Corridor of Unsung Heroes
Every community has its heroes, and while some are well known, many others are the unsung heroes, known only to a small circle, even though they may have touched countless lives.
Tennessee artist Bernice Davidson has embraced the task of calling attention to the unsung heroes across Southern Middle Tennessee as a major component in her body of work. This 22-year project of public art can be seen and visited across five Tennessee counties, the majority visible at numerous outdoor displays, as well as indoors at various locations open to the public. Lovers of art, history, and families seeking an educational experience can use these as an invitation to discover the many charming small towns that make Southern Middle Tennessee a joy to explore.
Diverse Themes and Subjects
The Unsung Heroes Project serves as an umbrella encompassing several diverse historical themes.
A major focus throughout Davidson’s career has been to document the Trail of Tears, and the native people who endured significant hardship in their trek across Tennessee. Expelled from their homes, the forced march to Oklahoma passed through many towns across the state.
Davison marks these places as a reminder of the mistakes that were made in our country, that they may never be repeated.
A Cherokee mother, father and child dressed in beautiful finery can be seen on the public square of Lawrenceburg. A few blocks over at the jail museum, a painting by Davidson depicts the native peoples as they were marched through downtown Lawrenceburg in the year 1838.
The square in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee is ringed with the artist’s interpretation of flowers. The center of each one depicts an imagined portrait and the name of a Native American, These names have been collected from military muster rolls identifying those on “Belle’s route” of the Trail of Tears. On the back of each piece is an illustration depicting the weather conditions described in meteorological reports during the year long trek, providing an indication of the hardships they faced.
The Giles Trail of Tears Interpretive Center can be found just east of downtown Pulaski.. Plans for the Interpretive Center began in the early 2000s after meetings attended by Davidson, city leaders and members of the Eastern and Western Cherokee Nations. A viaduct adjacent to the Center crosses a creek, its walls lined with paintings by school children of Pulaski. Newly acquired art created by Cherokee youth of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, puts in motion an art exchange between the two cities facilitated by Davidson. Two life-size murals depicting Cherokee heroes painted by Ms. Davidson stand at the entrance to the viaduct.
The Unsung Heroes of Giles County
The Unsung Heroes of Giles County was created a project by Davidson from 2001 to 2015 during her tenure as a professor at Martin Methodist College. There are eleven murals to be found which depict multicultural individuals, including educators, a minister, a revolutionary war hero, and several African-American leaders. As a result of this work, Davidson was nominated for a Governor’s Award by the Rotary Club of Giles County.
One of Davidson‘s most powerful paintings illustrates the 1947 trial held in the Lawrence county courthouse defended by Nashville lawyer Z. Alexander Looby and his co-counselor from the NAACP, Thurgood Marshall, who went on to become US Supreme Court justice. A total of 25 defendants facing charges stemming from a rebellion in Columbia, Tennessee, were found not guilty by an all white jury. The defense was funded by Eleanor Roosevelt and was one of the first important trials by the newly founded NAACP. The painting is on permanent display at the Lawrence County Courthouse.
The Unsung Heroes of The Farm Community
A unique piece of Tennessee history is represented by the founding of The Farm Community in 1971, when over 200 members of the 60s counterculture left California to establish a home in the hills of Tennessee. Based on the principles of nonviolence, respect for the earth, and service to humanity, it remains today as a beacon of freedom and dedication to higher ideals.
The Farm is establishing a reputation as an outdoor gallery, with a plethora of public art on display throughout the community. Many of the pieces were created by Davidson, who became a member of the community in the early 70s.
The Unsung Heroes of The Farm grace the exterior walls of a building located in the center of the community’s “downtown.” There is a portrait representing a neighbor who became an early friend and advocate in the Summertown area. Another commemorates those who gave up large inheritances for the original purchase of the land.
Several pieces highlight the work of Plenty International, The Farm’s relief and development nonprofit and the people who have served around the world. They illustrate the spirit of giving of self, not for fame or glory, but to make a difference in the world.
Images and more information about all of this art can be seen at the website Bernicedavidsonart.com
However, nothing can replace the impact that is felt when experiencing this and any art in person. Art has the power to invoke emotion, to educate, and most of all to inspire, bringing out the best in each of us.
Bernice Davidson
www.bernicedavidsonart.com
Artist representative: Douglas Stevenson, Village Media Services
931-964-2590 douglas@villagemedia.com