Knoxville's First SoKno Mural
Knoxville unveiled the first mural along its new SoKno Art Walk trail, marking the beginning of what organizers hope will be a vibrant public art corridor. The project aims to enhance the city's cultural landscape with accessible outdoor art experiences.
The first art installation on the new SoKno Art Walk is a mural by internationally recognized artist Emmanuel Jarus, painted on a historic caboose. This caboose has local significance as it was once owned by B. Ray Thompson's Shamrock Coal Company. The Art Walk is a 1.5-mile segment of a larger 3.8-mile rail-to-trail project that will stretch from Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center. This new trail system is a conversion of a former Gulf and Ohio Railway line. The project is a collaboration between the City of Knoxville, Legacy Parks Foundation, and Gulf & Ohio Railways. Funding for the art installations received a major boost from a $1 million gift from the Lawson Family Foundation. The project has also received grants from the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon and Marathon Petroleum. While the first mural has been unveiled, the full SoKno Rail Trail and Art Walk is anticipated to officially open to the public in the fall of 2026. Construction on the soft-surface trail is expected to begin in the spring of 2026. The project plans to feature a diverse range of art beyond murals, including sculptures, functional installations, and works created by local youth. Dogwood Arts is managing the selection and coordination of the majority of the artists for the corridor. This development is part of a broader revitalization of South Knoxville, which has seen the growth of breweries, restaurants, and businesses along the rail line, enhancing its identity as an eclectic, outdoorsy community. The trail is designed to connect these local businesses with Knoxville's Urban Wilderness. The vision for the SoKno Art Walk draws inspiration from New York City's High Line Park, aiming to be a "living system" that integrates landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology. Some residents living along the former rail line have expressed concerns about increased foot traffic and potential impacts on their privacy. A federal lawsuit from some landowners is currently pending.
