Oak Ridge National Laboratories Federal Credit Union (ORNFCU) launched a new yearly community arts program and in the spring of 2018. The Community Art & Mural Program provides local artists and school art programs the opportunity to showcase their creativity in a unique fashion: by painting a large structure visible from a main access road in Oak Ridge.
Entries were submitted in all categories (K-4 grades, 5th-8th grades, and 9th-12th grades) and the winners’ designs have been recreated on a large scale, public platform, as well as a $100 cash prize for the student (or team) and a $500 cash prize for their school’s art programs. One winner was selected from each category. The competition judges were: Kate Creason, Dogwood Arts Program Manager; Pat Postma, Oak Ridge resident and photographer; and Jessica Emert, Community & Public Relations Director at ORNL FCU.
The designs were painted in the spring of 2018 by local artist, Bryan Wilkerson, who chose placement based on orientation and scalability. Wall sizes are: 36’ x 15’ area facing S. Rutgers Avenue; 36’ x 15’ area facing N. Purdue Avenue; and third place, and a 19’ x 15’ area facing ORNL FCU headquarters.
Congratulations to the following students and schools:
- Elementary Category (K-4) – Glenwood Elementary, 1st grade students (Jonathan Purtill, art educator)
- Middle School Category (5th-8th) – Robertsville Middle, Chatelaine McBroom, 5th grade (Sean Seyfert, art educator)
- High School (9th-12th) – Oak Ridge High School, Bryce Guzman, 12th grade (Gisela Schrock, art educator)
Program Details
The program is an open competition for Oak Ridge school students to submit designs to be displayed on a cinderblock wall. The wall surrounds a generator situated on the campus of ORNL FCU’s main headquarters located at 221 S. Rutgers Avenue. The competition was developed with the assistance of Bryan Wilkerson, Professor of Art & Design at Roane State Community College, and art educators Jim Dodson and Tristy Berryhill.
For additional information, including pictures of the artwork, please contact Jessica Emert at jemert@ornlfcu.com or 865.220.1014.
About Bryan Wilkerson
Bryan Wilkerson is a Tennessee native and Professor of Art and Design at Roane State Community College. His creative practices are focused primarily on ceramics and public arts, but extend into design and drawing. His work explores humor, craft, irony, and play through common symbolic references. He is also the creator and director of the ArtMobile traveling gallery and pop-up workshop space.
About ORNL Federal Credit Union
ORNL Federal Credit Union (FCU) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative locally owned and operated by its members for the benefit of all who belong. Established on August 6, 1948 with 10 founding members, ORNL FCU’s assets have grown to over $1.9 billion with membership growing to over 155,000. Open to all businesses and anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the 16 counties of East Tennessee, ORNL FCU currently serves members in 31 branches located throughout Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Hamblen, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Roane, Sevier and Union counties.
