By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The public will be able to view the history of Paris in a newly-completed mural by Paris Artist Dan Knowles.
Knowles undertook the truly monumental task about three months ago, working on it for endless hours at his studio in downtown Paris.
Knowles has not only been painting the mural, but conducting research on the images that are included in the mural as he has been working. For Knowles, it has been a labor of love, combining his artistic talents with his love of local history. “I’ve been putting in 10-12 hour days on this,” he said.
The mural will be installed by Knowles and city of Paris crews in May in the west alley of the court square. Other murals depicting the history of Paris already are painted on the walls of the alley, which goes behind Jack Jones’ Flowers and Gifts, Maggie’s and My Favorite Things. The other murals were painted by Knowles and Paris Artist John Monroe.
The new mural, which is a large 8 foot by 12 foot, depicts a wealth of images from the history of Paris, including a steam engine at the L&N Railroad, the barrage balloons that flew over Camp Tyson, three of Henry County’s courthouses, including the first one which was a log cabin; Mule Day, the former Dumas Inn, the Grace Episcopal Church, Quinn Chapel AME Church, Jack Jones Flowers and Gifts, Lee School, Grove Tower and much more.
There also are people the public will recognize in the mural, including Dan Knowles himself, who is shown standing on the steps of the Henry County Courthouse with County Mayor Brent Greer, City Councilman Sam Tharpe and City Manager Kim Foster.
The mural will be officially unveiled with a reception in June during Downtown Paris Association Week.
Foster said the project was financed with an Arts Builds Community (ABC) grant from the state.
“We’re very proud of the work that Dan has done on this. He has just done a wonderful job,” Foster said.
Photos:
Main photo: Artist Dan Knowles posing with his creation.
Close-up views: Standing on the steps of the courthouse are City Manager Kim Foster, City Commissioner and former Mayor Sam Tharpe; County Mayor Brent Greer and Knowles with his banjo; Several iconic local buildings, including Jack Jones Flowers and Gifts, City Hall, Lee School, and Quinn Chapel AME Church.
Photos by Shannon McFarlin.