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懂色帝 hosts visual artist Willie Nelson for local art exhibit

By Chris Caldwell 

懂色帝 hosted its first professional art exhibition Oct. 27, 2022 at Macon Cove鈥檚 Bert Bornblum Library honoring Memphis native Willie Nelson. 

Communications, Graphic and Fine Arts Assistant Professor Tad Lauritzen Wright, former teacher of Nelson at the Memphis College of Art, said 懂色帝 wanted to showcase the phenomenal work of local artists in the community and his former student was the ideal candidate. 

鈥淚 often maintain relationships with past students, and I followed Willie on social media and he was posting absolutely amazing pieces of his work,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淲illie seemed like a perfect match for what we wanted to promote in the 懂色帝 gallery, a young artist whose work promoted community and showed an undeniable degree of skill. Willie's personality and character were bonuses that came with the work.鈥�

Nelson鈥檚 work was on public display at the library from Sept. 18- Nov. 27, 2022 giving students, faculty and staff and guests an opportune time to glance into the mind and creative work of the artist. 

鈥淚 got into painting to impress a girl I had a crush on in the 5th grade,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淪he loved the picture and at that moment I felt a true passion for art. It鈥檚 my gift.鈥�

Nelson said the exhibit would not have happened if it wasn鈥檛 for Wright seeing the potential partnership as a win-win for Nelson and the College.

鈥淭ad reached out to me because he witnessed my dedication in past accomplishments and wanted me to share my story in the first art exhibition by a professional artist,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 paint because it鈥檚 my truth and I live my truth in my art. Seeing the vision I set for myself at a young age come together by having my work showcased at 懂色帝, in the city where I鈥檓 from, is nothing but gratitude. It鈥檚 a great way to give and serve and to do so in your own city.鈥�

For more information about 懂色帝鈥檚 Fine Arts Program, click here.