“731” was created in 2020 as part of the Mayor’s Public Art Initiative. “731” was painted by Jonathan and Sarah Cagle and portrays many different aspects of West Tennessee life. Located at Southwest Tennessee Development District building, this mural was sponsored by Southwest, West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation and Voya Financial Advisors of Jackson.

When building owner Frank McMeen decided to commission a mural, his goal was to create an interactive piece for the people of Jackson. James Yelverton brought his vision to life with this 100 hour artwork, symbolizing hope and unity in our hometown. More about this mural

“Rockabilly Soundwaves”, installed on the LOCAL in Downtown Jackson’s Arts District, was a funded project by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the City of Jackson, now owned by Jackson Downtown Development Corporation. The design is based on Rockabilly Soundwaves, and has created a colorful backdrop to give the shops in the space a cool background to show off their wares and visitors use it to show off where they are in social media pics. The design was created by Kim in partnership with local artist, Elaine Mooney.

“The man standing on the steps of the streetcar commissioned the mural and helped me with the design and what should be in the mural. His daughter Susan Wright was very instrumental in raising the money and overseeing the whole process to honor her father.” - Les McDiarmid

“Prosperity” - Sheila MacDiarmid,
“Mercy” - Les MacDiarmid
“Dignity” - Susan Stewart
“Opportunity” - Melinda Hearn Reid
“Self-Respect” - Justin Hoover
“I have a Name (Respect)” - Andrew Boks

This North Jackson mural was created in collaboration between the Art Director of Catbird Studio, Leigh Ann Barrios, and owner of Catbird Studio, Suzanne Gillis. The mural was created to represent the studio’s philosophy about creativity and art - “All are creative and all can find peace, love, and joy in the arts.”

“The arts bring harmony and bond us together as humans, and in our case Jacksonions,” said Gillis.

West Tennessee artist, Les MacDiarmid, completed the Rockabilly mural in 2007. When asked about the creation of the mural, MacDiarmid said that he received a request from Paul McCartney’s agent requesting that McCartney be included in the final design, so MacDiarmid was happy to oblige.

Wendy Hailey Kim created the Unity Mural in 2020 as part of Our Jackson Home’s Artist in Residency program. During Kim’s residency, she completed projects for Jackson’s Blessing Boxes and Comeunity Cafe, finishing off with this mural behind the Lost Reserve and the Mother Thrifter. The mural was announced on 731Day, with a mural scavenger hunt throughout Jackson leading to the location.

West Tennessee artist Les MacDiarmid worked directly with the City of Jackson’s Mayor, Jerry Gist, to design and install both the Farmers Market and Dog Park murals.

The Unity Mural is located on the building of Martin’s Headquarters Barber Shop. Joe Martin is the owner/operator of this location. The mural was completed on August 6th, 2021, by local artist Rose Newhouse.

The Keep My Hood Good mural was commissioned work by the organization, Keep My Hood Good, designed by local artist of color, Ashley Akerson, and installed by Kim and the students at the organization. Leading up to the installation, Kim hosted public art workshops for the students, and they learned how to use different art materials and made stencils with positive symbols. The finished design is a collaboration between the students’ original creations, Akerson, and Kim.

“This was the most physically challenging local mural I have done because of the rough texture of the wall, but the most rewarding! I was lucky enough to be introduced to our local angel, Juanita Jones, who chose a design by a local artist of color, Ashley Akerson, and allowed me to install her work.”

“Love your Neighborhood” was created by Our Jackson Home’s former Program Director, Courtney Searcy! This piece was created as part of the Mayor’s Public Art Initiative, which was launched in 2019 and seeks to “engage more artists, both established and emerging, in the work of creative placemaking.” It was commissioned by the City of Jackson in partnership with Visit Jackson and the Greater Jackson Chamber.

Note: the Love Your Neighborhood art has recently been damaged due to building renovations

At just nine years old, Ava Ingle painted her “Unity” mural on the utility box on the corner of East Main Street and Liberty. Also a part of the Public Art Initiative, Ava spent her fall break from Trinity Christian Academy creating her masterpiece. Ava spent over five hours creating her art on both sides of the utility box, creating an otherwise dull canvas into a beautiful piece of art.

Rose Newhouse’s mural honors the memory of Jackson native and Civil Rights activist, Gil Scott-Heron, who is also known as the “Godfather of Rap”. He was one of the first three African American students to integrate Tigrett Middle School. It was completed on September 21st, 2023.

West Tennessee artist Les MacDiarmid worked directly with the City of Jackson’s Mayor, Jerry Gist, to design and install both the Farmers Market and Dog Park murals.

Les MacDiarmid, a West Tennessee-based artist, is known for his whimsical paintings of architecture, which are displayed in his alleyway murals in Downtown Jackson, as well as his depiction of the Neely House on Royal Street.

"Artist Juan Barroso painted the JACOA mural as part of Love Your Block's neighborhood improvement grant program. The mural contains historical figures from East Jackson. From left to right, the mural depicts Austin Raymond Merry, the old JACOA building in Montgomery Hall, Gil Scott-Heron–a jazz musician and poet and one of the first to integrate Tigrett Middle School, Carl Perkins, Isaac Lane, Lane College, the chairs from the Woolworth store from the sit in, the Casey Jones train and Shirlene Mercer."