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Clarence Edward

Founder
Cë Gallery

Clarence Edward, a proud native of Nashville, Tennessee, emerges as a dynamic force in the realm of arts and culture. 

Embarking on his journey in 2011, Clarence served as an independent art dealer for nearly a decade in Memphis, Atlanta, and New York City. 

In 2021, Clarence Edward fulfilled a lifelong dream by establishing Cë Gallery, a distinguished space in his hometown devoted to contemporary and fine arts. With a commitment to transcending traditional boundaries, Cë Gallery serves as a testament to Clarence’s vision, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to share their narratives with the world.

Through his keen eye for aesthetics and unwavering dedication to showcasing exceptional talent, Clarence has carved a distinct identity as an award-winning art gallerist, event curator, and set designer. His ability to create immersive and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences sets him apart in the world of arts and culture. 

Beyond his role at Cë Gallery, Clarence has been a significant contributor to the arts community. His roles as a founding board member of Soho House Nashville and a member of the Frist Art Museum Warhol Society Board highlight his commitment to shaping the cultural landscape at both local and national levels.

Clarence’s multifaceted roles as a curator, gallerist, and board member reflect a deep passion for the arts and a sincere desire to contribute meaningfully to the creative dialogue. In every endeavor, Clarence Edward continues to be a driving force behind the scenes, ensuring that the world of art remains vibrant, dynamic, and accessible to all.

Shabazz Larkin

Visual Artist, Founder
The Museum of Presence

Larkin’s work is currently on exhibit at OZ Arts in “May I Be Brave Enough to Speak My Truth.”

Shabazz Larkin is a figurative artist, poet, sculptor, bookmaker, and an ambassador for mindfulness meditation.

Larkin, from Norfolk Virginia, works from his studio in Nashville, TN, creating figures, portraits, and monuments of Black culture. His overwhelming use of color and bold typography thinly veils his true intention to explore issues of justice, history, spirituality, and the power of Black joy.

Larkin is the founder of The Museum of Presence, an institution without walls, taking the form of a newspaper and podcast led by a cohort of BIPoC artists, curators, and mindfulness professionals, working to spotlight the creative community of Nashville and the greater American South, with mindfulness and creativity at the heart.

Shabazz has a long list of private collaborators, from his 20-year career in the commercial creative industry from orgs like the Obama Foundation, Google, and Sony to moguls like Bill Gates, Sean Combs, Maya Angelou, and a long list of other kings, presidents, and global brands. Shabazz has won every award in the business from the One Show Pencil to the Cannes Lion.

In 2020 however, Shabazz left the commercial industry to follow a passion to make meditation accessible to BIPoC communities. Shabazz now serves as the head of content for a Mindfulness app, called True Voice, designed from the ground up with Black and brown people in mind. (truevoiceapp.com)

He is also the author of several books, his latest is “The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter to My Sons” about Fear. He is the founder of Larkin Art & Company, an art gallery, and proprietor of artifacts, experiences, and books rooted in African American culture and identity. (www.larkinart.co)