Throughout the month of February, Keep Knoxville Beautiful will host its annual Orchid Awards, honoring Knoxville’s most beautiful properties, public spaces, and public art. Awards will be presented to winners in six different categories: New Architecture, Redesign/Reuse, Outdoor Space, Community Space, Public Art, and Creative Reinvention.
“The nominees for the 39th annual Orchids Awards experienced new hurdles in 2020, but persevered to continue improving our local landscape”, stated Keep Knoxville Beautiful Executive Director Alanna McKissack.
The nominees for New Architecture are The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Five Thirty Lounge, and KCDC’s Five Points 3.
The nominees for Redesign/Reuse are First Presbyterian Church, Loghaven Artist Residency, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, SmartBank Corporate Headquarters, South High Senior Center, and West Knox Senior Center.
The nominees for Outdoor Space are Baker Creek Bike Park and Gateway Connector Trails, Cal Johnson Park, Everly Brothers Park, IC King Park Expansion, Ladies of Charity Parking Lot Renovation, Lakeshore Park HGTV Overlook, Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza at Campbell Station Inn, Randy Tyree Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park, and Volunteer Boulevard Beautification.
The nominee for Community Space is Oakwood Lincoln Park’s Burwell Gardens
The nominees for Public Art are Cal Johnson Park Outdoor Basketball Courts and Mount Olive Elementary Tunnel Mural.
For 2021 only, Keep Knoxville Beautiful will present the Creative Reinvention award to the Downtown Knoxville for initiatives such as Peppermint Grove and the extended seating on Market Square. This award is given for creatively adjusting to social distance guidelines.
Additionally, The Mary Lou Horner Beautification Award will honor Krutch Park. This award is given to an Orchids winner from 10 or more years ago that has maintained their orchid-worthy status.
Robert Graves of Carex Design Group will be honored with The Felicia Award. This award is given to an individual that has exemplified the mission of Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
Keep Knoxville Beautiful will announce the winners of the beautification awards February 1 through 26 on Facebook.
For more information, please visit
www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org/orchid-awards/
All proceeds benefit Keep Knoxville Beautiful’s programs.