From the rhythm of the music created here to the natural beauty of our parks and greenways, there is a spirit of connection, celebration, and resilience at the core of Nashville’s identity. This city is a dynamic place where history is created and preserved, where innovation thrives alongside tradition, and where Nashvillians—old and new—are the beating pulse of a thriving and changing city.
The Soundwaves Gallery: THE HE(ART) OF NASHVILLE is a celebration of place, people, stories, and community spirit at the core of Nashville’s identity as a uniquely creative city. Meet the artists!
Jon Crisp
Jon Crisp is a sculptor living and working in Nashville. Jon works in wood executing portraits of individuals from the Hip Hop and Country & Western traditions of musical expression primarily. Jon’s work is an investigation of the role of folk and self made icons within the context of our shared cultural canon.
The Dreamers of the Daytime Hand-carved wood: “When I think of the ‘City of Music’ that is Nashville I don’t think of the ‘industry,’ the giants or the legends. I think about the music of the people of here, about here. Nashville is fortunate to be home to a vibrant, thriving Rap community. It is a community peopled by some of the best lyricists writing today. They are a diverse group of individuals sharing a two-fold commonality, a love for what they do and an irresistible compulsion to do it. When I think of them, I am reminded of what T.E. Lawrence said about the daytime dreamers being dangerous “for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” I think that is the heart of Nashville. To best illustrate that heart and spirit I have chosen to represent local artists Namir Blade, Brian Brown and Gee Slab. The “cabinet” framing the portraits is intended to be evocative of the Ryman Auditorium, symbol of Nashville’s traditions but also its people’s transcendence.”
LeAndra Crystal
LeAndra Crystal is a multidisciplinary artist, muralist, and certified Therapeutic Art Life Coach based in Nashville, TN. With a passion for using art as a healing tool, she creates immersive works that foster emotional well-being and community engagement. Her work spans fine artwork, public murals, therapeutic art coaching, and collaborative projects with institutions like Belmont University and the North Nashville Arts Coalition. LeAndra’s artistic vision celebrates cultural identity, healing, and empowerment, making art accessible and impactful for diverse audiences.
[Their] Flowers Alcohol Ink Print: A vibrant celebration of life, inspired by the idea of giving people their flowers while they are still here to appreciate them. The bursts of color and dynamic flow symbolize the joy, gratitude, and beauty we can share with others in the present. This piece encourages us to honor the people who shape our lives and communities, reflecting Nashville’s spirit of connection and celebration. It’s a reminder that, just like art, our relationships and shared experiences are what truly bring life to the city’s creative heart.
Anna Wise
Anna Wise was born in Birmingham, Alabama and has lived in Nashville, Tennessee since 2011. She specializes in abstract figurative paintings using mixed media and oil, often on upcycled canvases and surfaces. Her beautifully chaotic paintings explore themes of hope, resilience, and self discovery, and personify pivotal moments in the seasonality of life.
She has participated in solo and group exhibitions including KORE gallery (Louisville KY), Rockwall Gallery (Nashville TN), and Red 225 Gallery (Nashville TN). She participated in Superfine Art Fair in 2023/2024, participated in The Other Art Fair in 2024, and completed a residency at The Graduate Hotel (Nashville TN) in 2024. Anna is a member of the Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training Class of 2025.
Beneath The Surface Mixed media and oil paint: This artwork explores rediscovering hope in unexpected places and how our intentions inevitably rise to the surface. THE HE(ART) OF NASHVILLE is Nashville’s embodiment of hope and resilience. Following the 2010 flood, the city emerged stronger than ever, thanks to the unwavering “can-do” spirit and hopeful determination of its people.
This unique exhibition features 44 artworks by 44 local artists selected by the Nashville Soccer Club and the Arts & Business Council in collaboration with a three-person curatorial committee comprised of local arts leaders Michael J. McBride, Artist, Illustrator, Printmaker, Painter, and Instructor of Art at Tennessee State University; Amanda H. Hellman, Director of the Vanderbilt University Museum of Art; and Michael Mitchell (aka mikewindy), Artist and Art Education Coordinator at Tennessee State University.
The artwork will remain on display in the Soundwaves Gallery at GEODIS Park through the end of the Nashville SC 2025 Season.