Painter, sculptor, and percussionist chosen by notable Nashville judges and crowd voting for top honors at the Periscope Pitch.
On Wednesday, September 6th, 2017, the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville named the winners of its 4th annual Periscope Pitch event and awarded $7,500 in cash prizes. For the second year in a row, the event drew a sold-out crowd to the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.
After six weeks of intensive training and three months of one-on-one mentorship, a select group of 8 artists from the Periscope class, representing a wide variety of disciplines, had the opportunity to showcase their creative business plans at the Periscope Pitch, hosted this year by Tim Ozgener. The event is a part of the Arts & Business Council’s Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training program, presented in partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.
(L-R): 2017 Periscope Pitch Host, Tim Ozgener; Arts & Business Council Executive Director, Jill McMillan; and Pitch Perfect winner, Tony Sobota.
The top honor of the evening, the Pitch Perfect award of $3,500, was awarded to Tony Sobota, an artist who uses the visual language of construction to create portraits of Nashville’s work-in-progress skyline. Judge Andrew Goldner, Co-Founder of GrowthX, said Mr. Sobota’s presentation was “outstanding from start to finish.” Judge Jamaal Sheats, Director of Fisk University Galleries, agreed, commenting that his “documentation and reinterpretation” of what’s currently happening in Nashville is “vitally important.”
The Judge’s Choice award of $2,500 was presented to sculptor, Brian Somerville, whose clay creatures, live sculpting experiences, and tutorials, explore human relationships and the beast within us all. Judge Kathryn Wilkening, Director of the Dance Division at Metro Parks, stated “it’s clear how versatile” he is. Judge Andrew Mitchell, of Ingram Content Group, added that he was “in awe” of Mr. Somerville’s talent.
The crowd-voted People’s Choice award of $1,500 went to percussionist, Colleen Phelps. Ms. Phelps is developing the Animal Ambassadors Album – five new works for marimba, dedicated to specific baby zoo animals. Her work hopes to reconnect children’s and classical music in a way that adults can enjoy as well. Judge Andrew Mitchell emphasized that Ms. Phelps’ “passion comes across right away.”
On top of cash prizes, all three winners were awarded a round trip flight from sponsor Southwest Airlines.
Additional members of the 2017 Periscope class include: Alysha Malo (multi-disciplinary), Chip Boles (visual art), Danielle Duer (visual art), Donna Woodley (visual art), Jama Mohamed (film), James Valentine Adams (metal sculptor), Jordan Holland (music), Julia Whitney Brown (multi-disciplinary), Kat Jones (multi-disciplinary), Kristin McCalley (theatre), Rebekah Alexander (performance art), Richard Barrow (photography), Ryan Rowland (multi-disciplinary), Saran Thompson (music), Susan Prado (visual art), and Tony Perrin (jewelry).
(L-R): Jordan Holland, Alandis Brassel, Richard Barrow, Jama Mohamed, Kristin McCalley, Tony Sobota, Susan Prado, Valentine Adams, Kat Jones, Ryan Rowland, Colleen Phelps, Julia Whitney Brown, Danielle Duer, Brian Somerville, and Jill McMillan.