Local students work with nationally recognized artist to create community mural
HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Students at a local high school are portraying excellence with every brushstroke.
At the corner of 22nd and Mitchell, across from Bailey Park in Humboldt is a sight you cannot miss. It is a 140-foot mural that is almost finished!
For the past two days, local students from Humboldt High School have worked alongside nationally recognized artist Hamilton Glass to complete the community mural.
Nationally recognized artist, Hamilton Glass, helps Humboldt High School students paint their mural. (11/12/24)
A survey sent out by Libby Lynch, the art teacher at Humboldt High School, allowed community members to give their input and students used the feedback to decide what to incorporate into the bigger picture.
“It’s going to spell out Humboldt and show the community. We’ve got the Tennessee flag, kids, Ferris wheel; we have our water tower,” said Kameron Justice, senior at Humboldt High School.
“We’ve got, of course, a viking helmet since we’re the vikings. It is across from a park, so when the kids planned the mural they wanted to include children in it and stuff you might do at a park,” said Lynch.
This was made possible by a generous grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, in which, Humboldt High School has received for the second year in a row.
The background behind the letters represents West Tennessee’s landscape with hills and farmland.
“And then we’ve got the Tennessee Flag at one end and the American flag at the other, with soldiers saluting the flag. It’s so exciting to see the kids involved; taking ownership of our community. Just being a part of it. They are doing something that they can bring back family and friends to later and be super proud of,” said Lynch.
And some students say they are waiting for that day.
“When I drive by, [I’m going to] be like ‘Me and my group, we actually helped put this together.’ And just tell them the whole story and experience of it all,” said Justice.
The building is owned by King Tire who matched the grant amount received from the Tennessee Arts Commission to help fund the project.
For more Gibson County news, click here.
