Deanne DeWitt is the president of the Preservation Foundation of Sumner County. Deanne and her organization have been instrumental in raising community awareness about the importance of old places. One of those places is Sumner County’s historic Comer Barn, which is now receiving a new lease on life thanks in part to her efforts. In this episode of MACC Talk, Deanne speaks with podcast host John Pitcher about the importance of preserving Sumner County’s historic treasures. The episode is sponsored by our friends at Brauer Material Handling Systems.
Sumner County’s Comer Barn will be completely refurbished, courtesy of the Rogers Group.
Sumner County artist Bill Puryear’s giclee of the Comer Barn.
Mont Comer’s Monthaven in Hendersonville. Built in the 1850s, the house was used as a field hospital during the Civil War.
Hendersonville’s Rock Castle, the oldest house in Middle Tennessee.
Douglass-Clark House, where Andrew Jackson once presided as judge.
Historic Rose Mont in Gallatin.
Cragfont was the home of Middle Tennessee pioneer General James Winchester.
Kaylin Warden serves as the MACC’s Creative Design and Operations Manager. In this post, she oversees the organization’s graphic design work for exhibitions, events and special projects. She also coordinates the MACC’s arts outreach activities and assists with bookkeeping, among other duties. Kaylin, above all, is passionate about the arts. It comes as no surprise, then, that she is now pursuing a master’s degree in art history. When she’s not at the MACC, you can find her reading her favorite books (especially ones dealing with maritime mysteries), cooking, gardening, playing with her cat and two dogs, and cheering for the Nashville Predators.
Ruth Chase
Regional Arts Director
Ruth Chase is the Regional Arts Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, joining the team in 2023. For Ruth, the job is all about community, bringing people together to uplift and educate artists and art lovers alike. Her role at Monthaven is to strengthen the local artist community and build connections that will enrich Hendersonville and our surrounding communities through art exhibitions, art education, and opportunities for regional artists.
Prior to joining Monthaven, Ruth worked in the arts for over 30 years and is a multimedia artist and graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute. Her artistic practice is inquiry-based and engages in community bridge-building. She was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, curated and juried exhibitions, and has taught at the Crocker Art Museum.
Ruth was awarded an Artist-in-Residence for Artist Activating Communities through a grant from the California Arts Council for three consecutive years. Her film Belonging screened at both the 18th Annual Nevada City Film Festival and Wild & Scenic Film Festival. She has received the Legendary Female Artist of Venice award, and she has exhibited in The Crocker Kingsley, the Museum of Northern California Art, and the Diego Rivera Gallery at the San Francisco Art Institute. Ruth also continues her work as a Curatorial Consultant and Art director for the Californian Indigenous Research Project, where she has worked with the local tribe since 2018.
