Remembering Budd Bishop

By Anne B. Pope, Executive Director –

The Commission is saddened to hear of the passing of previous Commission Board member, Budd Harris Bishop. Budd served on the Commission from 2007 to 2011, and is remembered as a strong voice and leader for the arts in Tennessee. A painting called “Tranquil Pond — Overton County Along Windle Road” continues to grace our office hallway. The work was a gift from Budd to honor the tenure of former executive director, Rich Boyd.

Rhea Condra, former Commission chair (FY2008-FY2013), remembering her friend said, “Bud Bishop was an artist, educator, museum director and a life long advocate for the arts. He was a model Commission member, always representing his constituents and encouraging the arts all across the state of Tennessee. He was a gentleman through and through, who taught all of us who served with him how to use our responsible positions to improve the lives of all Tennesseans. He was a mentor to me and helped me understand the scope and vision of the Tennessee Arts Commission. It was an honor to know him and serve with him. I will miss him.”

Budd had a long and successful career in the arts with accomplishments far to numerous to list. His dedication to arts education, advocacy and community activism is to be applauded and serve as an inspiration to us all. Budd’s obituary can be found here published today in The Tennessean. The board, the staff and I send our sincerest condolences to Budd’s family. We will always appreciate his service to the arts in Tennessee.