By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—It just keeps getting better and better.
Artist Dan Knowles and the city of Paris Public Works Department Tuesday installed the new Downtown Eiffel Tower replica between the two murals that already are in the West Alley in Downtown Paris.
The aluminum replica is 28 feet tall and Knowles has been constructing it off and on for a couple months in between his job performing on the riverboats on the Mississippi River.
Along with Knowles. the city of Paris utilized its bucket truck to install the replica on the wall this morning but with the sun and heat, Knowles waited until the afternoon when the alley was in the shade to complete the work.
The replica is capped off with a French red, white and blue flag at the top.
Knowles said he is proud that constructing the replica is complete. “This has been fighting me from the very beginning. I can’t tell you how many times I welded and re-welded the joints. It’s been crazy.”
Downtown Paris Association President Kathy Ray said a sign which says, “Welcome To Paris” will be affixed to the wall as a finishing touch. The two murals on the wall depict scenes from Paris history and were also created by Knowles. On the other side of the West Alley are several other smaller murals that were created by Knowles and fellow Paris Artist John Monroe.
The project is part of the Back Alley Paris project funded with a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Photo: Kathy Ray and Knowles’ grandson Chandan Green watch him put the finishing touches on the new Eiffel Tower replica. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
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