A mural honoring Springfield’s agricultural heritage by Eric “Mobe” Bass; Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

Public art isn’t just for big cities anymore. Across Tennessee, colorful murals have been beautifying small towns and rural communities in recent years. But the impact of this growing trend extends far beyond aesthetics. Murals also help revitalize communities by fostering a sense of local pride, preserving town history and culture, and attracting visitors eager to snap photos in front of these eye-catching works. Take a look at a few of the many places you’ll find murals enhancing the walls of small-town Tennessee.

See more: Exercise and Explore on Historic Tennessee Walking Tours

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Mural by Oak Ridge student Natalie Reynolds in ORNL FCU’s Community Art & Mural Program; Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

Brushing Up the Secret City

A city of secrets, Oak Ridge’s unique history paved the way for many talented individuals throughout the years. Now, the city boasts several stunning murals featuring its history and beauty while highlighting local artistic talent.

Sponsored by Explore Oak Ridge, a mural on the Oak Ridge Rowing Association building showcasing the city’s outdoor activities brightens the walking trails along the Clinch River, where rowing events and water activities are always in season. Oak Ridge resident and artist Megan Lingerfelt painted this mural.

Lingerfelt also painted the mural at 303 Broadway Ave., commissioned by ORNL Federal Credit Union, featuring the city’s historic science roots based on images taken by Ed Wescott, the official photographer of the Manhattan Project and the Secret City during World War II.

Alongside this mural, many others featuring bright artwork grace the buildings at ORNL FCU headquarters. These murals are repainted every two years by contributing elementary, middle and high school students. Several face schools and other community areas, making it easy for the residents and visitors to enjoy.

“This Girl Can” by Kim Radford in Nolensville; Photo credit: Kim Radford/Odinn Media

Walls for Women

Walls for Women has been bringing vibrant art to rural Tennessee communities since 2020. The public art project, which began as a celebration of 100 years of women’s suffrage and Tennessee’s historic role in ratifying the 19th Amendment, continues its mission to create original murals with an all-female team of artists.

“Our goal is to bring more access to art to rural areas,” says Kristin Luna, co-founder and president of Do More Art (DMA), the nonprofit behind Walls for Women. “What we love about public art is that it’s free and anyone can enjoy it.”

Megan Lingerfelt paints “Magnolia” in Viola; Photo credit: Megan Lingerfelt/Odinn Media

In Sweetwater, “Hurrah!” by Jenny Ustick and “This Girl Can” by Kim Radford both depict the colors and symbols of the suffrage movement. “Hurrah!” features the portrait and handwriting of Febb Burn, mother of Rep. Harry Burn from nearby Niota, who wrote the historic letter encouraging her son to cast the tie-breaking vote for suffrage in 1920.

“Our goal is to bring more access to art to rural areas. What we love about public art is that it’s free and anyone can enjoy it.”

– Kristin Luna, co-founder and president of Do More Art

See more: Celebrating A Century of Suffrage With Walls for Women

“Wisteria Maiden” by JUURI in Tullahoma; Photo credit: JUURI/Odinn Media

Tullahoma is home to a total of 15 DMA murals, including “Wisteria Maiden” by Tokyo-born artist JUURI, which draws inspiration from the internment of Japanese Americans at Camp Forrest in Tullahoma during World War II.

Other Walls for Women murals include another of Radford’s “This Girl Can” in Nolensville; “Punch Bug” in Centerville by Whitney Herrington; “Hebe” in McMinnville, also by Ustick; and many more. To discover them all, visit dma-events.com.

See more: Visit Johnson County’s Musical Mural Mile

Artists JUURI, left, and Daria Hammond, right, work on murals in Tullahoma; Photo credit: JUURI/Odinn Media (left) & Daria Hammond/Odinn Media (right)

Tennessee Murals Are Painting the Towns

In addition to suffrage-inspired murals, DMA has also worked with artists on a number of commissioned murals in communities throughout Middle and East Tennessee.

The mural movement extends all over the state. Slow down in town squares and you’re likely to find a mural or two celebrating local businesses and regional history. In Springfield, Leadership Robertson County commissioned Eric “Mobe” Bass to paint a downtown mural that encompasses the city’s tobacco heritage. Other examples include one in Halls highlighting the town’s railroad history and cotton industry; Leah Boorse’s tribute to those who serve on the side of the Assembly Hall in Smyrna; and Selmer’s Rockabilly Highway, which was painted by artist Brian Tull.

The “Everywhere You Look, UT” mural series started in Sharon. Photo credit: Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

You can’t miss the “Everywhere You Look, UT” mural in Sharon decorating a Robinson & Belew Inc. grain bin at 240 Park Ave. Artist Troy Freeman was commissioned to take on the large painting, which is the first of the series promoting the University of Tennessee across the state.

And this just scratches the surface of the murals helping to rejuvenate small towns throughout Tennessee.

– Story by Rachel Graf, Hannah Lewis and Carisa Ownby

Photo submitted by Randy Toy

More Tennessee Murals

Looking for more murals across the state? Check out some of the recommendations we’ve received below:

– “Here is one in Centerville at the Hickman County library by four artists: Bernice Davidson, Leon Fuller, Clarissa Lega and Toyzini.” (Pictured above)

– “Loralea has the most unique life story and has painted three beautiful murals in Henderson, Tennessee. Come see!”

– “Halls, Tennessee, has several murals painted by local artists, one honoring the town and its history and another in town hall honoring our Main Street and veterans museum.”

– “My cousin recently painted a new mural in Kenton, Tennessee.”

– “The Musical Heritage Mural Mile in Johnson County, Tennessee. See Johnson County Center for the Arts for more information at jocoartcenter.org.”

– “I just painted a large mural in Dunlap, Tennessee, on the side of a newly renovated motel called The Honey Bee Motel.”

– “Check out the Bristol and Murfreesboro murals.”