A Nashville Icon On The Road Again

Richard Wilson proposal drawing for 'Hang on a minute lads...' 2011

Our brilliant Richard Wilson exhibition No Formulas continues at CHELSEA space and we are eagerly awaiting Richard’s public talk with Jane Won, curator at the De la Warr Pavilion, on the 18th October (click here for details and booking info). Meanwhile we are busily working on our next exhibition Hatch Show Print: Nashville Calling

Jason Brown at Hatch Show Print's old store on Nashville's Lower Broadway

The idea for a show of iconic American letterpress prints came about when our Director of Exhibitions, Donald Smith, went to visit his old friend Jason Brown who had moved from London to Nashville in 2011/12. Jason took Donald to visit Hatch’s impressive workshop and store nestled amongst the ‘Honky Tonk’ music bars on Nashville’s Lower Broadway and he could immediately see the potential for a show at CHELSEA space.

Leonard Cohen poster. copyright: Hatch Show Print

Hatch is a logical addition to the strand of Donald Smith’s CHELSEA space programme that includes exhibitions such as Ready Steady Go: Scooter Style and Urban Dreams ; Burro: I Feel Alright ; A Riot Of Our Own ; Mick Jones: The Rock & Roll Public Library ; Jazzonia & the Harlem Diaspora ; Process: The Working Practices of Barney Bubbles ; Lloyd Johnson: The Modern Outfitter ; Neue Slowenische Kunst 1984 - 1992 ; Red White and Blue: Pop|Punk|Politics|Place ; and Dobells Jazz Folk Blues. Donald also saw an opportunity to add a new dimension to his trans-Atlantic correspondence with his old friend and invited Jason Brown to co-curate the show with him.

A display of clothes and instruments at the Country Music Hall of Fame with Hatch posters behind

The Country Music Hall of Fame now own and operate Hatch Show Print and have recently been in the process of relocating it to a new home. We asked our man in Tennessee, collector/curator/writer Jason Brown, to keep us updated on the move:

Hatch's famous neon street sign

“In 1948, country music star Roy Acuff commissioned Hatch Show Print to produce his run of ‘Roy Acuff for Governor’ posters. That campaign didn’t work out too well for the Grand Ole Opry legend, but it did provide Will T. Hatch the funds to purchase the neon sign that has followed Nashville’s iconic letterpress shop through its changes of location. This past week that sign was fixed over the entrance at the new home of Hatch Show Print within the extension of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum”.

A truck carries a Hatch printing press from Broadway to its new home at the Country Music Hall of Fame

“This was a move of just a couple blocks, from Lower Broadway amongst the Honky Tonks and boot stores, but a feat that involved 134 years of history. I watched as Jim Sherraden, the manager and chief designer since the 80’s, and his small dedicated team of designer/printmakers packed up the store”.

Hatch woodblocks. photo: Jason Brown

“Over 10,000 woodblocks and photo plates, the equipment, the tools, the posters, the inks, the ephemera, all loving packed for removal…and of course, the two Hatch cats Huey and Maow”.

poster for Mumford and Sons. copyright: Hatch Show Print

technicians moving the Hatch presses into their new location

“The largest press, the Miehle 29 weighing at over 10,000 lbs. and used for the bigger print runs for the likes of BB King and Mumford & Sons, was moving on”.

Master Printer Jim Sherraden walks through the old Hatch print shop on Lower Broadway

“I’m going to miss the creaky floorboards, the posters displayed floor to ceiling and especially that distinctive and not unpleasant smell of the inks, blocks and presses stained into the fabric of the building. But I’m excited for Hatch and the opportunities at the new location. Visitors will be able to watch the posters roll off the presses in the larger custom designed workshop, there will be a gallery featuring the Monoprints of Master Printer Jim Sherraden, a retail store and also the Hatch Show Print Center for Design offering demonstrations and workshops. They reopen on 12th October”.

Loretta Lynn '50 Years' poster designed and printed by Hatch Show Print

The future of the store that rolled out posters for Hank Williams, Elvis, Coldplay and Jack White is in safe hands. Celene Aubry will take over as manager and Jim Sherraden will concentrate on his printmaking and ensure that their mantra, ‘Preservation through production’ continues”. This is a big year for Hatch. Along with the move, Jim Sherraden has been honored with the Silver Medal from the Nashville Chapter of the American Advertising Federation and also the Distinguished Artist Award from the state of Tennessee.

poster for 'Hatch Show Print: Nashville Calling'. copyright Hatch Show Print

“On 13th November the first ever UK exhibition of Hatch Show Print will open at Chelsea space. You will see over 100 posters, plus ephemera, and discover the history of this great American poster Shop….and Jim Sherraden…you may meet him. He will be there.”

Jason Brown, Nashville, Tennessee