Arts in McNairy
  • Home
    • About >
      • The Latta
      • The Board
      • Economic Impact
    • Blog
  • Theatre
    • Auditions
    • School Field Trips
  • Tickets
  • Calendar
  • Donate Today
    • Why Donate
    • Become Community Partner
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • Placemaking
    • Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends
    • Rockabilly Murals
  • Arts Programs
    • Performing Arts
    • Music
    • Visual Arts
    • Literary Arts
    • Media Arts
    • Folklife/Traditional Arts >
      • Broomcorn Festival
      • Tennessee Music Boxes
      • The Littlejohn Sessions
      • 2023 Survey Results

Arts in McNairy
​News & Views

Tull Returns for Third Mural Project

9/26/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
The creative mind behind the two iconic murals in downtown Selmer, Tennessee will return to McNairy County for a command performance. Nashville artist, Brian Tull, was recently commissioned to complete a third mural, the latest in a public art initiative that began over a decade ago with Tull’s Rockabilly Highway Mural. That was the first public art project for both Tull, and the county art agency, Arts in McNairy, but it wouldn’t be the last.

Tull, a working studio artist, has since established himself as a sought-after muralist, creating ambitious public art projects in Chicago, North Carolina, Mississippi and his adopted hometown, Nashville. Originally from Selmer, Tull returned home for a second Rockabilly Highway Mural in 2012, and the results have been transformative for his hometown

“When Brian came on board for the first mural,” said Dr. Shawn Pitts, AiM Board member and project cochair, “there wasn’t a lot going on in downtown. With the addition of Rockabilly Highway Murals I and II, we’ve seen steady retail growth in the town’s traditional business district as well as tremendous interest from cultural tourists both domestic and international. That’s a direct result of Brian’s artistic vision, and a big win for McNairy County.”

Beyond the economic impact of the murals, many observers have noted a shift in local attitudes. Arts in McNairy leadership envisioned the initiative as positive representations of the area’s rich music culture which could educate and engender pride of place. “I don’t think people really understood the significance of this region’s music heritage until those murals went up,” said downtown photographer and business owner, Bryan Huff. “Now residents have a better sense of that history and a good reason to be proud of it. I’m glad to see the project continuing.”   

The new mural will be installed over the coming months and dedicated at the 2023 Rockabilly Highway Revival next June. Thanks to the generous cooperation of longtime downtown business owner, Peggy Griffin, the location will be the southwest facing wall of Tru Savers Hardware. It’s a high visibility location, adjacent to the county courthouse, just across South 3rd Street from the U.S. Postoffice. The project will be funded, in part, by a Tennessee Arts Commission grant.

Progress on the mural may be followed on this website or Arts in McNairy's Facebook and Instagram pages. Supporters can help defray the costs by donating to the project’s GoFundMe page.
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    April 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019

    Categories

    All
    Cultural Heritage
    Music

    RSS Feed

Support the arts in tennessee

Learn about the specialty license plate program
www.tn4ars.org
Purchase a Specialty License Plate
Picture

home

Calendar

About

The Latta
The Board
Economic Impact

programs

Performing Arts
Music
Visual Arts
Literary
Media
Folklife

Theatre

​Season
Tickets
School Field Trips
​Auditions

Join AiM

Partners & Sponsors
Become Community Partner
​Become Event Sponsor
Volunteer​

placemaking

Music Hall of Fame
Trail of Music Legends
​Rockabilly Murals

Big Shoes Publications

Browse Scripts
View Script Samples
Get Published
Photo credits:  Huffoto (Arts in McNairy's official photographer)
Arts in McNairy | 205 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN | PO Box 66, Selmer, TN 38375 | 731-435-3288| [email protected]
  • Home
    • About >
      • The Latta
      • The Board
      • Economic Impact
    • Blog
  • Theatre
    • Auditions
    • School Field Trips
  • Tickets
  • Calendar
  • Donate Today
    • Why Donate
    • Become Community Partner
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • Placemaking
    • Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends
    • Rockabilly Murals
  • Arts Programs
    • Performing Arts
    • Music
    • Visual Arts
    • Literary Arts
    • Media Arts
    • Folklife/Traditional Arts >
      • Broomcorn Festival
      • Tennessee Music Boxes
      • The Littlejohn Sessions
      • 2023 Survey Results