EPB dedicates 10 new murals in downtown Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Early Tuesday, EPB dedicated 10 new murals on the 10th St. Substation.

Artwork was made true by local artists.

The mural project began back in 2021. This year’s murals illustrate the history, heritage, and significance of downtown Chattanooga’s Martin Luther King Boulevard neighborhood.

“Today we’re here to celebrate the incredible talent of our local artists. And we reaffirm our shared commitment to creating a city where creativity can thrive,” Mayor Tim Kelly said.

The 10th St. murals project is driven by EPB’s mission to enhance quality of life, with the goal of engaging local artists to transform the area into a canvass that reflects the spirit of the MLK neighborhood.

“When we open up to allow people to express themselves, it increases engagement. They feel connected, and also, it’s an opportunity to see beauty where something otherwise, as a substation, something that’s functional and mechanical actually becomes lovely and meaningful,” Senior Vice President of Talent and Inclusion Marie Webb said.

Murals cover the northeast facing wall of the substation between Foster St. and East MLK Boulevard. This year’s dedication completed the third side of the substation.

“People that know absolutely nothing about history or art, when we were painting these, would stop by and ask. And that encouraged dialogue. And I got to share my background, my history, my expertise, along with the other artists,” local artist of the “Seismic Traditions” mural Jody Harris said.

Participating artists all live or work in EPB’s service territory.

EPB will invite submissions for the fourth and final side later this year.