Legendary Neighborhood Sees a Legendary Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: TBD
Contact: Elizabeth Alley or Laura Caroline Johnson, 901-454-0474

Legendary Neighborhood Sees A Legendary Future

Memphis, TN – “Everyone was somebody and everyone was welcome in this 46-acre parcel called Dixie.” That 46-acre parcel, in 1938, was called Dixie Homes and, today, as the neighborhood looks toward a bright, hopeful future, it reminisces through its new name, Legends Park. With the name change also come new residents, rejuvenated environments, and artistic enhancements to the area. This former public housing site was the home of many prominent Memphians who have become leaders and legends in their respective fields.

Local artist Tootsie Bell recently was selected to complete a series of art enhancements to the Legends Park neighborhood. Bell will be working closely with community members to create a welcoming landmark sculpture for an interior flagpole area as well as smaller enhancement pieces throughout the neighborhood, which reflect the history, pride, and significance of the Legends Park past, present, and future residents. Once home to a local baseball stadium and hailing the neighborhood nickname “Queen Bee”, the first installment will connote these former aspects of Legends Park life.

Tootsie Bell received her BFA from the Memphis College of Art and runs her own store in Memphis, Bell Fine Art Jewelers. Also, she recently installed a set of stylized bicycle racks for the Brooks Museum. Bell was selected by a committee made up of community residents and artists as well as members of the development firms hired to complete the neighborhood plan, McCormack Baron Salazar and Community Capital. With such a focus on past events and new beginnings, the committee felt that the marrying of the Legends Park project to Tootsie Bell’s genuine enthusiasm and interest in the area made for a perfect fit.

The Legends Park site is on Poplar Avenue between Ayers and Decatur streets and will include both mixed-income rental homes and mixed-use buildings with commercial space for neighborhood retail. Legends Park is a HOPE VI Revitalization sponsored by the Memphis Housing Authority. The public art enhancements to be included in the neighborhood are part of the City of Memphis’ Percent-for-Art Program.

UrbanArt’s mission is to create a dynamic, vibrant, nurturing community through art and design. UrbanArt is funded in part by the City of Memphis, Greater Memphis Arts Council, Tennessee Arts Commission and the Hyde Foundation. This project is funded through the City of Memphis Percent for Art plan. For more information, please visit the UAC website at www.urbanartcommission.org.