Blount County Murals Bring Blank Walls to Life
Residents of Blount County, Tennessee, have much to say and they’re using public art to visually tell their stories.
Maryville, in particular, is becoming known for its “mural scene” and already has many in the downtown area alone. The project kicked off last year as a collaborative effort between the Creative Arts Committee of Blount County, Downtown Maryville Alliance (DMA) and Blount Partnership.
Thanks to the time and talent of many artists and volunteers, once-empty walls now pop with fresh coats of paint, colorfully depicting landscapes, wildlife, notable figures and more. The pieces are as diverse as the county itself, but they share a common thread – pride in the region.
Coloring Community
Will Lunsford wears many hats as a graphic designer, screen printer, muralist and illustrator. He also serves on the board of the DMA. In 2012, he painted his first outdoor mural for Knoxville’s Market Square. In 2014, he and a group of local artists formed the “Downtown Mural Project,” selecting a retaining wall along a greenway as their first blank canvas. Lunsford has continued to make his mark across Blount and Knox counties and enjoys the opportunities to highlight the place he calls home – especially alongside fellow creatives.
“It’s the process of learning and collaborating with others that sparks fresh excitement with each new painting, and the styles and techniques change from one mural to the next,” Lunsford says. “I attribute this to the different minds coming together to bring the painting to life, and it’s this collaboration that really makes mural creation such a fun process.”
Will Lunsford
muralist
Lunsford has also enjoyed how the project has brought both residents and out-of-towners together.
One such example, Lunsford says, is an independent bicycle tour hosted by the Pistol Creek Pedalers that stops at all the murals to give a brief history of the pieces, sometimes with the artists present. As word has spread about Blount County’s new installations, the walls have come to stand as symbols for conversation-starters, selfie backdrops and memory-makers.
“I love the variety of murals that are being created throughout Blount County and the diverse crowds that are drawn to each one. Even now, I constantly see families posing together in front of new paintings and visitors stopping just to admire our ever-growing outdoor art gallery,” Lunsford says. “It really shows how public art brings people from all walks of life together.”
Teachable Moments
Raquel Roy has been an art teacher at Maryville High School for 20 years. She’s always been passionate about her students building upon their skills, as well as their connections to the community, so she was ecstatic when a local business reached out to her.
“I was thrilled when Tony Saddy, owner of Get Fit Maryville, contacted me, asking if me and my students could create a design to paint on the side of his gym that depicted not only the beauty of East Tennessee, but also the breadth of physical activities and hobbies that East Tennesseans enjoy in the area,” Roy says.
The students were involved in the entire process from start to finish, learning the ins and outs of how to manage a project’s costs, deadlines, materials and time. They also made sure to understand what the person commissioning the piece wanted in terms of colors and sketch and ultimately called the final piece, “Moving in East Tennessee.”
Roy has already painted 24 murals in various spots around the area including schools, churches, grocery stores and the University of Tennessee.
When it comes to future projects, Roy is enthusiastic about doing more with her students and sees it as a way to showcase Blount County’s unique culture.
“Murals are important. Murals are reflective of a community,” Roy says. “I am so grateful that we live in a town that knows that depicting the beauty of our area and supporting the arts are vital to keeping and remembering the rich heritage that Blount County has.”
Broadway Center for the Arts Provides Creative Opportunities for All Ages
For more ways to creatively engage with Blount County, head over to Broadway Center for the Arts (BCA) on McCammon Avenue in Maryville. Theater-lovers of all ages, especially budding thespians, will find ample opportunities to appreciate the performing arts.
As a children’s theater company, the center regularly holds events and auditions and stages about eight to 10 shows each season. During the summer months, the center hosts musical theater camps for a range of ages. These week-long sessions are an immersive experience into theater life for cast and crew, from backstage to front and center, and culminate in an exciting public performance.
The BCA’s programming calendar is extensive, and past seasons have included “Tuck Everlasting,” “Elf: The Musical,” “The Sound of Music” and “Les Miserables.” In addition, as part of the center’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and creating a “welcoming space” for all, it provides sensory-friendly options and ASL interpretation for guests with special needs.