project overview

South City Public Art | Memphis Accelerate

Upcoming benchmark/update: Final Fabrication

BACKGROUND

SCOPE OF WORK + PROCESS

The City of Memphis Planning Division, in partnership with UAC, commissioned Suzy Souliere and Khara Woods to create neighborhood art for South City. This project is a part of the Accelerate Memphis Initiative.

Khara and Suzy based their design concept on the history of the neighborhood as well as community input. Working closely with the community liaison, Rebecca Matlock of SCORE they held several community events and gathered input prior to creating the final designs. Their goal was to create a colorful destination in South City. Khara and Suzy wanted to create an environment that is welcoming, allowing for a safe space that is conducive to creating a neighborhood social life.

This environment is a green space which includes art, seating, and historical dedication plaques. The color theme was jewel tones with a focus on BTWHS colors of green and yellow. The neighborhood marker was a collaboration of sorts between Khara and Suzy.

Fabrication and Installation

Khara focused on the design of the mural and the asphalt. Anthony Lee completed her mural and will also create her asphalt design.

Suzy had two fabricators for the steel components (Richard Madewell), supplying them with models of the sculptures.  She fabricated the dalle de verre (Dalle de verre - Wikipedia) and mosaic herself. She hired JPM Construction to install the sculptures.

Khara and Suzy also worked closely with John Jackson and Accelerate Memphis in order to be in tandem with the hardscape and landscape.

Crosswalk Design by Khara Woods

Fabrication of Crosswalk by Anthony Lee

Process of Neighborhood markers and sculptures explained above.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

Mariko Krause

Ayanna Hampton

Carson Bradyn

John Jackson - President and CEO of JPA Inc.

Reanna Ruddick - UAC Artist

Rebecca Matlock Hutchinson

Susannah Barton

Megan Farrell - City of Memphis- Division of Planning and Development, Project Manager (nonvoting)

Bradyn Carson - City of Memphis- Division of Planning and Development, Planner III (nonvoting)

About UAC:

The UrbanArt Commission (UAC) works to create opportunities for artists and neighborhoods to connect and shape spaces through public art. Since 2002, UAC has managed the City of Memphis’s Percent-For-Art Program, which allocates funds annually to develop public art in connection to capital improvement projects. UAC also facilitates public art projects throughout the city working with various partners and clients to support artists and new experiences with art.