You might think that artist Jessica Lewis was named Monthaven’s Teacher of the Year because of the phenomenal success of her art students. But in announcing her selection at the MACC’s Moonlight and Magnolias Gala on May 3, 2025, Deputy Director Tonya Mirtes zeroed in on a story about chewing gum.
“I like to find out what inspires our art teachers,” say Mirtes, who oversees the MACC’s education program. “When I first interviewed her, Jessica told me that she’s always felt inspired, even compelled, to be creative. In fact, whenever she ran out of art supplies as a little girl, she would chew all the flavor of her Zebra Fruit Stripes and then use the gum to make art. Now that’s dedication.”
Lewis’ enthusiasm must be contagious, since many of her art students seem equally driven to create art. Indeed, 10 of her students were recently named winners in the 17th Annual Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition. Their work was displayed at the Parthenon in Nashville. Two other students, Charlotte Englander and Amelia Spradling, were both honored in the 34th Annual Middle Tennessee Scholastic Art Awards, which is presented by Cheekwood Art Museum and Gardens. Lewis loves their success, though she insists that winning isn’t everything.
“The most important thing is for students to put their art out into the world,” says Lewis. “Whether they win or not, entering competitions allows students to start building their portfolios, and that can help them earn college scholarships. It can also help them gain confidence in their own creativity.”
Lewis has been creative for as long as she can remember. Her mother was an artist and was very supportive of Lewis’ creative endeavors. “She was always encouraging me,” says Lewis. “But she was also honest and straightforward with me in her critiques. That allowed me to grow artistically.”
A turning point for Lewis came during high school. After her sophomore year, she was admitted into the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. “I was absolutely in heaven,” Lewis recalls. “I was constantly surrounded by art, and I decided that summer that I would pursue art for a living.”
Thanks in part to the Governor’s School, Lewis received a full scholarship to pursue a BFA degree at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. She later received her MFA from Southern Illinois University. She initially thought of becoming a college teacher, but she instead joined an architectural firm. The job demanded long hours and a lot of traveling. But it also opened up opportunities for her to receive portrait commissions.
“At first, I found myself painting portraits of other people’s kids,” Lewis says. “But the experience began to remind me of things I did as a child.”
Those childhood memories inspired Lewis to start painting in a new style. Her portraits of children now had a certain fantastical, storybook quality to them. In “Hidden Sanctuary,” the image of a young woman dipping her toe into a placid stream calls to mind 19th-century illustrations of woodland nymphs. Other portraits, like her image of a boy in his astronaut pajamas, are remarkably playful. In creating these portraits, Lewis discovered a unique voice.
Lewis’ students at Monthaven have benefited greatly from her expertise. Their success in local and regional art competitions stems directly from her teaching. They’ve also profited from her teaching philosophy.
“I’m convinced that every child has the ability to be creative,” she says. “In an age when children spend more and more time in the digital world, it’s crucial that they also spend time developing their imaginations. They need to make things.”
