The Spring/Summer installment of the Flying Solo series at Nashville International Airport (BNA) has officially debuted, welcoming travelers to partake in an immersive artistic journey. These new exhibits will be on display through June 23, 2024, showcasing the works of talented Nashville artists including Daniel Arite, Sarah Clinton, Joel Keas, DaShawn Lewis, Josh MacLeod, Vanessa Sharp Multon, Tammy O’Connor, and Mary Ruden.
The Flying Solo series is a respected, rotating art exhibit that offers art organizations and gifted artists an opportunity to exhibit their work at BNA each season The artwork on display covers a wide spectrum, ranging from striking paintings and thought-provoking photographs to intricate blown glass pieces. These artistic expressions are carefully curated to provide travelers with a genuine taste of Nashville’s thriving arts scene.
Created in 1988, BNA’s Arts at the Airport is an ever-growing, ever-changing showcase of cultural diversity and creative talent in Tennessee. The terminal and surrounding facilities were designed to incorporate rotating public art exhibits, permanent acquisitions, and opportunities for live entertainment performances throughout the airport.
A brief biography of the featured artists and their work is as follows:
Daniel Arite“A Wave and a Movement”
Located on Level 1 at the exit of the International Arrivals Facility (IAF)
https://danielariteart.weebly.com/
Link to artworkDaniel Arite is a mixed-media artist who works in collage, assemblage, printmaking, and video. His training and education as an artist are a result of years of independent study that began when he moved to Nashville, TN from Albuquerque, NM in the summer of 2000.
Arite’s artistic journey began with years of independent study upon his move from Albuquerque, NM to Nashville, TN in the summer of 2000. Through classes, workshops, and collaborations with community artists on murals and various projects, he refined his skills across numerous mediums.
Immersing himself in museums and studying the works of prominent artists and architects in the United States significantly contributed to his artistic development. In 2011, he received a professional development grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, awarding him a residency in Catalonia, Spain, where he explored the region’s architecture and prominent artists’ works.
Currently, Arite incorporates a variety of reused materials, including wood, plastic, leather, and metal, in his two-dimensional assemblages and mixed-media collages, reflecting his commitment to environmentally friendly artistic methods. His abstract and conceptual works often touch upon metaphysical themes.
Arite’s works are featured in numerous private collections, including the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University, and are currently on display at Soundwaves Gallery at GEODIS Park, and now at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) through the Arts at the Airport program. Additionally, he recently completed The Uplift Bus Shelter, a collaborative art and design project by the Arite-Shiphrah Artist Team, a public transit project commission from Metro Nashville Arts Commission.
In addition to his visual artistry, Arite is also active as a composer and recording artist.
Sarah Clinton“Notes from Nashville”Located in Concourse D, near Gate D2www.sarahclintonart.com@sarahclintonartLink to artwork
Sarah Clinton, a painter based in Nashville, TN, embarked on her artistic journey in earnest following the birth of her youngest child with a rare genetic disorder (Syngap1), requiring full-time care. Driven by a commitment to making a positive impact through her art, Clinton co-founded the Fearlessly and Wonderfully Created Fine Art Show in Spring 2023, benefiting Saddle Up! – an organization offering therapeutic and recreational activities for children and youth with special needs in Franklin, TN.Additionally, Clinton emerged as a finalist in the Arts & Business Council of Nashville’s Periscope Artist Entrepreneur program. She also serves as the treasurer of The Chestnut Group, a plein air painting organization dedicated to land conservation and preservation. Clinton’s paintings have garnered recognition in numerous juried exhibitions, with many pieces finding homes in private collections.
Reflecting on her journey, the artist shares, “As I learned to navigate the ups and downs of parenting a child with special needs, painting became a way to work through my emotions. I watched my daughter process the world so differently than her peers, reshaping my own perspective as I sought to see things through her unique lens. Finding beauty and nuance in the ordinary greatly influenced both my artwork and my approach to life.”
Her series, “Notes from Nashville,” draws inspiration from the city’s vibrant arts scene and celebrates its visitors and residents. Capturing the collective energy of dynamic Broadway crowds, the series also focuses on individuals who share not only their craft but also their vulnerabilities, fostering connection and inspiration. Each piece within this collection serves as a note in Clinton’s own song for Music City, reflecting a shared experience and connection through the universal language of music and art.
Joel Keas“On the Wings of Dreams”Located on Level 1 at the exit of the IAF
Joel Keas, a native of Tennessee, obtained a Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), where he met his wife, Rhonda. They settled in Knoxville and raised their three children there. Keas draws inspiration from his extensive travels across the United States. His artwork has been showcased in galleries and is featured in both public and private collections. Currently, he participates in one or two shows annually.
His latest collection, “On the Wings of Dreams,” reflects Keas’ eclectic range of subjects. From landscapes to portraits, he paints scenes and objects that captivate his attention and evoke a personal resonance within him, mirroring the diversity of his experiences. This creative process varies, with some ideas materializing spontaneously while others gestate over years before becoming finished paintings. Keas often utilizes oil paint, allowing him the flexibility to sketch rough areas with a brush and refine details or make significant alterations as he progresses.
DaShawn Lewis“Presence”
Located in the A/B Meeter Greeter area near Tennessee Tribune
@dash.on.communityLink to artwork
DaShawn Lewis, a self-taught photographer, focuses his work on preserving memories and promoting youth arts. Born and raised in Nashville, TN, his passion for photography traces back to his childhood. When capturing images, he prioritizes building community and fostering connections. Lewis coined the term “Life Photography,” which aims to authentically document real-life events, people, and environments.His primary objective is to highlight the significance of everyday life and everyday people. In recent years, Lewis, alongside his creative peers, has collaborated on workshops and exhibitions with the Edgehill Brighter Days Program in South Nashville, under the leadership of Nancy Crutcher.
Joshua MacLeod“Pictures of Nations – Haiti”Located on Level 1 at the exit of the IAF
Picturethenations.orgLink to artwork
Joshua MacLeod, the founder and president of Growability®, is dedicated to empowering leaders to thrive in both their personal and professional lives. Alongside co-hosting the Growability® Podcast, he is recognized as a thought leader in strategic leadership, business, and nonprofit management. MacLeod is also an accomplished storyteller, speaker, coach, and award-winning photographer.
Apart from his entrepreneurial pursuits, he established two 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations: Instruments of Joy and Picture the Nations. MacLeod founded Picture the Nations with the aim of portraying countries through the beauty of their people rather than the stigma of their poverty. This organization offers charitable photography services globally, creating photography products whose proceeds contribute to poverty alleviation in the countries where the photographs are taken. MacLeod resides in Nashville, TN, with his wife Sarah and their nine children.
Vanessa Sharp Multon“Impressions of Nature” Located on Level 1 at the exit of the IAF https://vanessamulton.com/ @artbyvanessam Link to artwork
Vanessa Sharp Multon’s artistic journey began in the scenic landscapes of West Tennessee, cultivating her innate creativity. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University, she enjoyed a successful career as a graphic designer in advertising. However, her unwavering passion for fine art brought her back to painting, resulting in notable recognitions such as her inclusion in the 2023 and 2024 “Soundwaves Gallery” at Nashville Soccer Club’s GEODIS Park and acknowledgment as one of “11 Emerging Contemporary Artists From Nashville to Know” by The Culture Trip.
Multon’s paintings have graced global private collections, as well as the prestigious Vanderbilt University Medical Center collection, and have been featured on HGTV. Furthermore, her work has been exhibited in numerous shows and stores throughout the country. As a licensed artist through iCanvas, she has caught the attention of a commercial curator, positioning her work for potential opportunities through Artrepreneur.Currently residing in Franklin, Tennessee, Multon, alongside her husband and two sons, continues to captivate art lovers worldwide with her stunning artwork and unwavering passion for painting.
Tammy O’Connor “Hand Shadows – Imagination in Glass” Located in Concourse D, near Gate D4https://www.vitricvisions.com/ @vitricvisions_stained_glass Link to artwork
Growing up in Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1960s, Tammy O’Connor was deeply impacted by witnessing the pain and fear caused by hatred. She made a solemn vow that her life would never perpetuate such negativity. Inspired by her uncle’s kindness, compassion, and love, she resolved to pursue a career in photography, guided by her high school counselor. Despite the absence of a photography class in her school, O’Connor was grateful when her counselor placed her in commercial art. Through this course, she delved into the study of design, color, and composition, ultimately graduating in photography from The Art Institute of Atlanta.
Though she initially pursued photography, O’Connor felt that it didn’t fully resonate with her artistic vision. However, upon discovering stained glass, she realized she could still express herself through composition, light, and color, finding a perfect fit.
A quiet and introspective individual by nature, O’Connor finds solace in her studio, where she immerses herself in her work while listening to music and contemplating the profound impact of love in our lives. She perceives the souls around her as sharing similarities with the glass she works with—beautiful, colorful, and fragile. O’Connor’s ultimate aspiration is for her art to inspire others to embrace beauty, find tranquility, and revel in the joy of color illuminated by sunlight.
In both her life and work, she endeavors to seeks the sentiment expressed by German composer Robert Schumann: “to send light into the darkness of men’s hearts—such is the duty of the artist.”
Mary Ruden“Orchid Botanicals” Located on the A Concourse, near Kijiji Coffeehttps://www.maryruden.com/ Link to artwork
With a distinguished career spanning over eight years as an art instructor across multiple colleges, Mary Ruden’s contributions extend beyond academia. She has delivered presentations to numerous environmental groups, focusing on botanical and conservation themes.
Her large outdoor sculptures for Public Art projects adorn several states and government buildings, including exhibitions at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. Notably, her botanical illustrations of native plants were showcased at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Center for a Centennial exhibit of the National Parks.
Recognized as the “Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year” in Gatlinburg, TN in 2017, Ruden further showcased her talents with a solo exhibition at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, highlighting native and endangered plants. She has illustrated two posters on native orchids of North America and authored a field guide on the subject.Ruden’s dedication to botanical art is evident through her membership in the American Society of Botanical Artists.
