Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Drake.
Hi Elise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Co-owners Elise Drake and Thew Jones first crossed paths while creating custom sculptures in New York City. Their creative synergy was instant, and it wasn’t long before they began imagining what their own design and art collective could look like. With Nashville emerging as a vibrant creative hub, they made the move and founded JAWBRKR: a studio where bold ideas meet hands-on execution.
JAWBRKR began with a simple goal: to bring joy, surprise, and artistry into physical spaces. From handmade sculptures to full-scale immersive environments, Elise and Thew built a team that thrives on storytelling through custom design and fabrication. Their background in traditional fine arts and deep respect for physical media continue to shape every project they take on.
Over the years, JAWBRKR has grown into a nationally recognized studio based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a satellite in NYC and a strong client base on both coasts. Known for their unexpected details, tactile experiences, and clear communication, they’ve become a go-to partner for brands looking to stand out through meaningful, experiential design and immersive art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but it has been intentional. We started JAWBRKR with little more than our tools, a few changes of clothes packed into a Honda Fit, and a shared belief that we could build a life centered around creating meaningful work. We’ve kept our overhead low, stayed modest in our approach, and focused on doing what we love: making art and collaborating with others do the same.
As a boutique studio, we are deeply focused on quality over quantity. Every set, sculpture, and installation is handcrafted, and we approach each project from a dream-first perspective… asking what would make this the most wild, unexpected, and unforgettable experience possible. We don’t say yes to everything, and that’s intentional. We choose work that excites us creatively and aligns with our values, because that’s where we do our best work.
Of course, like many small studios, we’ve had to pivot. During the 2020 pandemic, when live events disappeared overnight, we shifted to designing handmade brand gift packages: creating tactile, personal experiences through thoughtful packaging and design. We’ve also navigated personal and health-related challenges along the way, which has only reinforced our belief in staying agile, selective, and creatively driven.
At the heart of it, we’re not chasing scale, we are chasing impact. And that’s what continues to guide us through the ups and downs, left and right pivots through the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At JAWBRKR, we specialize in creating immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences that leave a lasting impression. We’re a full-service design and fabrication studio based in Nashville, TN, with a satellite in New York City. Our work spans experiential marketing, brand activations, custom set design, sculpture, and interactive installations: all handcrafted with an obsessive attention to detail and material.
We’re known for our ability to take big, wild, dream-like ideas and make them real, whether it’s a large-scale music festival set, a one-off sculpture for a magazine cover, or a surprise-and-delight brand activation. We bring warmth, texture, and authenticity into every piece we build, pushing beyond digital flatness into something you can feel.
What sets us apart is our deep understanding of both fine art and fabrication. Our co-founders come from backgrounds in sculpture, painting, and engineering, and that balance of creativity and precision shows in every project. We’re masters of materials: wood, metal, foam, resin, fiberglass, animatronics, puppets, projection, lighting, even butter (yes, really), and we scale our work from small custom kits to fully immersive environments.
Some of our recent projects / clients include:
*Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper, Unwell x Kentucky Derby
*The Whitney Biennial, NYC
*Grammy University Fall Summit featuring Charli XCX
*Kacey Musgraves x Build-A-Bear x Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
*Dolly Parton x Better Homes & Gardens
*Jelly Roll at the Ryman Auditorium
*Megan Moroney’s The Emo Cowgirl pop=up at Westin Nashville
*Red Bull Music, Red Bull F1, and Red Bull SoundClash
*TikTok Music x Soho House
*Universal Music Group, CMA Awards, and major festival installations at Bonnaroo and Firefly
*VICE, VOGUE, and CES for Polaroid
We also partner with hotels, retail brands, artists, and cultural institutions to create bespoke experiences rooted in craftsmanship and imagination.
Above all, we’re most proud of our commitment to staying boutique, bespoke, and hands-on. We say yes to projects that inspire us: and no to those that don’t align with our creative values. That approach has allowed us to maintain a high standard of quality while building trust with some of the most respected names in music, fashion, and culture.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What we love most about Nashville is the energy of constant possibility. It’s a city where creativity is welcomed in every corner: where collaboration across art, food, music, and culture thrives. A Tuesday can feel like a Saturday if you want it to. It’s a place that values joy, individuality, and the freedom to carve your own path.
But as the city grows and draws more national attention, we believe it’s critical to protect what makes Nashville Nashville. That means uplifting local voices, supporting community-led decision-making, and ensuring growth serves the people that live here. We’ve seen how quickly culture can be diluted by flashy development, and we’re committed to helping Nashville stay a place of soul, creativity, and shared purpose, not just spectacle.
We also hope to see deeper investments in sustainable, healthy living: public spaces, low-toxic infrastructure, educational centers, and supportive systems that make life better for everyone. Nashville has the potential to lead in that space, and we’re excited to be part of the movement that helps it get there.
Pricing:
- Tier 1: Custom Gift Kits
- Tier 2: Custom Signage, 2D Murals, & 3D Sculptures
- Tier 3: Custom Sets for Photos and Videos
- Tier 4: Custom Live Event Sets / Tour Sets
- Tier 5: Custom Immersive Experiences / Full Themed Spatial Takeovers
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jawbrkr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jawbrkr/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-drake-4262a082
