FACE FORWARD

Community Self-Portrait project

RiverArtsFest’s FACE FORWARD project celebrates the people in our communities and promotes creativity to all, no matter age or ability.

We’re celebrating year 20 with FACE FORWARD, an artist-led, free art project for all ages and abilities to celebrate our community by creating colorful art that will be featured on our entrance banners at this year’s festival.

A self-portrait is more than a mirror reflection, it’s a portrait of oneself done by oneself; a personal vision that can be realistic and life-like or an imaginative mixture of fantasy and abstraction. Your FACE FORWARD self-portrait can be whatever you create!

Submit a self-portrait by September 30 to receive a “Find Your Face” free admission coupon to attend RiverArtsFest, October 17–18 on Riverside Drive.

Kits will be available at The Art Center, and our artists will have stations set up at different events throughout the city.

View our guide for instructions and tips on how to complete your self-portrait.

Contact us if you’d like to bring this activity to your event!

View the guide
Request FACE FORWARD

Submitted self-portraits will be available beginning October 27, 2026 for pick up at The Art Center, 1636 Union Avenue. They are open Monday–Friday 9 am–5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday 1 – 5 pm.

 

Tennessee Arts Specialty License Plates provide funding for RiverArtsFest.

 

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No person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, or sex shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination of services, programs, and employment provided by RiverArtsFest, Inc.

 
 
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