Clarksville unveiled its 21st public art piece this month. Twelve of the pieces – at least – are in proximity that’s easily walkable within the city’s downtown core.

Murals, sculptures, fountains, and flames are among the art pieces you’ll see showcased along city streets, urban trails, buildings and throughout the campus of Austin Peay State University, which is adjacent to downtown. Many of the works were designed or created by Clarksville artists.

Individual stories about the pieces, most of which were written by students in an Austin Peay Urban Planning class, are on the Visit Clarksville website at https://www.visitclarksvilletn.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/ 

The recently unveiled piece is a mural entitled, “Clarksville’s Starry Night.” The 60x40-foot painting of the Clarksville skyline rendered in the style of Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” is on the full side of a building at 420 Madison Street, facing a large parking lot.

More mural and sculptural projects are in various phases of production.

“Public Art is a prime example of a community that is living, breathing, and thriving,” says Ryan Bowie, executive director of downtown Clarksville’s Roxy Regional Theatre, and chair of the Downtown Clarksville Association. “Our various pieces of public art have always been, and will continue to be, the icing on the cake for downtown residents and visitors alike, providing ample opportunities for photos, history, and education about the rich culture that Clarksville, Tennessee has to offer.”

Here’s a list with brief descriptions of the pieces:

  • Clarksville Starry Night – A 60x40-foot mural of the Clarksville skyline rendered in the style of Vincent van Gogh's “The Starry Night.”
    420 Madison St., Artist Olasubomi Aka-Bashorun
  • The Clarksville Protector -- Bronze sculpture dedicated to all who serve in the Clarksville Police Department
    135 Commerce St., Artists Roger & Neil Brodin
  • The Day After -- Bronze statue of a seated man reading a January 23, 1999 edition of The Leaf-Chronicle, the day after an F-4 tornado destroyed much of downtown, including the courthouse and Leaf Chronicle buildings.
    Commerce & S. Second, Artist Scott Wise
  • First Federal Outdoor Garden -- Various pieces in the courtyard entry at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
    200 S. Second St., Artists Olen Bryant, Tom Rice and Mike Andrews.
  • Lenora ‘Nora’ Witzel and Nettie -- Life-size bronze statue of local pioneer female photographer and her dog
    Millennium Plaza at 3rd Street, Artist Artist Andrea Lugar
  • The Millennium Fountain – 16-foot bronze fountain installed with the reconstruction of the area after a 1999 tornado
    Millennium Plaza, Artist John Medwedeff
  • Children’s Fountain -- 20’ x 15’ marble and bronze fountain with 18 bronze statues of children
    115 Strawberry Alley
  • Frank Sutton – Life-size bronze sculpture of the Clarksville native who portrayed “Sgt. Carter” on the CBS sitcom, “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” Unveiled in 2017.
    107 Franklin Street, Artist Scott Wise 
  • Forged in the Fire -- Steel warped in a fire of 1978, refined and painted by Montgomery Central High School students
    Upland Trail at Spring Street, MCHS Students with Artist Mike Andrews
  • Bursting with Pride -- 10,000 square-foot mural featuring 15 Clarksville buildings
    110 Franklin, Artist Ricky Deel
  • John Montgomery -- Bronze statue of Clarksville’s first settler
    City Hall at Strawberry Alley, Artist Scott Wise
  • Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire – 30-foot tall steel pillar dedicated to all military personnel
    Public Square at Main Street, Artist Dr. Gregg Schlanger

 

On the Austin Peay State University Campus (601 College Street), adjacent to downtown:

  • The Synthesis -- Polished marble statue by located in front of the Felix G. Woodward Library
    Artist Rev. Howard Brown
  • The Gateway -- Concrete and steel sculpture at the College Street Entry Gates
    Artist Dr. Jim Diehr
  • A Sentinel -- 10-foot bronze monolithic sculpture near the Morgan University Center
    Artist Olen Bryant
  • Gov. Austin Peay – A life-size bust of the Tennessee Governor and college’s namesake
    Morgan University Center, Artist Scott Wise

 

Outside the Urban Core:

  • Wilma Rudolph – Life-size bronze statue of three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Wilma Rudolph
    Wilma Rudolph Event Center, 1190 TN Hwy 48, Artist Rev. Howard Brown
  • Remembrance -- A bronze sculpture by Scott Wise commemorating Clarksville firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.
    831 Franklin Street, Artist Scott Wise
  • Family -- Limestone pedestaled bird sculptures inside the foyer of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library.
    350 Pageant Lane, Artist Tom Rice
  • Reverence -- One and a half-life size sculpture dedicated to all veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces.
    330 Pageant Lane (facing Madison Street), Artist Scott Wis3
  • Doughboy -- Marble sculpture dedicated in 1929 to honor WWI Veterans
    250 Arrowwood Lane (Brigadier General Wendell H. Gilbert Tennessee State Veterans' Home), Artist Ernest Viquesney

 

About Visit Clarksville

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Tourism Commission was established by the State of Tennessee in 1979 to positively influences tourism in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area by promoting tourist attractions, hosting conventions, group tours and engaging in large-scale marketing efforts. In 2015, the organization adopted the Visit Clarksville brand. Visit Clarksville is governed by nine board of director members and is funded by a portion of the local hotel-motel tax.

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