Souls Grown Deep

April 5th - 19th | Opening Reception, April 5th 1 PM - 9 PM

COOP Gallery is pleased to present Souls Grown Deep, a solo exhibition by Tennessean

Artist Chase Williamson is opening April 5, 2025, during the Nashville Art Crawl from 1–9

PM. Exploring the historical and contemporary significance of Black gardens as spaces

of healing, reclamation, and resistance, Williamson’s large-scale scenic portraits are

paired with soil from Black gardens across Tennessee. Drawing from her matrilineal

lineage and the enduring legacy of African American women in horticulture, Souls

Grown Deep reexamines the botanical histories often overlooked and the

transformative power of tending to land.

Through oil, glitter, fabric, and immersive elements, Williamson creates a world where

Black femme subjecthood and plant life intertwine, honoring the resilience and agency

of Black women across generations.

More about the Artist

Chase Williamson is a painter and MFA candidate at the University of Tennessee,

Knoxville. Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, her southern living experience is the

major propeller for her work. She centers the interconnection of the Southern Black

Garden, memorial waters, and Black womanhood through her paint and fabric

compositions. Chase received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Psychology from the

University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2022). Her work has been showcased in

numerous institutions, such as the Museum of Science and Industry (2024), the Frist Art

Museum (2024),Cë Gallery (2024), and Zeitgeist Gallery (2024). Additionally, Williamson

was a Curatorial Fellow at the Frist Art Museum (2023), an artist in residence at the

Atlantic Center for the Arts (2023) has had work published in Burnaway magazine.