Blount County, TN, October 10, 2025
News Summary
The Art in Public Places program in Blount County has unveiled six new sculptures, marking a significant expansion from last year’s three installations. The sculptures aim to beautify public spaces, foster local art appreciation, and encourage engagement with artists from around the nation. Notable pieces like ‘Cathedral’ and ‘Ronin’ are now on display in high-traffic areas, promoting accessibility to art. This initiative by Dogwood Arts aims to enrich the cultural landscape of the community while encouraging partnerships with local institutions.
Maryville, Tennessee – The public art scene in Blount County is experiencing a revival with the recent expansion of Dogwood Arts’ Art in Public Places program, which has introduced six new sculptures to the area. This increase from the three sculptures displayed last year aims to enhance the visual landscape and promote local art appreciation.
Two notable installations include Ann Melanie’s sculpture “Cathedral,” located outside the Alcoa Municipal Building, and Brian Ferriby’s “Ronin,” displayed at the Clayton Center for the Arts. The new art pieces represent a diverse group of artists from various states across the nation, and many pieces are available for sale, with prices ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.
The new sculptures are strategically placed to encourage public engagement and accessibility. Locations include:
- Clayton Center for the Arts
- Outside the Alcoa Municipal Building
- Greenway Village development off Cates Street
- Three sculptures near Pistol Creek in downtown Maryville
The Art in Public Places program not only showcases rotating sculptures but also aims to beautify city streets and spaces with public art. All sculptures remain the property of the artists who install them, and once installed, they stay for one year under the management of Dogwood Arts.
Shannon Herron, the marketing and creative director for Dogwood Arts, noted that the organization will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025. The program’s inception dates back to 2007, and over the years, a significant number of sculptures have been featured, particularly around the Knoxville area. Notably, Dogwood Arts has maintained a sculpture at McGhee Tyson Airport for years, currently absent due to construction.
The drive to expand into Blount County was motivated by community engagement and the potential for collaboration with local institutions. New sculptures have fostered partnerships, including one with Maryville College. The piece “Ronin,” located in the Doug and Sally Gross Memorial Garden, has a price tag of $8,000, while “Cathedral,” which weighs 1,600 pounds, is priced at $18,000.
Efforts to make art accessible to all have been emphasized, with Alcoa’s city officials working to find suitable display locations that prioritize areas near the greenway trail. Emily Assenmacher, the public information officer for Alcoa, highlighted the city’s goal to integrate art into public spaces. The installation site for “Cathedral” was chosen due to its high pedestrian traffic, ensuring visibility and engagement with the public.
Plans are already in motion to add more display spaces for public art in the future, particularly since the program is sponsor-funded and poses no financial burden on the city to exhibit the art. The current featured sculptures as part of the program include:
- “Air Stream,” by David Sheldon
- “Archaeopteryx,” by John Parker
- “Cathedral,” by Ann Melanie
- “Entanglement,” by Susan Woodford
- “Lil Blue,” by Nathan Pierce
- “Ronin,” by Brian Ferriby’s
Through these public art installations, Dogwood Arts aims to enrich not only the aesthetic appeal of Blount County but also foster a deeper appreciation for the diverse and creative expressions found within the artistic community.
FAQ
What is the Art in Public Places program?
The Art in Public Places program aims to enhance the beauty of city streets and spaces through public art, which includes rotating sculptures and murals.
How many sculptures were added this year in Blount County?
This year’s program includes six sculptures in Blount County, an increase from three last year.
Who installed the sculptures and where are they located?
The sculptures represent artists from various states across the nation and are located at the Clayton Center for the Arts, outside the Alcoa Municipal Building, Greenway Village development off Cates Street, and three sculptures near Pistol Creek in downtown Maryville.
How long will the sculptures remain on display?
Once installed, sculptures remain for one year and are managed by Dogwood Arts.
| Sculpture Name | Artist | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Stream | David Sheldon | Blount County | Available for sale |
| Archaeopteryx | John Parker | Blount County | Available for sale |
| Cathedral | Ann Melanie | Outside the Alcoa Municipal Building | $18,000 |
| Entanglement | Susan Woodford | Blount County | Available for sale |
| Lil Blue | Nathan Pierce | Blount County | Available for sale |
| Ronin | Brian Ferriby | Clayton Center for the Arts | $8,000 |
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Art in Public Places program brought to Maryville
- Daily Times: The job and the pay in Blount County
- WBIR: Downtown Maryville Holiday Open House
- Wikipedia: Blount County, Tennessee
- Business Alabama: Spotlight on Blount County
- Google Search: Maryville Tennessee
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