Cassie Greatens is on a mission to make art feel less intimidating and a whole lot more personal. As the force behind CASS Contemporary, she’s redefining what it means to collect … think less velvet rope, more real connection. Now calling Nashville home, Cassie brings her sharp eye, creative spirit, and Stranger Things superfan energy to our city’s growing art scene. Whether curating a show or spending time with her family, her approach remains the same: lead with heart, and let art speak for itself.
Can you tell us a bit about your background? What inspired your love of art?
I grew up in Florida. My childhood was heavily focused on pop culture, music, and anything pertaining to the arts. Being from a smaller town, my goal was always to move away and see the world. The move to L.A. when I was 19 years old only broadened my love for anything in the art world — not just for the visual arts.
However, moving around the country and making travel a priority, I found myself in art museums and creating friendships with the creative community. Then, fittingly, I married an artist.
CASS Contemporary has redefined the collector experience. What do you think has been key to making high-end art feel approachable?
At CASS, we believe art should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Art has the power to spark conversation, create connections, and bring people together. That’s why we strive to make art approachable for all clients and potential collectors, regardless of style, medium, or artist.
Our goal is to help people find pieces they connect with — works they love visually and emotionally, pieces they wouldn’t want to part with. Whether you’re new to collecting or a seasoned buyer, we offer people step-by-step guidance through the process.
Bringing CASS to Nashville is a big move. What drew you to the city?
We have been visiting Nashville for 15 years and have always loved it. The city has such a distinct personality, and we thought CASS would be a perfect addition to the landscape. Nashville has grown so much over the years, but it has stayed true to its roots and its commitment to the music scene.
We believe food, art, and music all go hand in hand. With the influx of new restaurants opening up and the music scene expanding here, where now we’re seeing different genres being featured, we thought opening a contemporary art gallery that brings a new vibe to the area would fit in with the current direction of Nashville.
What is your favorite hidden gem you’ve discovered since moving here to Nashville?
I’m not sure if it’s what you’d consider a “hidden gem,” but the Motown Suite in the United Record Pressing building is definitely a standout we just recently discovered. My husband, Jake, and I met with the owners and toured the building. The entire space is filled with the rich history of the music industry in Nashville.
We fell in love with the Motown Suite, which feels like you are in a museum. We did a photo shoot there, and it just felt like we were taken back in time. It’s an amazing place and made us wish we could have been there back in the day when all the greats were recording their music there.
Because art is often an emotional or even vulnerable purchase, how do you guide clients in discovering pieces that truly resonate with them, especially when they might not yet have the language to express their taste?
We believe the best way to guide someone in building their art collection, whether it’s their first piece or their 10th, is through exposure. That’s why we enjoy showcasing a wide range of artists and styles to our collectors. Some people come in knowing what they like, while others think they do, only to fall in love with something completely unexpected.
Exposing people to the unlimited possibilities that might appeal to them on a truly personal level is what helps each person discover their own taste and build a collection that genuinely reflects who they are and what speaks to them. At the end of the day, the most important thing is connection. What piece do you want to see in your home every single day? What inspires you? What makes you stop and feel something, or what piece feels impossible to leave behind? That’s the art worth collecting.
Do you remember the first piece of art that made a real impact on you, and do you still own it?
Jake and I purchased a large diptych from one of our earliest exhibits. The piece is by Brazilian artist Mateu Velasco, and it’s acrylic and colored pencils on wood panels. It features a boy and a girl on each panel whose heads are covered with floating, colored clouds, and then they connect to each other when hung alongside one another.
We were newer to the gallery art world, and something about this piece spoke to us because we saw ourselves as the boy and the girl, connected and brainstorming and ready to take on our career and life together. This piece hangs in our family room and is a constant reminder we are a team and in this together always. We are soulmates.
When you’re not immersed in the world of art and clients, what does your perfect off-day look like? How do you relax?
My perfect day involves three things: a workout to start, amazing food at every meal, and being with Jake and the kids. Whether it’s going on an adventure together, lying around in pajamas and watching movies all day, or turning a board game into a full-on, whole-day competition, my time with my family is my happy place and where I relax. No work, no phones, just us.
What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I am a superfan of Stranger Things. Our family has been watching together since day one. We have traveled to see all the film sites from the show. To really paint the picture for you of how much it means to us: on the release date of season four, we were in Italy on a family vacation and stayed in the hotel the entire day to binge the whole season. It’s more than just a show to us; it’s something my husband and I share with our four kids, so it’s a special bond we all have and forever will.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My grandfather told me, “When you walk into a room or get on a call, show up like you’re someone; confidence is how things get done.” That has always stuck with me. Not because it was a flashy or poetic thing to say, but because it was real and so was he. He taught me how you carry yourself can open more doors than you realize.
Even if you’re still trying to figure things out, believing in yourself or just showing up and acting as if you belong makes all the difference. That simple mindset has guided me through not only business but also my everyday life.
Outside of faith, family, and friends, what three things can’t you live without?
My morning coffee, my TV, and music. I need all three to survive, enjoy life, and relax!
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