“Follow the Elk” project showcases historical sites and local artists

Five artists were chosen to participate in the Follow the Elk Project. Artists from left to right are Cindy Marrazzo, Wanda Guy, Patricia Walden, Isabelle Parks, and John Lemaire.

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Tennessee Arts Commission “Follow the Elk” project is coming to fruition, with signage and artwork being installed at five different historical sites around the county in the upcoming weeks. The project showcases some of the area’s hidden historical gems, while also showing off the talent of local artists.

Five local artists were chosen to participate in the “Follow the Elk” project. The call for artists went out in March, and recently, the chosen artists completed their historical art works that will now be reproduced on metal signs and placed around the county in each of its five districts.

 The first district features the Kincaid house on Highway 63, with artwork completed by Cindy Marrazzo. In the second district, Tank Springs in LaFollette was the location chosen, with artwork by artist Wanda Guy.

The third district is represented by Eagle Bluff Springs in Jacksboro, with the artwork created by Jellico High School student Isabelle Parks.

The fourth district location is Stony Fork School in Stony Fork, with art by artist Patricia Walden, and in the fifth district, it is the Homer Rodeheaver Chapel on Highway 297 in Newcomb, with artwork completed by John LeMaire.

The project entailed a unique art piece created by five local artists to install at various locations in Campbell County to highlight the history and culture of the area. 

Follow the Elk, a Tennessee Arts Commission Project is underway and will feature art by local artists at five historically significant locations across the county. 

According to project officials, Follow the Elk was “designed for Campbell County residents to raise awareness of culturally and historically significant sites and activities that are in the county.” The goal of the project “is to unite the county’s residents and increase awareness of the resources, history, and culture by utilizing the natural beauty and art of the area” … “and to also encourage people to spend time outdoors and explore the county.”

The project is being sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission with funding being managed by the Campbell Culture Coalition. The Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, the County Mayor’s office, and Postmark LaFollette were also partners in this project, as were private citizens.

“This was initiated by the Tennessee Arts Commission through a grant, so we put out a public notice for those interested in participating in the decision making. The public was invited and that’s who showed up. That’s why this project is so neat, it’s not being run by any organization, but the public,” said Manuel Mesa Executive Director of the Campbell Culture Coalition.

After a three-day workshop, the decision was made to call the project “Follow the Elk” because, according to Mesa, Elk, is “essentially the county symbol.”

“We felt it was important to incorporate the whole county and the county is divided into five districts, so we knew we wanted to include a historical site at each district,” Mesa said.

A call was put out to local artists and about 20 entries were received. Those were narrowed down to the five winning artists, who were then commissioned to paint the historical site that was assigned to them. Artists then began doing their own research into these historical sites, before painting them. Those works of art were just recently completed and turned in for the project.

The next step of the project is to have each artwork copied onto a metal sign, which is being done locally by Sandy’s Custom Auto.

Artwork will be copied onto metal signs, with QR codes that can be scanned for more information about the historical area and the project. Bill Stanley, at left, is working on building the wooden framework for the metal signs.

Each sign will also have a QR code on it that when scanned leads to the Follow the Elk website which includes information about each historical site chosen.

“We have a list with hundreds of historical sites listed, so it was hard to narrow it down to just these five locations,” Mesa said, which is why the hope is to continue this project and choose additional artists and historical sites around the county to be designated in this way.

“We have so many hidden gems here in Campbell County and so many talented artists; this gets to showcase them both!” Mesa said.

To sponsor a new location, donate towards further art installations, or to nominate a site, please email followtheelk@gmail.com. For more information, visit followtheelk.org.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/27/2024-6AM-PAID AD)

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