The White County Public Library’s dedicated a 160-foot mural Thursday, chronicling the history and heritage of Sparta
The mural features a series of artistic depictions ranging from local industries to legendary musicians. Sign Artist Tommy Narramore said he spent three months completing the massive installation after bidding on the state grant commission.
“The chamber and the city are really wanting to work with me and take care of some of these old buildings around here that are ugly, like that wall was,” Narramore said, “And they’re really excited about getting me to do some more stuff, but or any mural artist.”
The artwork features various local landmarks and historical figures, including bluegrass legend Lester Flatt and the garment industry workers of Shirt Factory Hill. The grant funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission specifically focused on arts and crafts, leading to the inclusion of the woodworking and textile industries that supported the region.
Library Director Cathy Farley said the mural begins with the Sparta Spoke Factory and concludes with the library to represent the different occupants of the site over time.
“This is a gift from the library to the community to celebrate our 20th year here,” Farley said. “The library represents everyone in this community, not just the people that are from Sparta and have lived here their whole life, but the people that have moved in, the people that are different for whatever reason.”
“For me, it’s the garment industry,” Farley said. “My granny worked on Shirt Factory Hill. My mama worked on Shirt Factory Hill. So many of the ladies. The men farmed. And they would go get her at the end of this work shift, they’d go and get her. And the go-getters would be lined up on Shirt Factory Hill in the cars waiting to pick up the ladies when they came out.”
Assistant Director of the White County Public Library Michael Hale said the mural serves as a “crown jewel” for the facility’s 20th anniversary. Hale said the library staff hoped for a strong turnout and were pleased to see the community’s interest during the unveiling.
“I’m just so proud of the whole mural because it’s what we are and what we can be, and makes me proud of Sparta,” Hale said. “And I’m so glad it worked out for the 20th anniversary.”
Chairman of the White County Library Board of Trustees Sarah Bannister said the mural is inclusive and highlights lesser-known local history, such as Jimi Hendrix playing in Sparta with local musicians. Bannister said the board had always wanted to work with Narramore because of his reputation as a local artist.
“Well, the part that means the most to me is first of all, it’s inclusive, and not everyone knew that Jimi Hendrix actually played here in Sparta with local musicians,” Bannister said. “We all knew, but there’s a lot of people that didn’t know.”
Farley said the library has installed indoor displays featuring items depicted in the mural, such as a dollhouse belonging to the late Pinky Hill. Farley said she hopes the public art serves as a bridge between the past and the future for the residents of Sparta.
“I hope it shows that they have a library that cares, a library that connects the past with the future, a library that’s always looking for a way to give back to this community,” Farley said. “That we’re not sitting here waiting for people to walk through our doors, that we’re reaching out to you to show you, this is what this town is.”
Narramore said he is already looking forward to future projects and has discussed the possibility of interchanging some elements of the mural in the coming years to include other historical sites like the Bon Air Coal Company or the local depot.
