New Mural Project Brightens Up Knoxville
Knoxville is buzzing with excitement as a vibrant new art project takes shape in the Emory Place area. Residents and visitors alike have already begun to notice the bold colors and striking designs appearing on the walls near North Central Street. This installation is part of a large-scale mural initiative called KnoxWalls, which aims to enhance public spaces through beautiful art.
What is KnoxWalls?
KnoxWalls is not just any art project. It’s a collaborative effort spearheaded by Dogwood Arts, Visit Knoxville, and Lilienthal Gallery.
These organizations joined forces to bring together talented artists, with assistance from the Tennessee Arts Commission and ORNL Federal Credit Union. Property owners Ilana Brodt and Johnny and Libby Harb generously provided the wall space needed for this colorful endeavor.
Artist Selection Process
Out of over 90 artist submissions, representatives from Dogwood Arts and Lilienthal Gallery carefully chose 13 artists who will create murals for this project. The selection process was competitive, showcasing the wealth of talent from Knoxville and beyond. Among the selected artists, there are four local Knoxvillians and others hailing from places like Oakland, California, Denver, Colorado, and Detroit, Michigan.
Current Progress
As of now, three artists have completed their murals, while three more are currently in progress. This vibrant project is part of the already established Art in Public Places program by Dogwood Arts, which has successfully brought captivating murals to the community, such as those seen in Strong Alley near Market Square. Residents might draw parallels to Miami’s Wynwood Walls, a renowned outdoor street art museum that celebrates creativity.
Meet the Talented Artists
Here’s a look at the talented individuals creating these murals:
- ARCY (Ryan Christenson), North Haven, Connecticut
- Orel Brodt, Knoxville, Tennessee
- DETOUR (Thomas Evans), Denver, Colorado
- Cole Eisenhour, Ogden, Utah
- Curtis Glover, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Naomi Haverland, Titusville, Florida
- Megan Lingerfelt, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Gared Luquet, Knoxville, Tennessee
- The Obanoth (Hannah Webb), Los Angeles, California
- Pat Perry, Detroit, Michigan
- Don Rimx (David Sepulveda), Orlando, Florida and Puerto Rico
- Juan Rozas, Miami, Florida and Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith, Oakland, California
Opening Celebration
The KnoxWalls project is set to officially open to the public on October 4. This date marks the occasion when people can take a stroll and fully appreciate the captivating artworks that will adorn Emory Place.
As the murals progress and more artists join the project, Knoxville is on its way to creating a lively and artistic corridor that celebrates creativity and community. Be sure to check back on October 4 to experience all the colors and stories these talented artists have to share with the world.
