The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville proudly announces the selection of the 2024 class of Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training (Periscope Nashville), an annual business development intensive that empowers working artists to see their creative practice through an entrepreneurial lens. This year’s class consists of 25 artists working in an array of disciplines including music, literary arts, visual arts, film/television, jewelry, theater and more.
Artists are chosen for Periscope Nashville through a competitive application process and scored by a panel of community reviewers that includes leading artists, curators, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs in Nashville’s arts, culture and business sectors. Selected artists participate in eight weeks of entrepreneurial training followed by six months of individualized mentorship with high-caliber business mentors. The program culminates at the Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase in September where artist entrepreneurs unveil their creative businesses to the community.
The 2024 Class of Periscope Nashville is:
Alvaro Hernandez
Visual Art, Photography
Alvaro Hernandez (he/him) is a talented Venezuelan photographer who dedicates himself to continuous learning and practice to refine his skills. With a particular focus on street photography, portraits, and concert photography, he captures the essence of moments with artistic finesse. Having made the leap to Nashville over a year ago, Alvaro is fervently working to establish his presence in the city’s bustling business community. His passion for photography, coupled with his determination to excel, drives him to create captivating visual narratives that resonate with viewers. Through his lens, Alvaro endeavors to showcase the unique charm and energy of Nashville, leaving an indelible mark on the local photography scene.
Angela Grant
Literary Arts, Artistic Wellness
Angela A. Grant (she/her), a Nashville native and entrepreneur, is a dynamic leader making a lasting impact across diverse industries. Founder of Angela’s Anchor, she leverages 15+ years of expertise to guide individuals through grief and loss. Angela’s passions for writing, event curation, and counseling converge in transformative retreats, epitomizing authenticity. Her notable achievement includes ‘2:7 The Awakening of Love,’ a poignant exploration of love, loss, and healing after her fiancé’s passing. Beyond her professional pursuits, Angela cherishes travel, journaling, and time spent with friends and family.
Ania Diallo
Visual Art, Multi-Disciplinary
Ania Diallo (she/her) is a 25-year-old Creative Director and teaching artist from the heart of Louisville, Kentucky. From painting and event planning to the intricate world of henna art, her artistic journey has been a dynamic one. She discovered her love for painting and curating in college, turning it into both a passion and a healing source. In 2019, she launched a painting business which began to slow down due to the pandemic. During this time, she gravitated toward henna as a creative outlet that allowed a space for intimacy and vulnerability with her clients. Ania’s Senegalese heritage inspired her to begin educating on Henna’s ancient African origins, connecting her with a wider audience of people. People soon became her canvas and thus inspiring 9Muses Henna! 9Muses Henna is an entertainment provider currently offering educational wellness workshops such as “Henna & Heal”, event planning and curation.
Anne Buckle
Music
Anne Buckle (she/her) is a musician, teaching artist, and songwriter originally from Peachtree City, GA. A graduate of Harvard University and The University of Tennessee, her first few years out of college were spent working for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France, and in Tennessee higher education policy. In 2015, she made the decision to pursue a career in music full-time and has since shared the stage with the late Charlie Daniels, toured with Augustana opening for The Chicks, written songs recorded by other artists including American Idol’s David Archuleta, and released her own original songs amassing over 4 million streams across platforms. As a teaching artist, Anne works with individuals and organizations to help them unleash their creativity through music. 2024 will see the release of her full-length record WILDWOOD and debut children’s book Firefly.
Bryan Ruby
Music
Bryan Ruby (he/him) is a rising country music artist and current John Lennon International Songwriting Contest Finalist based in Nashville, Tennessee. As a songwriter, Bryan has written over 30 songs that have been recorded by country and pop music singers. Bryan won Season 7 of the talent-search competition Nashville Rising Song, and released his debut single, “Left Field” in 2022. The song was featured on The TODAY Show and added to rotation on SiriusXM’s Country Pride and the Academy of Country Music’s Ultimate Pride Playlist. With an “expressive baritone,” (Music Row Magazine) and “introspective and relatable storytelling” (The Nash News), Bryan’s music combines raw, deeply vulnerable truth with “a honey-bourbon voice that was destined for country music” (The Nashville Scene).
Bryan made history in September 2021 when he became the only active professional baseball player to come out as gay at the time. The inspirational story was featured in USA Today as well as 100+ media outlets around the world including CBS, Yahoo, Bleacher Report and Teen Vogue. He then founded Proud To Be In Baseball, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating, educating, and creating opportunities for the next generation of LGBTQ baseball players. Ruby’s nonprofit work has earned him a spot on Out Magazine’s prestigious Out 100 list and the Rising Star award from the Foundation For Love & Acceptance in Nashville.
Diedre Husak
Visual Art
Deidre Husak (she/her) is originally from the Hawaiian Islands where she developed a love for culture, the beauty of nature and strong sense of family which translates into her works of art. Her first art class was in high school where she learned how to draw and paint and then went on to college to try and establish an art career. She then changed her degree to science, a field that was seemingly more promising. Later in life she again took art classes but at a community college in Seattle, picking up where she left of years ago. After taking numerous workshops by some of the world’s most talented watercolor masters, she continues to grow her skills while constantly redefining her work. Now living in Nashville with her family of 5, she focuses on balancing her family and art life. Utilizing mainly watercolor her subject matter consists of flora, fauna, people and still life. Deidre’s creativity and fine eye for detail allows her to bring her works of art to life.
Derrick “Saint” Johnson
Visual Art, Photography
Derrick “Saint” Johnson (he/him) has been doing art and being around art most of his life. He discovered photography during his sophomore year of high school, and over the years and two universities later, he has found a deeper appreciation for photography. Derrick blends lessons from past experimentation with various mediums with his photography to create his various photographic works. He continues to work diligently on his craft as he learns more about photography, the greats that came before him, and how he edits and approaches various subjects.
Dina Rae Capitani
Visual Art, Literary Arts, Multi-Disciplinary
Dina Rae Capitani (she/her) is a professional pet portrait artist, and since 2005 Dina has honored the spirit and personality of hundreds of beloved pets with her unique caricature style portraiture called “Doggie Doodles by Dina,” and paints many of her portraits live at special events and markets around Nashville. In 2022 Dina co-created and illustrated the Temple of Dog Oracle Deck representing over 17 years of original doggie and kitty art paired with witty captions offering spiritual lessons for humans from the heart of dog with a little cattitude.” Dina is also a musician, songwriter and community builder who loves to bring poetry together with music and lead interactive improvisational poetry jams and is a devoted lover of nature and meditation, hosting experiential journeys and retreats in the great outdoors. Dina creates art out of the love and joy she feels for dogs and cats and believes in the power of art to heal, inspire and connect people to their heart, receiving endless inspiration from her beloved mutts Nola and Cleo and the many adorable pets she gets to meet along the way.
Hannah Dorfman
Drama/Theatre/Performance Art, Music
Hannah Dorfman (she/her) is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performance artist who provides audiences with delightfully eccentric theatrical experiences in coexistence with strong technique and poignant songwriting. She has been described by collaborators and fans as a “vocal powerhouse” and “an expert poet and musician whose soulful lyrics and resonant melodies serve as a profound reminder that clarity often comes when we stop seeking so fiercely for the answers.”
Dorfman is co-founder and co-director of Nashville theater collective Amm Skellars, co-writing, co-producing and starring in their hit interactive comedy musicals Rat Race and Silver Platter. In ensembles and solo performances, Dorfman’s inventive songwriting and electric performances leave audiences marveling at unique genre mashups, enlivened by interactivity with onstage actors, mulling over the juxtaposition of the silly and the serious, and certain they’ve had a hell of a good time.
Jamaica Shaw
Fashion/Textiles, Visual Art, Paper Engineering
Jamaica Shaw (she/her) is a fiber artist driven by a passion for storytelling and a love of texture and color. Over the years, she has honed her skills in quilting and pop-up book design, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair. Her commitment to mindful consumption and innovation is evident in her work, which reflects a unique blend of heritage and creativity. Highlights of her journey include receiving a scholarship from the Movable Book Society, which opened doors to collaborations with other paper engineers and pop-up book artists as well as participation in “Paper, Thread, and Trash: A Collection of Art Books Made From Reuse.” Eager to continue her growth, Jamaica looks forward to participating in the Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training program, where she aims to expand her network and make a meaningful impact within the creative community.
James Lauderdale, Jr.
Literary Arts, Magazine Publishing, Spoken Word
James Lauderdale, Jr. (he/him) is the new minister of the Seventh Avenue Church of Christ. He uses his servant heart to serve his community through ministry and business. For business, he believes it should be serving the community, not just trying to make the maximum dollar. This has caused him to volunteer his services to local nonprofit Nashville Peacemakers. In addition, his passion for where he lives, North Nashville, led him to establish a magazine and consulting firm—The 37208. It advocates for fair business practices and for nonprofits to establish social enterprises. Lauderdale aims to use this business to highlight the history, greatness, and solutions of and for ZIP Code 37208.
Kenny Grass (they/them)
Film/Television, Visual Art
Kenny Grass (they/them) is a queer Gen-Z Nashville native artist whose passion lies in bringing together all walks of life through visual storytelling. They have conceptualized the first season of an animated series full of spunk, adventure, and emotional depth, titled Spare the World. Their goal is to give people of most ages a story that will help them perceive nonviolent threats to one’s mental health, while maintaining the perfect balance of lighthearted and heavy moments. Growing up they believed being a showrunner was only possible in a perfect world. After realizing that thought was fictional, they pursued their purpose with all their heart, and now feel that their dream is closer to becoming reality than ever before.
Kevin Page
Visual Art, Public Art/Creative Placemaking
Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of fun and wonder created by Kevin Page. Page (he/him) creates energetic expressive gifts that make people smile, laugh, and sometimes cry. Thousands of people have experienced Page’s art through public installations, published materials, and media platforms. Page’s work has been published in Rockefeller Center, Young Storytellers, The Contributor, 826DC, and the Williamson Herald. Page is a recipient of Thrive funding from Metro Arts: Nashville’s Office of Arts + Culture and an art award from the City of Franklin. He was a guest artist for SoKidLit at Middle Tennessee State University. Page has spoken around the globe at conferences. Kevin Page hopes you have a wonderful day!
Kimberly Clo
Visual Art
Kimberly Clo (she/her) is a visual artist and thought leader driven by an inner quest for self-discovery through geometry as a sacred practice. Kimberly’s work encourages the viewer to seek a compassionate understanding of themselves and to connect authentically within the communities they are a part of. Her art is constructed by hand using the simplest geometric forms – circles, lines, and dots – it is as futuristic as it is nurturing. Her use of color and precious metals transmit meaning and evoke a sense of wonder. She was commissioned by NewsChannel 5 to create the “Embrace” mural on Banker’s Alley.Kimberly is a Latina woman of Venezuelan descent who has lived in the Nashville area for over 20 years with her husband, two adult children, a dog, 2 cats, chickens, and a royal python. Kimberly retired from 25 years of working as a professional hair and makeup artist.
Leslie LaChance
Literary Arts, Visual Art
Leslie LaChance (she/her) is a writer, editor, and mixed-media artist whose work appears in magazines and journals such as The Nashvillian, The East Nashvillian, Stirring: A Literary Collection, Still: The Journal, and Birmingham Poetry Review. Leslie is a writing mentor for teens with the Nashville non-profit Southern Word and has taught collegiate writing and literature classes. She also works as an academic portfolio consultant for students in the University Scholars Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Leslie serves on the board of the expressive arts teaching studio Art & Soul Nashville, and volunteers as a “ROS1 Driver” for the ROS1ders, a cancer patient and research advocacy organization for people affected by the rare ROS1+ cancer. She blogs about art, health, illness, and well-being at Sojourn & Stardust. Leslie lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lily Wujek
Fine Jewelry
Lily Wujek (she/her) is a trained jeweler with a background in metal casting and luxury retail. She completed the Graduate Bench Jewelers course at New Approach School for Jewelers in 2020 before apprenticing under a master jeweler of 40 years in San Luis Obispo, CA.
In 2022, Lily launched her eponymous brand – Lily Wujek Fine Jewelry – specializing in sterling silver fine jewelry with precious gemstones and bespoke, solid gold jewelry pieces. Her design style is guided by the ethos, “there is beauty in simplicity,” and her jewelry collection prioritizes craftsmanship, comfort & elegance. She designs, crafts & sells every piece of jewelry from her studio in Nashville, TN.
Logan Elder
Visual Art, Photography
Logan Elder (he/him) is a commercial photographer and co-founder of Loelle Studios, a creative studio that focuses on bold and colorful product photography. Logan is also a skilled assistant who works with photographers outside of his own studio. Specializing in balancing technical prowess with creative elevation, he enjoys getting to learn and use new gear and techniques to bring intricate scenes to life. In his free time, you can find him shooting film, throwing pottery at a local ceramics studio, and planning his garden each spring.
Lydia Underwood
Multi-Disciplinary, Interior Design
As an interior designer, artist, & harpist, Lydia Underwood (she/her) launched Aisthesis Studio to create beautiful experiences through design, the arts, & music. She graduated with both a BA in Interior Architecture & a BM in Harp Performance from the University of Louisville. After 10 years of commercial design experience with a focus in hospitality, she realized 2 things: she is passionate about fair-trade labor, and she missed art & music.
In 2023 she took the leap of launching Aisthesis Studio as a collaborative platform for beautiful (yet conscientious) art forms – focused on meaningful interiors, aiming to provide fair-trade opportunities for underprivileged peoples around the world, and sharing the joy of music with the local community.
In her designs, Lydia particularly enjoys working with elements from another time or place because they add depth and interest. And in her art, Lydia’s favorite mediums are found materials, tiny beads, & textiles.
Meghan Guilfoil
Visual Art
Meghan Guilfoil (she/her) grew up in a suburb of Atlanta, but she was always a country girl at heart. A fierce love for horses began at a young age and she would grasp at any opportunity to be near them. This passion always found its way into a pencil and sketchbook, and she dedicated most of her playtime to studying and drawing horses. In a continued search for an equine life, she started a pre-veterinarian program for large animals, but her heart was still in the arts. After working through undergrad at a quarter horse farm and graduating with a Fine Arts degree from Berry College, she became an art educator. The realities of life carried Meghan gradually away from her unrealized dreams, but here to Nashville, with the opportunity to start again. Encouraged to paint, she found her heart come alive when the oils, pigments, majestic western skies and powerful movements of wild horses hit the canvas. This led to a new mission to use the arts to advocate for what remains of our country’s heritage of wild horses. These mustangs represent more than our cultural roots, but also our desires to protect what is innocent and beautiful, and the freedom to live true to our spirit. Meghan’s hope is for her work to bring awareness and support for these mustangs, as she partners with organizations and sanctuary herds with their boots on the ground. She also aims to inspire the every-day, urban cowgirls and boys to keep their hearts wild and their spirits free.
Mehuman Ernst
Multi-Disciplinary, Music, Podcaster
“Right as Rain” – Mehuman Ernst (she/her) is rooted in Gospel Blues to reinforce her provocative, folky lyrics. A curated range of melodies, from the romantic imprints of the most luscious torch songs to the rawest down-home banger, guides the listener through a refreshing and deeply personal perspective on life, love, and loss, Mehuman successfully melds multiple genres into relevant Afro-Americana Country Soul with her distinct vocal ability and sought after sounds. Versatile and often soaring, Mehuman’s vocal warmth envelopes audiences around the world, with one authentic emotional fueled message, “Always love, always hope.” True to the meaning of her given name, Mehuman (pron. “May – mon”), “The Faithful One”, performs from her soul with a fearless transparency. Centered in the faith of her pastoral parents and ancestors, Mehuman is honored to have shared stages with Ani DiFranco, Ruthie Foster, Luka Bloom, G-Love, Jimmy Gnecco, Rufus Wainwright, and more. Grateful to call both Nashville, TN and Portland, ME “Home”, Mehuman continues to build community as a musician, songwriter and conservationist on a small TN farm. Mehuman is The Founder of GourdFest, and The Gourd – Celebrating the Intersection of Arts & Agriculture, a fiscally sponsored project of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville. A prolific SESAC artist and former Arista Records talent, Mehuman continues to embrace her current independence with audacity and grace. Watch for a full record’s worth of new singles from Mehuman, and her first Christmas album in 2024.
Nija Woods
Visual Art, Therapeutic Art
Nija Woods (she/her), an abstract expressionist certified in Color Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Meditation, and as a Therapeutic Art Life Coach, leverages abstract expressionism and color psychology in various art mediums to create therapeutic outlets. These outlets cater to those wary of traditional therapy, have limited access to therapeutic resources, or seek to augment their current therapy. Woods’s workshops, Creatif Moi, which include innovative activities like painting in the dark and blindfolded yoga, incorporate sound healing and breath work. Aimed at promoting inclusivity and emotional expression, her approach benefits a broad audience, enhancing creativity, cognitive development, and social skills, offering a holistic supplement to conventional therapy methods.
Roz Malone
Music
Roslyn (Roz) Malone (she/her), a native of North Alabama, is a saxophonist and vocalist who resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she works as a freelance musician. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Roz has shared the stage with Keith Urban, Victor Wooten, Jennifer Hudson, and Chris Stapleton. With a rich and soulful sound, her music crosses genre boundaries and connects with younger artists and audiences. Roz has worked with many great artists and musicians around Nashville and is well-connected in the community of emerging artists.
Sahara Moon
Music
Sahara Moon (she/her) is a singer-songwriter and artist who comes from the coastal region of New Jersey and is currently based in Nashville. Her soulful sound makes a “decadent blend of well-worn influences and modern studio fare” of Uptown Americana with an influence of jazz, folk, and blues, similar to Norah Jones. She has shared the stage with Gabe Dixon, Blackberry Smoke, The Marshall Tucker Band, Robert Cray, Stephen Kellogg, Billy Currington amongst others and has performed for notable festivals such as Let’s Go! Music Festival, Mayday Music Festival, and Americanafest.
Moon released three single releases in 2023. Her recent collaboration of Coldplay’s “Clocks” has reached over six million streams. She released her debut Worthy EP in 2020 which features songs “Everything Will Be Alright” and “Beauty In A Rose.” Her debut single, “New York” was released in 2018.
Sarah Atenhan
Drama/Theatre/Performance Art, Dance
Sarah Atenhan (they/them) is a multi-disciplined professional from Oak Park, Illinois. Their journey started with a dance education consisting of flamenco, ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop before discovering aerial dance post-graduation from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 2008 (B.S., Psychology).
Embarking on their professional career in 2009, Sarah thrived as a choreographer, performer, and educator across Chicago and beyond. Alongside their dance endeavors, they also developed a career in video production, live events, and digital communications, traversing the country for their work.
Inspired by personal experiences and fueled by a passion for adaptive movement, Sarah founded Satellite Dance in Nashville in 2018, fostering a space for expression and exploration for individuals of diverse abilities and ages. Their journey also led to the discovery of their own diagnoses of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and neurodivergence, further driving their advocacy for inclusivity in the performing arts.
Stephen J. Watts
Literary Arts, Public Art/Creative Placemaking
Stephen Watts (he/him) is from the Bronx, New York and moved to Nashville by way of Chicago. With experience in community organizing, data analysis, and writing for social change, Stephen currently works at YWCA Nashville where he manages the Social Justice & Advocacy Department. Politics is inherently creative, and all art is inherently political. Politics is about building connections and community where we can dare to be free. What we do with that freedom is art.
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