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Southwest hosts visual artist Willie Nelson for local art exhibit

By Chris Caldwell 

Southwest hosted its first professional art exhibition Oct. 27, 2022 at Macon Cove’s 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 Southwest wanted to showcase the phenomenal work of local artists in the community and his former student was the ideal candidate. 

“I often maintain relationships with past students, and I followed Willie on social media and he was posting absolutely amazing pieces of his work,” Wright said. “Willie seemed like a perfect match for what we wanted to promote in the Southwest 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.”

Nelson’s 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. 

“I got into painting to impress a girl I had a crush on in the 5th grade,” Nelson said. “She loved the picture and at that moment I felt a true passion for art. It’s my gift.”

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

“Tad 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,” he said. “I paint because it’s 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 Southwest, in the city where I’m from, is nothing but gratitude. It’s a great way to give and serve and to do so in your own city.”

For more information about Southwest’s Fine Arts Program, click here.