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In 2014, Tim Ozgener — president, CEO + co-founder of OZ Arts Nashville — helped turn his family’s cigar warehouse in West Nashville into a venue for contemporary arts.

We sat down with Tim to ask 10 questions about the arts institution, from upcoming programming to Conversations at OZ, an annual benefit focused on creating insightful conversation between community members and leaders. This year’s virtual event features 30+ guests (also known as hosts), including screenwriter Callie Khouri, actor and activist Tyler Merritt, and Tennessee Titans president Burke Nihill.

How did OZ Arts come to be?

Back in 2010, my father and I were inspired by Art Basel in Miami, which is the largest contemporary art fair in the world. We were just impressed by the innovative thinking and creativity. We were interested in how it helped transform the city from it being just one that was known for Art Deco and its parties into being one that was more of a contemporary arts destination.

The Miami Design District is another example of warehouse buildings that were being repurposed into art spaces, whether that was for performing arts or visual arts. We had a warehouse near the Nations parallel to John C. Tune Airport in an industrial area. So we thought to ourselves, “Well, why can't we do that here? And why not Nashville?” We spent about two years traveling around and visiting these other institutions and cities.

What can people expect at this year’s Conversations at OZ?

It's not a lecture; it's more of a dialogue that is being led around a specific topic. For example, there is a table on cryptocurrencies. A lot of people have questions right now about cryptocurrencies or maybe even the difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum. How do you use it right now? What are the advantages of using it? But at the same time, we also have a wine table that's going to be wine tastings. In this case, people will have the wine sent to them in advance, and you'll have a virtual wine tasting. Everything is kind of different. It's just a matter of what strikes your curiosity.

Having hosted Conversations at OZ in person for several years, what does the virtual format look like?

Guests will get into a virtual room, and there will be an introduction that talks about OZ Arts, our mission, and what we do. There will be around 10 available slots at a person's table. You'll be in a Zoom room, and the host will have a specific topic that they're talking about. From there, you'll have a dialogue about the topic and you'll be able to ask questions.

Any advice for someone participating for the first time? How can they get the most out of the experience?

For those who haven't tried it, it's not intimidating at all. Every year, people are like, "You know what? We wanted to talk even more with the group." Last year, I heard about three or four instances where the table host actually sent out another Zoom invite and they had subsequent conversations. The first year we did it one of the table hosts got along so well with their table that they went on a cruise together.

Hopefully next year, we'll be in person, but for now you get to do it from the comfort of your home. And it's a lot of fun because we're all human, right? It's an opportunity to really connect with people and do a deep dive about something that you normally wouldn't be able to do.

What inspired this annual event?

When Paris was undergoing its Renaissance, they found that with salon-style gatherings — where you bring together a lot of different thought leaders into a room — there are a lot of people that may not meet each other normally and you have a substantive conversation with people. So that's kind of what drives the inspiration for this event.

What are some presentations you’re looking forward to at OZ?

I'm looking forward to the visual artist Vadis Turner, who lives here in Nashville. She's going to be doing these large, visual soft sculptures — they almost look like large ropes or pieces of yarn that are hung in a really beautiful way.

With me having a background in the cigar business, there's a group coming from Havana (Malpaso Dance), which I'm looking forward to at the end of April. Berlin is one of the most famous art cities in the world, and there is a troupe coming from Berlin, Germany called Gob Squad — and that has an audience partition element that kind of looks very Jimmy Fallon-ish.

Anything else you would like our readers to know?

OZ continues to — even though we've had to be cautious about how to go through the pandemic — feature a lot of diverse artists, whether they're from Nashville or whether they're traveling. We also try to connect those artists with young adults and children. My mother was a PhD in early childhood development and taught at TSU for 30 years, and she always stressed the importance of children being around the arts or doing things with their hands. From a tactile standpoint, it helps them become more creative thinkers, which helps them whether they're accountants or artists. We have, for example, a STEAM program we're doing with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

What are the last three things you did downtown?

I went to the Predators game, and before that I went to the Titans game and lost my voice. And Jason Isabel at the Ryman.

Say you have visitors in town. Where are you taking them?

I live close to 12 South because I like the walkability of it, so I’d probably take them through the neighborhood first. I would take them to Cheekwood because the grounds are very beautiful, as is Percy Warner Park. I also like the Wedgewood-Houston area… I would take them to some galleries around there. I like Red Arrow Gallery and would drive them around pockets of East Nashville so they can see that. I enjoy Robert’s a lot as a honky tonk downtown, so I definitely would take them to Robert’s for that experience, and if Tootsie’s isn’t too packed, we’d pop in there, too.

And how about for lunch and dinner?

Pinewood Social is my go-to for lunch, as is Arnold’s. For dinner spots, I love Sean Brock's restaurants — Audrey and The Continental if you can get in. I love Philip Krajeck and his restaurants like Folk. I love Henrietta Red. I think if you're downtown, you can't beat Merchants. Oh, and Bastion and Catbird Seat.

Conversations at OZ is slated for Wed., Feb. 23. Learn more about the event here + click the button below for our full interview.