May I Have a Word?

Conversations at OZ returns for thoughtful discourse

The spirit of Parisian salons was alive and well at 2023’s Conversations at OZ. Created in 1667, the salons were an official art exhibition of Académie des BeauxArts. At these exhibitions, painters, sculptors and engravers displayed a collection of their works. On the eve of the public opening, there was a preview party — a vernissage, as this was the day the paintings were varnished — and guests were treated to works that pushed the limits of trend and status quo, sparking deeper thought and conversation.

It is no wonder that Conversations at OZ, like the salons of Paris, drew an extensive crowd of Nashvillians — thinkers and doers, activists and artists — together for an incredible evening around a table for thoughtful conversation and dinner. The evening began with a cocktail reception for donors, sponsors and table hosts. Guests mingled and visited before coming together in the main theater for a seated dinner and conversation. Co-chairs Shan Foster, Laurie Seabury, Marcia Masulla and Sherri Neal brought together an incredible group of table hosts like Seth Feman, Bobby Frist and Sean Henry to facilitate dialogue on a variety of topics such as ‘Curating the Future of Art History for Nashville,’ ‘Will the Nashville Boom Get Bigger’ and more.

Tables sold out almost immediately as guests were eager to gather in person for the first time in two years and discuss. This year’s Conversations was a terrific success, raising over $150,000 toward the mission of OZ Arts Nashville: supporting “the creation, development and presentation of significant performing and visual art works by leading artists whose contribution influences the advancement of their field.” Each show offers a complex level of themes around the artist’s vision, and OZ Arts has attracted tremendous talent as a result. This season, OZ has featured works by the hilarious Meow Meow, the stunningly beautiful A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, and the Ukrainian indie-folk sensation DakhaBrakha.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS PHOTOGRAPHY