Experience
GPJ Exhibits: Fabrication Foreman (2009-2014)
Starting as a bench carpenter apprentice, working on display cabinets and physical experiential interactions, resulted in an eventual migration into the project environment of AutoCAD and CNC machining. Using both computer and physical prints, drawings, and renderings to complete parts and assembly schematics, this experience involved an understanding of crating, physical logistical limitations, design capabilities, and construction practices to produce high-end enclosures, cabinets, ceiling-suspended displays and even fabric graphic architecture. From bench carpenter, I left as a General Foreman in a supervisory role.
1220 Exhibits: Technical Drafting (2014-2016)
Design and technical specifications for conservation-grade cabinetry and display cases. Projects managed and designed include temporary exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame, permanent display cabinets at the Ryman and the National World War 2 Museum in New Orleans. Specifications designed include microclimate controls- passive and active, artifact presentation and mounts, and scenic displays.
The Packing Plant: Owner and maintenance (2012-present)
Designer and builder of the arts-centric commercial building at 507 Hagan St in Nashville, serving as a hub for galleries and studios, incl. the student-run off-site galleries of Belmont and Lipscomb, non-profit radio station WXNA, the Free Nashville Poetry Library and several non-profit office spaces.
Salt Weekly: co-founder, editor (2018-present)
Started as an irreverent bi-monthly, Salt Weekly, often stylized “Salt,” serves as a bridge for Nashville independent press from the residue of the zine culture and underground press. Salt provides an outlet for visual arts, literary products (from poetry to short stories), and even original essays, often as the first publication for many young and aspiring creative voices.
Nashville Underground Music Archive: Founder (2020-present)
Maintaining a database of independent and underground music scenes in Nashville from the 1950s to present day, including collections of zines, papers, vinyl, video, and ephemera as well as an ongoing oral history component including several hundred hours.
Number, Inc: Editor (2020-2024)
Managing the editorial team during Covid to help save the long-running publication, started in Memphis in 1987; first steps included responding to all unreplied emails, rebuilding the website (which involved learning WordPress), as well as collecting and organizing the institutional archives and back-issues collections. Relaunched the annual fundraiser Art of the South group show event, and printed several more newsprint issues before handing it off to a rebuilt and active board with a new Executive Director position.
American Baptist College: Mini-practicum (2023)
Working with solo Dr. Angel pridgen, librarian and archivist, at this small yet historically significant seminary, included organizational work on backlogged backrooms and closets, including artifacts, a/v material, and photographs dating to the 1940s. Re-housing in proper enclosures complemented work with the Smithsonian NMAAHC’s Community Archiving Workshops for both flat items and media.
Center for Popular Music, MTSU: Graduate Assistant (2024-2027)
Process and cataloging in archives for preservation and research of vernacular music, including finding aids and research guides. Creation of exhibits and public programming to complement the exhibit.
Jefferson Street Sound Museum: Professional Residency (2026)
Preparing core documentation policies for collection management, including video and photo documentation of artifacts with co-founder Lorenzo Washington and VP Karen Coffee for inventory control. Further operational support for special events and preparing procedures for future grant applications also coincides with tour assistance on-site.
