Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center has announced a vibrant summertime display sure to make eyes dance. Contributing to this exhibition are James Threalkill, a well-known painter and arts advocate, Edward Belbusti, an architect and sculptor, and John ‘Jahni’ Moore, a painter and illustrator from Huntsville, Alabama. The colorful and dynamic paintings of Threalkill and Moore will surround the architectural forms of Edward Belbusti’s ceramic constructions. The new exhibition will be on display from Friday, June 6–July 23. The artists’ reception to be held Friday, June 6 from 5-7pm, free and open to the public.

Nashville native James Threalkill is a veteran to Nashville’s growing art scene, having been a benchmark participant as a local artist for over 30 years. His career as an artist began right here with Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation where he was an art instructor after earning a Fine Art degree from Vanderbilt University. He credits his mother as being the biggest supporter of his development as an artist. His is an Emmy Award winner and muralist, He has created and collaborated on large-scale mural projects all over the city, including the Vanderbilt Pediatric Clinic and the Nashville International Airport.

A little south of Nashville in Huntsville, Alabama lives John Thomas Moore. ‘Jahni’ is an African American artist, writer, and art collector. He paints emotionally moving images with an expressive color palette. To him, the reason he paints is quite simple.

“I paint because it’s in me to do, just as the lion roars and the cricket chirps,” said Moore.

Through his art, he seeks to awaken people with creative expression and bring art to everyday people.

“All are created sacred, endowed with an inalienable right to greatness,” he said.

As an artist he has gained notoriety both in the United States and Colombia, South America for his creative and humanitarian accomplishments. He believes creativity should be an integral part of any effective educational (and healing) process. Much of his artwork focuses on social commentary and cultural awareness and is created with the thoughtful use of either drawing charcoal or acrylic paint. In 1999 he completed a large mural at Earlyworks Children’s Museum in Huntsville, Alabama still on exhibit today. Jahni has taught art on every academic level from kindergarten to college. His present style is characterized as ‘Numinousneoism,’ a term coined by artist John Solomon Sandridge.

Numinousneoism is “unbridled creative expression from the essence of the creative spirit.”

Another artist with large-scale projects is ceramic artist Edward Belbusti. In 1989, he began working at Vanderbilt University as ‘university architect.’ His sculpting career began in 2011 after he retired from architecture, although he admits architecture still plays a strong role in his artwork.

Centennial Art Center Gallery is free and open to the public Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm. The exhibit is open June 6–July 23. For more information, call Centennial Art Center at 615-862-8442, or visit online <www.nashville.gov/cac>, or find them on Facebook.