East Nashville Tour: Old Meets New

Ed Nash contacted me about 6 months ago inviting to join him on a tour of East Nashville, focusing on the Inglewood/Riverside neighborhood. Full disclosure: I had no idea where that was, even after living in Nashville since 1986.

Given that I cancelled umpteen times with the typical excuses of too busy, too many deadlines, blah-blah-blah, it seemed I might not ever get the inside scoop on this neighborhood. But, eventually the stars aligned, and I found myself across the river in Ed’s studio.

Ed, as you may already know, is a fantastic artist, and as a tour guide, he’s top notch. He came over to the U.S. to sell books for Southwestern Company as a college student. If you know anyone who has ever sold books (i.e.my husband and brother-in-law), watch out! The experience often leaves them completely changed. Before selling books? Shrinking violets. After selling them? Dragon slayers.

Once inside his studio, I could see why he’s collected by a number of art devotees in Nashville – just one Ed Nash painting provides a meaningful focal point for any room. I made a decision then and there to acquire an Ed Nash painting myself.

ed nash 31 — Don’t get your hopes up on this painting because it has been sold. Nashville decorators have discovered Ed’s paintings, so if you want to buy one, do it now!

ed nash studio3 — Ed’s studio is a tour in itself. His open houses are legendary in the ‘hood, as is his reputation as an art appraiser.

After a visit in his studio, we jumped into Ed’s car and headed out to discover the “other” East Nashville.

Much like the rhyme we all grew up with, “Make new friends, but keep the old,” the flavor of East Nashville is the same. With Ed, I met many craftsmen with trades you won’t find anywhere in this city. East Nashville is the breeding ground for entrepreneurs who want to take the risk to start their own business. Again, it boils down to this: the rents are lower across the river, the environment is welcoming (you see people gathering at a bakery or coffee shop, or walking to grab pizza), and the focus is on creating communities. Suffice it to say, East Nashville is a great place to hang out your shingle.