ORNL Unveils Design for Community Art Mural
March 22, 2021
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Oak Ridge, Tenn. -- Earlier this year, ORNL FCU invited several artists to create design concepts for a new mural to be painted at one of their properties in Oak Ridge. Artists were tasked with illustrating the importance of Oak Ridge and its history as a city driven by innovation. ORNL FCU selected fellow Oak Ridge resident Megan Lingerfelt’s concept for the mural and the design was made public during the unveiling event held on Friday, March 19. Megan will begin work on the mural immediately and is expected to finish in June 2021.
“Mural design submissions were to illustrate the city’s iconic and innovative history and Megan’s design best met our objective for the commissioned piece,” said Tom Wright, Chief Marketing Officer for ORNL FCU.
“The design is meant to tell a story of the beginnings of Oak Ridge and the drive within the lab that has transformed the city to what we know today. A focus is drawn on Oak Ridge photographer Ed Wescott’s visual contributions of the early years of the Secret City,” stated Megan.
“The right half of the design shifts to modern and currently unfolding developments; it highlights notable community elements that define the power and philosophy of ORNL FCU’s purpose, ‘Together, We Thrive’,” Megan continued.
The new mural site will be located at 303 Broadway Avenue in Oak Ridge. The wall to be painted is approximately 102’ x 20’ and faces south toward W. Tennessee Avenue.
The ORNL FCU-owned property, which houses their Facilities team, is located one block from Jackson Square, which is the center of the historic district in Oak Ridge. This area once served as the city’s original town site. During World War II, the area was open 24/7. Now, Jackson Square has a variety of shops, delicious restaurants, beautiful gardens, and historic displays. It’s also been home to the Oak Ridge Playhouse, one of the South’s premier theaters, for approximately 75 years. Just a short walk from Jackson Square is the Alexander Inn, originally known as The Guest House, which was built during the Manhattan Project to house official visitors and was later used as a hotel. In addition, the Chapel on the Hill is just one block north of the mural site.
About Megan Lingerfelt
Megan Lingerfelt grew up in Western North Carolina and studied drawing and painting at UNC Asheville. Graduating in 2010 with a BFA she spent the following years building her studio practice in Seattle, where she discovered a love for murals. She now lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where she continues to work in public art.
Inspired by engineered forms, flora, and fawna, her work engulfs the bits and pieces that make her mural locations unique. Exploring the evolving urban landscape and growths of wild greenery, she mingles subject matter with weaving shapes in dreamy jewel tones and desaturated mid hues on surfaces of all sizes. Glazing warmth into light touched surfaces, pushing the shadows into dark depths, her compositions place an emphasis on light, contrast, and a myriad of repetitive forms. When creating for public spaces she works to imbue the character of each site into a design that may serve as a placemaking visual for all to enjoy.
About ORNL FCU
ORNL Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative locally owned and operated by its members for the benefit of all who belong. Established in 1948 with 10 founding members, ORNL Federal Credit Union’s assets have grown to over $2.7 billion and membership has grown to over 181,000. Membership is open to businesses and anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in 19 counties of East Tennessee.