Underground art being installed at the Emporium Center

Mockup design of installation at the Emporium Center's underground art.

The design for the Emporium Center’s underground mural has been chosen, and the two artists of LC Studio Tutto started the installation on the west wall of the underground section of The Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville on Sunday, August 7. The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville selected their proposal from among dozens of local and national proposals earlier this spring. LC Studio Tutto will receive $10,000 to complete the artwork which will be visible to all visitors of The Emporium Center. The site is located on the lower level of The Emporium Center, behind clear glass doors and windows. The underground sidewalk beneath Gay Street may eventually be open to the public as development of an underground corridor progresses following work on Jackson Avenue projected to be complete in 2018.

Members of the Arts & Culture Alliance are invited to meet and view the artists doing installation on Thursday, August 11. Upon completion, the mural will become part of the City of Knoxville’s Public Art Collection, just in time for the City’s 225th Anniversary.

LC Studio Tutto is an art and design team composed of Sofia Lacin and Hennessy Christophel. The duo works collaboratively to create large-scale public art, infusing spaces with life and identity to encourage a connection between people and their environments. The team has collaborated with municipalities, architects, developers, and businesses, to translate feelings and ideas into works of site-specific visual art. LC Studio Tutto has created over 70 murals, custom paintings, and interactive installations throughout California. With each project they work closely with the client to produce a piece of art that reflects its surroundings and resonates with the community. Lacin and Christophel design and work collaboratively from their Los Angeles and Bay Area studios.

The Emporium Center is Knoxville’s first true arts center, which re-opened following renovations in 2004. The flexible use space houses multiple art galleries showcasing local and regional artists, the administrative offices of the Arts & Culture Alliance, and offices for seven other arts and cultural organizations. Since January 2016, the Emporium has already showcased the work of nearly 500 local and regional artists in its monthly-rotating galleries. Additionally, the building houses rehearsal, classroom and meeting space. The Emporium is available to individuals, non-profits, and other organizations for dinners, receptions, fundraisers, wedding ceremonies, and more.

Dewhirst Properties is responsible for site prep, Visit Knoxville contributed financial support, and the City of Knoxville’s Public Arts Committee assisted in the process.

The Emporium Center is located at 100 S. Gay Street on the corner of Gay Street & Jackson Avenue. For more information, please visit www.knoxalliance.com.

Published August 9, 2016