project overview

Poetry Panels (Temporary) | South Main Arts District

“The 4-foot high panels form a fence of poetic expressions of love for Memphis while documenting the city’s outstanding musical heritage.”

In celebration of our 10th anniversary, UrbanArt Commission launched a series of 10 public art projects in 2008. The Poetry Panels mural at 572 South Main Street in the South Main Arts District is one of them. It is located across the street from Anthony Lee's Modern Hieroglyphs at Central Station. Two other award-winning 10th anniversary projects were the temporary Cloudy Thoughts billboard by Greely Myatt and Emerald Aura by Dan Corson. Along a 48-foot stretch, eight popular song lyrics about Memphis are stenciled in white on a bright red background. Renowned musicians with a history in Memphis share their passion about the city, among them such notables as Roy Acuff, Big Bill Broonzy, Jerry Lee Lewis, Junior Parker, and Rufus Thomas. The 4-foot high panels form a fence of poetic expressions of love for Memphis while documenting our outstanding musical heritage. The Poetry Panels concept was developed by the UrbanArt Commission. Volunteers helped paint the panels and install the work as a decorative screen. This mural greets visitors with soulful texts relating to Memphis.