The Artists of the 2024 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase

The Artists of the Periscope Class of 2024 are:

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.

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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.

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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 transforms the ancient tradition of henna into immersive, inclusive, hands-on art experiences that foster cultural exchange, education, and corporate social responsibility through non-political outreach, celebration and humanitarian partnership.

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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, she works with individuals and organizations to help them unleash their creativity through music. This summer, Anne released her full-length record WILDWOOD on vinyl and debut children’s book based on an original song called Firefly. This fall, she will formally launch her songwriting experience for corporate teams.

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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.

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Diedre Husak
Visual Art

Deidre Husak (she/her) is an accomplished Nashville artist specializing in realism. Her mission is to capture special moments in time with the use of vibrant pigments with aqueous application. Favorite subject matter includes elements in nature and people immersed in what they love to do in life. Deidre believes that the best thing about art is having the ability to capture rare moments in a profound way. Inspired by the South’s abundance of creatives and of course its music, she continues to extend the range of her talent and challenge the boundaries of watercolor. Her work has been shown at Tailgate Brewery, Association for Visual Arts Exhibit in Chattanooga, The Emporium Center Exhibit in Knoxville, Franklin Art Crawl and Panama City Center for the Arts Exhibit. She is a member of Tennessee Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, International Women in Watercolor as well as the Arts Council of Williamson County and the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kenny Grass 
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.

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Kevin Page*
Visual Art, Public Art/Creative Placemaking

Coming from a family of circus performers, Kevin Page (he/him) strives to continue the legacy of producing family entertainment. Through public art, immersive experiences, and storytelling, Page brings instant fun to people around the world.

From public art installations at Rockefeller Center in New York City to immersive experiences in Nashville, Page delivers his joyful universe to families everywhere.

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Kimberly Clo
Visual Art

Kimberly Clo (she/her) creates art from a beautiful future, which can flip a switch inside of people, making it easier for them to visualize + create the life they desire to experience.

Her hand drawn pieces are soul-nourishing portals expressed in the language and poetry of geometry. A visionary and thought leader, Kimberly uses her art, writing and speaking experiences to communicate her nourishing message of hope for our collective future.

Raised in a mixed-culture family, Kimberly has experience with how words can sometimes fail us when communicating matters of the soul. Her art rises above the limitations of language and speaks directly to the inner spirit and calls forward each person’s own inner treasures and unique perspectives.

Her work is featured in private collections, gallery exhibitions and public spaces including the: EMBRACE mural commissioned by News Channel 5 as a gift to the city and dedicated by Mayor Freddy O’Connell with a public proclamation that Dec. 4th be known as Nashville Hug Day! She created an experimental collective experience called Seeds Of A New World at the EDM festival Deep Tropics in the Deep Culture village. She is a featured artist in the 2024 Nashville Arts Gala at the Parthenon. Kimberly lives in Madison, TN with her husband, two adult children, 3 cats, a dog, a snake, a chicken, and a new duck named Melon.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Lydia Underwood
Multi-Disciplinary, Interior Design

As a creative and conscientious person, Lydia Underwood, ASID, RID (she/her) always knew she wanted to be an Interior Designer, so upon receiving a full scholarship to the University of Louisville through academics, music, and art she earned degrees in Interior Architecture and Harp Performance.

While gaining invaluable experience on projects great and small at LYNE, Lydia’s heart for ethical sourcing grew and compelled her to found Aisthesis Studio in 2023 to provide an ethical alternative to conventional interiors: where beauty extends beyond the surface to the source – because everyone should have the opportunity to earn a living wage. In a massive industry where labor conditions go largely unnoticed, Aisthesis Studio helps conscientious brands and
consumers invest in luxurious experiences that not only enhance their quality of life but also elevates the people behind the products. In her work Lydia enjoys creating timeless, intimate environments that feel good inside and out.

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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.

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Mehuman Ernst
Multi-Disciplinary, Music, Podcaster

“Right as Rain” – Mehuman (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 which is 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. Photo by: Jeff Fasano

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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.

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Roz Malone
Music, Therapeutic Art

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. She is also the founder of Saxual Healing, a program dedicated to empowering women of all ages through music therapy, helping them heal from trauma and transition from surviving to thriving.

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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.

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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.

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Stephen Joel Watts*
Literary Arts, Public Art/Creative Placemaking

Stephen Joel Watts (he/him) is a political advocate and storyteller who believes in a world that provides for all its citizens. Stephen builds curriculum, conducts workshops, and curates public art at the intersection of racial, gender, and social justice. The goal of this work is to build awareness of the patterns of power and control that connect all forms of oppression.

Understanding how our oppressions are bound together can spark the sustained commitment to work for the equity, dignity, and liberation of us all.

*Indicates that an artist will be pitching their creative business live on stage during the event.

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