certain this will be the best Tomato Art Fest to date!

Voted “Best Festival” in the 2007, 2008, and 2009, 2010 Nashville Scene Reader’s Polls, the Tomato Art Fest will return this year on Saturday, August 11, 2012. Located in Historic East Nashville’s Five Points area, which has been coined by Budget Travel Magazine as “Nashville’s version of New York’s East Village,” this FREE, costume-friendly event provides a fun-filled day for thousands.

About Art & Invention Gallery

With five to six shows annually, including the Tomato Art Show in August and an annual holiday artisan show in December, Art & Invention Gallery focuses year-round on inventiveness in fine art, craft and original furniture. Throughout the year, Art & Invention also hosts adult- and child-friendly workshops to encourage creative expression.