Community Art Gallery - Flights of Fancy by Sharan Nelson

May 19th - July 11th, 2026

As a self-taught artist, Sharan Nelson has been painting for over fifty years. She has been married forty-two years and raised two beautiful, talented, art-oriented daughters. After twenty years in the Army, her family settled in Memphis and have called the Midsouth home for over thirty years. 

In 1985, Sharan taught at Palette de Juju in Puyallup, WA. The previous year, she painted fifty faces to better understand how to teach portrait painting. Portrait painting was a true challenge that was quite fulfilling and Sharan enjoyed passing that knowledge to students at Palette de Juju. She also taught basic oil painting to a teen class every Friday afternoon with great success. In the late eighties, Sharan taught at Craft’s Etc in Killeen, Texas. After moving to Memphis in 1993, she taught oil painting to seniors in her home for ten years and then in Somerville at St. Philips Apostle Church for about eight years. These classes were discontinued when COVID hit.

With an eye for detailed realism, Sharan started a collection of birds and blooms, placing uncommon birds with regional blossoms. She has enjoyed painting the unusual combinations and hopes you enjoy her work!

Garden Beds & Community Roots: Shelby East Garden Club

April 28 - July 03, 2026

Since its founding, the Shelby East Garden Club has played a vital role in nurturing the local landscape, most notably through their dedicated care of the Museum’s memorial butterfly garden and their annual flower show. This exhibition highlights the enduring connection between nature and community, showcasing archival photographs and personal stories that reflect decades of environmental stewardship and floral artistry. By documenting the growth of this passionate group, this collection honors how a shared love for the soil cultivates deep, lasting bonds between neighbors and brings a unique, living beauty to our shared spaces.

The Art of Community: 90 Years of Service

July 14 - September 05, 2026

As the town's second-oldest civic organization, the Collierville Contemporary Club has spent nine decades weaving a spirit of generosity into the very fabric of our community. Since their founding in 1936, these dedicated members have championed local progress, perhaps most notably by organizing the town's first public library in the 1950s and continuing to fund critical resources through their beloved annual holiday home tours. This exhibition highlights their vast philanthropic legacy, which spans from publishing local histories to providing essential support for education, the arts, and animal welfare. Through an array of archival milestones and stories of service, the display honors a ninety-year commitment to ensuring that our town remains a vibrant, supportive place for every neighbor to call home.

Beyond the Battlefield: Collierville's VFW Post 5066 & Auxiliary

September 15 - November 21, 2026

Stepping far beyond the front lines, this temporary exhibition honors a nearly century-long legacy of local veterans who transitioned from serving their country to anchoring their community. Since establishing their South Center Street headquarters in 1945, the post and its Auxiliary have transformed into a vital neighborhood lifeline, offering everything from expert VA claim assistance to the simple, powerful camaraderie of "Coffee with a Veteran" gatherings. Their impact stretches well into the present day through hands-on outreach, whether they are providing for families in need or conducting solemn flag retirement ceremonies for the town. By weaving together archival milestones with modern stories of brotherhood and sisterhood, the display pays tribute to a dedicated group that ensures no local veteran ever has to walk alone.