Soundwaves Gallery

Aaron Caleb Fishbein is well known for his work as a musician and writer on platinum pop albums. He can be heard on recordings with Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Enrique Iglesias, DMX, The Notorious BIG and more, working with producers Scott Storch, Rodney Jerkins, Sly & Robbie. He has also written and produced music for international brands including Colgate, Ikea, Salesforce, Western Union, and Citizens Bank. In his photography work, Aaron has been published by No Depression Magazine, campaigns for album releases, fashion, and shot portraiture, fine art, and live music in Miami and Nashville. He is currently based in Nashville, Music City USA.

“These works celebrate two vintage microphones through glamorous photographs. They are the RCA 44 Microphone, and the Western Electric 639 Microphone. These models were used in countless classic Nashville recordings starting in the 1940s and could also be seen on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Their design is more than functional, they are also visually beautiful, and at the same time you can see the history that these audio tools have lived. They are exalted in these images, much in the same way that the Nashville community appreciates its musical heritage.”

“One of my favorite things to see when I’m stopped at a traffic light in downtown Nashville is a group of birds sitting on wires. I like to think about how all of these birds are different and lead separate lives, yet they can all somehow get along and share space with each other on one narrow wire. Can we do the same?”

Nashville artist AJ Armstrong paints subjects that pop from the canvas with a high accent of color, often centering around landscapes and architecture. He loves to travel and brings that into his art from the pen sketches he creates as he travels to the paintings he makes once he is back home in Nashville. He works in most any media under the drawing and painting category. His style is most realistic, accurate depictions with accents of color that brings the setting to life. A majority of his work has been made available through art shows around Nashville. AJ has had a consistent contract with a local realtor presenting pen and ink sketches of their new homes. He has displayed and sold several beach themed paintings at a gallery in the resort town of Seaside, Florida, and in the 2023 Soundwaves Gallery.

Alayna Cate is a local visual artist and arts advocate creating works from her home studio in Madison, TN. Cate shares her works on social media, via Etsy, and in local markets with the artist handle Art Begins with A (@artbeginswitha). Her current focus is the single line drawing, a minimalist technique that can give even complex or sentimental images a new life. She also works in watercolor, acrylic, and other digital art media and loves to learn and explore various techniques. Cate is completely self-taught, having never taken a visual art class before.
“Old Broadway is part of an acrylic series I created to honor, praise, and even poke fun at our city, Nashville, and the state of Tennessee. This piece displays our main tourist attraction and party spot, lower Broadway, with the iconic AT&T (“Batman”) building up front, Music City Center’s wavy rooftop, and the rotating Hard Rock guitar. With the sun setting over downtown, shades of blue and purple shine off the structures and give these iconic spots new life. You may have heard locals mention how they miss “Old Broadway”, but deep down, not all that much has changed.”

Alvaro Hernandez is originally from Venezuela, but he has been in the U.S. since he was 9, moving around every year. That constant change made him love taking photos – it’s his way of telling stories about me and the cool people he meets. Right now he is calling Nashville home, and he loves it here. The city’s energy fuels his creativity, and he enjoys capturing the everyday moments that make life interesting. He is not planning on leaving this glorious city anytime soon!

“My work resonates with ‘Glory Music City’ through Printer’s Alley, a standout destination downtown. While many envision the prominent sign across the road, my photograph captures a different charm. The subtle sign illuminates your path, guiding you to the vibrant bars and restaurants. Printer’s Alley, often overshadowed, becomes a nuanced beacon in the city’s musical glory. This image encapsulates the essence of discovery amid the iconic allure of downtown Nashville.”

Amy Krimsier Sterling is a visual artist and storyteller in a variety of mediums, capturing life’s many elements with anything she can get her hands on. Amy’s work is often created in the public sphere, whether documenting fleeting moments in her sketchbooks or channeling personal daydreams into physical objects created from assorted materials. Her art seeks to change frequencies, and is often focused on capturing natural phenomena such as the colors of light and the movement of water. As an arts educator in Nashville, Amy finds great joy in passing her own inspiration to others and seeks to help students see things in a way they had not before. Amy has exhibited a variety of work throughout the United States.

“There are places that move you, places that shine a light in the dark corners within. Sometimes it’s enough to sit and stare at the incredible sunsets over Nashville, and sometimes a moment demands repeating as best as possible through a work of art. With my paintings I hope to capture the moments that have caught me. Sunset on Percy Priest in a boat and surrounded by friends was one such experience. And my favorite Nashville building, The Parthenon on Saturday is a treasure box containing glorious Athena within.”

Ashleigh York is an abstract artist in Nashville, TN whose practice explores the interplay of abstract textures and vibrant colors to create immersive artworks that evoke energy, joy, and journey inviting viewers to engage with their senses and embrace the expressive power of art as a source of inspiration and personal exploration.

“Bike Ride: Varied Views is a series that shares a glimpse of my cycling journey across Nashville from East to West on Nashville’s interconnected greenways. Bike Ride: Varied Views – Downtown continues my bicycle tour through one of the greenways that directs me towards the vibrant neon sights and sounds that adorn Broadway. I hope to showcase the vibrance and energy of Broadway as I ride through its streets. It serves as a reminder of the joy of having a greenway that offers a safe and efficient way for wildlife and people to connect and bring the community together.”

Ashley Mintz is a visual artist and writer from Las Cruces, New Mexico. She currently lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee. She exhibits her art and has performed music and poetry at different galleries and festivals. She has also had her original instrumental music used in a play and in independent and short films and has had original pantings in the background of two films. Mintz currently returned to school to complete her Studio Art degree and is looking to further her education even more in the future. She regularly teaches art and writing workshops in underrepresented communities to encourage others to tell their stories and to cultivate their creativity, using art as a way of healing and growing communities.

“Nashville has grown into one of the most artistic cities in the United States. While that is in part because of the artists who have moved here from other places, more importantly it is because of the Nashvillians who have grown up here. It is important to pay homage to the artists who were born and raised here and to note how their contributions make Nashville what it is today. This exhibition does just that!”

“My relationship with photography is based on the inherent truth in a photograph. The assumption is that if it’s in a photograph, then it’s real. While I envy the ability to create from nothing, my gift is in capturing the immediate world around me. I aim to capture the light and shadow the way I see them. Objects are shaped by the light that falls on them, and just as in my own life. I don’t see shadow or darkness as the force that shapes anything. Darkness is just the contrast that gives the light opportunity to form those shapes. Any shadows that have tried to hide me have only made the light of my life that much more profound.”

“I am a home-schooling mother of 5 children. I no longer live nomadically, reaching as far out into the world as I can, like I did when I was young and single. I am reaching in. What I photograph is found at my feet. Our five acres goes on forever, into infinity, and I am exploring it under the tether of my children. This is rural life, my neighborhood, my culture. Slow and introspective. You take what you are given, and you find the beauty in it right where you are. You go on epic adventures into the backyard.”

Since graduating with a BFA from Montserrat College of Art in 2004, Briana Burtsell has dedicated her creative energy to teaching the next generation of artists. In 2019 she earned a master’s degree in art education from Boston University and was named a Blue Ribbon Teacher for her work with Metro Nashville Public Schools. Briana’s photography work primarily focuses on landscapes and cityscapes. She currently teaches art appreciation at Tennessee State University and is president of North Star Art Education, providing classes, curriculum, and consulting services in art education.

A mathematics degree from Colorado University in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains set the stage for Ms Fagan to embrace the balance of the logical left brain and the creative right brain. After worldwide travel, a technology job in Germany and US west coast living, Cass settled in Nashville to raise her children and continue a career in computer technology. Only after retirement did she have time to fully engage with the creative process of playing with clay, porcelain in particular. Nature is the dominant influence on her art from the microcosm of seed patterns to the universe of stars and planets. Living on a hobby farm outside of Nashville provides ample inspiration.

“My pieces are a tour of several neighborhoods in and around Nashville. One piece glorifies the ‘birth of the gulch’ as a happening part of the city, showing the street mural Wings, the older street mural Storyville in Cannery Row speaks to the importance of song writing and decades of live performances in what was an industrial area, and the tomato representing the Tomato Art Fest in Five Points. The more rural setting of the popular Lovelace Cafe near Natchez Trace Bridge shows Nashville as nestled in the rolling hills of middle TN. Friend chicken and homemade biscuits epitomize Southern Hospitality.”

Daniel Arite is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative practice encompasses drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and sculptural assemblages. He works with various recycled materials (including wood, plastic, leather, and metal) to create two dimensional assemblages and mixed media collage. This practice grew out of his views on sustainability and a desire to create art in an Earth-friendly way. Daniel’s works are abstract and conceptual in nature and often reference metaphysical themes, our connection to nature and to each other. Over the past decade he has worked with organizations throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee facilitating community-based visual art and music workshops. He enjoys participating in collaborative projects with other artists. Daniel is also a composer and recording artist.

“This rhythmic assemblage Vision of Unity was inspired by a local call for art focusing on the values of ‘community, cooperation, collaboration, and transformation.’ My response reflected the south Nashville neighborhood of Woodbine and its unique identity as one of the city’s most diverse areas. Speaking to the theme ‘Glory Music City’ not only does it capture the unique identity of Woodbine, it also presents a broader view of the city and shows how communities overlap and support each other.”

“At the core of Nashville’s strength you will find community members and neighborhood organizations that make the city what it truly is. The works that you see just give a small example of what has always made Nashville such a great city. They represent North Nashville, East Nashville and Downtown.”

David Duncan is originally from Columbia, TN and has been creating art his entire life. David attended MTSU for Graphic Design before he decided to move to Nashville for job opportunities. In 2006 through counseling for his mental health, David was introduced to Healing Arts Project, Inc (HAPI) by his counselor Dr. Ellis. David has been creating art as an independent artist ever since. David has won many 1st place ribbons for his artwork at the Tennessee State Fair. Art has helped him express himself when words cannot convey his feelings. When asked how art makes him feel, David replied, “Art is instrumental. It is a visual communication that transcends from language to language. Art is a form of communication with a calming effect on the mind. When I am creating, I feel like I am on another planet. As I concentrate on my art, it is like it is just me and my ideas, and I watch them come to life.”

HAPI is an organization that provides artistic opportunities for persons in mental health and addiction recovery to promote healing, community awareness and inclusion. Find more information at healingartsprojectinc.org.

David Greaves is an artist and civil engineer based in East Nashville. Throughout his education and professional life, he has maintained a consistent practice of visual art across several mediums. He had been working in Nashville since 2014 and is continually inspired by Tennessee’s natural environment, the city’s urban and architectural forms, and the personal resonating details of life.

“Prints Waiting for a Train and Pedestrian Bridge are both portrayals of specific connections between neighborhoods in East Nashville, but both scenes are likely familiar to anyone who moves around between different parts of town, particularly on bike or on foot.”

Dr. Meg Jordan is a multidisciplinary artist and social scientist based in Nashville, TN. Through her art and research, she seeks to make complex, contentious topics more accessible with the aim of bridging social divides. Meg has been commissioned and featured by the United Nations (COP27) in Egypt, Nashville International Airport (BNA), National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), Black Lives Matter, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee, among others. Meg’s overarching duty is to create artwork that responds to this precarious time period we find ourselves in. Dr. Jordan is a 2021 national award-winning artist of the Tanne Foundation, a 2023 W.K. Kellogg Foundation fellow, and a 2022 fellow of Soho House Creative Futures Collective.

“(Our) Music City is a painting of a collection of musicians who are mostly people of color and women. Over the years, I have built friendships and community with Nashville artists across artistic mediums. We lament and commiserate over experiences of gatekeeping in the Nashville arts field. Given that artists of color and women in our city are treated inequitably, I painted this work to spotlight the ‘hidden’ voices of the Nashville music scene –the music scene I have experienced. This work speaks directly to the diversity of the artists I have had the pleasure of bearing witness to.”

Edward Rittenberg is a self-taught Nashville artist. His paintings are characterized by vibrant hues and captivating textures. His distinctive creations have found their way into esteemed private collections throughout the country and can be found in some of the top galleries nationwide. Creating art is one of Edward’s greatest pleasures, and he believes this sentiment is portrayed in his paintings. Edward specializes in floral pieces, driven by his desire to bring the vibrant colors and organic forms found in nature into indoor spaces. He uses heavy-body acrylics for his impasto paintings. “I revel in the ability of this medium to create a textured surface, allowing the flowers to seemingly leap off the canvas.”

“Sunshine Feels So Good drew inspiration from an afternoon at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens during a daffodil exhibit, along with springtime walks in my Richland/Green Hills neighborhood. The glorious vibrant flowers and colors in both Cheekwood’s gardens and my local neighborhood have consistently inspired many of my artistic creations.”

Edwin Lockridge is a visual artist who grew up in the Music Row area of Nashville. His father was a artist, creating portraits and landscapes. His preferred media were oils, charcoals and pastels. “I’m art royalty! I am my father’s son. The birth of art.”

Edwin is a member of Daybreak Arts (daybreakarts.org) an organization that creates artistic and economic opportunities for people experience homelessness and hosing insecurity by providing them the access to the creative resources needed to achieve personal fulfillment & success.
“Music, Art and Nashville are directionals. North, south, east or west. German Town to Bars, churches and schools. Neighborhoods/Geodishoods from Hillsboro/Belmont, Bordeaux are Music City USA. The GLORY MUSIC CITY is alive and well! Whether you’re coming or going, take the music with you.”

Passionate and creative local artist with a unique background in decorative cookie artistry spanning over 15 years. Proficient in various mediums including acrylic, oil pastels, pencils, and modeling paste with a strong grasp of color theory. Known for an intuitive and playful style with numerous commissioned pieces proudly displayed in local businesses and homes throughout middle Tennessee.

“This piece titled Southern Lady is an artwork that shows a woman who represents the spirit of the south. This means she stands for things like kindness, beauty, and has a warm welcoming nature yet strong in her own gentle way. This piece celebrates traditional southern country roots but also pays homage to the rich musical legacy that has shaped and been shaped by the South.”

IMGRNT is an Iranian-born, American multi-disciplinary artist, currently based out of Nashville, TN. As a visual artist, printmaker, musician, producer, composer, and DJ his work explores a range of themes all centered within, and inspired by, the immigrant experience. His visual work is often an examination of visual perceptions, optical illusions, and modern takes on patterns that speak to a rich cultural background. As storytelling through patterns are a cornerstone of Persian rugs and textiles that are a big inspiration for his work. He holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has had his work exhibited nationally and internationally.

“To bring ‘Glory’ to Music City is to celebrate every facet of this vibrant, ever changing metropolis. Landscape #1 celebrates the beauty and power behind our natural resources. Inspired by the wonder of our natural landscapes, and more specifically the wide open fields at Shelby Bottoms in East Nashville, it seeks to celebrate all who have inhabited this land before us, and calls on us to preserve it for all who come after.”

JAE CEE: the Artistic Alchemist who elevates expressionism to a whole new level with each canvas she creates. Beyond her artistic prowess, JAE CEE is also a skilled event host and manager, business owner, jewelry maker, body art artist, and more! However, what truly ignites JAE CEE’s passion is inspiring others to unleash their inner artist and break away from conformity.

“Nashville is widely known for its country music, but for many of us, our lives were impacted by other genres such as R&B, Neo-Soul, and Hip-Hop. Nija is a tribute to the Neo-Soul artists Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. Neo-Soul has been the foundation for many artists and their works, including myself, and Nija represents the different facets of the music genre and the impact it had on the community.”

Originally from the Northeast, Jennifer Carland earned masters’ degrees in both visual art and urban planning, and has been exhibiting her work since 2012. She has had solo shows in a gallery in Lowell, MA, and has participated in many group festivals, exhibitions, and artist markets throughout the Northeast, including the Renegade Craft Festival, The Other Art Fair, and the Boston Holiday Market. In addition, her work has been featured in two Netflix Original Series – Friends From College and Spenser Confidential. Jennifer moved to TN in 2020 and has been working on building a new collection of artwork featuring Nashville neighborhoods, creating abstracted drawings of city street maps. The work is mixed media on paper and is sold as originals and prints. Her goal is to make illustrated reminders of the places people identify with – such as the town they lived in as a child, or their favorite vacation destination. Everyone loves to talk about where they live, where they have visited, and where they want to go next. Location is what binds our experiences together – our own experience as we travel from one place to the next, and our collective experience, as we share the physical world with one another. Jennifer’s work can remind you of the locations that make your life story special.

“I moved to Nashville a few years ago and was captivated by the culture here. Each neighborhood has its own flavor, and I have spent time exploring and getting to know each district. Nashvillians take great pride in where they live and I tried to capture some of that neighborhood pride by using bright colors and bold lines to show off the vibrancy and excitement this city holds. These pieces are part of a collection showing several Nashville neighborhoods, each with their own story to tell.”

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Jess Peoples received a BFA while being a student-athlete at Miami University of Ohio. Jess moved to Nashville soon after graduation, working with multiple start-ups and local nonprofits before creating a path that allowed her to intentionally make space for painting, something that has always made her feel most alive and well. Jess has studied under Jim Himsworth and enjoys going to open studios and workshops at Warehouse 521 as well as painting with her fellow Chestnuts at the parks around town. Jess is inspired by the tenacity of nature and humans to get through different seasons and often reflects on life, using painting as a spiritual meditation and practice to bring uplift and hope to the community. She paints out of her home alongside my husband, two children, and coonhound Larry. Jess loves the challenge and honor of creating something meaningful for people’s homes.

“A Child’s Sky features a special place to many Nashvillians and one that I visit often. I love seeing the sunrises at Radnor Lake and appreciating this place that preserves nature right near the heart of Nashville.”

Jessica Saterstrom Eichman is an artist who works and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. A native of Natchez, Mississippi, Jessica earned degrees in Art and French before living and working in Paris, France; Corvallis, Oregon; and Boston, Massachusetts. Jessica’s paintings have been exhibited in the Huntsville Museum of Art, Nashville International Airport, Geodis Stadium, and numerous private galleries, and have been featured in print and online. Her work can be found in public and private collections across the country and internationally, including the permanent public art collection in the Nashville Historic Metro Courthouse and Hermitage Park in Nashville.

“This painting explores the singularity of places and individuals. The term “genius loci” refers to the unique character of a particular place—its location, history, composition, and relationship to other places. I believe that people also have this. Every person is special. Every person matters. In this piece I used traditional images of natural resources from vintage maps to illustrate the bounty that exists Davidson County. This playful painting celebrates the special place that is Nashville, the individuals who live here, and the particular attributes that make everything and everyone one-of-a-kind.”

Karen Hall Matkosky is a multi-disciplinary artist who holds a BFA in Fine Art from Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA in Graphic Design from Watkins College of Art at Belmont University. Karen moved to Nashville with her family from Woodland Hills, California after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake destroyed their home. While attending high school at Hume-Fogg Academic, Karen discovered her natural ability to render what is in front of her through photo realism as well as an inherent need to express herself and has continued to experiment through any medium she can get her hands on ever since. These days Karen is working on multiple projects including pet portraits, children’s books, abstract paintings, and graphic design, to list a few.

“My oil painting October relates to the theme ‘Glory Music City’ in reference to nature and in particular what the city feels and looks like during the fall months, especially October. The painting was created from my head, however there is a certain intersection, Tyne & Hillsboro that the landscape reminded me of. I used a pallet knife to scrape what I already had on the canvas to reveal a magnificent, majestic tree just next to a haystack seemingly in the shade during a pink sunset.”

Keavy Murphree creates memorable ceramic art, blending whimsy with modern minimalism. She is most at ease experimenting in her Nashville-based studio. Keavy’s journey began with a B.F.A. in industrial design from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, evolving over a decade in design and product management. In 2018, she opened her studio, now a wellspring imaginative pieces, from wall and tabletop sculptures to statement furniture. Living in Nashville with her family, Keavy finds inspirations all around, transforming them into extraordinary artistic expressions.

Her art and designs have been featured in LUXE Interiors & Design, Nashville Interiors, Veranda, and The Design Edit. Keavy welcomes collaborations with interior designers, collectors, curators, and commissioned works for private and public collections.
“This collection of three wall mounted faces, or masks, represents the diversity and unique identities that make up Nashville’s lively neighborhoods. While landmarks, favorite shops and restaurants bring much character to neighborhoods, it’s the unique styles and personalities of the people who bring them to life. These works are a celebration of the diversity and vibrance in the city I’m proud to call home.”

As exciting as the world of design was, it didn’t satisfy Kim’s need for self-expression; however, she was able to fill that void through abstract compositions. Abstract painting became a conduit to share her feelings, emotions and senses…then, seeing those gestural expressions blend with the depth of colors come alive on her canvases, even, surprises her sometimes. Kim never gets tired of wondering what might come next.

“Duck River Dance is an expression of the diversity, colors, movement, music, language and the well-deserved glorification of the Duck River in Columbia, TN, south of Nashville – Music City, and part of her surrounding areas. The 269-mile river is the longest river located entirely within Tennessee; which embodies 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, making it the most biologically diverse river in all North America. The Duck River also serves as the backbone of the region’s outdoor recreational and life-sustaining economies. There is so much to do, see, experience in Middle Tennessee.”

LeAndra Crystal, a Fisk University graduate and certified Therapeutic Art Life Coach, serves as the President of the Board for the 501c3 non-profit, The Tennessee Art League. Proficient in diverse arts, she draws inspiration from life, love, culture, and spirituality. With expertise spanning traditional 2-D media to set building, metalworking, and murals, LeAndra uniquely blends elements in her multi- & interdisciplinary works. Her creations often incorporate line work, native symbols, fabrics, and alcohol inks. As a Therapeutic Art Coach, she engages corporate teams, universities, schools, and communities, fostering creativity. LeAndra’s impactful work resides in private collections and esteemed institutions like Belmont University and Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital. Reflecting on her creative process, she emphasizes breaking free from constraints, expressing, “This is me. This is who I AM as an Artist. I don’t fit in a box.”

“Shades of Black Folk provides an evocative portrayal of North Nashville’s diverse faces, showcasing individuals from the vibrant community. Crafted on Black and White film, each profile is meticulously hand-cut, forming a gradient that beautifully captures the spectrum of color. This deliberate technique highlights the uniqueness of each person, creating a visually striking and thought-provoking piece. The black and white film adds a touch of elegance, emphasizing the rich cultural tapestry within North Nashville. This artwork serves as a profound homage to the community’s distinct identities, integral to the city, aligning with the exhibition’s celebratory theme, ‘Glory Music City.’”

Leroy Ramon Dawson loves drawing things on things – from stickers to paper and canvas and even shoes. He enjoys drawing a range of subjects and characters, but he has the most fun creating pieces that are colorful, whimsical, and often use a clever play on words. Leroy has been working as an illustrator and designer in Nashville for 12 years and has shared his work at Art Crawls and Arts and Crafts Fairs. Leroy also does commission illustrations and paintings, sometimes for short stories or as one-off pieces, and he periodically designs logos and helps visually layout pages.

“Taking center stage at the Station Inn (The Gulch), Tennessee’s state bird (mockingbird), reptile (Eastern box turtle), and wild animal (raccoon), delight the crowd with their rustic performance and whimsical tunes. The piece highlights the fun of Music City’s honky tonks and live music through anthropomorphic performers – a wild time for a wild crew!”

“Streets of Nashville 02 captures the neon-lit vibrancy of Printer’s Alley, a vivid reflection of the “Glory Music City” ethos. This image traces the alley’s transformation from a printing epicenter to a celebrated musical hub, echoing Nashville’s rhythmic heartbeat. Illuminated signs and spontaneous human moments underscore the area’s dynamic nightlife, etching a portrait of a city that honors its past while pulsating with modern energy. This photograph, where eras intertwine, is a vibrant mosaic that celebrates Nashville’s diverse identities and the resilient spirit of its neighborhoods.”

Lyn Stevens is a self-taught photographer, who combines her love of photography with her passion for music. She approaches photography as a documentarian, based off the strong belief that she is documenting future history, in the present-day moment. Her work has been featured in Billboard Magazine, the Nashville Music Guide, and on the live telecast of the CMA Awards. In addition, her work has been showcased at the Frist Art Museum, GEODIS Park, Williamson County Public Library, and at Nook (a modern boutique lifestyle retail store in Mount Juliet, TN). Lyn is a three-time Nashville Independent Music Award winner, and sells her Fine Art Photography prints, at art markets that are in and around Nashville.

“Nashville was like a small family, everyone knew each other, and were friends. Artists could hand deliver unsolicited demos along music row. The Professional Club, and Possum Holler, along with other clubs owned by Boots Randolph, Waylon Jennings, & Faron Young, provided space to perform, and write songs. Ernest Tubb, a star at the Opry, opened the E.T. Record Shop in 1947, just a few blocks over from these other venues. This shop became a stepping stone for advancing individual music careers, with performances on the Midnight Jamboree, and also played a pivotal role in creating Glory Music City.”

Michael Ray Nott began his art career in Austin, Texas as a graphic artist. His work appears in a number of poster retrospectives from that era, including the books, The Art of Rock (1987, Abbeville Press) and Homegrown (2015,Texas Monthly Press). During that same time Michael was privileged to study photography under the legendary Garry Winogrand who made a profound impression on him through his philosophy of photography. His early work in music and street art has come full circle and found its place in his current work in street photography, capturing the zeitgeist of this remarkable time and place in Nashville.

“My photograph, Honky Tonk Central is a testament to the unpredictable beauty of life. It encapsulates the energy, the culture, and the spirit of a place where music and life collide in a symphony of chaos and harmony. Looking through the window of a Nashville Broadway Honky Tonk reveals a world of neon reflections and musical magic. This is the essence of photography in public spaces for me – an embrace of chance encounters and the beauty of random incidents. This is a world of unexpected, haphazard multitude of elements that can pop up in a single frame. In this particular photograph, neon signs blaze, casting a mesmerizing glow on the scene. Buildings tower above, each with its own story to tell, and random people pass by, caught in the rush of activity that is downtown Nashville.”

Nadine Shillingford is a Nashville-based artist who works primarily with charcoal on paper but also enjoys creating mixed media pieces using medium such as acrylic and reused materials. She was born on the island of Dominica but has considered Nashville her home since 2013. Nadine is the Department Chair of the Computer Science and Data Science Department at the School of Applied Computational Sciences at Meharry Medical College. She is the author of two books and teaches art classes on demand. Nadine also enjoys spending time with her daughter Hailey, and listening to Agatha Christi audio books.

“My two pieces are representatives of the African American residents of Nashville. I enjoy capturing personality by focusing on the uniqueness of my subject’s hair, eyes, and mouth. The hair is a very important expression of identity for most African Americans. I chose to focus on the hair of my charcoal and pastel drawing by paying special attention to her dreadlocks. As a black immigrant, I understand that we all bring varying identities to Nashville. My mixed media piece represents this diversity using a range of colors and patterns.”

Nicole Staples has a love for all things creative and it can be seen in several facets of her world – whether it be hands on art, digital graphics, videography or photography. Expression through photography and acrylic paint is where it all began. When not experimenting with new mediums, Nicole has the opportunity to create marketing materials, resource designs and photography for other businesses in her day-to-day.

“This piece is part of a collection of five pieces inspired by the growth of Wedgewood-Houston and the memories of its development. The decayed color palette within this piece depicts the industrial history of Wedgewood’s factories, warehouses and buildings. The dark and rugged color ways of ink speak of the years past while its future emerges within the gold. The blending of colors displays the work of nature as it reclaims the abandoned spaces making room for the new—what was then and what will be.”

Omari takes a process-oriented approach to his art, embracing it as a therapeutic modality through which he is able to express his passion for the freedom and independence that the creative process allows him to experience. His art is his personal therapy, and his desire is that those viewing it will have personal experiences of catharsis. The philosophy that undergirds Omari’s work is FREEDOM THROUGH ART and he aspires to create work that communicates to his audience their unique and intrinsic ability to be free. His artwork and murals are in private and public collections including the Tennessee State Museum, University of Central Florida Art Gallery, and Vanderbilt Black Cultural Center.

“Nashville is a much more dynamic city than initially meets the eye. Beyond Broadway, country music, and bachelorette parties Nashville has unique neighborhoods that come together to make a city that is easy to call home. North Nashville, West End/ Vanderbilt (Centennial Park), and Edgehill are the neighborhoods that I focused on. These neighborhoods represent diversity, growth, and culture. The pieces represent the beauty as well as the challenges of being a black person living in and being from the south.”

Rainbow Mosho is a teen artist/author on the autism spectrum. Rainbow has published (written, co written and illustrated) 5 books in 23 months. Her art has been exhibited in Dubai, Beijing, NYC, LA, Miami, Tennessee.

She was a speaker at NFTNYC 2023, and she has been invited to speak and exhibit in April 2024. Rainbow currently has a licensing agreement with LippyLu.com
“Autism Acceptance is an opportunity to share about the marvels and challenges faced by incredible beings like me. We are staying put. We belong. We break barriers. Join me by reminding others about it.”

“My art shows there is Glory in Music City when there is no regard to different sounds made, different looks or where they people come from, they are perfect just the way they are. As human beings and to build a better world. All relationships must start with respect. Nashville was the perfect backdrop for the musical love story of the saxophone and the didgeridoo from Australia. The Batman building, the bridges highlight the international scope of their glorious encounter.”

Originally from Leicester, England, Rhiannon Guppy is an accomplished artist who honed her skills in art, photography, and silversmithing at Loughborough School of Art & Design and Sheffield Hallam University. With a decade of experience in design concept and range planning for a global greeting card company, Rhiannon returned to her artistic roots, discovering a passion for painting through mixed materials.

Having lived on two continents for the past 13 years with her husband, Steve, and their children, Bailey and Louis, Rhiannon and her family found their home in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2020. Embracing the slower pace, she delved into her art, focusing on technique and various mediums, resulting in her current collection: mixed-medium, abstract landscapes. Rhiannon is drawn to texture, minimal palettes, bold strokes, and fine details. While she utilizes acrylics, pens, and charcoal, her preferred medium is watercolor, appreciating its fluidity on paper and the unpredictability it brings to her work. Adding to her creative endeavors, Rhiannon now works with raw canvas, expanding her artistic repertoire. She actively contributes to the arts community by collaborating with the Arts Council of Williamson County in their monthly art crawls showcasing her works and heads up their social media platforms, she also plans all artist placements in art crawls and various art spaces within Franklin TN.

Currently immersed in her artistic exploration, Rhiannon is always playing with her art, delving into the realms of layers and texture. Her work weaves together the concepts of woven and torn elements, stitched to create captivating compositions. This current creative journey aligns seamlessly with her latest project inspired by the vibrant theme of “Music City” and its diverse neighborhoods. In her pursuit, Rhiannon masterfully translates the dynamic spirit of these communities into visually stunning and textured expressions.

“My art is joyful and there is an essence of celebration and community within the artwork. I tried to show the rich landscape of Nashville’s neighborhoods within my art, showing diversity, space between an appreciation for the dazzling tapestry that is ‘Glory Music City.’”

Sarah Clinton is a painter based in Nashville, TN who uses unique compositions and a variety of mediums to reach her audience on a personal level. Her paintings are regularly featured in juried shows and her murals adorn Saddle Up! in Franklin, TN and The Susan Gray School at Vanderbilt University. Committed to making a positive impact, Clinton co-founded the Fearlessly and Wonderfully Created Fine Art Show benefiting Saddle Up! — an organization providing therapeutic and recreational activities for youths with special needs. Clinton is also the treasurer of The Chestnut Group, a plein air painting organization dedicated to land conservation and preservation. Clinton was a finalist in the Arts & Business Council of Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Artist Entrepreneur program.

“My piece depicts the energy of a Broadway intersection, and it invites you to do some people-watching as you are seemingly crossing the street along with the crowd. You are in the heart of what visitors may imagine when first thinking about “Music City.” One stranger is making direct eye contact— establishing a personal connection — while another beckons a friend to join her as they search out a new experience. The viewer is tempted to fill in the story of these individuals and also imagine where they are going next.”

Sarah Spillers is a contemporary painter, art educator, and curator from Nashville, Tennessee. Driven by a passion for encapsulating the energy of a specific moment, Spillers’ work revolves around the interplay of color and texture. She was honored as Nashville’s “Best Visual Artist” in both 2022 and 2023 by the Nashville Scene and has been published in magazines such as Number Inc. and Second and Commerce. Currently, she divides her time between teaching middle school art, conducting community mixed media painting classes at Austin Peay State University, and leading art sessions at Customs House Museum and Cultural Center as part of their artist residency program. Spillers’ most recent work shines a spotlight on local businesses and neon signs, capturing the lively and energetic atmosphere of the city. Her ultimate goal is to foster unity within the Nashville community through her art.

“My piece showcases pink cowboy hats detailed with sparkling embellishments, famous country singers, and other important Nashville history references. By incorporating iconic musicians and historical elements, the artwork pays tribute to Nashville’s musical legacy and celebrates the unique identities of its neighborhoods. The pink color symbolizes the warm and welcoming spirit found within these communities, while the bedazzling adds glamour and reflects the showmanship of the music industry. This painting serves as a visual representation of the diverse genres, cultural traditions, and historical narratives that shape the neighborhoods in and around Nashville, highlighting the interplay between music, art, and history.”

Shabazz Larkin is a figurative artist, poet, sculptor, book-maker and an ambassador for mindfulness meditation. Originally from

Norfolk Virginia, he works from his studio in Nashville, TN, creating figures, portraits, and monuments of Black culture. His overwhelming use of color and bold typography thinly veils his true intention to explore issues of justice, history, spirituality, and the power of Black joy.
Shabazz is the founder of The Museum of Presence, an institution without walls, taking the form of a newspaper and podcast led by a cohort of BIPoC artists, curators, and mindfulness professionals, working to spotlight the creative community of Nashville and the greater American South, with mindfulness and creativity at the heart. He has a long list of private collaborators, from his 20-year career in the commercial creative industry from orgs like the Obama Foundation, Google, and Sony to moguls like Bill Gates, Sean Combs, Maya Angelou, and a long list of other kings, presidents, and global brands. Shabazz has won every award in the business from the One Show Pencil to the Cannes Lion.

In 2020 however, Shabazz left the commercial industry to follow a passion to make meditation accessible to BIPoC communities. Shabazz now serves as the head of content for a Mindfulness app, called True Voice, designed from the ground up with Black and brown people in mind. (truevoiceapp.com)

He is also the author of several books, his latest is “The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter to My Sons” about Fear. He is the founder of Larkin Art & Company, an art gallery, and proprietor of artifacts, experiences, and books rooted in African American culture and identity. (www.larkinart.co)

Shadale Smith is a Nashville native and self-taught artist. She makes work that expresses her perspective on the need for awareness of self-expression, encouragement, and positivity. She uses bold colors to capture the viewers’ attention, she makes collages that address areas of culture that can spark necessary conversations, and text to encourage positivity. Shadale has exhibited her work in several spaces in the Nashville area, in magazines, stadiums, billboards, and murals.

Shadale is also the founder and creator of LanaeBloom, where she encourages others to use art to help with their mental well- being. Her goal is to continue to uplift and tell her story through the eyes of her brush in hopes of others receiving enlightenment and inspiration.
“Nashville is the vibrant music capital, where live performances and the legendary Hot Chicken take center stage. This captivating piece was brought to life in the heart of Nashville, accompanied by the melodic keys, soulful vocals, and the tantalizing aroma of crispy Nashville Hot Chicken wafting through the air. The true spirit of Music City, vibing out to the harmonious blend of art, music, and culinary delights that Nashville does best.”

Ms. Gentuso became a Nashville transplant in 1984, and other than a decade abroad at a mission hospital in Africa, she’s called Nashville “home” since then. Trained as an RN, Ms. Gentuso later worked as a photojournalist until joining the Clay Lady Campus in 2011. When asked why, she cites the calm, centered peace she experiences when creating with clay. Her inspiration stems from a lifelong fascination with folk art and its innocent refusal to follow rules. Recognized for the Nashville Clayscape (a 8’ x 25’ tile Nashville mural/map), she’s also known for her architectural sculptures and a series of children’s lit-inspired sculptures. Most especially, she’s known for her Wee Little Houses, tiny ceramic houses — a favorite with collectors.

“The heart of my pieces is Nashville and her many, varied neighborhoods. Both Tootsie’s and the Ryman represent the splendor and grit of downtown. The Nashville Nesting Bowl set is seven concentric “bowls” depicting different neighborhoods found here (from skyscrapers to honky-tonks, and from iconic, historic Nashville to the ranch houses of Donelson, and from tall-skinnies to the bungalows of West End and more!). For the last piece, the Nashville Under a Rainbow platter, an absolute explosion of color details examples of our city from iconic Parthenon and Ryman to humble homes with a dab of everything in between. These works breath Nashville and her fascinating, many-faceted personality!”

Trisha Peña, an original abstract artist in Nashville, discovered her passion later in life through music and writing. Trisha excels in abstract acrylics on textured canvases and creates mixed media pieces. She finds joy in the unpredictable painting process, guided by a spiritual connection. Trisha is a graduate of the Arts & Business Council’s 2022 Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Program, and was a featured Artist of the Week on The Nashville Sign. She is a graduate of local leadership organization L’Evate, the Citizen’s Police Academy, and the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy. Trisha loves world travel, counting India, Iceland, China, Italy, and Peru as some favorite destinations. Having called the Nashville area home for over thirty-five years, Trisha resides in a vibrant, colorful house in Hermitage, TN.

“Luminous Geometry becomes a visual anthem in the ‘Glory Music City’ exhibition, capturing the essence of Nashville’s vibrancy. The vivid colors mirror the energetic music scene, each hue a note in the city’s eclectic symphony. Overlapping geometric shapes embody the intersection of diverse cultures within Nashville’s neighborhoods, highlighting the city’s rich tapestry. The artwork resonates with the harmonious unity of these communities, showcasing the interconnected, dynamic spirit that defines Nashville. Through its artistic expression, Luminous Geometry contributes to the celebration of the city’s unique identities, inviting viewers to appreciate the diverse and lively character of each neighborhood.”

Vanessa’s artistic journey began in West Tennessee’s scenic landscapes, nurturing her innate creativity. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University, she thrived as a graphic designer in advertising. Yet, Vanessa’s enduring passion for fine art led her back to painting, resulting in notable achievements such as her upcoming “Flying Solo” exhibition at Nashville International Airport and recognition as one of “11 Emerging Contemporary Artists From Nashville to Know” by The Culture Trip. Vanessa’s paintings grace global private collections, as well as the Vanderbilt University Medical Center collection, and have been featured on HGTV. As a licensed iCanvas artist, her work has piqued the interest of a commercial curator, presenting potential opportunities through Artrepreneur. Currently in Franklin, Tennessee, Vanessa continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide with her breathtaking artwork and unwavering passion for painting.

“‘Glory Music City’ resonates in my art as I intricately capture the interplay of light and reflection. My paintings, embellished with 24 karat gold leaf and layers of textured acrylic, embody the spirit of this vibrant city. Pairing impasto palette knife marks with smooth brushstrokes, my work mirrors the diverse melodies echoing through Nashville. Inspired by the beauty of the Nashville area, my abstract landscapes evoke a sense of calm and peace, offering viewers a perception of hope and joy. In each stroke, I celebrate the glory of Music City, weaving its essence into the tapestry of my expressive paintings.”

Wee S Ng is a self-taught oil painter currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. Born in Canada in 1976 to immigrant Chinese parents and raised in Birmingham, AL and Cleveland, OH, Wee S Ng often struggled with his heritage, usually being the only Chinese American and having the most unusual name in any given room. Ng loved drawing and imagery at an early age, but abandoned art to pursue engineering at the behest of his parents. It was not until he was laid off from his corporate job of twenty years that he dedicated himself to art. Ng’s focus on emotional connection stems from his early personal struggles with vulnerability and his revelation of the importance of emotional authenticity.

“My painting Equal Parts Hope and Fear features a pheasant whose species was imported from Asia in the 1700s. A young woman cradling the beautiful bird carries an expression with the weight of numerous emotions. As Nashville grows, it welcomes people of a variety of backgrounds and experiences. As the ring-necked pheasant was welcomed and nurtured years ago, the species flourished and has become part of the Tennessee landscape. And as such, we nurture the growth and birth of Nashville areas and welcome the people who newly call Nashville their home.”