Project Overview
TRUST THE PROCESS | WHITEHAVEN COMMUNITY CENTER
WHITEHAVEN PEDESTRIAN PUBLIC ART | WHITEHAVEN
Bus shelter in Whitehaven featuring the new designs by artist Tony Hawkins.
As one of Memphis’ oldest planned communities, Whitehaven’s historic locales are today ethnically diverse and vibrant residential areas. Citizens are proud of their families, homes, careers and neighborhoods. Whitehaven boasts leading healthcare facilities like Methodist South, still operates as FedEx’s (North America) distribution center, is home to the Memphis International Airport, and attracts tourists from all around the world to experience Graceland every year. The historic Whitehaven Lane community and the Mississippi Tennessee Railroad played a critical role in bringing it altogether. Years before the Civil War began, Colonel Francis White moved his family from Mississippi to a farm outside of Memphis. Shortly afterward, he was instrumental in establishing the Mississippi-Tennessee Railroad line, which opened the area to the cotton trade.
The railroad helped the area to grow, with more well-to-do families settling there to farm. The history of the Whitehaven area reflects the history of the pre-Civil War South, with plantation owners relying on hundreds of slaves to work their farms and run their households. “After slavery ended, some African-Americans stayed as the area was developed, thriving despite the restrictions they faced before the Civil Rights Movement took hold. Whitehaven began to be developed as a subdivision about 1908 around the street that is now Whitehaven Lane.”
David Carnes, historical figure for which BlueCross Healthy Place at David Carnes Park at the blacksmith shop he worked for in Whitehaven
Racial division was in full force at the time that black families were building their lives and businesses in Whitehaven. In 1939, neighborhood guidelines were drawn up for the subdivision that barred black people from living on Whitehaven Lane between the railroad tracks and Highway 51 unless they worked for one of the white families there. Though they lived under the burdens of segregation, Whitehaven’s residents found ways to thrive and built their own community.
By the 1970s Whitehaven became a majority black neighborhood, with members from three of the original seven first black families still living on Whitehaven Lane. Today the neighborhood still has the highest per capita income of African-Americans in Tennessee and the most African-American college graduates.*
UAC, in partnership with the City of Memphis’ Office of Comprehensive Planning (Memphis 3.0), commissioned artist Tony Hawkins to create street banner, bus shelter, and mural designs that visualize the pride and strength of the Whitehaven community, complement the surrounding environment, and offer a welcoming experience.
Memphis 3.0 is a guide for the city in terms of infrastructure development, land use and funding allocation. It impacts virtually every aspect of growth from green spaces and transportation to housing and business development. For several years its planning team has engaged stakeholders and industry experts to understand neighborhoods’ needs and desires. These plans include the increase of public art, including the welcome mural at S. E. Brooks Road and Elvis Presley Boulevard and a large-scale sculpture project slated for Thomas Davis YMCA on Elvis Presley near Shelby Drive.
Throughout this process the selection committee specifically expressed an interest in designs that were vibrant and spoke to strong, multigenerational family ties. They were looking for images of community with references to the abundance of culture, entrepreneurship, local artists, legacy, and education in Whitehaven.
“What I’ve tried to convey is the raw passion, talent, and true value that has always been in and continues to remain in Whitehaven.”
“My aesthetic on this design incorporates expressive brush strokes, vibrant colors, and hand written text. I used these elements and a hand done approach because I want viewers to ‘feel’ when they see these banners.
I’ve included brush strokes and colors that signify happiness, passion, and artistry. Included on every banner are the zip codes of our community, 38116 and 38109, as to make no mistake - this is for us- by us. These banners are designed to convey pride.” - Tony Hawkins
Click the button below to read the Daily Memphian’s recent interview with Tony and learn more about what’s next for him and UAC!
Mural dedication June 3rd at Whitehaven Community Center’s brand new splash pad
ABOUT THE ARTISt
Tony Hawkins
Tony Hawkins stands posed in front of his latest project commission, a new welcome mural for the residents of Westwood
Tony Hawkins is a Memphis-based mixed media artist from the Whitehaven area. His work often includes elements of expressive brush strokes, vibrant colors, and hand written text that invite the viewer to “feel” the finished piece. Tony was recently selected as the muralist to complete all new Welcome to Westwood murals for residents to take pride in!
* information courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee and Dr. Earnestine L. Jenkins of the University of Memphis.
