Nossi College of Art and Design's History
A love of art and a respect for her students started Ms. Nossi's 45-year journey of nurturing creative professionals. It all started as a passion - teaching art instruction in a friend's kitchen - and turned into a livelihood that has impacted thousands of graduates since 1973.
45 Days of Giving
Since opening our doors, Nashville and Middle Tennessee have supported and given Nossi College of Art and Design the opportunities to grow and succeed. As a way to give back, Nossi College asked the community how we could help. Beginning on September 17, we will unveil 45 different ways we were able to provide creative support for local classrooms, nonprofits, and church groups.
Special thanks to all the nonprofits who participated and the faculty and students who helped make this campaign successful!
Special thanks also to Plaza Artist Supplies and Jerry's Art-A-Rama for helping stretch our donated dollars.
Smart! Supplies hosted a Teacher Supply Drive, so teachers can buy classroom supplies for one low price. Nossi donated hundreds of composition notebooks, glue sticks and sharpies - the three most needed supplies for teachers. Photos by Quinn Bowersox.
Nossi's Photography Coordinator, Tom Stanford, and Photojournalism Instructor, John Partipilo, donated their skillset to document The Community Foundation's Big Payback event at Bridgestone Arena in May. More info.
Nossi College of Art and Design purchased two tickets to the King's Daughter's Annual Fashion Fundraiser. This year's theme revolved around the Royal Wedding since they happened on the same day. Nossi Designer, Pam English, created all assets for this event.
J. E. Moss incorporates a Maker's Corner, helping students make their classrooms more stimulating, challenging, safer and happier. We donated a large beading station to promote hands-on creativity and so students can bring their art home to share it with their family. Photos provided. More info.
Nossi Photo students Gabbie Karademos and Hayley Colburn captured images for NWCC to use in ads, social media and on their website. These students were part of an advanced team to create multiple assets for NWCC. View more here.
Today, we honor Hugh Shelton, a beloved illustration faculty member who passed in 2018, with a unique scholarship for one lucky Nossi freshman this fall. Read more here.
At Oliver Middle School, Mrs. Bryant used donated art supplies classes to teach students about famous artists by re-creating their art styles. Check out a view of their artistic works!
You are never too young to paint, create and enjoy art. Learn from Mrs. Terrell's art class. Special thanks to BMCC's and their young artists! Photos by Dyllan Abernathy.
"As soon as I learned of the 45th Anniversary of Nossi's amazing journey, I knew it was time to be sure she was acknowledged by the city she has invested her life toward making a better place to live."
Nancy VanReece
Metro Nashville Council Member, District 8
Two graphic design students teamed up to help Rock of Ages update their logo with a new look. Thanks to Kayla Swedberg and Brittany Matthews for their hard work on Rock of Ages brand.
Nossi College of Art and Design provided a Photography sponsorship for the DSAMT iBike event in July, where students with Down syndrome were taught to ride bikes. Special thanks to Photographer Ben Neely for capturing the event, view more here.
Nossi Photographer Blake Russell connected with Moves and Grooves to capture a special day with Gnash from the Nashville Predators as students learn to Move and Groove in the classroom. See more from the day here.
Nossi's photographer, Darion Barnhart, stopped by Martha O'Bryan Center as we donated all things to help with students' artistic expression - paints, tablecloths, aprons and brushes among other art supplies! Learn about the day here.
Creswell students are exposed to a top-notch arts program both in their core classes as well as in their art classes. In addition to core subjects, each student takes two art classes in one of three categories: Performing Arts, Visual Arts or Arts Industry. Learn more.
Connected to the good work of Martha O'Bryan Center in East Nashville, Cameron is designed to support students with individual learning needs while teaching them rigorous, grade-level content for college- and career-readiness. Photos by Darion Barnhart.
In the spring 0f 2018, Nossi Instructor, Sheri Oneal, and 12 students traveled from Nashville to Ecuador where they encountered an amazing school and an experience that truly impacted their lives. Learn more.
Nossi College of Art and Design and Photographer Blake Russell were able to visit the art studio of Friends Life, a nonprofit, and support system for adults with developmental disabilities. View more images by Blake here.
East End Prep, a Double Reward School in East Nashville, focuses on their students being successful in high school and beyond by incorporating art, character, virtue and sports with their STEM program (submitted photo). Nossi's Darion Barnhart got to meet and photograph their teachers.
The above picture is from Nossi College of Art and Design's 40th Anniversary, taken by Antonio Fajardo.
"We wanted to share her work and influence with as many people as we can because most do not realize that Nossi is a person, and she is the reason our college exists."
Libby Funke Luff
Marketing and Student Activities Director
This accredited child development center is an asset for Madison, as they help at-risk and low-income families by showing children they have innate abilities of strength, talent, creativity and potential. Ashley Brown visited their class after we were able to donate art supplies for their school year.
These faces! Photographer Blake Russell captured some great moments as students from Bellshire Elementary received new art supplies for the year including crayons, craft supplies, yarn, watercolors and brushes for all their new paints. View more images here.
Nossi alumni, Amanda York and Zakk Beaty, are collaborating on a unique podcast - interviewing dynamic Nashvillians to uncover different opinions and lifestyles in the area. Nossi helped cover several startup costs. Learn more.
Fostering the independence, critical thinking and creativity of a diverse community, Explore! provides a safe space for children in East Nashville so they can learn how to be future community leaders. Nossi was thrilled to help supply their art classrooms. Submitted photo.
From helping redesign their logo, brochures, stationery and posters, Nossi alumni students - Tyler Cowan, Kris Hale and Lisa Hinson - helped recreate the brand for this amazing Nashville nonprofit. View their design work here.
Nossi wanted to help these middle schoolers with their studies - so we gave them traditional classroom supplies with some artistic ways to make them unique for each student. Thanks to Darion Barnhart for capturing the day when we dropped off supplies. Other photos submitted.
Maplewood High School offers a strong, independent music and visual arts curriculum while incorporating enhanced option STEM courses through hands-on, applied activities. Photos by Blake Russell.
Nossi Designer, Tifini Gabriele, collaborated with Jessi from The Art Express to create art curriculum so children can love and appreciate fine art and the famous artists who created them! View these beautiful pieces from Tifini here.
Blake Russell was on hand as the Pencil Foundation helped us drop off donated supplies for their STEAM-focused curriculum. View images of the day!
Left: Ms. Nossi Celebrating Nossi College of Art and Design's 10-Year Anniversary.
Middle: Ira Vatandoost and Ms. Nossi Vatandoost celebrate the 30th Anniversary in 2003. Ira was an inspiration and a driving force behind the support for Nossi College of Art and Design.
Left: Ms. Nossi celebrates 35 years in Rivergate before moving to our Creative Way location
East Nashville Hope Exchange offers summer workshops, school-year curriculum and Saturday workshops for families in East Nashville. Thanks to Nossi Photographer, Daniela Dominguez for capturing the day.
Nossi Photography, Darion Barnhart, was on hand to capture the donation day to Tom Joy and other schools Martha O'Bryan helps. Check out these amazing teachers and help stock the classrooms or Tom Joy!
Chyanne Funnell and Angela Thomas almost beat the sun up when they met in Franklin, Tenn, for the start of the National MS Society's Bike to Jack and Back - which is almost 60 miles - ONE WAY! View these road warriors photos and day here.
At Ivanetta H. Davis Early Learning Center, children are supported through the use of the Creative Curriculum while families are encouraged to support their children by participating in classroom and school experiences all year. Photos by Blake Russell.
With plenty of new art supplies and the help of Pencil Foundation to deliver, Madison Middle will be able to equip students with paints, brushes, palettes and other art and classroom supply needs. Photo by Blake Russell
Come to Poverty and the Arts Gallery Show! Nossi College donated the Ira Gallery for POVA to show off their artists creations and hard work on Thursday, November 1! Learn more and RSVP.
Sumner Teen Center hosted a Golf Scramble in October and we sent Kris Dowlen, a Nossi photographer and Daniel Gonzalez, a videographer to capture the event. Learn more about Sumner Teen Center and their mission.
With a collaboration of our photo and graphic design department, Daniela Dominguez and Pam English were able to capture images and design a brochure for this East Nashville nonprofit. Learn more here.
Nossi Adjunct Faculty member, Steve LaSuer, spearheaded a project to bring some bright colors and fun murals to the Community Care Fellowship's classrooms. Check out their progress here.
Students Over the Years!
Left: 1995 Graduation; Middle: 1989 Graduation; Right: 1995 Halloween
Adjunct Faculty member, Sheri Oneals, helps DSAMT student capture better photos with their smartphone. Learn more about Sheri and this great nonprofit here.
Poverty and the Arts started as a dream to bring community members together. It started as a way to connect Nashville's rich with Nashville's poor. POVA hosted an event at Nossi and Hayley Colburn was there to document.
Sean Williams, a soon-to-be Nossi illustration graduate, spearheaded the campaign to design a mural for the students at YCAP in east Nashville. Learn more about the mural here.
Nossi photographers, Daniela Dominguez and Blake Russell captured the Brown Dog Foundation's annual wine dinner. Learn more about this great nonprofit here.
Nossi Photographers are capturing the Christmas Tree Elegance at Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center - we invite you to attend this great event! Learn more here.
Cory Deternmann is capturing the journey food takes within the Society of Saint Andrew, a nonprofit trying to rid the world of hunger. Check out a preview of Cory's work here.
Every two years, Martha O'Bryan hosts Champions Breakfast. In 2018, they displayed the impact made on their east Nashville neighborhood. Nossi attended this event and helped to give back through donations. Watch the videos. Photo by Gabbie Karademos.
We are ending our campaign with a community food drive for Christian Cooperative Ministry - a nonprofit in Madison helping to serve hungry families. Learn more about ways to give here.