LOCAL ARTWORKS JOURNEY HOME

from Second & Commerce, Vol. 1 Iss. 4

by Customs House Museum & Cultural Center

Vietnam 2 Soldiers, 2 Artists, 2 Journeys: Then & Now

BY BECKY WOOD, MANAGING EDITOR

This fall, the Museum will display an impressive collection of original artworks representing the expansive story of our community, thanks to the generosity and patronage of a local financial institution.

Reliant Bank, now known as United Community Bank after a recent merger, donated this unique collection to the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center last spring. The donation is a full-circle moment for many of these artworks, as most of the pieces in the collection were acquired through the Museum’s annual Flying High fundraiser (by what was then First Federal Savings Bank) under the leadership of Jim Mann, who retired in 2004 after more than 30 years as President and CEO.

“The collection was started because we were trying to help local nonprofits raise money,” explained Mann, who purchased art at various auctions to benefit organizations like the Museum, Roxy Regional Theatre and the Red Cross. “In doing this, we managed to amass a large collection of work by Clarksville artists.”

From picture-perfect downtown views to charming watercolors of peaceful riverside scenes, the collection contains over 60 works of art that depict a historic Clarksville scene, were created by a Clarksville resident or both.

“I was hoping there was some way that the collection could be kept together,” said Mann. “I think it’s probably one of the larger collections created by local artists around... because we had them in so many different locations, most of it has never been seen all together.”

The compilation of pieces contains a mixture of subjects and mediums, from paintings to pencil drawings to photography prints. “This collection showcases the wealth of artistic skill and passion present in our community,” said Curator of Collections Anna Woten. “As these pieces find a permanent home here at the Museum, we are able to keep them intact, well-preserved and available for the public to enjoy.”

In addition to several striking depictions of the Museum, other works capture some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Jackie Langford’s Smith-Trahern Mansion, a vibrant oil painting of the historic antebellum home on McClure Street. Watercolor paintings of Franklin Street by Silke Tyler, Peg Harvill and others depict charming scenes of downtown Clarksville, with additional vivid colors and dynamic themes brought into the mix by artists like Marvin Posey.

“This is a great testimony of life and art coming full circle, as these pieces are a large part of the history of art in Clarksville,” said Kyle Luther, former Market President at Reliant Bank. “It’s only appropriate, and brought me a great deal of joy, that they end up back at the Museum to be on display for the community to see.”

Art of the Area will be on display at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center from September 10 to October 23.