Nov. 2, 2022

Artist Steven Teller completes new mural on Commerce Street

City officials and members of the Johnson City Public Art Committee (JCPAC) gathered for a meet-and-greet and photos with artist Steven Teller on Friday, Oct. 28 in celebration of his mural at 116 W. Main St. The project was funded through a partnership between the JCPAC and Blue Plum Gives Back.

The organizations commissioned Teller for the project earlier this year after conducting an artist selection process. Following a request for qualifications, a mural selection committee comprised of community members and representatives from both organizations reviewed submissions and selected three semifinalists to develop mural proposals. The semifinalists presented their proposals to the selection committee, and Teller was selected as the finalist for the project.

Teller’s design highlights music and craft traditions that have been practiced and celebrated within the region for decades, featuring bluegrass/old-time musical instruments, musicians, quilt patterns, and local flora. Teller specializes in street art and large-scale public murals, and his work creates an abstract realism with attention to human figures, large florals, and other natural elements.

The mural faces South Commerce Street and the parking lot adjacent to the Pavilion at Founders Park, serving as a backdrop for a portion of the Blue Plum Festival’s event site. Teller skillfully designed the mural to create a visually cohesive artwork that wraps around four walls situated at different angles around the building. His design was partly inspired by the Johnson City Sessions, a series of influential early country music recordings conducted by Frank Walker of Columbia Records.

To learn more or to donate to the Johnson City Public Art Committee, visit https://jcpublicart.com/.

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