By Lea Ann Overstreet Allen • THE TENNESSEAN • November 9, 2009

The Harpeth River holds a special place in Shelley McBurney's heart.

She grew up on this scenic river in Cheatham County's Kingston Springs on land that spanned several generations of her family. As a little girl, she spent countless hours at the Harpeth's shore and ultimately learned that the river she loved was something special, something to be preserved.

"My fondest memories from childhood are riding horses across the river, swimming, fishing and camping on the river, and it is very much linked to my past," McBurney said. "I wanted to do something in my capacity as an art gallery owner to call attention to, and raise awareness of, this rich resource that we have in middle Tennessee in the Harpeth River."

McBurney's Belle Meade art gallery, Gallery One, will showcase artwork next month inspired by the Harpeth River to raise money for the organization devoted to protecting it.

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A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition, which opens with a public reception Dec. 3, will benefit the Harpeth River Watershed Association. The association focuses on preserving and restoring the ecological health of the river and its watershed, which is the land — 870 square miles of it — draining into the Harpeth River.

The river is 125 miles long and has more than 1,000 miles of tributaries. It flows through six counties, including Davidson by way of Bellevue, and ultimately merges with the Cumberland River.

To interest artists in participating in the art show, "A River,'' the following excerpt from the Norman Maclean-penned novel, A River Runs Through It, was provided as inspiration.

"Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."

McBurney invited the gallery's regular artists and artists from across the country to participate in the show.

"I really want to celebrate the simple pleasure of enjoying the river, but on a serious note, also call attention to the need to protect it," she said.

The HRWA has several programs it uses to raise awareness for problems facing the river as well as programs to educate the public on what it can do to help preserve the Harpeth. The art show is just another outlet to highlight the river's importance.

"There are many in Middle Tennessee who have enjoyed the Harpeth River and who understand its significance to the region," said Campbell West, HRWA's director of development and events.

The juried art show opens with the public reception 5–8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, and will continue through Saturday, Jan. 16.

Artwork from more than 30 artists will be on display, McBurney said.

Gallery One is at 5133 Harding Pike and is open 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment. The gallery is closed on Sunday and Monday.