ABC Nashville

A successful contractor spends his entire professional life supporting the visual arts. Children in 20 Middle Tennessee counties get their first exposure to professional opera. Over 100 million viewers experience the inaugural Americana Music Festival on PBS. These are just a few examples of the dynamic partnerships between Nashville’s private sector and arts community that were celebrated today at the ABC’s third annual Bowtie Awards.

The 2012 Bowtie Award winners and finalists represent four key areas of arts support:

Arts education award winner. Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation. The company’s support of the curriculum-based education program at TPAC helped bring artistic works to life for more than 1.5 million students and educators.

Finalists: Gaylord Entertainment Foundation, SunTrust Bank

Arts impact award winner: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority/Arts at the Airport.  An ever-growing and changing showcase of creative talent is displayed throughout the airport for the enjoyment and enrichment of more than 10 million passengers and countless visitors each year.

Finalists: Nissan, Regions Financial Corporation

Entrepreneur award winner: ArtNowNashville. This unique, new website offers exceptional news stories, previews and critical reviews of the breadth and depth of Nashville’s rich cultural scene.

Finalists:  Adrienne Outlaw Studios, Holmes Pest Control

Work environment award winner: Cummins Station. The Community Arts Program offers Cummins Station businesses the opportunity to explore and enjoy art in a unique, intimate way while offering both local and national artists a place to create and display their work.

Finalists: Avenue Bank, Nashville Public Television

The award winners each received a $1,000 cash award and the finalists a $250 award to designate to the arts organization of their choice. The winners also took home an original award created by Nashville artist, Herb Williams.

The highlight of the Bowtie Awards was the presentation of the Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award to Walter Knestrick. A successful contractor and stalwart supporter of the arts for more than 40 years, Knestrick served as chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission, founding board member of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and key supporter of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Arts in the Airport, State Museum, and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film.

The Creative Capital Workshop offers serious artists an opportunity to learn about self management, strategic planning, fundraising and promotion. This year’s workshop includes visual artists of all kinds of mediums, photographers, filmmakers, actors, writers, choreographers, songwriters and even a circus performer. Participants were selected from an applicant pool of 50 artists by a panel of arts and business community leaders comprised of Mark Montgomery, Kelly Frey, Jaime DeRensis, Ana Schwager, Thor Urness, Sharon Reavis Woodson, Rich Boyd and Jeff Rymer.

This year’s artists:

• Andrew Saftel – Visual: Mixed Media
• Bryce McCloud – Visual: Printmaking
• Caroline Allison – Visual: Photography
• Carolyn McDonald – Writer, Filmmaker, Photography
• Debra Belue – Dance, Choreographer
• Emily Leonard – Visual: Painter
• Erika Wollam – Visual: Mixed Media
• Jacob Weiss – Performing: Variety/Circus
• Jaime Raybin – Visual: Installation
• Jay Knowles – Music: Songwriter
• Jessica Owings – Visual: Printmaking
• Judy Klich – Visual: Encaustic
• Kathryn Dettwiller – Visual: Painting
• Kimiko Sakai – Visual: Photography
• Landry Butler – Photography, Music, and Poetry
• Laura Chenicek – Visual: Mixed Media
• Lesley Patterson-Marx – Visual: Mixed Media
• Mark Alan Burnett – Visual: Painting in oil and pastel
• Michael Mucker – Visual: Animator
• Reegus Flenory – Filmmaker and Actor
• Sabine Schlunk – Visual: Installation
• Sharon Homeyer Perry – Dance and Choreography
• Thandiwe Shiphrah – Poetry, performing and visual arts
• Tracy Facelli – Film

Host sponsors for the workshop are Belmont University and Southwest Airlines. Belmont President Bob Fisher said, “Belmont is excited to welcome artists of all disciplines to experience Belmont’s hospitality while expanding their work and planning for a successful future.”

Participants were selected from an applicant pool of 50 artists by a panel of arts and business community leaders comprised of Mark Montgomery, Kelly Frey, Jaime DeRensis, Ana Schwager, Thor Urness, Sharon Reavis Woodson, Rich Boyd and Jeff Rymer.

Nashville- On January 25, 2011 the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville presented its second annual Bowtie Awards at the Wildhorse Saloon from 11:30 a.m. -1:15 p.m. The event was co-chaired by Beth Seigenthaler Courtney and Amy Seigenthaler Pierce.

The Bowtie Awards honors and recognizes business support of the arts and highlight Nashville’s vibrant creative community in an energizing and fun show. Performances included ABC’s 2010 Music City Corporate Band Challenge winner Allstate’s The Good Hands Band, the Nashville Opera, Youth Speaks nashville and Vanderbilt Medical Center nurses performing “Some’s Gotta Do It,” from their own, “Hey Florence! A nurse’s musical.”

In the fall of 2010, individuals, companies and arts organizations nominated their favorite arts-supporting businesses in four award categories. Finalists were then selected by community leaders. The winner in each category is:

Arts Education: Rob Bironas and The Bironas Fund

Arts Impact: First Tennessee

Entrepreneur: St. Clair Media Group/Nashville Arts Magazine

Work Environment: Cultural Enrichment, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

The winner in each category recieved $1,000 to designate to the arts organization of their choice. In addition, each winner takes home original awards by heralded Nashville artist Herb Williams.

In addition, the Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award was presented at the luncheon to Dennis C. Bottorff.

To learn more, contact the Arts & Business Council at (615) 743-3055, bowtieawards@ABCnashville.org

or visit www.ABCnashville.org.

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Event photos available upon request.

Recognizing outstanding business support of the arts

NASHVILLE –  On January 25, 2011  the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville presents its second annual Bowtie Awards at the Wildhorse Saloon from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The event is co-chaired by Beth Seigenthaler Courtney and Amy Seigenthaler Pierce.

Hosted by Nashville business and arts leader Howard Stringer, the Bowtie Awards will honor and recognize business support of the arts and highlight Nashville’s vibrant creative community in an energizing and fun show.  Expect to hear performances by ABC’s 2010 Music City Corporate Band Challenge winner, plus unique “arts experiences.”

In the fall of 2010,  individuals, companies and arts organizations nominated their favorite arts-supporting businesses in four award categories.  Selected by a panel of community leaders, the three finalists in each category are:

Arts Education: Cracker Barrel Foundation;  Rob Bironas and The Bironas Fund;  Publix Super Markets

Arts Impact: First Tennessee; Regions Financial Partners; Southwest Airlines

Entrepreneur: La Campana; St. Claire Media Group/Nashville Arts Magazine; Zeitgeist Gallery

Work Environment: Avenue Bank;  Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz;  Cultural Enrichment, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Each finalist will receive a $250 cash award to be designated to the arts organization(s) of their choice. The winner in each category will receive an additional $750 that will be designated in the same fashion. Thus, $6,000 will be contributed directly to the arts community. In addition, each of the winners take home an original award designed by heralded Nashville artist Herb Williams.

In addition, the Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award will be presented at the luncheon to Dennis C. Bottorff.

“From music to theatre and literature to film, Nashville businesses support the Arts  in extraordinary ways,”  states ABC President & CEO Connie Valentine.  “The Bowtie Awards are an opportunity to say thank you for making Nashville such a strong and valued creative center.”

To become a sponsor, purchase tickets or learn more, contact the Arts & Business Council at (615) 743-3055, bowtieawards@ABCnashville.org or visit www.ABCnashville.org.

ABOUT THE ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville drives collaboration between arts, business and the community that contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of Greater Nashville.  The ABC also presents the Music City Corporate Band Challenge, ArtWorks, Arts Immersion, and its programs include WorkCreative: Arts Based Learning for Businesses, Developmental Seminars, and the Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts.

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Photos from 2010 Bowtie Awards Available by Request

—MEDIA ADVISORY—

Nashville’s Music City Center Construction Site Gets A Face-Lift

Mayor Dean joins the Arts & Business Council for a painting party to gild the downtown Music City Center construction site with art and personality.

WHAT: The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville (ABC) has teamed up with the Music City Center to beautify its downtown construction site by painting part of the fence’s exterior during the Construction Fence Art Project. Directing the “Community Leader” segment of the project, the Arts and Business Council will host a painting party where community leaders such as Mayor Karl Dean will add personality to 150 feet of panels which will then be erected around the fence throughout the duration of the construction.

True to the Music City Center’s goals, the artwork reflects five vital community themes:  Public Health & Safety; Workforce Development; Environmental Sustainability; Diversity & Inclusion; and the Joy & Impact of Art.

The January 12^th Painting Party is open to community businesses by RSVPing to the Arts and Business Council at 615-743-3055.

WHEN:                                    Wednesday, January 12, 2011

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

WHERE: The Pinnacle at Symphony Place

150 3rd Avenue South

Nashville, TN

HOW: Guests will paint 4’X5’ paper panels. The art will then be transferred to metal panels for display on the 5^th Avenue/Country Music Hall of Fame side of the Music City Center.

OTHER: Advanced photos and interviews welcome.  Also, photos will be available post event upon request.

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NASHVILLE-The Mall at Green Hills came alive last night for the Arts & Business Council’s ArtWorks, the annual art exhibit and reception inspiring corporate creativity and camaraderie, where over 20 Nashville businesses competed to win Critic’s Pick and People’s Choice Awards.

Zeitlin & Co. Realtors and First Tennessee where named the corporate Critic’s Pick winner, as judged by Alan LeQuire, Andree LeQuire, Hope Stringer, Howard Stringer, and Walter Knestrick. Individual Critic’s Pick winners were Lisa Binder of Neal & Harwell, Alex Arakelian of Avenue Bank, James Threalkill of Skanska, Rich Roddy of Avenue Bank and Anna Ward Barns of Gresham Smith Partners. Neal & Harwell and First Tennessee took home the coveted title of the companies exemplifying Creativity to the Extreme.

In addition, ArtWorks attendees voted for their favorites for People’s Choice Award winners in both company and individual categories. The individual awards went to Santi Tefel of Avenue Bank, Rich Roddy of Avenue Bank, Harriett Shirley of the Green Hills YMCA, and Suzanna Elmer of Zeitlin & Co. Realtors. Avenue Bank won People’s Choice in the company category. KraftCPAs was the official accounting firm for ArtWorks, diligently tallying all the votes.

Co-chaired by Zach Liff and Norah Buikstra, ArtWorks invited companies to show off their team’s innovation and creativity and enter up to ten pieces of original artworks created by their employees. The Arts and Business Council partnered with Art by the Glass founder, Beth Roberts, to introduce an interactive element to ArtWorks. Thanks to their expertise, ArtWorks will featured a painting station where guests could throw on an apron, grab a brush, and get creative. Each guest’s brush stroke helped in creating an original piece.

ArtWorks also featured two six-foot tall statues of Jack Daniel’s painted by Nashville visual artists Herb Williams and Anthony Billups. The statues, created as part of ABC’s Paint the Town Jack, commemorate Jack Daniel’s 160th birthday. In addition, ten of the 34 inch Jack Daniel’s Statues, painted by area restaurants, bars and package stores as part of the Paint the Town Jack competition were on display at ArtWorks.

Past winners include: Earl Swensson Associates; Battle Ground Academy; Bridgestone Americas; Skanska; Emma; Avenue Bank; Dennis Gregory, D.F. Chase Construction; Virginia Gregory Kocai, Bridgestone Americas; Clark Spoden, Frost Brown Todd; Rich Roddy, Avenue Bank; Dave Kazmerowski, Avenue Bank; Rhea Reeves, Sommet Group; Michelle Chalfont, Z-Gallery; James Threakill, Skanska.

It’s back—the annual art exhibit & reception inspiring corporate creativity and camaraderie

NASHVILLE-The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville highlights the creative spirit of Nashville businesses at ArtWorks—the annual art exhibit and reception, October 7, 2010, 5:30-7:30 PM, at the Mall at Green Hills.

Co-chaired by Zach Liff and Norah Buikstra, ArtWorks invites companies to show off their team’s innovation and creativity and enter up to ten pieces of original artworks created by their employees. Everything from paintings and photography to sculpture and architectural design is eligible. ArtWorks seeks to uncap the hidden creative potential found in Nashville’s business community.

Beyond competing for traditional bragging rights, all participating companies compete to win the Critic’s Pick Awards, as judged by Alan LeQuire, Hope Stringer, and Howard Stringer. In addition, ArtWorks attendees will vote for People’s Choice Award winners in both company and individual categories. KraftCPAs is the official accounting firm for ArtWorks.

The Arts and Business Council partners with Art by the Glass founder, Beth Roberts, to introduce an interactive element to ArtWorks. Art by the Glass features local artists teaching their style for students to recreate in weekly classes at the Edgehill Studioes. Thanks to the expertise of Art by the Glass, ArtWorks will feature a painting station where guests can throw on an apron, grab a brush, and get creative. Each guest’s brush stroke will meld together into an original painting.

ArtWorks will also feature a silent auction of two six-foot tall statues of Jack Daniel’s painted by Nashville visual artists Herb Williams and Anthony Billups. The statues, created as part of ABC’s Paint the Town Jack, commemorate Jack Daniel’s 160th birthday. In addition, ten of the 34 inch Jack Daniel’s Statues, painted by area restaurants, bars and package stores as part of the Paint the Town Jack competition in September will be on display at ArtWorks.

The company sign up deadline is October 1. Businesses can enter by calling the Arts & Business Council at (615) 743-3055 or emailing Jaclyn Johnson at jjohnson@ABCnashville.org. Individual ArtWorks tickets are available for $20 at www.ABCnashville.org.

Past winners include: Earl Swensson Associates; Battle Ground Academy; Bridgestone Americas; Skanska; Emma; Avenue Bank; Dennis Gregory, D.F. Chase Construction; Virginia Gregory Kocai, Bridgestone Americas; Clark Spoden, Frost Brown Todd; Rich Roddy, Avenue Bank; Dave Kazmerowski, Avenue Bank; Rhea Reeves, Sommet Group; Michelle Chalfont, Z-Gallery; James Threakill, Skanska.

-9/27/10

NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville and Jack Daniel Distillery present Paint the Town Jack, a collaborative program inspiring workplace creativity among area restaurants, bars and wine and spirits shoppes. The contest culminates at a reception in TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall Lobby on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.

Joining chefs, servers, bartenders and other employees, Paint the Town Jack builds camraderie as teams work to paint statues of JACK utilizing original, creative themes. Included in the over 25 participating establishments are: Midtown Café, Mambu, 3rd & Lindsley, Frugal MacDoogal’s, Beyond the Edge, Weiss Liquors and more.
Judging will take place just prior to the reception and Awards will be presented in the areas of: Most Classic, Most Creative, and Best in Show. Guests will also be asked to participate in voting for the People’s Choice Award while enjoying Jack Daniel’s signature cocktails.

Beginning in June, participants received thirty-four inch statues of Jack Daniels to creatively paint utilizing a theme of their choice. Participants in the Contest made a donation to the Arts & Business Council to drive collaboration between arts and business contributing to the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of greater Nashville.

Nashville visual artists Herb Williams and Anthony Billups are each painting a six –foot JACK statue for auction.

Connie Valentine, President & CEO of the Arts & Business Council, calls Paint the Town Jack “an exciting venture to include Nashville’s culinary artists and restaurants in using new forms of creativity to build workplace innovation and camraderie.”
For more information, call the Arts & Business Council at (615) 743-3055 or visit www.ABCnashville.org.

Event photos available upon request.

-9/14/10