The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk is taking shape as an outdoor gallery in South Knoxville, with Legacy Parks Foundation announcing the installation of a third large-scale mural along the upcoming trail.
This mural, created by artist Anna Charney, is currently being installed at Kern’s Bakery at 2201 Kerns Rising Way, adding another colorful and engaging work of public art to the iconic South Knoxville landmark.
Charney’s mural is one of six large-scale murals planned for the 1.5-mile Art Walk, which will transform blank walls throughout the corridor into an evolving unique art experience. This installation follows Shiny Objects by Florida artist Naomi Haverland, which was recently completed on the vertical tower portion of Kern’s Bakery.
Two large-scale sculptures are now installed along the trail. One of the sculptures, Anywhere by Nathan Pierce of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is made of painted steel and inspired by the unexpected – creating moments of surprise in ordinary places and encouraging viewers to see their surroundings in new ways.
The second sculpture, Semaphore by Brian Ferriby of Cedar, Michigan, is made of powder-coated steel and adds another bold, three-dimensional element to the Art Walk. Together, the sculptures introduce different artistic perspectives and reinforce the Art Walk’s goal of creating unexpected moments of discovery along the trail.
A $1 million gift from the Lawson Family Foundation is funding the initial installations along the Art Walk. Dogwood Arts is coordinating the artists’ selection.
The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk is a 3.8-mile rail-to-trail project connecting Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center. The Art Walk will be a 1.5-mile segment of the trail, from Chapman Highway to Island Home. The Rail Trail and Art Walk is a project by Legacy Parks Foundation in collaboration with Gulf and Ohio Railway city of Knoxville and Dogwood Arts. Details here.
Path before
Path after
Dixon Excavating brings safe lake access to Sharps Chapel
Before and after photos of Dixon Excavating’s latest lake access project in Sharps Chapel. Billy Dixon says, “Don’t risk traveling a goat path after a long day on the water.” Dixon Excavating finished another lake access this week and he calls it “on grade, on solid and on budget.” Billy is not shy. “We’re for hire. Call us at 865-867-0603.”
Water Quality Grant Proposals Now Accepted
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is accepting proposals for projects to improve or protect water quality across Tennessee. The deadline to submit proposals is December 1, 2026. Funding is supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. Eligible applicants include local governments, interstate agencies, nonprofit organizations and institutions, colleges and universities, and state government agencies. Find proposal requirements and application information here.
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The Orchid Beautification Awards from Keep Knoxville Beautiful will be Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased here. List of nominees here.
The 11th annual Corryton Possum Chase is set for 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Corryton Community Center, 9331 Davis Drive, Corryton, Tennessee. Packet pickup starts at 7 a.m. Up-to-date info on the Possum’s Facebook page.
Tennessee State Parks operates an online gift shop with an array of T-shirts, caps, stickers and even Halloween costumes. Check it out here.
Saturday Spruce Up by Keep Knoxville Beautiful will be October 17, 2026, with volunteers gathering at 10 a.m. at 54121 Pleasant Ridge Road for a two-hour litter pickup.
Town Hall East collected 19 bags of trash (by nine volunteers) on September 29, 2026. Another successful Adopt-a-Road cleanup, based at Holston River Park. Keep Knoxville Beautiful provided tools and led the East Knoxville Community Cleanup.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: “A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think, I too, have known autumn too long.” — e e cummings
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Outdoors archive. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get daily articles in one place with our free newsletter. Send comments to news@knoxtntoday.com/.
