- Born: 1925, Smyrna (Rutherford County)
- Active: Nashville (Davidson County)
- Died: 2004
- Region: Middle
- Mediums: Repoussé, Ceramics
Greg Ridley
Nashvillians will recognize Ridley’s work in the Grand Reading Room at the downtown library, ‘A Story of Nashville’ eighty hammered-copper repousse panels line the walls. Ridley graduated in 1944 from Pearl High School, continuing his education at Fisk University from 1945-1949, working under Aaron Douglas. He then finished his degree at Tennessee State University in 1951, with a master’s degree from University of Louisville. Ridley taught at a number of southern institutions, landing back in Nashville at Fisk and Tennessee state in 1966-1971, leaving for a position at C.U.N.Y. in New York City, returned in 1975 to TSU and Fisk in 1981, taking on curator of the Carl Van Vechten Gallery from 1991-1995. His impact on his students still vibrates today and spanned over four decades but throughout his academic career, Ridley was first and foremost a working artist. His work utilizes a myriad of techniques; paint, sculpture, mixed media and repousse.
-Courtney Adair Johnson
One of the more interesting artists that lived and thrived in Nashville, Tennessee, was Greg Ridley. Born in Smyrna, Tennessee in 1925, he spent his formative years in Nashville, was a graduate of Pearl High School and served as an Apprentice Seaman during World War II. He then studied art at Fisk University under the world-renowned Aaron Douglas, and in 1947, became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alpha Delta chapter. He later attended Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. Greg went on to pursue a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree at the University of Louisville, where he made history in 1955 by being the first person ever to receive the M.A. degree in Fine Arts. Greg enjoyed a popular reputation as a professor and a parallel popularity with works in the collections of institutions and galleries throughout the country. Greg was an important African American artist. His award winning works have been published in several publications. documenting African American art, and he made sure to share his work with African American institutions of higher learning. His works are prominently displayed in many collections, including the Carl Van Vechten Gallery at Fisk University, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, the Tennessee State Museum, Cheekwood, Winston Salem University, Tennessee State University, Atlanta University, Toledo Museum, and the Nashville Public Library’s Grand Reading Room, where 80 copper panels detailing the history of Nashville adorn the entire interior border. The panels were created in his signature technique of repousse’ or hammered metal relief.
-Ronica Ridley-Martin, one of Greg’s seven children, January 2022
CRAFTING BLACKNESS 
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