The Knoxville History Project has partnered with the City Office of Neighborhoods and Office of Redevelopment to expand its Downtown Art Wraps program by introducing public art along the model block section of the Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project.

An Open House to present artwork and photo options for Magnolia Ave. is scheduled on Oct. 29, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pellissippi State Community College, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave.

More than $7 million in streetscape improvements along Magnolia Avenue span from Jessamine Street to North Bertrand Street and include four new traffic signal control boxes. The streetscape work – which includes landscaped center medians, street trees and landscaping, wider sidewalks and bike lanes – will be wrapping up by the end of the year.

The Knoxville History Project (KHP) has suggested several pieces of notable artwork by Knoxville artists from the past to enhance the area by adding new art wraps on the new traffic signal boxes.

To date, there are 18 wrapped signal control boxes throughout the downtown area.

The Oct. 29, 2019 Open House will present KHP’s suggested artwork and four historical photographs provided by the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, which were reviewed and supported by the Public Arts Committee. Also being presented at the Open House will be a series of additional photos from KHP’s archives.

KHP and City staff will share information on the program and discuss how community members can provide input on expanding the collection. Over time, the City hopes to extend the art wrap program further along Magnolia Avenue and to other locations throughout the community.

For more information on the Knoxville History Project’s Art Wraps Program, visit
https://knoxvillehistoryproject.org/downtown-art-wraps or contact Paul James at [email protected] to learn more.

A reminder: Please be aware that construction on Magnolia Avenue near the Pellissippi State Magnolia campus is still underway. The college’s parking lot can be accessed from Linden Avenue.
            
Text “MAGNOLIA” to 313131 to receive text updates about the streetscapes project.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or LEP (Limited English Proficient) and want to request interpretation services at the Oct. 29 Open House, please contact Title VI Coordinator Tatia M. Harris at [email protected] or 865.215.2831. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend, contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Brewer Cook, at 865.215.2034 or [email protected] at least 72 hours before the Open House.