Public Art
Activating and Enhancing the Medical District
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative is a community development organization working with partners to strengthen the communities in the Memphis Medical District so that they are more livable, vibrant, and safe. In support of this mission, MMDC facilitates public art programming that connects artists with community stakeholders to create interventions that are engaging and reflective of the neighborhoods in the District.
Browse a selection of public art projects funded, facilitated, and/or supported by MMDC.
Rain or Shine, 2019
Community engagement, installation and Performance/Event in Madison Heights organized by the Creatives in Research artists Stacy Early, Kaleob Elkins, Princeton James, and Alex Williams. Project managed by Wonder/Co-Work/Create. Read more in High Ground News.
Art + Environment Uptown Mural Project, 2019
Mural by Khara Woods
Urban Art Commission
Khara Woods’ mural was produced through the Art & Environment Initiative, a program that the Urban Art Commission launched in 2018, funded by a capacity building grant from Mural Arts Philadelphia. UAC partnered with Clean Memphis and MMDC in the creation of two projects that use public art to address an environmental opportunity/situation in two neighborhoods. Read more here.
Dry Rain, 2019
Atelier YokYok
Temporary installation by Atelier YokYok at Health Sciences Park, 2019
There is More to be Proud Of, 2017-2020
Installation by Cat Pena
Downtown Memphis Commission
A component of MMDC’s Marshall/Monroe streetscape improvement project. The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) provided project funding to support this work and commissioned an extraordinary artwork “There is More to be Proud Of,” by local artist Cat Peña. This shimmering, soothing, shade-casting public art installation was unveiled to the public at a party on the plaza in March 2017 and refreshed in December 2019.
Treedom Memphis, 2018
Atelier YokYok
An art installation designed by Parisian architectural firm Atelier YokYok made its U.S. debut in June in a vacant lot in Memphis. The Memphis Medical District Collaboration (MMDC), in collaboration with ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and other neighborhood partners brought "Treedom" to life. "Treedom Memphis" mimicked forests and the city's tree canopy and combined art with a functional community space. It was used for hosting live performances, yoga classes, or for a meal or community meeting. The installation also included an original work by local artist Cat Peña, landscaping enhancements, artistic enhancements by Memphis-based The Artist Commons.
Mural by Carl Scott, 2018