Last week, your humble editor and his wife Lori attended the grand opening of the FSA Lighting Nashville showroom. The “Art of Light” event showed what happens when lighting and design work together.

Inside the FSA Lighting Nashville showroom

Suite 17 at 618 Grassmere Park Road is built for results. It makes you stop and notice what light does—on fixtures, finishes, and art.

FSA President Brent Hester said the vision took years to develop and a full year to execute. He thanked the team for their planning, late nights, and hard work. He underscored that the space is a tool for clients.

Brent explained that Suite 17 is a place to connect, collaborate, learn, and experience what’s possible when creativity and lighting come together. It exists because of the customers.

Katie Hawk, Architectural Specifications, put it simply: “FSA Lighting is thrilled to have this new space where we can host our wonderful clients, manufacturers, and make a difference in the design community.” Tracy Guinn added: “This is a wonderful space for training, events, and get-togethers. We get to collaborate with our clients and manufacturers—and we get to show off the lighting.”

Manufacturers show up strong

The showroom itself was the real star of the evening. World-class in every sense of the phrase, the space pairs curated artwork with thoughtfully selected lighting product in a way that elevates both. It is the kind of environment that reminds you why lighting matters — not just as a functional specification, but as a medium of expression. FSA Lighting has created a destination, not merely a showroom.

The guest list read as a genuine cross-section of the Nashville design community — the kind of mix that generates real conversation, real relationships, and real business. It was full of architects, engineers and designers.  The manufacturer turnout at the FSA Lighting Nashville showroom opening was impressive. Presidents from Elite Lighting, Current, and Inter-Lux were all in the room. Ted Chappell of Inter-Lux said, “FSA is one of my favorite reps in the country. They’ve brought so many great customers to us.” During the evening, his team auctioned off a beautiful IP44 table lamp to Heather from Hastings Architecture.

Keith Maxwell, Area Leader for Lutron Electronics, called the event “a really fantastic way to support FSA Lighting and the Nashville community.”

I feel like I’m in a museum of art

Hamid Rashidi President of Elite Lighting offered the quote of the night: “I have done a lot of these trade shows. This theme has been one of the nicest. I really feel like I’m in a museum of art. They came up with a concept that managed to dim the lights so you can see every fixture’s performance. This is one of the classiest events I’ve been to.”

Peter Durbin of WAC Lighting focused on what the market needed: a collaborative space where people can bounce ideas, do mockups, and look at the realities. Suite 17 offers that to consumers, clients, and design teams.

An evening to remember

The evening also featured an AIA CEU and a ribbon-cutting with caviar and champagne, sponsored by Elite Lighting. Guests participated in a silent auction using sponsor-donated “Lumen Loot” bidding currency, along with raffles throughout the night. Lumen Loot was no ordinary play money—it was designed for use in Hollywood and was some of the most realistic fake currency we had ever seen. In fact, at first, we thought it was real.

Each guest received $100 in Lumen Loot for visiting manufacturers’ tables. Additional earnings—typically $20 or $50—were awarded at the discretion of the manufacturers for deeper engagement, thoughtful questions, or meaningful project discussions. The FSA Lighting team also distributed $20s and $50s throughout the evening, encouraging guests to introduce themselves and connect with their reps.

Guests then used their Lumen Loot to bid on themed prizes in the silent auction, with high bidders announced at the end of the evening.

Brent closed his welcome remarks with a simple invitation: “Tonight is about celebrating what we’ve built together and what’s ahead. Walk the space, ask questions, connect with one another, and enjoy the experience.” Then he paused, grinned, and added, “I’m left-handed” — as he struggled to cut the ribbon.

Nashville’s design community showed up. And with Suite 17, FSA Lighting has created something bigger than a showroom—it’s a model for how lighting reps can engage, educate, and inspire across the industry.