Art is everywhere in Linden, Tennessee, most of which is the result of a 2009 summer youth empowerment program, where 20 young people created a dozen works of public art. Since then Art has continued to grow in the county with new pieces being places in Linden and Lobelville. If you enjoy art then be sure to take a stroll through downtown Linden and Lobelville and enjoy what some regional artists with the help of local youths have created.
Artwork and the Artists
“The White River” by Patrick Green
Patrick Green helped VisionPerry summer art staff explore Perry County’s nature themes in a group design process, then translate their ideas into clay through slab construction and the use of slip. The title, “White River”, is a reference to the blessing of the white buffalo in Native American traditions. Ultimately the piece asks viewers to reflect on the blessing of the nearby Buffalo River, and to revere the natural resources of the area.
Patrick Green is a native of Tennessee who holds an MFA from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to his studio practice he is a teacher and kiln builder. Green currently resides in Sparta, Tennessee, where he maintains his studio, Misty Mountain Pottery.
“The Land Between the Rivers” by Bernice Davis
“The Land Between the Rivers” is part of an international project called “Global Rivers Art Exchange”, an online exhibition aimed at using art to educate people all over the world about the preciousness of rivers and waterways. The piece honors Perry County’s unique position between the Tennessee and Buffalo Rivers, two of only four rivers in the world which flow north.
Bernice Davidson is a professor of art at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. She is an accomplished artist who passionately raises awareness of important cultural and environmental issues through the use of the art process. Davidson currently maintains her studio in Summertown, Tennessee.
“Linden Corner” by Brittany Hayes
The “Linden Corner” mural replaces a faded sign that represented downtown Linden’s former decay. Brittany Hayes worked with local merchants to integrate design concepts. The mural design and implementation was used to teach VisionPerry staff basic drawing skills and color theory.
Brittany Hayes is an emerging artist and student at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She is active within her school, community, and church and aspires to become an art teacher. Hayes is from Springfield, Tennessee.
“Modified Trash Cans” by Doug St. John
“Work with what you’ve got” became the theme as staff literally stole the trash cans from the street, enhancing them with thousands of pieces of hand-cut glass before returning them to the sidewalks…much to the delight of locals. Staff worked with Doug St. John over two weeks to meticulously cut, grind and place the glass.
“Sundial” by Doug St. John
A later addition to the garden, which is located next to the towns’ oldest commercial building, is a mosaic Sundial. The Sundial was created in the same mosaic style as the “Modified Trash Cans” and has added a true sense of tranquility to the garden with its kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows as the main color emphasis.
Doug St. John has training in graphic design, calligraphy, photography, illustration and design concepts, color theory, visual communication and museum studies. He has studied at Onandaga Community College, Syracuse University, University of Firenze, and with various masters in the studio setting. St. John maintains his studio, Spirit Dancer Painting and Stained Glass Studio, in Decaturville, Tennessee.
“Forest Abstract” by Ashley O’Guin
“Forest Abstract” is a stylized representation of the hills and rivers that define Perry County. The piece was created using everyday found objects including broken glass, mirror, wood chips and glue, and can tops.
Ashley O’Guin is a talented painter, multi-media artist and art educator. She currently teaches art for the Hickman County School District, as well as from her home studio. O’Guin is a native of Perry County and maintains her studio in Lobelville, Tennessee.
“Basket Fence” by Ida and Emanuel Edwards
Ida Edwards is renowned locally for the quality of her baskets. She and her brother, Emanuel, jumped at the task of creating a fence that would essentially be her “biggest basket ever”. Ida taught VisionPerry staff basic basketmaking techniques before translating them to an entire fence. The fencing materials include locally-gathered cedar and white oak.
Ida Edwards is an accomplished basket maker. Emanuel Edwards is a horse trainer and skilled craftsman. Both are Perry County residents who maintain studio/workshops near Flatwoods, Tennessee.
“Birdhouses” by Caroline Tuzenue
Downtown Linden is accentuated by over thirty whimsical clay birdhouses. Caroline Tuzenue worked with VisionPerry staff to teach coiling and other clay sculpting techniques.
Caroline Tuzeneu is a 2009 graduate from Austin Peay State University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Ceramics. She now maintains her studio Nashville, where she focuses on creating functional pottery.
“River Tiles” and “Face Jugs” by Ken Shipley
VisionPerry staff “stomped on”, raked and glazed hundreds of pounds of clay to create river-themed paver tiles for a garden walkway. Meanwhile, Shipley introduced wheel-throwing techniques and created a series of jugs. The jugs were decorated with scary faces. In southern tradition, clay jugs were decorated with the scary faces to keep kids out of the moonshine. VisionPerry jugs are stacked in “totem pole” fashion and displayed in a garden setting.
Ken Shipley is an Associate Professor of Art at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He holds a BA in Religious Studies and an MFA from the University of Tennessee. Shipley has worked in ceramics for 30 years and currently maintains his studio, along with his wife, in Clarksville, Tennessee.
“Footsteps to the Future” by Melissa Goodwin
Melissa Goodwin taught VisionPerry staff about traditional “raggings” in which members of a community would come together, tear strips from old rags, and have rugs woven on a loom by a resident weaver. Goodwin also taught staff about the historic impact of the textile industry in the South. “Footsteps to the future” references the history of industry in Perry County, honoring traditional values while looking forward to a new future.
Melissa Goodwin is a fiber artist and founding member of the Perry County Weavers Guild. She is a passionate educator who loves to share the history and traditions associated with weaving in many cultures. Goodwin maintains her studio in Lobelville, Tennessee.
“Farmer Market” by VisionPerry Youth
Reflective of our agricultural heritage and the renewed interest of living off the land, the "Farmer's Market" pays tribute to the many products grown locally, and the families that produce these products for themselves and their neighbors. VisionPerry Youth created this work of art using a variety of mediums, including sawdust, cut glass, marbles and paint. After finishing several art projects under the direction of various resident artists, the Youth took the initiative to collaborate, design and create this piece entirely on their own.
“Just Our Nature” by Sonny Davis
This work of art is what you as you drive into downtown from the east. It represents all that we love; the beautiful scenery of the countryside of Tennessee. It gives you an idea of what life is like here in Perry County, a wonderful nature stroll by the river highlighting the flora and fauna of the area.
“Perry County Pride” by Sonny Davis
A faded quasar TV mural stood as the centerpiece of downtown Linden at this site for nearly forty years. “Perry County Pride” was commissioned as the first public art piece in the VisionPerry summer art program. As fresh paint was rolled over the old, the positive effects rippled through the community. Locals stopped their cars in the street to thank the young staff for their contributions in revitalizing Perry County.
“The Burning of the Courthouse” by Sonny Davis
“The Burning of the Courthouse” was created as visual history of the Civil War in Linden, TN. On May 12th 1863 U.S. Navy Lieutenant S.L. Phelps landed in Decaturville to meet with Lieutenant-Colonel W.K.M. Breckenridge. Phelps used his gunboat to ferry Breckenridge's cavalry of fifty-five men and horses across the river. The Confederate force at the courthouse was attacked around daybreak. Three Confederate Soldiers were killed. The courthouse was burned along with arms and supplies and Union forces would return to the gunboats with captured Confederate officers, soldiers, and conscripts.
“The Forest That Feeds Us” by Sonny Davis
“The Forest That Feeds Us” honors the many ways in which the forests have contributed to life in Perry County. People for generations have harvested the local forests for both economic and recreational activities. This mural highlights the lumber industry which has been a vital to jobs, history and the local economy. Additional products of the forest have included furniture, weavings, dye, baskets, folk art, medicine, tools, as well as a fine art medium highlighted by local paintings, environmental sculpture, and chainsaw log-sculpting.
“The Commodore Hotel in 1946” by Sonny Davis
“The Commodore Hotel in 1946” highlights the streetscape in Downtown Linden in a Norman Rockwell Setting. The Hotel, originally opened as the Staley Hotel, is one of a few historic hotels that have been preserved for future generations to enjoy. This sepia mural was celebrates an era when Linden had several hotels and restaurants, two movie theaters a Greyhound bus terminal, Ford and Chevrolet dealerships and numerous local merchants.
Sonny Davis is an award-winning painter and sculptor, and has served as resident artist for the Town of Linden. Utilizing skills honed while working for Disney, Davis has completed numerous 2- and 3-d murals throughout Perry County and middle Tennessee.
