Crosstown Arts presents an Opening Reception for three new exhibitions, “Bleeding

Together”, “Fe]atured Ar[Ti]sts ”, and “Zen on the Installment Plan” featuring works by

artist duo A Correspondence, the Metal Museum, and Tad Lauritzen Wright. Come celebrate

the opening of new works with a musical experience by DJ Ty Boyland, a special menu created

by Bao Toan—food generously donated by Ben E. Keith–and a complimentary cocktail from Art

Bar at Crosstown Arts. The event is free and open to the public. Wrap up the evening at the

Funkytown Dance Party with South Memphis Jeff in the Green Room at Crosstown Arts!

Bleeding Together – A Correspondence

In Bleeding Together, Arauz and Meyers bring their practice into the gallery and invite the viewer further

into their collaborative process. Collages and poems are disassembled and presented as wheat-pasted

wood panels, creating an intimate dialogue for the viewer to witness — imagining how these pieces are

meant to fit together, what they might mean alone, together, in different arrangements. Bleeding Together

explores what it means to coalesce and be vulnerable, to find community and tend to our wounds

together.

A Correspondence is the name under which Andres Arauz and Abby Meyers make collaborative work,

which primarily takes the form of wheat-pasted street art. Arauz is a first-generation Nicaraguan American

born and raised in New Orleans, LA. He received a degree in graphic design from Loyola and a master’s

in arts education from the University of Memphis, and currently works as an art teacher. Arauz specializes

in photo collage, design, and photography. Meyers is a born and raised Memphian. She is a visual artist,

a poet, and an award-winning filmmaker whose work explores themes including trauma, memory, and

survival, particularly as it relates to sexual violence.

[Fe]ATURED AR[Ti]STS – Metal Museum

[Fe]ATURED AR[Ti]STS was created and curated by staff members of Memphis’s own Metal Museum.

Much like elements are the building blocks of the materials we use, creativity, collaboration, and tradition

are the cornerstones of the Museum. Staff across departments maintain their own artistic practices,

displaying a tremendous variety of styles and mediums. Our shops build custom commissions, repair and

restore all manner of metal objects, and offer public workshops that span traditional methods and

contemporary technology. Our galleries and permanent collection host exhibitions of works made around

the world. Together, these various elements form an institution that is greater than the sum of its parts,

preserving and advancing fine metalworks on both local and international scales. This collection exhibitsdifferent processes integral to the Museum’s mission and other artistic mediums important to our staff’s

creative pursuits. Primarily composed of forging, casting, fabricating, and fine smithing, this showcase

also features other techniques such as photography, painting, woodworking, and music.

Zen on the Installment Plan – Tad Lauritzen Wright

Zen on the Installment Plan was conceived as a meditation on the contradiction of chaos and

contemplation. These pieces do not seek answers but rather function as reactions to observations. The

continuous line throughout much of the work is a visual and conceptual thread used to emphasize our

connectedness to humanity, nature, and repeated histories. The photo abstractions and sculptural works

constructed from salvaged wood emphasize controlled chaos and the instability of modern perception.

This work is intended to foster a dialogue between viewer, object, and environment.

I’ve been thinking about scale and proportion a lot lately. The size of an object can make it seem

important or unimportant. And we all measure things according to the size of ourselves. Things that are

smaller than us can seem trivial, while larger objects can feel overwhelming. Yet, when considering the

vastness of the universe, our planet seems tiny and inconsequential.

My current series focuses on the juxtaposition of small figures within expansive landscapes, alongside

large-scale portraits depicting figures of profound personal meaning from my childhood. The pieces

involving small figures in massive spaces, create a sense of insignificance. The large portraits give off a

sense of immense importance. But this is all relative to the size of the viewer and how it makes them

feel. I often think about how humans fit into this world and how small we actually are compared to the rest

of the universe. I am very interested in the purpose of human existence, but it seems like we do a lot of

weird things for no reason. And I’d like to learn as much as I can with my time here on Earth.

Tad Lauritzen Wright, born in 1972 in San Angelo, Texas, is a mixed media artist known for his

experimental approach to art-making. Growing up in San Angelo, Lauritzen Wright was immersed in a rich

tapestry of cultural influences, including rodeo, punk rock, and Mexican border town aesthetics. These

early experiences shaped his creative vision, leading him to explore themes of mythology, personal

history, and societal narratives in his work. Lauritzen Wright earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from

Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1994 and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts from the Memphis

College of Art in 2002.

Since 2000, he has exhibited his work extensively across the United States.

In his current practice, Lauritzen Wright combines symbolism, abstraction, poetry, painting, and

collage to create mixed media installations that invite viewers to engage in personal discovery.

His work is characterized by a playful interplay between fine art, craft, and contemplation. This

approach reflects his belief in generating impromptu reactions to ideas, thoughts, or experiences,

aiming to elevate everyday observations through art.

DJ Ty Boyland:

Ty Boyland is an Emmy-nominated producer/engineer, songwriter, and DJ dedicated to using music as a

tool for community building and youth empowerment. With over 30 years in the industry, his work has

been featured on Netflix, BET, and MTV. Ty leads Ty Boyland Consulting LLC and proudly serves as an

Innovator in Residence at the Cossitt Library, where he mentors and creates programs that blend music,

tech, and life skills for Memphis’ future creatives.

Bao Toan:

The name “Bao Toan” meaning to “preserve” or “complete protection,” reflects not only our family’s

journey but also their enduring legacy here in Memphis, TN. After fleeing Vietnam during the war, our

family found refuge here in 1978 and worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives while uplifting others in thecommunity. Our grandmother opened the first Asian grocery store in the area, giving other immigrants a

place to find similar ingredients—and, in a way, a taste of home. Together with our grandfather, they went

on to establish the first Buddhist temple in the region in 1985 that still sits right off Jefferson They helped

other immigrant families settle and eventually thrive in Memphis. Their efforts didn’t just preserve their

culture; they built a community where others could do the same. At Bao Toan, we continue this legacy of

preservation and connection.

“We pulled flavors from different regions so people can experience the contrast between northern,

central, and southern Vietnamese food,” owner Karina Tong explained. “Northern dishes highlight fresh

herbs and balanced flavors, while central and southern cuisine incorporates more spice and influences

from bordering countries.”

Crosstown Arts Gallery | Free Admission

May 30 – September 14, 2025