Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Moorhead-Wallace.
Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path began with a deep love for sculpture and community engagement. I earned my BFA in sculpture from Miami University of Ohio and my MFA in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts from Washington University in St. Louis, which opened the door to teaching, residencies, and exhibitions across the U.S.
As a sculptor, I’ve always enjoyed working hands-on; with heavy equipment, tools, and large outdoor installations. That experience naturally carried over into my professional life in Chicago, where I spent years working as a museum registrar, gallery technician, and independent art handler.
After moving to Tennessee, I wanted to bring that same care and professionalism to a new community, so I started New Roots; an art services company that installs, transports, and manages art collections across the eastern United States. It has been a rewarding way to combine my love of making, collaboration, and supporting artists, institutions, and collectors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Moving to a new region meant starting over; building relationships, finding collaborators, and earning trust in a community that didn’t necessarily have an established network for the kind of work I do. A lot of my early effort went into educating people about what professional art handling and collection care really mean as well as why it’s important to use proper materials, documentation, and installation methods. In Chicago, those systems were already in place, but here I’ve had to build that understanding from the ground up.
Even with those challenges, it’s been incredibly rewarding. My favorite part of this work is talking with people about their art; how they found it, why it moves them, what it means in their space. The joy that art brings people, no matter the style or subject, is infectious. Getting to be part of that connection every day makes all the hard parts completely worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At New Roots, we specialize in the care of artwork and antiquities; offering expert packing, installation, collection management, and storage solutions. Our installation methods prioritize both professionalism and preservation, including the design and fabrication of custom mounts that securely and beautifully display each piece.
We excel at solving complex challenges and collaborate closely with vendors, designers, collectors, and artists to bring even the most intricate projects to life. Our team approaches every piece with a genuine love for art and a deep respect for the stories it carries.
I’m most proud of building a company that artists and institutions trust; not only for our technical expertise, but for our shared passion for helping art live beautifully in the world.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Our team is made up of working artists with active creative practices, which gives us a deep, intuitive understanding of what artworks truly need—from thoughtful handling and installation to long-term care and presentation. We approach every project with the mindset of makers, honoring process, material, and intention.
At the core of our work is a shared belief that art has the power to transform homes, public spaces, and communities. We see art not just as an object, but as a living presence—one that deserves care, respect, and collaboration to fully thrive.
Pricing:
- free consultations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newrootstn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newrootstn/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-moorhead-wallace-46626a28/
- Twitter: https://x.com/newroots_tn
- Other: https://emoorheadwallace.com/
