Long-time Franklin Arts Enthusiast and Artist Manager Ken McDaniel Dies

            FRANKLIN -- Long-time Franklin, Tennessee, resident, arts enthusiast, and artist manager Ken McDaniel died in his Georgia home on Jan. 27, 2022, where he lived for the past six years.

 

            Ken, 86, served as the artist manager for his wife, artist/instructor gail McDaniel, helping plan and promote watercolor painting classes at Brentwood United Methodist Church, workshops at Plaza Artist Materials in downtown Nashville, and artist conferences at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and South America. Along with gail, he helped raise more than $90,000 for local public schools through the “Students and Friends of gail McDaniel Awards,” an annual fundraising auction for art teachers. 

Ken McDaniel

            “Ken McDaniel was a talented man who contributed greatly to the Franklin and Nashville arts communities in a behind-the-scenes way,” said Chuck Whiting, a publicist who worked with Ken and gail McDaniel for more than 20 years. “He was especially gifted at planning and running events for his wife. Together, they helped change the lives of emerging, intermediate and advanced watercolor painters around the world, as well as children in public schools.

 

            Ken and gail moved to Griffin, Georgia, to be closer to family members. The artist continued to teach there, with her husband planning and booking watercolor painting classes and workshops for her at Griffin First United Methodist Church and Plaza Artist Materials in Nashville.

 

Ken and gail McDaniel with the Hager Twins

 

            He penned two books before his died, “Angels Delivered” (about his two adopted children), and “My Child Came Out” (a resource to help bring better understanding to parents who learn their child is gay). Ken, who volunteered for a local LGBTQ outreach organization called Nashville Cares, dedicated the books to his son and late daughter, well as “all adopted children everywhere, to all birth moms and dads who loved these children so much they placed them in a better place, and to all those blessed, loving parents who have, are and will welcome all of those children into their homes.” The books will be released sometime in the future.

 

            Ken often said that he saw his life as a work in progress, admitting to mistakes, expressing love for his wife and children, building his faith in God, and hoping to use his books to help others. It was his final mission before dying of inoperable cancer. Part of “Angel’s Delivered” is devoted to his personal struggle to overcome the tragic loss of his daughter, Rebecca, in an automobile accident.

 

            In the foreword of “Angels Delivered,” Ken wrote, “In sharing my story of loss and recovery through acceptance and finally peace, I hope I can help others who have experienced tragedies of their own. I assure you that I know and understand I am not the final answer. Nor am I the “only” answer. In fact, I may not even be the answer for you. But the thought that I have my life back on track, and maybe I can help someone else out there, prompted me to write words on paper.”

 

            Ken is survived by his wife, gail, and his son, Craig.  His daughter, Rebecca, was killed on May 14, 1997.  His parents were Major General Carl B. and Ruth D. McDaniel. Ken was able to enjoy gail’s three children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  He spent part of his professional life in sales, a profession he enjoyed so much that he often said, “I don’t understand why people pay me to do something I so love. I am very blessed and lucky!”

 

            Ken and Gail were members of the Brentwood United Methodist Church and more recently the Griffin First United Methodist Church and the Forum Sunday School class.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the ‘LP Pencil Box of The Pencil Foundation’, 421 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN  37228.  Please mark your check:  “For the purchase of art supplies.”  Individuals can also visit https://pencilforschools.org to learn more and make a donation.

Christopher Wood Becomes Partner of Kiser + Vogrin Design in Franklin, Tennessee

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 2018) – Christopher Wood, a 21-year veteran in landscape architecture, has been named a partner in the fast-growing Kiser + Vogrin Design, an award-winning land planning/landscape architecture firm in Franklin, Tennessee.

            In his new role for KVD, Wood will not only contribute towards the direction/goals of the firm, but also manage a wide range of projects from conceptual design to review and implementation. He also will continue to serve as a mentor to the entire KVD team for site and landscape/hardscape design and construction documents.

            "We are delighted to name Christopher a partner of Kiser + Vogrin Design," said Gary Vogrin, who co-founded the company in 2010 with partner Dwight Kiser. "His great personality and interaction with our clients/staff in addition to his never-ending attention to detail during design and construction helps him to create sound and functional landscape and hardscape designs.

Christopher Wood has been named a partner of Kiser + Vogrin Design in Franklin, Tennessee.

            Wood's passion for landscape architectural design through schematic design, pre-construction, and construction has allowed him to be involved in a wide range of project types involving commercial, residential, healthcare and industrial uses across the country. As a senior landscape architect for KVD, he serves as project manager and landscape architect for major projects such as Capitol View in downtown Nashville, the Hub mixed-use development in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Innovation Park in Franklin; Carothers Crossing East (Life Time Fitness and Commercial Campus) in Franklin, and Brentwood Commons office development in Nashville.

            "Chris is on a mission to help KVD build a landscape architecture firm that's your go-to for design and recognized as an industry leader in Tennessee and across the Southeast," Vogrin added.

            Wood earned his Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture from Auburn University. He is a registered Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina landscape architect and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He is a husband of more than 15 years and a father of two competitive boys residing in Williamson County.

            To learn more about Kiser + Vogrin Design, visit www.KiserVogrin.com. You can contact a KVD representative directly at (615) 708-0567 or kvd@kiservogrin.com.

Artist/Instructor Gail McDaniel Moving to Georgia in Late January

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- During sometimes-tearful telephone calls, Franklin, Tenn., artist/instructor Gail McDaniel and her husband Ken have been telling friends and fellow arts professionals that they will be moving to Georgia in late January.

            The move (to be closer to family) doesn't come easily for Gail and Ken. The watercolorist has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years helping change lives through hands-on teaching and fundraising events. She has taught more than 1,300 students in classes and workshops while raising almost $90,000 for student art supplies through the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards". Her watercolor painting classes have been held on a regular basis at the Brentwood United Methodist Church and Plaza Artist Materials in Nashville.

Gail McDaniel

            Ken has handled all logistical aspects of Gail's career, including marketing, venues, office management, and student registrations. Over the years, the couple have made countless friends and earned the appreciation of noted organizations such as the PENCIL Foundation, CharacterEYES Boutique, and FirstBank.

            "We are grateful for the many friendships and partnerships," said Gail. "It's been especially rewarding teaching emerging artists here in Middle Tennessee and other parts of the world. I will probably miss that the most."

            The couple will reside at the Sun City Peachtree residential community in Griffin, Ga. The good news: They plan to spend a lot more time with a son, daughter and four grandchildren, who live nearby.

            "Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville will always be in our hearts," said Ken. "We will never forget the contributions of those who shared our vision to support arts education. We've met and worked with so many wonderful people."

Ken and Gail with the Hager Twins
and Tennessee State Senator Jack Johnson in 2007

            Highlights of Gail's career and contributions to the arts community include

            * Training more than 1,300 different artists from 36 different states (including Alaska and Hawaii), the District of Columbia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and South Korea. She has taught 11 workshops at historic Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, a landmark where the late Georgia O’Keefe lived and painted.

Gail with a group of art students in Ecuador

            * Raising almost $90,000 for the arts in area public schools through the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards". The fund-raising effort earned McDaniel and Ken a nomination in the "volunteer innovator" category of the 2009 Mary Catherine Strobel Award. In 2012, she was named the PENCIL Foundation's "Volunteer of the Year".

            * Organizing and hosting fund-raising events such as the "Chase Away The Blahs Party Artistically" benefiting school children in their Franklin home and the "Building Bridges Through Art" exhibition at CharacterEYES Boutique benefiting Bridges Domestic Violence Center.

            * Receiving an award for "Excellence in Community Service" from the Travelers Rest Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; being inducted into the Cave City, Ky., Hall of Fame; and being named (as an eighth generation Kentuckian) to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels as one of "Kentucky's ambassadors of good will and fellowship around the world."

            * Gaining international notoriety in 2001 when she was named an associate member of the Winsor & Newton Creative Artist Network in London, England, and invited by directors of the "Art in Provence" program to conduct an eight-day watercolor workshop in Dieulefit, France.

Gail McDaniel Teaches at Plaza Artist Materials

            * Studying under 38 noted art instructors to help build her reputation as Middle Tennessee's top artist/instructor.

            * Accepting a commission to paint a family landmark for former Gov. Louie B. Nunn. Other commissions have included painting the invitation cover for "A Little Night of Music" starring LeAnn Rimes; 13 pieces for the annual Nashville Scene N-Focus social calendar; and a promotional streetscape of four homes for Newmark Homes and five other paintings for the Nashville Home Builders Association/SunTrust Bank 2001 "Parade of Homes."

            *  Showcasing her original paintings at 55 solo exhibitions, including the Brentwood Public Library, the Puffy Muffin, and "Artlightenment".

            * Serving as a member of the arts faculty of Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art in Nashville, teaching weekly art classes.

            * Creating and painting the design for the theme poster and t-shirt for the Nashville Symphony’s "Italian Street Fair" two years in a row.

            "We've had a great time, and I couldn't be more thankful," Gail added. "I plan to continue painting, but most of the scenes will be from Georgia."

Serengeti Sunset painting by Gail McDaniel

           For more information about Gail or to see her work, visit www.GailMcDanielArt.com.

###