Public Art Will Commemorate Flood

Six Nashville neighborhoods hard-hit by last year’s flood are set to receive public art commemorating the disaster.

The Metro Arts Commission issued a call for submissions last week. Executive Director Jen Cole says once artists are selected for each site, they’ll be expected to meet with area residents to further hone their concepts.

“Each neighborhood that experienced flooding experienced it differently, both in its response and its recovery, so we want the pieces to take on the tonality of that neighborhood.”

Each winning design will be placed outdoors. In Delray, Bordeaux, Bellevue, East Nashville and Pennington Bend they’ll be placed in parks; the sixth site is outside the Antioch Community Center. Cole says the point isn’t to create memorials, but quiet places for contemplation.

“Something that really creates a place where people can go and sit or be. We also want people to be able to use things that are part of our healing process and recovery.”

Spefically, things like natural materials or artifacts from the flood-the commission is encouraging artists to find ways of incorporating those into their designs.

Cole points out that many local artists have already made works of their own to address the emotions brought on by the disaster. She says extending that into public art is a logical next step. The project is limited to artists who live within 250 miles of Nashville.

One percent of every construction bond issued by the city is set aside to pay for public art. Cole says each winning artist will be given a 20-thousand dollar budget.
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