Elizabethton Unveils First Mural Paying Homage to Local Wildlife
Elizabethton, a city steeped in natural beauty and home to a myriad of unique flora and fauna, now has its very own first full-sized mural. Despite an unanticipated heavy downpour on Thursday afternoon, a multitude of city officials, administrators, downtown business owners, and citizens gathered to dedicate the mural, named “Tracks of the Wild”.
Bringing the Local Outdoors to City Walls
“Tracks of the Wild”, the inaugural mural, situated at 109 South Sycamore Street directly across from the Elizabethton Library, displays the diverse wildlife and plants native to the Appalachian region. Ernesto Maranje, an accomplished Cuban American artist, rendered the mural.
Having painted diverse murals in various countries like Ukraine, Iraq, Lebanon, Greece, and Spain, Maranje has also created a mural in Johnson City, U.S.A. Elizabethton’s “Tracks of the Wild” is his first large-scale professional mural creation.
An Uplifting Initiative
The people of Elizabethton are cherishing the new addition to their cityscape. The Watauga Property Group was instrumental in this venture. Not only did they extend their 800-square-foot brick building as a canvas, but they also spurred the Main Street Elizabethton to embark on this muralist journey. After conducting a search, from 21 artists, Maranje was selected to bring life to the walls of Elizabethton.
According to Courtney Bean, the Main Street Elizabethton Director, the artwork on the streets form an essential part of the community’s cultural fabric. Bean highlighted, “The arts are important to our community; we look to provide public art opportunities and areas where our community can feel comfortable.”
A Boost to Local Tourism
Design Chair of the Main Street project, Kristen Cannon emphasized on the significant impact the murals could have on the community. “We have been looking to bring in public art because it attracts a lot of tourism and it’s great for the community. These murals are becoming more and more popular across the country,” shared Cannon.
The journey does not stop here. Next up, Elizabethton can expect a mural reflecting the history of Carter County, set to be painted on the old Icehouse. Plans for a postcard-style painting are also in the pipeline.
The Library’s Role
Partnering in this mural project is the Elizabethton/Carter County Library. An important aspect of winning a grant from the Tennessee Art Commission Rural Arts Project is executing education-based initiatives for the local community. The library is lined up to create opportunities for community engagement featuring local wildlife and flora, forming a meaningful synergy between art, history, and nature.
The Library Director, Bernie Weese, shared the mutual benefits of this artistic collaboration. “It allows us to attract and reach people we might not otherwise be able to reach and likewise for them,” Weese relayed.
All in all, the Elizabethton community is witnessing the vibrant transformation of their city walls, encouraging public engagement, local pride, and tourism. The first strokes have been made, leaving residents and tourists in anticipation for the next pieces of grand artwork.
