Completed Projects

Collierville Library Storytime Room. The UrbanArt Commission and the Collierville Burch Branch Library commissioned Tad Lauritzen Wright to enhance the Storytime Room of the year-old library, through a grant from FedEx. Lauritzen Wright received ideas for text and images from Collierville children, and incorporated those ideas into 20 painted panels that create a colorful and engaging atmosphere in this multipurpose room. This project was installed in March of 2003.

Downtown Elementary School. As part of the UAC’s commitment to administering art enhancements equitably in new and existing Memphis City Schools, the UAC is working with First Tennessee, Storage USA and Looney Ricks Kiss Architects to provide art enhancements to the new Downtown Elementary School. Artist Lurlynn Franklin worked with area students to create a floor design, which was fabricated from VCT (Vinyl Compression Tiles), a standard material used in school construction. This school is scheduled to open in Fall 2003.

AutoZone Park. The Memphis Redbirds Foundation incorporated public art in the design of AutoZone Park to heighten the community’s sense of pride and the non-game attraction of the ballpark. It is the first stadium of its kind to incorporate public art. Three artists -- Jim Green, Don Merkt, and Gary Sweeney -- worked with project architect Looney Ricks Kiss. Each of these artists has worked on numerous public art projects throughout the country and brought a unique sense of design and material to this project. Jim Green uses sound to engage the audience; Gary Sweeney creates collages with unusual materials; and Don Merkt has designed numerous public plazas.

Ballet Memphis. The outside of the new building for Ballet Memphis features five large, aluminum sculptures representing dance. Local artist Brian Russell was selected to work with Dorothy Pugh, director of Ballet Memphis, to capture the sense of joy, grace, and movement expressed by ballet dancers. Project architect, Williamson Pounders, felt the positioning of the sculptures would define Ballet Memphis’ mission and make the building stand out in an otherwise commercial landscape. The project was completed in May 1998.

Bruce Elementary School. Bruce Elementary School is an arts-based education school in which art is infused into the curriculum and integrated with all other subjects. The UrbanArt Commission and the Center for Arts Education worked together to oversee a series of tile mosaics that cover four columns located in the school’s main entrance. The students of Bruce Elementary worked with art teacher Janna Bernstein to create drawings based on the theme of this project, “Learning through the Arts.” Artist Scott Adams incorporated the children’s drawings into a design for the mosaic murals. Both Ms. Bernstein and Ms. Adams, in addition to volunteers, supervised and instructed the children as they actually created the mosaic murals as designed by Ms. Adams. This project was completed in February of 2000 and was funded through the UAC, CAE, a Making a Difference Grant from the Memphis Flyer, and a Home Depot Community Investment Grant.

Cooper Young Trestle Project. Local artist Jill Turman designed and constructed 12 steel structures based on actual buildings and houses from the Cooper Young Neighborhood, which were attached to both faces of a 96-year-old railroad trestle, transforming it into a welcoming gateway for the community. The work was commissioned and directed by the Cooper Young Community Association, in partnership with the UrbanArt Commission and the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. It was completed in October of 2000.

Downtown Walking Tour: A Guide to Art and Architecture. To increase public awareness of the many artworks already in public spaces, the Commission partnered with the Memphis Center City Commission, the Greater Memphis Arts Council and the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to produce a walking tour of art and architecture in downtown Memphis. The brochure consists of two walking tours that focus on the northern half and the southern half of Downtown, respectively. These tours highlight notable buildings such as the Lincoln-American Tower and artworks such as Richard Hunt’s memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., titled I Have Been to the Mountaintop.

Farmington Mural. In partnership with the Center for Arts Education, the UrbanArt Commission worked with Farmington Elementary art teacher Anne Cain and Memphis artists Christine Conley, Richard Harper, Sharon Havelka to design and paint a mural based on endangered aquatic animals. The students assisted the artists with design choices, as well as painting the mural. The mural, over 400 square feet, is in the cafeteria and complements an adjacent mural executed by the students, the art teacher, and Farmington parents. The project was made possible through funding from Sam’s Club and the Germantown Art League, and was completed in April of 2001.

Glenview Neighborhood Banner Project. The Glenview Community Development Partners, working in conjunction with the UrbanArt Commission, commissioned local fine artist and graphic designer Peggy Van Buren to create a neighborhood “logo” for the Glenview National Historic District. The banner design shows the historic character of the neighborhood and announces Glenview as an important historic neighborhood. Utility poles display banners at the neighborhood’s main entrances. This project was made possible through a City of Memphis Neighborhood Demonstration Grant.

Hickory Hill Super Site. The Division of Public Works and the UrbanArt Commission worked together, with a group of citizens, on a paving enhancement project at the entrance of the Hickory Hill Super Site, which houses a city park, community center, school and eventually a police station. Artist Kristi Duckworth incorporated children’s artwork into a painted design enhanced by mosaics in the sidewalk at the entrance of the Super Site. This project was completed in July of 2002.

The Hope and Healing Center. The Hope and Healing Center, devoted to the health of the mind, body and spirit, combines the best disease prevention efforts (including exercise and nutrition programs) with pastoral and spiritual care. Located at Union and I-240, the Center features a variety of public art projects, including a waterwall by Zoe Ayn Strecker from Harrodsburg, KY; a glass curtain wall by Gordon Huether of Architectural Glass Design, Napa, CA; a mediation chapel designed by the team of Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii of Chapel Hill, NC; tiles in the pool area by local artists Alonzo Davis, Kay Lindsey and Carol DeForest; and ceiling banners throughout the Center by Koryn Rolstad of Seattle, WA. The projects were completed in January of 2000.

The Memphis/Shelby County Library & Information Center. The Foundation for the Memphis/Shelby County Public Library began an exciting chapter in public art with design projects by eleven artists, including Burton Callicott, Ed Carpenter, Nancy Cheairs, Alonzo Davis, Iris Harkavy, Pinkney Herbert, Sherri Warner Hunter, Brad & Diana Goldberg, Garrison Roots, John Salvest, and Jeane Umbreit. The art budget is approximately 3% of the overall budget. The artists collaborated with the project architects to design areas within the new library such as the children’s area, the children’s courtyard, the Memphis/ Shelby County Room, the main lobby, and the outdoor walkway.

Non-Violence Mural. In conjunction with the National Campaign Against Youth Violence and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, the UrbanArt Commission worked with artist Larry Walker on a non-violence mural at Fourth and Crump. Knowledge Quest, a community after school program, occupies the building, which is part of Fowler Homes. Larry Walker worked with youth from Knowledge Quest, Bridges and Teens for Peace to design and paint the mural. Tommy Hilfiger and the national non-profit SHINE provided funding for the project. The project was completed in April of 2000.

North East Police Precinct. The Memphis City Division of Building and Design allocated art enhancement budgets to a new police precinct on Whitten Bend Cove, off of Whitten Road. Artist Pam Cobb was commissioned to enhance a steel fence. One goal of the project is to build community support by strengthening the relationship between the neighborhood and police officers. This project was completed in December of 2001.

Public Art in Public Schools. Memphis City Schools has passed a resolution setting aside a voluntary percent-for-art for new school construction to increase the quality of Memphis City School buildings and to promote an atmosphere in which the arts play a fundamental role in education. The UAC is providing Memphis City Schools with administrative oversight of the art enhancements. The Board of Education designated three schools, Holmes Road Elementary in Whitehaven, Hickory Ridge Middle School and Germanshire Elementary, as trial projects for this program. Artist Carol DeForest worked with students on an urban archeology-based project for Germanshire. Chris Condon worked with students to design limestone sculptures for the courtyard of Holmes Elementary. Gordon Huether worked with students to design glass panels for the glass curtain wall in the Hickory Ridge Middle School cafeteria. All of these projects were installed in the Summer and Fall of 2001.

Shade Structures. The City of Memphis Division of Public Works worked with the UrbanArt Commission to install an artist-designed shade structure downtown on the riverfront. The shade structure provides shelter and seating along the Bluff Walk, where a structure by artist John Medwedeff was installed in July 2001. The structure, titled “Whirl” and located in Vance Park, is an elegant water form made of painted steel.

Sycamore Elementary Mural Project. The UrbanArt Commission assisted the Shelby County Schools in commissioning artists to create murals for Sycamore Elementary. Artists Carol Robison, Peggy Van Buren and Larry Walker were commissioned to create murals with accurately depicted subject matter to be used as teaching tools. Sycamore Elementary’s goal was to incorporate artwork into the school’s public space to carry the impact of art education throughout the learning experience. These murals were completed in June 2002.

Current Projects
City of Memphis Percent for Art Projects: The UrbanArt Commission, working in conjunction with the City of Memphis and the City Council-appointed Public Art Oversight Committee, has identified nine local artists to complete art enhancements for public buildings. The projects are the first to be undertaken as part of the percent for art ordinance adopted by the City on March 5, 2002. The artists and their projects are listed below.

• Bert Ferguson Community Center -- Enhancements for the indoor pool will be designed by Suzy Hendrix who works in fused, etched and stained glass and mosaics.
• Cordova Library -- Local artist Pam Cobb was selected to enhance the interior and exterior of the Cordova Library with sculptural elements.
• Glenview Community Center -- Deborah Brown will seek input from Glenview residents and be assisted by metal artist John Argroves as she creates enhancements as part of the Community Center’s renovation.
• Martin Luther King Riverside Golf Course -- Metal Artist Jim Wallace has been selected to design an artistically enhanced gate for the Martin Luther King Riverside Golf Course.
• Orange Mound Community Service Center -- Vitus Shell of Memphis will use a combination of painting and found objects collected from neighborhood residents to create an enhancement for the interior of this facility.
• Skinner Center Renovation -- Yvonne Bobo, also of Memphis, will add enhancements to the windows of the renovated pool area of the Skinner Center, and to areas in the adjacent Peabody Park.
• Southeast Police Precinct -- Painter, illustrator and designer, Peggy Van Buren will create enhancements using the theme “Helping Hands” exploring the connection of the police and the community for the new Southeast Police Precinct.
• Whitehaven Community Library -- Whitehaven native Lester Merriweather will create figurative relief sculpture based on line drawings that will be installed throughout the inside of the library.
• Whitehaven Neighborhood Center -- This center will undergo a renovation and will add a shade structure that was designed for the Cobblestone Walkway by Carroll Todd and Reb Haizlip.

Artists are also being considered for enhancements to the Hollywood Branch Library, Ed Rice Community Center Aquatic Facility Renovation and the Police Headquarters Renovation at 128 Adams.

Binghampton School As part of the Memphis City Schools’ new percent-for-art policy for new and renovated schools, the UAC is seeking an artist to place art enhancements in the new Binghampton School, which will be constructed at the intersection of Sam Cooper Parkway and Collins Street.
The new Binghampton Elementary School will offer unique opportunities, and the artist’s vision will be vital to the selection of the art enhancements for the project.

Cannon Center for Performing Arts. Six artists have been selected to enhance the new performing arts center, part of the Memphis Cook Convention Center expansion and renovation. James Carpenter is designing a glass sculpture for the lobby. The outdoor plaza, with views onto Poplar Avenue and Front Street, is being designed by Vito Acconci. In close consultation with the Greater Memphis Arts Council, Terri Jones is designing the donor recognition piece. Kay Lindsey and Dolph Smith are designing additional enhancements to the lobby. John Salvest is designing enhancements to the restrooms. As a multi-functional hall, the facility will have components that add flexibility to the auditorium, allowing for the performance of various arts, as well as large conventions. The Greater Memphis Arts Council and the Cannon Family are playing a significant role in the Center’s development through fundraising.
Completion Date: Summer 2003

City Hall Lobby. The City of Memphis and the UrbanArt Commission, are seeking three to four artists for a variety of site-specific installations for the City Hall Lobby Renovation Project. All artists selected will work within an open design process in collaboration with the selected architectural firm, the Haizlip Firm. This is envisioned as an inclusive project emphasizing work that highlights the great diversity of the Memphis area.

Keystone Elementary. The Division of Public Works is working with the UrbanArt Commission and Keystone Elementary on a paving enhancement project that runs along the school grounds. Artist Wanda James has worked with the elementary students to create a work of art that will be incorporated into the sidewalk.
Completion Date: Winter 2003

MATA Medical Center Rail Line Extension. The Medical Center Rail Extension will provide a transportation and economic development link between the Central Business District and the Medical Center, the region’s two largest employment centers. The UAC has worked with MATA to commission local artists Harriet Buckley, Carol DeForest, Cynthia Metcalf & Jeanne Seagle, and Claudio Perez-Leon to enhance the 6 stations that will run along Madison Avenue. Neighborhood-based organizations along the new rail line were involved in selecting the artists. The artists are working with the organizations to ensure that each station reflects the characteristics of the community it serves. In addition to funding from MATA, this project has also received a Bravo Grant, a Tennessee Arts Commission Project Grant, and additional funding from Medical Student Executive Council of UT Med.
Completion Date: 2004

Moveable Collection. Many cities have collections of moveable art, such as paintings, small-scale sculpture and fine art crafts, located in public buildings and spaces. The Commission is currently seeking donations to build our collection of artworks displayed in public buildings. Private donors have pledged works by regional artists including Jeane Umbreit, John Boatright, Micaela Riseling, Burton Callicott, Christopher Rico and Ann Kobdish, as well as a triptych by Jane Williams and a tapestry by Henry Easterwood, both of which are on display at the Memphis International Airport.

Orange Mound Neighborhood Signs. The Orange Mound Collaborative and UrbanArt Commission commissioned local graphic designer Kelly Brother to create a design for neighborhood signs. Like the Glenview Neighborhood Banners, these signs will declare Orange Mound as a significant, historic neighborhood. This project is funded through a City of Memphis Neighborhood Demonstration Grant.
Completion Date: Winter 2003

Raleigh Egypt High School As part of the Memphis City School’s new percent-for-art policy for new and renovated schools, the UAC is seeking an artist for a renovation project at Raleigh Egypt High School. The project calls for the creation of a 15,300 square-foot cafeteria that will also have the flexibility to be used as a multipurpose room for large group assemblies. The artist chosen for this project will work with the Project Architect, Mike Kelly of the Pickering Firm, in a collaborative process to determine locations for artwork within the new cafeteria structure.

Soulsville Gateways Project. Soulsville USA, is working with the UrbanArt Commission to develop a gateways project that will mark a key entrance into the area of South Memphis known as Soulsville, home of the former Stax Recording Studio. The gateway is a series of train trestles on Bellevue that will be adorned with murals and improved lighting. Artist Arnold Thompson has worked with students and neighborhood residents to create a concept that will make these gateways welcoming and a source of community pride. This project is being funded in part by the Memphis Arts Council, the Tennessee Art Commission, Bravo, City of Memphis Neighborhood Demonstration Grant and Storage USA.
Completion Date: Spring 2003

Trolley Pavers. The UAC and the City of Memphis General Services Division have commissioned local artist Jin Powell to create pavers along the trolley line. The artist is creating molds for six to ten different metal pavers, which will replace the old, broken granite pavers. Once a mold is created, the cost for producing the pavers is the same as it would have been to create plain pavers. Seattle used a similar technique to create manhole covers and tree grates.
Completion Date: Spring 2003

Upcoming Projects
City of Memphis Percent for Art Projects 2004: The UAC will announce 10 new projects with the City of Memphis for the 2004 fiscal year.

Memphis/Shelby County International Airport. The Airport Authority has designated public art as one of the design requirements for the expansion of the airport parking garage. The UrbanArt Commission will facilitate the selection of an artist to work with the design team.

NBA Arena. The current plans for the new NBA Arena include a public art component.

Riverfront Master Plan. One of the key recommendations made by the community was the incorporation of public art into the Riverfront Redevelopment Plan. The Riverfront Development Corporation and the UrbanArt Commission will work together to identify an artist to work on the riverfront design team to create a public art master plan, ensuring that the riverfront is not only functional, but upholds a strong commitment to aesthetic excellence and serves as a visual representation of the artistic talent found in this region.