The Chestnut Group 2022 End-of-Year Summary
The Chestnut’s 2022 Holiday Event saw a wonderful turnout at Brigitte Hubbard’s home.
The Board and I hope you agree that we’ve had a fantastic year!
We produced three major shows in 2022 (“Speaking for the Trees and Lockeland Springs Park,” “Painting to Preserve” at Montgomery Bell Academy, and “Painting the Parks” in Franklin) that brought in over $90,000 in sales… and still counting, with the online part of the Friends of Franklin Park show running through December 31st. Interesting fact, almost 20% of our total sales were online this year. Plus, we expanded our geographic reach with two new, first-time partners on opposite sides of town with our show at Shelby Park & Bottoms Nature Center in East Nashville and at Eastern Flank Event Facility in Williamson County.
At the Lockeland Springs/Shelby show in April, Nashville’s Mayor John Cooper and several Metro council members, environmental advocates, Channel 5 News, and other media outlets, recognized the efforts of The Chestnut Group in elevating the public’s awareness about the importance of respecting our green spaces. This media coverage and recognition introduced our group to new art audiences and helped create excitement and anticipation ahead of the upcoming 2023 Shelby Parks Art Show.
In September, we expanded our relationship with all of Metro Parks Visual Arts by participating in the Centennial Art Center’s “Starry Night” event which is supported by the Friends Group of Creative Parks Nashville. Then in October, we joined the Nashville Downtown Partnership for a painting event they sponsored in Church Street Park to add vitality to the use of our urban open spaces in downtown Nashville.
The Board spent the year digging into our operational details to better understand the balancing act between what is realistic to expect our revenue streams to produce; what members seem to want; and what are reasonable overhead expenses. The great news is that our 2022 revenue and expenses balanced very closely as we closed out this year’s annual budget.
One significant factor in achieving a balanced budget was the introduction last January of the option to donate beyond the $90 membership fee. We are extremely grateful to those who felt able and willing to support The Chestnuts in this way in 2022. This change in membership levels allows us to keep our annual membership fee down and continue offering the generous donation of overall art sales to our art show partners.
Please consider these levels of donations once again when renewing your membership for what is shaping up to be a fantastic 2023.
2023 Art Shows
In April, we have the first official art show of 2023, focusing on the gorgeous scenery at Shelby Park & Bottoms itself (as opposed to Lockeland Springs Park). Their Friends group and Metro Parks are primed and excited about the show. Then in November, the long awaited 50th Anniversary of Radnor Lake will feature The Chestnut Art Show & Sale as a major event in their yearlong celebration of the Park and of the dedication of a number of natural areas across Tennessee 50 years ago.
A huge THANK YOU to the many volunteers who make this organization run and keep it moving forward! It was a pleasure to work alongside you all as your President this year.
We can’t wait to continue the momentum in 2023 as Brigitte Hubbard takes the helm as President and Ellen Parker Bibb serves as Vice-President.
All the Best in 2023!
Sincerely yours,
Judson Newbern