Frist ‘Food for Thought’ series returns, connecting art, academia and community

After a five-year hiatus, the Frist “Food for Thought” series is making its long-awaited return, reigniting discussions that connect art, academia and the community with fresh and thought-provoking themes.

Léon Augustin Lhermitte. The Gleaners, 1887. Oil on canvas; 29 1/2 x 37 3/4 in. Philadelphia Museum of Art: The George W. Elkins Collection, 1924
Léon Augustin Lhermitte. The Gleaners, 1887. Oil on canvas; 29 1/2 x 37 3/4 in. Philadelphia Museum of Art: The George W. Elkins Collection, 1924

The Frist “Food for Thought” series, a collaboration between Vanderbilt University and the Frist Art Museum, is set to return this spring after a pandemic pause. The spring 2025 sessions will focus on themes of food, labor and justice, coinciding with the Frist’s upcoming exhibit, Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism. Through panel discussion, this series brings together Vanderbilt faculty, Frist curators and local leaders to explore cultural and societal issues through art.

“The Frist Art Museum is excited to relaunch the ‘Food for Thought’ program with Vanderbilt University,” said Anne Henderson, director of education and community engagement at the Frist. “The attendees get an opportunity to look at our exhibitions in a broader context and hopefully see their world with new perspectives.”

A collaborative history
The “Food for Thought” series began as a partnership between Vanderbilt’s Division of Government and Community Relations and the Frist Art Museum, and is now being revitalized with support from Vanderbilt’s Vice Provost Office for Arts, Libraries & Global Engagement, Tracey Sharpley-Whiting.

“The Frist Art Museum is a vital arts organization in Nashville and a long-term collaborator with our university,” said Sharpley-Whiting. “We are excited to revisit ‘Food for Thought,’ and I hope that it will be a first step in expanding opportunities for radical collaboration.”

“By uniting Vanderbilt’s academic expertise with the Frist’s creative vision, we’re creating a space for meaningful conversations among community members that will resonate beyond the walls of the museum,” said Kathleen Fuchs Hritz, senior director of community relations at Vanderbilt University.

Spring 2025 program
The spring sessions are scheduled for Feb. 13, March 20, and April 17, with free lunch or happy hour snacks and parking provided. After each discussion, attendees can explore the Farm to Table exhibit, which examines themes like the diaspora of food and food justice in Nashville. Events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Visit the Events@Vanderbilt Calendar for more details.

Register for the first session

Feb. 13, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
“The Diaspora of Food”
Consider how cultural exchange influences our culinary tastes during this conversation inspired by Farm to Table, Tennessee Harvest and What the Body Carries.

Featured panelists:

  • Edward (Ted) Fischer, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Anthropology, Vanderbilt University
  • Brandon R. Byrd, Associate Professor of History and African American and Diaspora Studies, Vanderbilt University
  • Seth Feman, Executive Director and CEO, Frist Art Museum

Learn More and Register


Frist membership option for students

The Frist Art Museum offers an Explorer Membership for residents of Davidson, Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, or Wilson counties who meet certain income criteria. This free membership, which may be a great option for many Vanderbilt students, includes benefits like free museum access and discounted parking.

Explore Story Topics