Watkins College of Art&Design will host its annual Founder’s Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center.

The Founder’s Day Celebration, now in its sixth year, honors a distinguished local artist and arts advocate from the community.  This year, the college will honor Lain York of Zeitgeist Gallery as both.

York is a central figure in the Nashville art community and has been instrumental in contemporary arts development in Nashville. He is the gallery director for Zeitgeist Gallery and a board member of Fugitive Projects. He is known by many as [Nashville’s] “Mayor of the Art World.” He has an extensive exhibition history throughout the region, and his work can be found in many private collections and the permanent collections of EMI Los Angeles, the Savannah College of Art, The Tennessee State Museum and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.

This highlight of this year’s event is entertainment by three-time Grammy Nominee Stanley Jordan. Jordan is well-respected smooth jazz artist known for his mastery of a two-handed guitar tapping technique, as opposed to conventional strumming and picking. While a handful of other virtuoso players were using similar techniques, Stanley's fluid and melodic use of tapping captured the imagination of listeners via his inherent warmth and sensitivity. This talent propelled his CD Magic Touch to the top of Billboard's jazz chart for a stunning 51 weeks. The album became a gold-seller (over 500,000 sold). His new album State of Nature was released this year and is his first new release in over a decade.

In addition to the awards presentation and performance, the Founder’s Day Celebration features a silent auction with one-of-a-kind art, gift certificates, furnishings, trips and more.  

Reservations to the Founder’s Day Celebration are $150 per person and include valet parking, cocktails and dinner. For more information or for reservations, contact Christy Stone at 615-277-7403.