By Renee Sloan

Our Arts Reception is truly a festive event.  Our clients and friends get together every four months or so at our offices on the 21^st floor of the L&C Tower to see our new art exhibit from The Arts Company, have a glass of wine (or two), eat a few appetizers and hear from one of the featured artists. Our guest artist last week was Rod Daniel.  By the end of the night, we felt as though we had found a new friend.

As I heard this very interesting, humble man tell his life story, I was amazed how someone could cram so much into one lifetime.  A Nashville native and a Vanderbilt alumni, he was an army lieutenant in Vietnam and a successful Hollywood director for 25 years for various movies and TV shows.  In fact, he was nominated for an Emmy three times.  He told us numerous stories about actors and actresses he has worked with over the years.

Now that he can retire, he is not content to just put his feet up, watch TV and push the buttons on his remote control.  No, instead he gets on his Harley and travels out west to places like Canyon de Chelly in Arizona and takes some of the most magnificent black and white photographs. 

I’ve never liked black and white photographs before now.  But when I see the majestic mountains, rocky cliffs and beautiful landscapes in each of these photographs, they tell me that they have a story to tell.  And while I stand there looking at each one of them, I know they spoke to him, too.  By capturing his experience on his camera, he gives each of us the privilege of sharing that moment in time with him. 

Thank you, Rod, for giving us an evening we’ll long remember.  What a night it was!!  If you were here, you know exactly what I mean.  If you were not, you missed a great experience so be sure you don’t miss the next one.  I’ll be happy to give you a tour anytime if you want to come by our office and see for yourself.    

By Shannon Haslam

It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since we had our first KVBPR Landmark Art Reception of the year with photographer Bob Schatz and writer Christine Kreyling. And it’s even harder to believe how some of Nashville’s most recognizable landmarks have been changed forever since then.

Our partners at The Arts Company, in cooperation with the First Saturday Downtown Art initiative, are hosting “We Art Nashville.”  The event starts at 6 p.m. on May 21 and all proceeds benefit flood victims via The Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. Visit the We Art Nashville Facebook page for more details on how you can get involved.

P.S. Click here to check out pictures from KVBPR’s Landmark Art Exhibit with Bob Schatz.