Conversations with Robert Jones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Jones.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

My name is Robert Jones and I founded my picture framing and arts business Overton Arts at the 100 Taylor Arts Collective in Germantown. I first came to the 100 Taylor building for an event, and really loved the community, and the potential that I saw here. The building was built in the early 20th century as a flour mill, and was purchased by Ron Runyeon in 2008 who had this great vision to turn it into a collective space, offering affordable studios to artists and other creatives.

I moved into 100 Taylor street in 2018 and became the building manager shortly afterwards. I think our goal at the 100 Taylor Arts Collective has been to provide a really diverse and inclusive environment to serve the arts community, that has really struggled to keep up with the rising costs Nashville has seen over the past decade or so. We’re seeing a lot of positive changes, and the building has been getting a lot more attention recently.

Last year, Ron helped us to launch “Gallery 100”, a community-led arts gallery and gift store in the lobby of the building that exclusively sells works by tenants of the 100 Taylor arts collective. This gallery was spearheaded by Crystal Shade, of Crystal Shade Pottery, and Tony Perrin, of Lock & Key Jewelry. We have also begun to reintroduce events to the building, and host the 100 Taylor Art Market on the third Saturday of each month, where all the studios open their doors and we bring in a number of other artists from the area, with live music, drinks (sponsored by our anchor tenant Bearded Iris Brewery), and food trucks.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?

Any attempt at growing a community, with the input of hundreds of people across dozens of separate tenantships is going to experience some challenges… And the challenges we have faced over the past year or so, first the tornado and then the pandemic, have really placed some obstacles on that road! But I would say that our biggest challenge has been trying to navigate the delicate politics involved in running a community space in a long established neighbourhood that is quickly gentrifying. How to cater both to the community that has made this neighbourhood the desirable location that it is today, and to the transplants moving here from around the country, who have prompted so much development and investment.

I think we all care about the community and want to make sure we can serve everyone… but in practice, it takes a lot of very intentional thought and cares to make sure that long term residents don’t get marginalized and sidelined. But I think we’ve done a great job as a community to provide a platform for everyone here.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

Overton Arts is an arts and picture framing business that emphasizes community engagement by embracing non-profit arts initiatives and programming. Last year, Overton Arts donated $2,500 to Gideon’s Army, in support of their ongoing efforts to use restorative justice programs to build resilient kids and healthy communities. This year, Overton Arts is sponsoring the Just Us program at The Oasis Center, which provides LGBTQ+ youth with a liberating space where they can reach their full potential.

How do you define success?

I think that our success is measured by how hard we work to build a better community and make the world a better place for the people who come after us.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected] [email protected]
• Instagram: @overtonarts @gallery100taylorarts @100taylorartsmarket
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100-Taylor-Arts-Market-110254201243358