Discover a vibrant collection of artwork from talented local artists, proudly presented by the Williamson County Arts Council. Each piece on display is a testament to the creativity and passion of our community. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a casual observer, you’ll find something that speaks to you. Best of all, every artwork is available for purchase, allowing you to bring a piece of local artistry into your home.
Learn more about the featured artists below!
Essence DeVonne is a mixed-media artist based in Franklin, TN known for her eccentric hand carved wood carvings depicting cartoons, musicians and her favorite children that blend acrylics and ink. She graduated from Austin Peay State University with a BS in Sociology; Columbia State Community College with an AA in Foreign Language (Spanish) and hopes to pursue her Master’s Degree at Lipscomb University in 2026 in Clinical Mental Health with a concentration in Play Therapy. Essence has been featured in many publications across Tennessee and her work can be found at Woodcuts Framing & Gallery in Nashville, TN and The BarnDoor of Franklin, TN.
Contact: TheartofJuly19@gmail.com Instagram: 719arts
Omari Booker, multidisciplinary artist based
in Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA, began his journey as an artist his senior year of high school at Montgomery Bell Academy. While attending Belmont University, Omari studied Mathematics and other more traditional curricula before he finally focused on studio art and graphic design. He later earned his B.S. in Graphic Design from Tennessee State University.
Oil paintings are Omari’s predominant medium, but mixed media including charcoal, ink, and found objects are essential building blocks of his work, and are used to create finished pieces. Large scale work has been a constant creative outlet for Omari, and murals have also become a consistent part of his creative practice. Storytelling in the form of poetry, prose, and children’s books are also creative outlets.
Omari takes a process-oriented approach to his art, embracing it as a therapeutic modality through which he is able to express his passion for the freedom and independence that the creative process allows him to experience. His art is his personal therapy, and his desire is that those viewing it will have personal
experiences of catharsis. The philosophy that undergirds Omari’s work is FREEDOM THROUGH ART and he aspires to create work that communicates to his audience their unique and intrinsic ability to be free. See more work @omaribooker.com
Michael J. McBride, a native Tennessean, earned his undergraduate degree in art, from Tennessee State University and his graduate degree in painting from Illinois State University, where he credits Dr. Harold Gregor with providing an excellent artistic mentorship. His commitment to the Nashville art world’s future has always been at the forefront of his own career and served as the curator of the Hiram V. Gordon Gallery at Tennessee State University from 1995 – 2000 and has been the lead artist on many community-based mural projects in Nashville and Sister Cities Mural Projects. Michael is a tenured faculty member at Tennessee State University art department, former founding member of the Board of Trustees for the Frist Art Museum in Nashville. McBride was featured in Visions of My People, sixty years of African American art in Tennessee, an exhibit organized by the Tennessee State Museum and one of his pieces was purchase for their permanent collection. He was one of twelve Nashville artists selected by The Tennessean newspaper for inclusion in the Millennium 2000 Collection, a signal honor. Another honor was the Side-by-Side sister cities exhibition with Belfast, Northern Ireland, featuring 17 artists from Nashville and 17 artists from Ireland. In the summer of 2005, he was awarded a ten-week international artist -in-residence in Bermuda with the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, which two of his works are in the museum’s collection. He has had over 50 solo exhibitions over 40 years as an artist. His current body of work titled “Too Black Too Fast” is a traveling exhibition of art about African- American jockeys and trainers, which was the featured art exhibition for the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in Miami, FL sponsored by Baccarat in 2022. McBride’s work is included in both private and corporate collections in the US and abroad. His work is featured on television sitcoms, such as “Living Single”, “The Wayans Bros. Show”, and “The Jamie Foxx Show” and has illustrated over 80 children’s books. He was the featured artist for the 2022 Pegasus World Cup Horse Race at Gulf Stream Racetrack in Miami FL. First Africa American artist to the featured artist for the 2023 Iroquois Steeplechase Horserace, Nashville, TN.
Currently McBride is an Arts in the Airport Board member, Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center board member, Arts Bellevue board member and a member of South Arts southern artist registry. He was commissioned in 2022 to paint a large mural of Congressman John Lewis for downtown Nashville.
Native Nashvillian, Artist, Teacher, Advocate, Leader
Upon graduation from East Nashville High School, James earned his way to Vanderbilt University as an
athlete and scholar. After completing his degree in Fine Arts from Peabody College of Vanderbilt, James returned to the public housing community of his youth as a leader. He used his creative skills as an artist and teacher to develop neighborhood youth art programs. He was also involved with community outreach and fundraising efforts for the community.
In 1995, James was asked to serve as Special Assistant for Community Affairs and Arts in the Office of the Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, Philip N. Bredesen. This endeavor allowed James to use his experience and connections in the Nashville community to help bring diversity awareness and policy to local Nashville government.
James has served as Executive Director for 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee; managing the organization’s administrative support services, recruiting members and coordinating the youth activities. He has also served as the Community Services Director of Edgehill Center, Inc., where he established several successful programs for youth. He used art as a teaching tool to educate youth on the importance of staying drug-free and in school.
James became a nationally recognized artist and advocate of the arts and has received many awards in his career not only for this gift, but also for his involvement with numerous organizations. In 1994, James received the Metropolitan Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. He has received national recognition for a mural program he established and received an Emmy Award in 1994 for a mural created for the Viacom Television Network. He was named CSAAM Man of the Year in 1997 and in 1998 the YMCA Black Achievers Program named him “Achiever of the Year”.
James traveled to South Africa in 1995 to create a mural with South African art students. During his trip he also had the opportunity to visit with President Nelson Mandela. James was also the co-illustrator of a successful children’s book series that has been featured on Sesame Street. His work has also been featured in the Disney movie; “Snow Dogs”, “The Jamie Foxx Show”, “Living Single”, and “NCIS” on CBS.
James has also established a reputation as a motivational speaker, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Community Outreach expert, and a designer of unique hand-painted coffee mugs.
Phone: (615) 308-2496 / Instagram: @jamesthrealkillart