CLARKSVILLE, TN – The City of Clarksville is partnering with the Clarksville Arts and Heritage Council and ArtLink to launch a bold, new public art initiative: Color ‘n Concrete: From Parking Garage to Public Gallery.

As part of Clarksville’s Summer Celebration of the Arts, the First Street Parking Garage stairwells will be transformed into a vibrant public gallery featuring 16 murals on 16 landings, each measuring 9 feet by 9 feet.

This project will highlight local artistic talent while encouraging a little extra aerobic stair climbing along the way. Artists and teams of artists have been selected from submitted proposals to bring this dynamic space to life.

Those selected include:

  • Fred Seghetti with a mural honoring the 101st Airborne,
  • Maria Haycraft depicting emojis for viewers to select their mood for a selfie,
  • Valerie Breshears with a view of the Cumberland River railroad bridge,
  • Patrick Y. Halford presenting an abstract representation of the confluence of the Red and Cumberland rivers,
  • Sabrina Marquez with a heron flying over the Cumberland,
  • Joshua Benson offering a Clarksville cityscape,
  • MK from Honeysuckle Originals with a trio of irises,
  • Ivann Garc with a vibrant cardinal,
  • Sophia Sohn presenting an upbeat message of happiness,
  • Lindsay Simmons with a flurry of butterflies,
  • Bryanna Byars offering a colorful abstract the viewer can interpret in several ways,
  • Arabella Baldassano, Diamond Jones & Jia Do depicting two charming little girls delivering an important message,
  • Carmen Rein and Jennifer Pierstorff with a colorful fantasy landscape,
  • Fae-dra Hill showing a world of diversity and inclusion
  • Jayla Eubanks and Annalee Parker with an upbeat message about being happy
  • Brianna Martinez showing how to Imagine, Learn, & Grow through the magic of reading

The public is invited on Saturday, June 13, to watch the murals take shape during a community arts celebration featuring pop-up art shops and a children’s table filled with coloring books, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles. Hannah Charron, owner of Ray’s food truck, will be offering free hamburgers and fries to the first 25 customers. Her food truck serves 100% seed oil-free meals and sources meats from local farms. Just a heads up, any add-ons will come with an additional charge.

The garage will be closed to all but foot traffic from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate painters and visitors.