The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk is taking shape as an outdoor gallery in South Knoxville, with Legacy Parks Foundation announcing the installation of a third large-scale mural along the upcoming trail.
This mural, created by artist Anna Charney, is currently being installed at Kern’s Bakery at 2201 Kerns Rising Way, adding another colorful and engaging work of public art to the iconic South Knoxville landmark.
Charney’s mural is one of six large-scale murals planned for the 1.5-mile Art Walk, which will transform blank walls throughout the corridor into an evolving unique art experience. This installation follows Shiny Objects by Florida artist Naomi Haverland, which was recently completed on the vertical tower portion of Kern’s Bakery.
The Art Walk is already beginning to come to life, with two large-scale sculptures now installed along the trail, joining the growing collection of murals and artwork that will create the destination outdoor gallery throughout the corridor.
One of the sculptures, Anywhere by Nathan Pierce of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is made of painted steel and inspired by the unexpected—creating moments of surprise in ordinary places and encouraging viewers to see their surroundings in new ways.
The second sculpture, Semaphore by Brian Ferriby of Cedar, Michigan, is made of powder-coated steel and adds another bold, three-dimensional element to the Art Walk. Together, the sculptures introduce different artistic perspectives and reinforce the Art Walk’s goal of creating unexpected moments of discovery along the trail.
A $1 million gift from the Lawson Family Foundation is funding the initial installations along the Art Walk. The collection will feature unique, diverse, and engaging works by local, regional and nationally-renowned artists. In addition to murals and sculptures, the Art Walk will incorporate rail inspired elements, landscape architecture, and youth-created works.
Charney’s site-specific design will reflect her signature abstract, pattern-based style while celebrating Tennessee’s rich botanical life.
Embedded throughout the artwork will be stylized illustrations of flowers commonly found throughout the state or that hold a special place in Tennessee’s identity. The mural will feature the Dogwood, Trillium, Common Milkweed, Blue Iris, Passionflower and Tulip Poplar, bringing recognizable elements of Tennessee’s natural landscape into an abstract and contemporary work of art.
Among the featured plants are three with special significance to the state: the Dogwood, Tennessee’s state flower; the Trillium, the state wildflower; and the Tulip Poplar, Tennessee’s state tree.
By incorporating these familiar plants into a bold, pattern-driven composition, Charney’s mural will create a visual connection between the Art Walk and the natural beauty that defines East Tennessee.
“Public art has a way of changing how we experience a place,” said Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation. “Anna’s mural brings the beauty of Tennessee’s botanical landscape into an unexpected and colorful setting. It’s another piece that will make people stop, look and discover something new as they travel along the Art Walk.”
The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk is a 3.8-mile rail-to-trail project connecting Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center. The Art Walk will be a vibrant 1.5-mile segment of the trail, from Chapman Highway to Island Home, integrating art, nature and recreation into an accessible experience for all. Specially commissioned art pieces will showcase works by local, regional and nationally renowned artists.
The SoKno Rail Trail and Art Walk is a project by Legacy Parks Foundation in collaboration with Gulf and Ohio Railway, City of Knoxville and Dogwood Arts.
The project is designed to make extraordinary art accessible to everyone while blending art, nature and recreation into one unique destination.
“The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk gives us a great opportunity to celebrate multiple artists with diverse styles and perspectives creating a unique experience for everyone enjoying the trail,” said Sherry Jenkins, Executive Director of Dogwood Arts. “We’re excited to have Anna’s bold, beautiful mural become part of this evolving outdoor art experience.”
Dogwood Arts is managing artist selection, coordination, and art installations of much of the art along the corridor.
The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk is scheduled to open in late Fall 2026. Additional artists and artwork will be announced as installation continues.
