Thaxton Waters II

Clarksdale

Summary

Education-focused professional pursuing teacher licensure, with a strong background in library archives, records management, and community-based education. Experienced in organizing and preserving historical and institutional records, developing accessible learning materials, and delivering instruction in community and informal learning environments. Demonstrated leadership in coordinating programs, mentoring youth and adults, and building partnerships that support learning, civic engagement, and cultural stewardship.

Work History

Community & Residential Garden Installation / Consultant

Buy Land Grow Food

Assisted in the planning and execution of urban agriculture projects across multiple sites, including residential gardens, raised beds, and community plots.
Prepared soil, planted crops, and maintained growing areas to ensure the health and productivity of the garden.
Worked with residents to distribute fresh produce from the garden, providing access to healthy food options in underserved neighborhoods.
Provided support to educational programs for local schools, teaching children the importance of gardening, food systems, and environmental sustainability.
Assisted with composting efforts, ensuring organic waste was recycled into nutrient-rich soil for the gardens.

Creative Director

A Seat at the Welcome Table

Spearheaded the development and management of a new community garden project, working with local stakeholders, residents, and organizations to secure funding, gather resources, and design the garden layout.
Collaborated with local schools and non-profit organizations to create educational programs and hands-on workshops focused on gardening, sustainability, and healthy eating.
Maintained accurate records of garden yields, volunteer participation, and financial expenses, contributing to grant reporting and future project planning.
Implemented water conservation techniques such as strawbale gardening, reducing water bills, and promoting sustainability.

Founder & Director

Art History Class Lifestyle Lounge & Gallery

Staged solo exhibitions for senior student artists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and surrounding communities
Offered 10+ programs a month, highlighting the history of the community
Provided a collection of antiques, a neighborhood archive, local books, oral history, and ephemera.
Provided history tours, university, and church lectures

Art Gallery Coordinator

Nashville Public Library

Staged and managed the installation of four exhibitions a year in the two main downtown galleries
Managed the art collection, rare book collection, and sculpture garden
Provided art and historical programming, workshops, and lectures in Special Collections (Civil Rights & Nashville Room), Archives, and the main lobby

Community Art Teacher

Nashville Metro Arts

Held at the historic McJimpsey Community Center, I staged a multi-generational summer program from May to September that combined an exhibition, garden-to-table talks, and interactive programming.
Provided academic tutoring activities and hands-on skill training for the daily youth program.

Education

Master of Fine Arts - Visual Arts & History

Belmont University

01.2024

Bachelor of Science - Biology

Tennessee State University

01.2003

Skills

African American Art
Modern Art History

Southern Public History & Culture
Community Organizing & Programming

Selected Lectures & Performances

2018 History of North Nashville Culture. Lecture presented at the Chamber of Commerce, North Chamber, Nashville, TN
2017 Visions from Above – Legacy of William Edmonson. Lecture and panel at Cheekwood Museum, Nashville, TN
2016 Ties between Nashville, Art, & Activism Conference. Lecture and panel at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
2017 If These Neighborhoods Could Talk. Lecture at ArtQuest Nossi College, Nashville, TN
2017 Arts in the “It City.” Panel discussion with Leadership Nashville.
2016 How Jefferson Street Became an Artful Community. Pecha Kucha lecture presented at the Frist Visual Arts Center, Nashville, TN
2019 Black Lives Matter Woodland Street Proclamation Head Muralist
2019 Open Streets Buchanan, Community Arts Collaboration with Walk Bike Nashville
2016 Neighborhood in Transition, Thaxton Waters in conversation with Alumni Association, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee
2017 If These Neighborhoods Could Talk conversation with Thaxton Waters, Frist Art Museum, Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessean - http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/graffiti-artists-passion-transforming-north-nashville-neighborhoods-walls#stream/0
Urbaanite - https://urbaanite.com/author/twaters/
News Channel 5 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjeH8Gzctel
NPR - https://wpln.org/post/with-jefferson-street-art-crawl-a-changing-nashville-neighborhood-shows-off-its-creative-scene/
Native Magazine - http://native.is/article/art-is-a-place/
Nashville Arts Magazine - http://nashvillearts.com/2014/03/art-history-class-lifestyle-lounge-gallery-comes-historic-jefferson-street/
NYC Nash - https://nycnash.wordpress.com/tag/art-history-class-lifestyle-lounge-and-gallery/

RECOGNITIONS

2016 Nashville Scene Best of
2016 SpreadLuv615 Brightest Bridgemaker
2016 Jefferson Street Urban Merchants Partnership Community Connector
2019 Honored by Americans for the Arts

Websites

Timeline