Wednesday May 23, 2007

Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell is Awarded a Photograph by Matt Mikulla from Partnership 2010

Mayor Bill Purcell, Nashville’s outgoing mayor, is well know for his efforts in local economic development and arts. He has been serving as co-chair to Partnership 2010, the region’s leading economic development initiative for recruiting new businesses to Nashville. The Partnership is also a division of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday May 22, 2007, was the Mayor’s last investor meeting to serve as co-chair of Partnership 2010 and the group was seeking a unique gift to pay tribute to the outgoing Mayor. Guerry, a representative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce was in Art Rogue Gallery discussing membership and benefits of the Chamber and took note of my new exhibit “Tiny Town”.

After our meeting Guerry went back to the Chamber and shared my images through the website with his staff. Later that day they approached me about acquiring an image of the Davidson County Public Building and Court House that I had just completed days before to give to Mayor Purcell as an award for his service.

On short notice I completed the print and framed it with a plaque. I’m not sure where the final resting place of the art will be since the Mayor is not allowed to take the gift with him when his term is done. However, the artwork will remain somewhere for others to enjoy.

I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Purcell and his wife in November during Artrageous when they visited my Gallery. It feels good knowing that the Mayor of your city knows who you are and the work you do. I am glad to be part of Nashville’s emerging art scene, a small business owner, and member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Any progress is good progress.