GALLATIN BEGINS STREET-ART INSTALLATION AT RECYCLING CENTER
$4,500 GRANTED TO CITY OF GALLATIN FROM BONNAROO FUND
GALLATIN – The City of Gallatin has commissioned local mural artist Bryan Deese to begin an art installation on one of the city’s recycling bins at 641 Long Hollow Pike.
The Bonnaroo Works Fund, the charitable arm of Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, has awarded the City of Gallatin $4,500 with a 100% match from the city to create the mural at Gallatin’s Recycling Center. The project includes cleaning and preparation, followed by commissioning Deese to create artwork on three of the 22’ long recycling bins. According to the grant application, the project must be completed by November 2020.
Dianna Johnson, an Administrative Assistant of Public Works and a member of the “Gallatin Beautiful” committee, applied for the grant funds. In the application she stated, “Gallatin Beautiful is constantly seeking innovative ways to bring awareness to sustainable practices and encourage community engagement in beautification. We believe that the center’s vital role in our environmentally-conscious world demands that we take care in its maintenance and cultivate community pride in its appearance. What better place to commission local artists to give a much needed facelift?”
Last year, students at Gallatin High School and Volunteer State Community College participated in a similar project by reproducing a Monet artwork called “Water Lilies” on one of the city’s recycling bins. The successful effort prompted Public Works’ staff to apply for the Bonnaroo Grant in order to expand the idea to other containers at the recycling center.
“We really appreciate that Bonnaroo is giving back beyond the borders of Manchester and Coffee County,” said Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown. “With this grant, we’re breathing new life into our recycling center, and we’re highlighting a program that continues to be an important part of our city services.”
Since 2015, the center has prevented more than 1,726 tons of recyclables from entering the waste stream. It has raised Gallatin’s recycle rate from 54.3 to 80.6 pounds per customer over the last four years. Since 2018, the center has recycled more than 54.8 tons of plastic (43.8% increase), 327.7 tons of paper/cardboard (12.4% increase) and 74.3 tons of glass (30.8% increase).
Over the past decade, Bonnaroo and the Bonnaroo Works Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, has awarded more than $7 million to more than 100 organizations. Their mission statement states, “we champion those changing the world through social impact, human development, and community inspiration. Through our festival resources and culture, we support and collaborate with nonprofit partners doing incredible things to benefit the arts, education, sustainability and social significance.”
MEDIA AVAILABLITY:
Mural Artist Bryan Deese will be available for interview and painting B-Roll on Tuesday, June 2 at 1:30pm. Contact Jeff Hentschel at the Gallatin Office of the Mayor at 615-451-5961 for additional information and scheduling of Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown.
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