Memphis is brimming with public art . causa in point : the creation of the UrbanArt Commission , which has overseen the introduction of more than 100 public project since its founding in 1997 . Basically , it ’s safe to say that it ’s inspired and encouraged the city to admit public graphics when revitalizing public and commercial areas . From Broad Avenue to Overton Park to Cooper - Young to Downtown , there are mural , sculptures , Mosaic , light & sound initiation , and even garbage bins that will leave you quizzically staring at them stroking your chin . These are our top picks .
Broad Avenue Arts District
They do n’t call it the " Broad Avenue Arts District " for nothing . The Broad Avenue Water Tower is Memphis ’ grandiloquent and most iconic installment of public art , soaring 150 foot into the breeze . Youngblood Studio did the mural , and Jeremy Allen Fisher did the ignition design . The mural itself reflect the topography of the Mississippi River .
Just below the water towboat on the storage warehouse is theThis is Wemural by Gallic artist Guillaume Alby , aka ReMed . The wall painting is one of the large in Memphis , spanning roughly 200 ft . Adjacent isTerpsichore– a colour block mural bring to life by students from one of the Binghamton school under direction of resident artist Tom Clifton . In Grecian mythology , Terpsichore , or " delight in terpsichore , " was one of the nine Muses and the goddess of terpsichore and chorus . The Wiseacre container nosepiece mural by Michael Roy , graffiti artist , changes every six to eight month , so you never lie with who will recognise you on your way of life to the tasting elbow room of Wiseacre Brewing Company .
South Main Arts District
The most notable public artwork on South Main these twenty-four hours is the South Main Mosaic Artwalk – a collection of eight impermanent public prowess installations throughout the South Main neighbourhood feature the whole kit and boodle of local artists . Do n’t miss Lance Turner’sJay , which pays homage to Memphis player Jimmy Lindsey , the far-famed garage- and punk - careen icon known as Jay Reatard who passed away at the historic period of 29 . The artist ’s technique show a memory as at the same time evanesce from life and becoming renowned ( you canview them all here , by the way ) . Keep sound to the caravan post to see Anthony Lee’sModern Hieroglyphics , and right across the street , along a 48 ft stretchability , eight popular birdsong lyrics about Memphis are stenciled in clean on a bright reddened background from illustrious musicians . Among them are such notables as Roy Acuff , Big Bill Broonzy , Jerry Lee Lewis , Junior Parker , and Rufus Thomas . The 4 foot panel form a fencing of poetic expression of love for Memphis , while document our great musical heritage .
Overton Park
The Overton Park Conservancy ’s gateway project has made the metropolis ’s crown jewel a more welcoming place . The arching carving that artist Tylur French of Youngblood Studio create from flake bicycles was installed at the Cartesian product of East Parkway and Sam Cooper Blvd in February 2014 . The carving weighs 7,000lbs and is made up of more than 300 bicycles , each weld onto a steel frame .
Yvonne Bobo’sRhapsodywas lately establish at the gateway beside golf game clubhouse . This ring - similar structure is a movable carving that open up on a pivot . The individual birds that imprint the structure are made of COR - TEN brand and bronze and will change colouring as they age .
Two more gateways will be install over the next few month : Ben Butler’sGrowthat the one conterminous to the East Parkway Playground ( this dewy-eyed but spectacular arch , built from layers of steel , will call to take care the many innate forms find in the Old Forest ) , and another from Tylur French calledArt Nouveauat the gateway between the Rainbow Lake Playground and Overton Park . It will feature bitt that control fomite access while also offering educational panel about the industrial plant of the timberland .
Urban Art Commission
Steel Guitar– carver Christopher Fennell ’s 2012 installation of a massive gateway at the Levitt Shell – honors the inheritance , architecture , and missionary station of this beloved Memphis concert locale located centrally in Overton Park . This dynamic employment of art , inspired by the silhouette of an galvanizing guitar , was design and make up by Fennell using recycled steel .
Main Street pedestrian mall
The plaza boasts a new mural almost every 24-hour interval it seems . Students from the Memphis College of Art along with a few local artists transformed the ugly greenish utility boxes on Main Street pedestrian promenade into works of public art . construct range from men ’s coif to a No . 2 pencil . Behind City Hall , facing Front St , is Greely Myatt ’s breathtakingQuiltsurround , which is compose of reprocess street sign . You by all odds do n’t need to labour by ; rather , get up close and personal on this one . And you absolutely ca n’t missRoof Like Fluid Flung Over the Plazaby Vito Acconci , which sits at the entrance to the Cannon Center . Think of it as Memphis ’ version ofCloud Gatein Millennium Park . At nigh , do n’t miss Lightspan , a 60 - meter pedestrian bridge lit with action - sensitive lights over by the constabulary shoal .
Crosstown
dwelling house to endless – and often amazing – art shows , the Crosstown Arts domain has sprouted up in anticipation of the redevelopment of the Sears building . The mesmerizingBeaconsculpture , also known as the “ Bicycle Windmill , " by Eli Gold and Colin Kidder greets visitors to the surface area . There are also several murals including the newI Love Memphismural by Jay Crum and Kong Wee Pang . The Moonpie Project is a rotating mural serial featuring new creative person ( from both Memphis and other city ) every two months . Now look up ! The billboard " Jackie in the Secret Garden " is by Maritza Davila .
Cooper-Young
Cooper - Young is an eclectic vicinity named after the intersection of Cooper St and Young Ave . The entrance to the neighbourhood is marked by another one of Midtown ’s most iconic employment of art , the Cooper - Young Trestle , a 150 ft steel sculpture which limn plate and businesses ground in the neighborhood . create by metallic element artist Jill Turman , the carving was consecrate in 2000 , and has become a origin of community superbia and identity . Adjacent to it is the originalI Love Memphismural which has probably come along in more photos than any other mural in the City , ever . Go for a lope ( or a walk , motorcycle ride , whatever ) through the neck of the woods and you ’ll ascertain legion colourful subway . Also of short letter are the city ’s most beautiful recycling bins , thanks to Project Green Fork and artists Jay Crum and Kong Wee Pang , in the First Congo parking lot .
Overton Square
A hideous turquoise drab construction housing Yosemite Sam ’s used to be the focal point of this entertainment territorial dominion . But thanks to Loeb Properties , it ’s now a colorful , vibrant house to murals and sculptures . The most late wall painting , Love Birds , by artist Jay Crum and Kong Wee Pang , is a material standout thanks to its iridescent , bubbling nature . In gain to all of the live music in the Square , the massive wind bell in the towboat , installed by Sean Murphy and Anne J. Froning of Being Art , are well worth a listen .
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Amanda Hill
Lance Turner
Melissa McMasters
Courtesy of Greely Myatt
Crosstown Arts
Flickr/Sean Davis
Overton Square