Fifth Avenue of the Arts

Following the Civil War, Fifth Avenue emerged as a shopping and retail hub in downtown Nashville. In fact, Fifth Avenue was the hottest shopping spot in town from the 1880s to the 1950s. In the 1960s, this area was the center of Nashville’s Civil Rights movement. Sit-in demonstrations led by young African American students from local colleges led to the successful desegregation of lunch counters in downtown. So how did this area become the Avenue of the Arts? As most retail business moved out of downtown in the 1980s, art galleries and locally-owned artisan shops moved in. 

According to Ashley Segroves, Art Curator at The Studio 208, “The arts scene is thriving in Nashville, anchored by the Downtown Arts District between 2nd and 5th and Church and Union Streets. The first Saturday Downtown Art Crawl is a delightful evening hosted by First Bank, The Downtown Partnership and downtown Nashville galleries featuring works from Nashville and international artists. For over 20 years and 1,000 visitors per month, this free event introduces guests to art and art buying as galleries welcome visitors for culture, conversation, and celebration of our visual arts community.” 

Many of the buildings along Fifth Avenue are architecturally and historically significant, with most dating back to the late 1800s. Facing west, look across the street to 201 Fifth Avenue. The St. Cloud Corner, completed in 1869, is the cornerstone of the historic district. Just a few buildings down, at 215 Fifth Avenue, you will find the Arts Company, which was completed in 1894. One of largest discounted retail stores was Woolworth, located at 221 Fifth Avenue North. The original 1930 building is now Woolworth on 5th, a restaurant that honors the history of this important Civil Rights site. You are now at the entrance of The Arcade, but before moving on to our next stop, let’s look at two other important buildings. With your back to the Arcade entrance, look right to check out 229 and 233 Fifth Avenue. While the building dates back to 1882, this is now the Rymer Gallery, one of Nashville’s premier galleries for contemporary art.

Finally, on the far end of the street is the Kress Building—once a large department store in downtown Nashville. The Kress Building, which stretches from 237 to 239 Fifth Avenue North, was built in 1935 and provides a beautiful example of construction from the Art Deco movement. Look for the terra cotta tiles and the word “KRESS” visible at the top of the building. 

The Avenue of the Arts is more than just Fifth Avenue, so feel free to explore and enter galleries that catch your eye as you walk. They are open to the public and offer exceptional visual art experiences through a variety of exhibits and shows. For more on the First Saturday Art Crawl, visit the Convention and Visitor’s webpage: https://www.visitmusiccity.com/trip-ideas/first-saturday-art-crawl. For more on the fight for Civil Rights in downtown Nashville, take our Civil Rights Sit-Ins tour.

Walk on Fifth Avenue North until you see the sign for the Arcade on your RIGHT. Cross at the pedestrian crosswalk and enter the Arcade. Walk through the Arcade until you encounter an opening to the street on your LEFT called Arcade Alley. Turn LEFT on Arcade Alley to see the Happy Days at the Arcade mural. If the Arcade is closed go to Union Street and turn RIGHT. Walk down Union Street and turn RIGHT onto Fourth Ave North. Walk down Fourth Ave North until you reach the green awning labeled “ARCADE” which marks its Fourth Ave North entrance.