Paris, Tenn.–You’ll be noticing even more Catfish Statues with Wednesday’s delivery of 10 more of the colorful statues around Paris.
Downtown Paris Association Executive Director Kathy Ray and Paris Artist Dan Knowles spent Wednesday morning delivering them to several locations around the city. With the 15 statues made last year, this now brings the total to 25.
The latest locations for the new statues include the Grove Tower Building sponsored by the FFA featuring D. M. Clements, Henry County High School sponsored by the HCHS Class of 1987, Eiffel Gardens Assisted Living featuring “Mud Kat Ray”, Sight 2 See office of Dr. Lauren Ballard May O.D., Paris Payday Loans, Forever Communications WTPR building on Brewer Street, Ellis Heating, Silverwood Cabinetry, Tennessee Valley Community Church, and the World’s Biggest Fish Fry.
Artists who were involved with all 25 statues were Dan Knowles, John Monroe, Beth Harrison, Cat McGavin, Joanna Bailey, Becky Hedges, Joel Crosno, Kaylan Buteyn, Maggie Reynolds, Luke Richardson and Jane Baars, as well as Greg Chandler and his art students at Henry County High School. Ray said, “Many thanks to Mr. Donnie Carlson and the Auto Body students of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology for partnering in this project for our community.”
Ray also thanked sponsors Henry County Tourism Authority, Paris Henry County Industrial Committee, City of Paris, Henry County Medical Center, Board of Public Utilities, Commercial Bank & Trust Company, Tennessee Valley Community Church, FirstBank, Richardson’s Body Shop, Foundation Bank, The Peddler, Security Bank & Trust Company, Kentucky Lake Urologic Associates, and Carroll Bank & Trust.
Other Statue locations include the Courthouse lawn, City Hall, W. G. Rhea Library, McNeil Park, Downtown Fountain Plaza, Paris Elementary School, Eiffel Tower Park, Paris Landing State Park, Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, and Paris Landing State Park office.
Photo: FFA Advisors and students gathered at the Henry County Schools Central Office on Grove Blvd. for the delivery of their Catfish Statue: from left, Chance Young, Ryan Inman, Christian Hawbaker, Kara Barnhart, Charlie Morton, Ben Hayes, and Laura Moss. The fish will be installed at the Grove Tower. (DPA photo).
