Nashvillians are one step closer to checking out works from local artists along with their books as the Metro Nashville Arts Commission (“Metro Arts”) today approved the selection and purchase of 60 total works from Davidson County artists for the Art WORKS Lending Library Collection.
The Commission’s approval comes after Metro Arts staff released a call to artists Sept. 16, 2020. The entries were reviewed and ranked by a citizen selection panel and later approved by the Commission’s public art committee.
The Art WORKS Lending Library Collection exemplifies Metro Arts’ goals of giving every Nashvillian access to a creative life and providing support and opportunities to local artists. An earlier round of the Art WORKS Collection is exhibited at the Historic Metro Nashville Courthouse and the Metro Office Building. With the addition of the Lending Library, more than 85% the Metro Public Art Collection is now from local artists.
After today’s approval, Metro Arts staff will begin the purchasing process, with the plan of having the artworks framed and ready for display and checkout from the Madison and Southeast branches of Nashville Public Library in early 2021.
“We view the Art WORKS Collection as a win-win-win,” said Metro Arts Executive Director Caroline Vincent. “Nashvillians are able enjoy art in Metro public buildings, and with the lending library, they can enjoy it in their homes. Most of all, we get to support local artists during a time when they most need it.”
Metro Arts’ purchases for the Art WORKS Lending Library Collection are the latest in a series of the agency’s efforts to support artists and organizations in the aftermath of the March 3 tornado and amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In April, the Metro Arts board approved the reallocation of operational funds to support Thrive community arts projects that Nashvillians could enjoy from home. Metro Arts has also gathered recovery resources for artists and organizations, participated in webinars about CARES Act federal funding and will work with Pathway Lending group to award Metro CARES grants to arts and culture nonprofits later this month.
Artists Selected for Metro Arts' Art WORKS Lending Library Collection with Nashville Public Library:
- Alex Kimball
- Alison Moore
- Amadeo Lasansky
- Amanda Brown
- Amanda Downs
- Andrés Bustamante
- Anna Claire Wert
- Anna Martin
- Ashley Mintz
- Ashley Seay
- Brenda Buffett
- Christopher Cheney
- Christopher Wormald
- Courtney Spencer
- David Greaves
- David Onri Anderson
- Doris Wasserman
- Edie Maney
- Eileen Tomson
- Elisheba Mrozik
- Elizabeth Ross
- Emily Cathcart
- Eric Peters
- Erin McDermott
- Gwil Owen
- Harry Whitver
- John Paul Kesling
- Jonathan Todd Greene
- Jordan Carpenter
- Karen "Ren" Harvey
- Katie Harbison
- Kay Sawyer
- Kayla Jenkins
- Kaylea Dunkin
- Kimiko Sakai
- Laura Hudson
- Lindsy Davis
- Marla Faith
- Martica Griffin
- McLean Fahnestock
- Micah Mathewson
- Michael Mkar
- Mildred Jarrett
- Miriam Speyer
- Nadine Shillingford Wondem
- Nikkita Staggs
- Nuveen Barwari
- Olga Alexeeva
- Pam Marlene Taylor
- Patrick Vincent
- Raheleh Filsoofi
- Rami Singh Bell
- Rebecca Mullen Hunter
- Ripley Whiteside
- Sarah Arace
- Shahnaz Lighari
- Thandiwe Shiphrah
- Valentina Harper
- Vesna Pavlovic
- Yanira Vissepo