We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carey Mcdonald And Mimi Beaver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carey McDonald and below.

Carey McDonald and, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The Harding Art Show is a highly intricate event that requires meticulous planning and a great deal of responsibility. Typically, co-chairs begin preparations two years in advance, overseeing every detail to ensure the show’s success. Their responsibilities include selecting a featured artist, managing the artist selection process, coordinating all hospitality—including bar and catering for the three-day event—communicating with artists, leading a team of volunteers, marketing the show, arranging parking logistics, and so much more. This year, we are honored to welcome 101 artists and more than 5,000 guests, all of whom we want to provide with an exceptional experience.

As mothers of four children each, with commitments beyond our homes, stepping into a leadership role of this magnitude was no small decision—especially given the show’s long standing reputation for excellence. But when we were asked to lead, our answer was an immediate and enthusiastic “YES!”

That “yes” was fueled by our deep love for Harding Academy—a place that shaped us as young girls and now nurtures our own children. This school has given so much to our families, and we are committed to giving back in any way we can. We also knew that our strengths complement one another perfectly: Mimi brings her expertise in technology and years of hospitality management, while Carey thrives in design and enjoys cultivating relationships with artists and volunteers. Together, we embraced the challenge, confident that our combined skills and shared passion would carry us through.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

We are honored to serve as the co-chairs for the 2025 Harding Art Show—a premier fine art exhibition that has grown to become one of the largest and most successful in the Southeastern United States. This show attracts talented artists from across the country and welcomes more than 5,000 guests and shoppers over the course of three days. Known for its impeccable organization and strong community support, the event is not only a highly successful fundraiser for Harding Academy but also a meaningful opportunity for artists to showcase and sell their work.

This year, the Harding Art Show will take place May 1st-3rd on Harding Academy’s campus in Nashville, TN.

We take immense pride in the show’s longevity and the legacy it carries. As Nashville has experienced tremendous growth and change over the past 50 years, the Harding Art Show has remained a cherished and consistent tradition within our community. We are deeply committed to upholding its stellar reputation and rich history while ensuring another year of success for both the school and our participating artists.

What Sets the Harding Art Show Apart?

Several aspects make this show a truly special and unique experience:

1. A Meaningful Connection Between Artists and Collectors
Unlike many other shows, we prioritize on-site artist participation throughout the entire weekend. This personal interaction allows shoppers to engage directly with artists, learn about their creative process, and hear the stories behind their work. While the weekend can be a marathon for artists, time and again, we hear how rewarding it is for them to build lasting connections with collectors who return year after year.

2. A Family-Friendly Show That Champions Arts Education
A core mission of our show is to support arts education and expose children to fine art in an engaging way. During the daytime on Friday, the show is open to all ages, and we offer special children’s events on Saturday to further foster their appreciation of the arts.

3. Southern Hospitality at Its Best
One of the greatest strengths of our show is our incredible team of experienced and passionate volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the event runs smoothly. From artists to guests, we take pride in providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved—because after all, this is the South!

We can’t wait to celebrate another fantastic year of the Harding Art Show and look forward to welcoming artists, collectors, and our wonderful community in May!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

At the Harding Art Show, we strategically focus our social media efforts on Instagram, where we have built a strong and engaged audience of 11.5k followers. Our goal is to maintain a dynamic and consistent presence throughout the year, keeping our community informed and excited about the show.

Our posting strategy follows a structured timeline, beginning with announcements for artist applications. As the year progresses, we reveal our Featured Artist, promote our annual Kickoff event, and unveil the artist roster. Closer to the show, we highlight our sponsors and provide spotlights on participating artists, ensuring that both our audience and our artists receive the visibility they deserve.

A cohesive and visually appealing brand identity is a priority for us. Each year, our social media design reflects the overall theme of the show while maintaining a professional and polished look. For our 50th Anniversary show, we intentionally incorporated navy—a primary color in Harding Academy’s branding—into our Featured Artwork selection. To reinforce this connection, we are using a navy background and border for most of our posts, creating a seamless and recognizable aesthetic across all platforms.

Our social media operations are expertly managed by a dedicated volunteer, who has served in this role for several years. Having previously co-chaired the Harding Art Show, this individual brings valuable experience, a deep understanding of event timelines, and a keen awareness of the type of content that resonates with our audience. We maintain close collaboration through regular communication and a shared Google Sheet, which allows us to plan and organize content efficiently.

To streamline our design process, we rely on Canva, a versatile and user-friendly tool that has been instrumental in creating visually engaging posts that align with our branding and messaging.

Through intentional planning, consistent branding, and a well-executed social media strategy, we ensure that the Harding Art Show continues to grow its reach and engagement while celebrating both our artists and our incredible community.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Ultimately, the Harding Art Show is a fundraiser for the school that shaped us as young girls and the place where our children are spending their days. So, we have a very authentic desire for the show to be successful. If the show is successful, our children will reap the rewards!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehardingartshow.com
• Instagram: @thehardingartshow

Image Credits

Anne Russell
Alan Poizner
Peyton Hoge