SWTDD T-Shirt
Order NowWhen the City of Jackson’s Public Art Initiative Project approached Southwest Tennessee Development District about the possibility of using part of its building as a “canvas” for a mural in downtown Jackson, the answer was a no brainer! During the course of several years, a few conversations were had about the building’s visibility to both foot and vehicular traffic in the center city. Logistically, the SWTDD’s Board of Directors needed to approve the idea of using the building exterior for a mural, as well as give final approval to the actual mural design.
Because the SWTDD represents the eight Southwest Tennessee counties of Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy, the design needed to be something that represents the life and culture of regional citizens. The final design includes 11 independent elements, including:
- A Civil War cannon, battlefields are present in multiple counties;
- The Tennessee River, which flows through two counties and is a source of beauty, transportation, and recreation;
- A neon sign promoting a West Tennessee favorite, pork barbecue;
- A guitar, records, and blue suede shoes, a nod to the region's rich musical heritage;
- The Tennessee state tree, the Tulip Poplar;
- Landscapes depicting the importance of agriculture in rural West Tennessee, a barn with a beautiful sunset, hay bales with rolling farmland, and a dairy cow representing livestock;
- Casey Jones' train, not just because the hero hailed from West Tennessee, but also because the railroad was a significant part of the region’s growth and development;
- A Tennessee flag and the numbers “731”, which is the area code of West Tennessee.
The mural was designed and painted by local artists Sarah and Jonathan Cagle and was sponsored by Voya Financial.
Long Sleeve T-Shirt Details:
Brand – Tultex
3.6 oz
65% Polyester
35% Ring-Spun Cotton
Heat-set to minimize shrinking