The City of Knoxville’s Public Arts Committee is inviting artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications for creating a permanent mural at the Cal Johnson Community Center, located at 507 South Hall of Fame Drive in downtown Knoxville. The aim is to enhance the gymnasium of the community center with a site-specific mural.
The center recently underwent a $500,000 upgrade, which was celebrated in 2020. The proposed mural will be displayed on the gym’s north wall, measuring approximately 45 feet wide and 12 feet tall. The committee is looking for a mural that is lively, colorful, and inspiring, suitable for viewing both day and night. It should appeal to both children and adults, integrate well with the existing interior design, and consider the historic nature of the building and its neighborhood.
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The community center is named after Caldonia Fackler Johnson, who was born enslaved and became Knoxville’s first African-American millionaire. More information about his accomplishments can be found here. The center is also located in a neighborhood where poet Nikki Giovanni spent her childhood summers visiting her grandparents.
Up to five artists will be chosen as finalists to present their mural design proposals. The project has a budget of $25,000, with a particular encouragement for local artists to apply. Artists interested in this opportunity can view the full details, requirements for submission, and application form on the KnoxAlliance website.
The deadline for submitting qualifications is Friday, November 15, 2024, by 4:30 p.m., with the goal of completing the mural installation by Spring 2025. A technical assistance workshop will be held via Zoom on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 6 p.m. Interested participants can RSVP by emailing [email protected].
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Tennessee State Museum Announces Grant Recipients
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