William Edmondson was the first African American artist to have a solo show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1937. He was a self-taught limestone carver who carved tombstones and garden ornaments at his workshop, which sat outside of his house in Edgehill. Although he had no intention of being a career artist, he became a trailblazer.
For the last 20 years the site where he had worked and lived has been used as a neighborhood park in South Nashville’s Edgehill neighborhood. William Edmondson Homesite Park and Gardens formed in 2018 when the city tried to sell the property and their mission is to foster a creative, vibrant, and safe public space for all of Nashville to enjoy. The fourth annual William Edmondson Arts and Culture Fest (We Fest) happening this Saturday is a free, family friendly event looks bring to the forefront the importance of William Edmondson and his work.
