Commissioner Walter Knestrick Honored as Arts Leader
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film Commissioner Walter Knestrick was center stage at the 2012 Bowtie Awards, the annual luncheon hosted by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville to honor champions of the Nashville arts community.
More than 400 business, arts and community leaders gathered at the Wildhorse Saloon on January 31 to celebrate individuals and organizations for their contributions to arts education, arts impact, entrepreneurship and work environment.
The highlight of the Bowtie Awards was the presentation of the Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award to Walter Knestrick. A successful contractor and stalwart supporter of the arts for more than 40 years, Knestrick has served as chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission, is a founding board member of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and is a key supporter of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Arts in the Airport and the Tennessee State Museum, in addition to his service to the Watkins Board of Trustees. A talented artist in his own right, Knestrick is also a lifelong friend and patron of the internationally acclaimed artist Red Grooms. Owner of the largest Red Grooms print collection, Knestrick published a catalogue of Grooms’ graphic works and partnered with the Tennessee State Museum to support a traveling exhibition of his Grooms print collection.
Pictured at left are Watkins President Ellen L. Meyer, Walter Knestrick, ABC Nashville President & CEO Connie Valentine, and Watkins Commissioner Susan Basham.
The 2012 Bowtie Award organization winners included:
- Arts education award winner: Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.
- Arts impact award winner: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority/Arts at the Airport.
- Entrepreneur award winner: ArtNowNashville.com
- Work environment award winner: Cummins Station.
About The Arts & Business Council
The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville drives collaboration between arts and business that contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of Greater Nashville. In addition to the annual Bowtie Awards, the council presents the annual Music City Corporate Band Challenge, ArtWorks and Arts Immersion. Ongoing programs include developmental seminars and a range of legal services provided by the Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts. For more information, contact the Arts & Business Council at (615) 743-3055 or visit www.ABCnashville.org.
Picture at right are Walter Knestrick, Ellen Meyer, Frist Center for the Visual Arts executive director Susan Edwards, and Sarah Knestrick.
photos courtesy of Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville