- 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!
Jamersonsgc - Charles Key, known as Jamersonsgc, is a visionary artist from South Central Los Angeles who transformed his challenging upbringing into a powerful artistic journey. Growing up amid gang violence and family struggles—four of his six brothers served over 70 years in prison—Charles used art as a refuge and a tool for empowerment. His background in engineering enhances his unique style, blending technical skill with deep storytelling. Through murals and mixed-media pieces, he inspires communities across the U.S., with works in Los Angeles, Nashville, and beyond. Self-funding projects in underserved areas, Charles celebrates Black history and sparks meaningful conversations. His journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of art.
- Artwork: Hidden in Plain Sight, Oil on canvas
- “The innocence of a child led to this piece. My niece and I were in a sunflower field, she just happened to have a dress with sunflowers as well. As we began to run through the field…she abruptly stopped, closed her eyes, and shouted, “uncle I am invincible, I’m a sunflower.” Immediately, just as her imagination captured her in the field, I too allowed my own creativity to flourish. At that moment she saw beauty and made sure she was counted alongside it. Just as so many of us, we sometimes find it hard to see the beauty in life. It’s hidden in plain sight.”
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Emily TaubmanEmily Taubman is an artist, a mother, and a proud season ticket holder since the earliest days of Nashville SC. Emily fell in love with art when she was very young. She was inspired by her mother’s creativity, using old coffee creamer cups to craft holiday ornaments. Her first art lessons, a gift for her 8th birthday, brought Emily’s passion to life. While watercolor is her preferred technique, she has demonstrated proficiency in many art forms, often using nature to craft her works. A fondness for nature and its peaceful moments, Emily’s art often displays a serene, simple calm. During her free time, she can be found practicing yoga or enjoying cup of coffee.
Artwork: Iris, Watercolor, ink
“This simple watercolor and ink painting features the Tennessee State Cultivated Flower, the Iris. Since 1933, when the flower was designated with this honor, Nashville and the surrounding communities have overcome so much together. The iris flower symbolizes faith, hope, and optimism. Designated the rainbow flower, it is the perfect symbol for Nashville, a melting pot for every type of person. Using a subdued indigo blue to capture the calm energy of the iris, simplistic in sight yet so bold against the light background. After painting this piece, the paper was then crumpled as a reminder that beauty can still be found in chaos, much like in our beloved city.”
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Ashleigh York
Ashleigh York is an abstract artist living and working in Nashville, TN. With a unique artistic voice and a playful and evocative exploration of planet Earth’s color palette, they strive to inspire through inventive and experimental work. Their practice explores the interplay of abstract textures and vibrant colors to create immersive artworks that evoke energy, joy, and exploration, inviting viewers to engage with their senses and embrace the expressive power of art as a source of inspiration and personal exploration. She incorporates recycled materials into her practice as much as possible and partners with local organizations to help promote sustainable practices and reuse.
- Artwork: Busker in the Sun, Alcohol ink and pen ink on canvas
“Nashville’s identity is inseparable from its music, and the buskers who line its streets are its most authentic ambassadors. This artwork portrays one such performer, a banjo player whose music becomes part of the city’s heartbeat. Created with vibrant alcohol and pen inks, the piece mirrors the lively, colorful character of Nashville’s streets. These musicians are more than entertainers—they are storytellers, keepers of tradition, and essential to the city’s soul. Their music connects past and present, weaving an enduring legacy that reminds us of the power of shared, spontaneous art.”
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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.
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