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By: Jake Elliott

As national arts funding comes under fire, local artist Jake Elliott, founder of What. Creative Group, is taking a stand in Nashville. Elliott rallied together artists and nonprofits from across the city to shine a light on the importance of arts programming through the creation of a large-scale community art piece.

Together with 16 local artists participating in local arts programming, Elliott designed and painted a 50-ft. section, called the “Nashville Quilt,” of the existing Off the Wall mural project in west Nashville. This world-class, outdoor, contemporary art initiative aims to revitalize the Charlotte Ave. community through the power of urban art.

“Urban art is one of the most powerful tools a community has to bring about positive change. It opens the door to a more connected, engaged and unified community bridging culture with expression. Nashville is a city defined by its many forms of art, bringing a distinct pride to its unique communities. It’s now more important than ever to showcase the value that arts programming brings to our communities and our city,” says Elliott.

Each of the artists selected for the Nashville Quilt project are active participants in local arts programming  through the Nashville Park Center, Poverty and the Arts, Room in the Inn, and the Oasis Center. Journalist and creative scene heavy-hitter Lily Hansen tell the stories of each artists and organizations throughout the process in her Word of Mouth - Nashville Conversations, pairing their stories with photographs by photographer Elizabeth Ratliff.

“Our art students rely on painting classes for therapy, helping them build skills, confidence, and a greater sense of self-worth. But their work is largely undervalued and doesn’t often make its way outside our walls. This initiative allows them to contribute to their city in a way most have not been able to, and we couldn’t be more excited,” Elizabeth Ratliff, volunteer art instructor at Room In The Inn, says.

Elliott believes that involving the community in public places changes not only how we see those places, but also how we interact with each other. The Nashville Quilt is a community piece from start to finish -- from hosting 50 people at a neighborhood paint day, to financial support from individuals and businesses, such as the Post East and Frothy Monkey, to the artists themselves, who are all participants in arts programming at four local non-profits supporting underserved communities. “It’s hard to think of another scenario where homeless artists and those with mental illness, at-risk youth, business owners, neighbors, and more have collaborated on one deliverable, so we’re proud that this piece has brought together over 100 participants from all walks of life. It is truly a community work of art, and we hope it has bridged gaps, built confidence and pride, and fostered understanding,” says Elliott.

It took four phases to fully execute Elliott’s dream.

Phase 1: Crowdsourcing - The projected budget was $3,000, which paid for supplies and equipment. Donations were appropriated through a Go Fund Me page, which features a video provided by media company Jump Goat Media pro bono.

Phase 2: Paint The Backdrop - WHAT. Creative Group hosted a paint day where staff from all the nonprofits, local artists, business owners, friends, family, and even people walking down the street painted the backdrop to the mural in just 3 hours.

Phase 3: Workshops - Each week for three months, Elliott hosted workshops at each non-profit teaching the artists how to create a large exterior art piece. Each of the 16 artists was responsible for painting a 4’x4’ piece that represented “What Nashville Means To Me.” The pieces that came back were, in a word, stunning. One piece, done by a student who’s a refugee from Somalia, shows her life as a road in pieces, coming together into a smooth path once she arrived in Nashville. Each piece was installed on the wall by volunteers on 20-ft ladders.

Phase 4: Tell Their Story - Through an 18-part series, one released each week, Lily tells each artist’s story. Through these interviews, we learn about the life circumstances surrounding each artist and gain perspective on how they see the world. “I consider this phase to be the most important because my main hope is that we can change some minds about the importance of art and arts funding as well as give our Nashville Quilt artists the opportunity to feel what it's like to have a large public art piece and have their story featured,” says Elliott. “As oft-overlooked community members, I think they just want to be seen and heard. I hope that after reading the stories in this project, the wider Nashville community has more compassion for people with different backgrounds.” says Hansen.

In the end the Nashville Quilt isn’t about a mural at all. It may be the shiny object that is initially attractive, but the real story is how it brought the community together. “Sure, we wanted to install an aesthetically pleasing art piece, but moreso my focus was to unite the community by having a common goal while also introducing others to the importance art has not only on an individual level but to our city as a whole.” “In my experience, art is a very powerful tool that we can use therapeutically as well as bring positive change into the world. I hope the Nashville Quilt inspires others to use their passion to make a difference.” says Elliott.

The Nashville Quilt can be found on the corner of Charlotte Ave and 28th. Lily C. Hansen will be releasing an article each week until the end of November on her Word of Mouth blog.

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WHAT. is co-owned by husband and wife team, Jake and Hana Elliott.

Jake is an award winning public and abstract artist, focusing on sculpture, signage, and multi-medium painting. He boasts such accolades as selection to create a skylight exhibit in the Nashville International Airport (BNA) and invitation to participate as a member of the Nashville Metro Arts Council Learning Lab program. Hana is a marketer by day, and she brings her experience to help grow and develop WHAT.’s business and partnership opportunities.

Jake and Hana believe that to strengthen the community around us, we need to be creative about how we approach and solve issues. Because of this, much of the work that WHAT. does is focused on supporting artists and arts-based programs in middle Tennessee.

Keep up with Jake and his company, What Creative Group here:
Website - http://www.what-nashville.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/what.creativegroup/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/What.Nashville/?ref=bookmarks
Email - what.nashville@gmail.com

By: Greta Hollar

Nashville has so many cool murals around town and over the years has grown exponentially! I always get asked where these murals are located, so when they come visit Nashville they can visit and have a photo taken there themselves. Over the past year, it’s become a goal to have a photo taken or take a photo at each mural. I would be close to done with my list but many times when would catch wind of three or four more and have to go check it out.

So here you have it! All the well-known Nashville murals and the address to find them. If you do visit and take a photo at one of the murals/places below, be sure to tag me -  @greta_hollar! (I’ll also try to update as Nashville grows!)

Thistle Farms in West Nashville off Charlotte Pike

 The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden in East Nashville

“I Believe in Smashville” Mural by DCXV Industries, Bridgestone Arena

Import Flowers Sunflower Mural - On Murphy Road off West End as you hit Sylvan Park on the side of the Import Flowers building

On the other side of Import Flowers

Octopus in East Nashville - 604 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Good Food for Good People Mural - 4611 Alabama Ave

I Believe in Nashville sign by DCXV Industries- Marathon Music Works, Riverside Village on the side of Mitchell’s Deli, & 12 South right next to Edley’s and Draper James


Hillsboro Mural - KayBob’s/Pizza Perfect, Hillsboro Village, 1602 21st Ave. South

Rolf & Daughters Mural in Germantown  |  Artist: Shantell Martin

Dragon Mural in Hillsboro Village (In between Posh and Pangea)
Artists: David Glick and Adam Randolph

East Nashville Sign - Side of the Joyner and Hogan building at 600 Main St

East Nashville Tomato Mural by Eastside Murals - Eastland Avenue

East Nashville Center 615 - 626 Main Street

Charlotte Off the Wall Mural on Charlotte Avenue (across from Avo)
Artist: Seth Prestwood

Angel Wings Mural in the Gulch (it’s in the entrance of a parking garage next to Taziki’s)
Artist: Kelsey Montague

Johnny Cash lyrics mural (on the side of a parking garage on 5th Avenue N. going towards Broadway) | Artist: Niels Shoe Meulman


In front of the mural above, there’s an ally. Take a left and the two murals below are there!  |  Artist: Tavar ‘Above’ Zawacki

 

Artist: Unknown

If you’re going down 6th Avenue North and pass the Hermitage Hotel, the mural below is on the building directly in front of you.
Artist: duo Herakut

After seeing the mural above, keep going down 6th Ave N and turn left onto Church. Almost immediately to your left past Oscar’s Taco Shop is a paid parking lot with the two murals below.
Artist: Curiot

Artist: Rone

Storyville USA off 8 Cannery Row
Artist: Michael Cooper

Directly across the street from the Storyville USA mural is this fun blue mural! If you’re mapping it, 8th Ave S. and Drexel Street.
Artist: Brian Nash

Bird and Guitar Mural on 8th Avenue at Carter Vintage Guitars

This cool game inspired mural is in Wedgewood/Houston (across from Dozen Bakery on 516 Hagan Street).
Artist: Ronzi

In East Nashville Five Points on the other side of the bicycle shop
Artist: Leah Tumerman

In East Nashville Five Points area next to Bongo Java
Artist: Leah Tumerman & Eastside Murals

Three Brothers Coffee on West End Avenue
Artist: DCXV

Found near a parking lot off 3rd Avenue in Downtown Nashville
Artist: Brandon Donahue & Chris Zidek & Emily Miller & Herb Williams & Sam Dunson

The two below can be found at Epice in 12 South
Artist: Unknown

Artist: Relax Max

Wedgehill Market at 600 Benton Ave
Artist: Josh Blevins

Tristar mural in Wedgewood Houston at the corner of Martin Street and Humphrey Street
Artist: Unknown

The two below are at Printers Press
Artist: Brandon Donahue

Artist: Bongang

On Charlotte Pike next to Richland Park
Artist: Unknown

In the Gulch Across from the strip with Apothecary & Taziki’s
Artist: Ian Ross

Artist: Jason Woodside

What’s your favorite local mural? If we missed yours share it in a comment below!

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Greta is a Nashville Native and local blogger. She loves the Nashville Predators, summer nights at SATCO, shopping trips to 12 South and long walks at Richland Park!
Instagram is @greta_hollar
Website is www.gretahollar.com
Email: greta.hollar@gmail.com

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