Airport Authority Announces Changes to Arts at the Airport Board of Directors

NASHVILLE – The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) Board of Commissioners recently approved the appointment of Joseph Mella to the Arts at the Airport Foundation’s Board of Directors, as well as the reappointments of Nathaniel Harris, Robert S. Patterson, Phil Ponder and Martha Profitt-Strueli. The appointments are for a three-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Board Appointment:

Joseph Mella has more than 25 years of experience working in art museums and currently manages, curates and oversees the operations of the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery and its collections. Prior to arriving at Vanderbilt in 1992, Mella served as Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the Rockford Art Museum in Rockford, Ill., and in a similar capacity at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont, TX.

Board Reappointments:

Nathaniel Harris is a respected gallery owner and art advocate. In August 1987, Harris established Woodcuts Frame Shop in Nashville. The gallery offers hundreds of open and limited edition prints, serigraphs, original pieces, framed art cards, figurines and custom framing. Woodcuts Frame Shop serves as a one-stop source for African-American artwork for Nashville and the state of Tennessee.

Robert S. Patterson is a trial lawyer who understands business. Patterson has spent the last 33 years representing all types of businesses in complex litigation in courtrooms from California to Florida. He combines business acumen with courtroom experience to assure his clients make informed business decisions regarding business litigation. He brings a love of art and business proficiency to the board.

Phil Ponder has established a very recognized niche in Middle Tennessee artwork with the development of a popular painting technique. He is best known for his limited edition prints of skylines and famous buildings. The success of his “hobby,” which began in 1979, prompted him to accept art as a second career in 1989. Ponder was an executive with Genesco, Inc. for 30 years. He also served as a member of the Metropolitan Council.

Martha Profitt-Strueli is currently the AP/IB Visual Arts teacher at Hillsboro High School. She received a master’s degree from Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College in New York City. Profitt-Strueli has taught art for many years and is proficient in Italian and French. She has interests in painting, printmaking, travel and dance, as well as playing classical guitar.

Arts at the Airport
Working closely with the 15-member Arts at the Airport Foundation board, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority showcases the region’s visual and performing arts through its Arts at the Airport program, which receives some funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The award-winning Arts at the Airport program reviews and presents works by local, regional and national artists for the enjoyment and enrichment of Nashville International Airport and John C. Tune Airport’s passengers and visitors. In addition to visual art, Arts at the Airport includes music since it is an integral part of Nashville. The arts come alive with musical performances on stages throughout BNA’s passenger terminal.

Arts at the Airport, a 501(c)(3) organization, receives funding for the visual arts from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) and the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). The Flying Solo Exhibition Series is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the State of Tennessee. For more information about Arts at the Airport, please call (615) 275-1614, send email to arts@nashintl.com or visit www.flynashville.com.