Welcome to Bordeaux: Community Engagement Event Scheduled

Join us for an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the "Welcome to Bordeaux" sign! Metro Arts invites residents and community members to meet the artist semi-finalists and share your vision for the new public art installation at the Bordeaux Gateway site. This event is a chance to provide valuable input and ensure the artwork reflects the rich history and culture of Bordeaux.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 13

• Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Doors open at 10:00 AM)

• Location: Hartman Park Regional Recreation Center

• Artists: Shabazz Larkin, Prado Studios, James Threalkill, and team Omari Booker and Steve Hutchens

RSVP: Click Here

Contact: For questions, email Masonya Osei at Masonya.Osei@Nashville.gov.

Meet the Semi-Finalists

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Shabazz Larkin is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and designer based in Nashville, TN. His work spans painting, illustration, sculpture, and product design, often exploring themes of Black identity, spirituality, and liberation. Known for his bold use of color, layered textures, and striking typography, Shabazz’s portraits celebrate the resilience and beauty of Black culture. Notably, Larkin has helped launch President Obama’s first post-White House initiative and is one of the founders of The Museum of Presence, a unique platform spotlighting mindfulness and creativity through BIPOC-led podcasts, newspapers, and events. Through their studio, Larkin Art & Company, Shabazz and his wife, Ashley, create children’s books, family games, and self-care tools designed to promote well-being within BIPOC communities.

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James Threalkill is originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and played wide receiver at Vanderbilt University following a three-sport career at East Nashville High School. He won an Emmy Award for his creation of a mural painting program with youth from the Edgehill community in South Nashville. He also illustrated a children’s book series titled “Visions: African American Experiences”, which was featured on Sesame Street. James’ work has been showcased on major television programs and in movies. His art has been collected internationally, including in South Africa—where he met President Nelson Mandela—and in South America by the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.

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Prado Studio, founded by artists Jairo and Susan Prado, has been a hub for community-centered public art in Nashville since 2005. Jairo, a Colombian-born artist active in the city since 1984, and Susan, Nashville native, have co-created over 100 murals, mosaics, and installations. Their work—featured at the Tennessee State Museum, Music City Center, and Casa Azafrán—blends visual storytelling with cultural engagement, often highlighting communities of color. Their projects have been recognized for their impact on public space and cultural identity, including commissions for Nashville International Airport and the Nolensville Pike Bus Shelters. Together, they continue to mentor emerging artists and collaborate with schools, museums, and nonprofits to foster inclusive creative expression.

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Omari Booker and Stephen Hutchins bring together distinct yet complementary practices in visual art and sculpture. Omari, a painter and mixed media artist based in Los Angeles and Nashville, began his creative journey at Montgomery Bell Academy and later earned a B.S. in Graphic Design from Tennessee State University. His large-scale works and murals explore themes of freedom and healing, using oil, charcoal, and found objects to create deeply personal and cathartic experiences for viewers. Stephen Hutchins, founder of Hutchins Stoneworks, is a sculptor and architectural stone carver whose career began in New Hampshire and evolved in Nashville. With a foundation in masonry and a passion for traditional techniques, his large-scale sculptures and architectural carvings can be seen throughout middle Tennessee. Together, Omari and Stephen merge contemporary expression with timeless craftsmanship, creating public art that is both grounded and transformative.

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