Memphis residents will be able to experience more public art in their neighborhoods as the UrbanArt Commission (UAC) celebrates three new installations.
Jesse Turner Park, Tillman Sculpture Park, and L.E. Brown Park are the homes of new art projects. The UAC said these projects reflect the importance of investing in public art.
The installations also mark an opportunity for neighbors and visitors to see art in their communities.
“These three projects demonstrate what is possible when artists, neighborhoods, and community partners work together to shape the spaces we share,” the UAC said. “Each tells a different story while celebrating local history.”
Belinda Herrera, communications manager for the UAC, said the projects reflect intentionality from the city. City officials usually let the UAC know which areas they’d like to add art to.
The sculpture at Jesse Turner Park for example, celebrates the South Memphis community and Black culture.
The park itself is named after Jesse H. Turner, a prominent figure in Memphis civil rights. Turner was the first Black chairman of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.
Artist Maxwell Emcays was charged with bringing to life a piece celebrating South Memphis and its surrounding community.
The $98,925 project displays five pillars that encapsulate South Memphis culture and pride. The pillars represent leadership, faith, culture, place, and sports. The UAC said this design gives the community “direction and hope for the limitless beauty and potential of South Memphis.”
The sculpture at the entry of the park depicts elements such as a choir singing, civil rights protests, athletes, and more. The community and UAC celebrated the project with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday.
Herrera said the sculpture is also meant for those outside of South Memphis as well. Though they may not be from that community, there may be a specific pillar or theme they can relate to. “[Art] is meant to be intentional — think of all the walks of life that either have come to the community or will come to the community,” Herrera said. “That’s one of the main things that we do to make public art accessible.”
Herrera said art is one of the best ways to keep people outside, while also engaging with themselves and other community members. She said making public art accessible helps people relate to an idea or an emotion.
“Sometimes it’s hard to relate to other people, but being able to relate to something that’s art — they get to interpret a story in their own ways.
Jesse Turner Park is one out of three locations where the UAC celebrated public art installations.
In Binghampton, the corner of Tillman Street and Princeton Avenue was transformed into “Tillman Sculpture Park.” The project includes several artistic mediums such as sculpture, murals, and mosaics, and was led by Carpenter Art Garden.
Artists included Jeanne Seagle-Golden, Fletcher Golden, Suzy Hendrix, Myrna Treviño, Arelene Braddock and the Carpenter Art Garden Teen Mural Apprenticeship Team.
The UAC said youth participation was integral to this project.
“Through creative collaboration and apprenticeship opportunities, young artists contribute to a public space that reflects their neighborhood while developing artistic skills and experience,” the UAC said.
L.E. Brown Park’s “Reflections” sculpture creates an interactive experience for visitors. Artist Arnold Thompson used mirrored stainless steel, iridescent colors, and other mediums to encourage parkgoers to interact with art, each other, and their community.
