"There are good things going on in isolated places."

James Kent Arnold

James Kent Arnold is an accomplished artist whose training encompasses classical and modern fine art painting and sculpture, as well as live-action film and experimental video. Over the breadth of his career he has worked as a professor and professional filmmaker on projects ranging from the US Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, to international video producer for Aveda Corporation and The Body Shop Corporation in London, UK.  His artistic style is often influenced by the discipline and inventiveness of American and European pioneers in painting, sculpture and photography as well as the filmmakers whose work was primarily formed in the Pacific Southwest. His mentors were pioneers of the American Avant Garde scene including video artist Edward Emschwiller, performance artist Rachel Rosenthal, and musician John Cage.

Much of James’ creative collaboration has centered around his partnership with his wife, performer/educator, Erica Lewis Nashan. Together they have produced more than 21 theatrical productions for which he designed and executed sets, and numerous independent films for which she composed and performed soundtracks. Their professional projects have been featured at the
Japan-America Theatre in Los Angeles, the Aveda Atelier in Minneapolis Theatre in the Park in Raleigh, and at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.

"The best way I have found to experience life, is to get my hands dirty.