The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Young Professionals (CYP) developed an exciting new downtown public art partnership. This partnership celebrates Owensboro’s status as the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World. As part of this initiative, CYP invited local artists and artists from around the globe to submit original pieces for display outside the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum. The goal is to enhance Owensboro’s downtown placemaking, inspired by the rich heritage of Bluegrass Music.
The partnership among the Bluegrass Music (Capital) Initiative, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the City of Owensboro, and OWB Downtown LLC, showcases six carefully curated art pieces that honor the profound traditions and contemporary diversity of Bluegrass music. Each artwork contributes to a grand tribute, proudly displayed on the exterior of 214 Frederica Street, just across from the main entrance of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro.
The six-panel mural is approximately 73 feet wide and 16 feet tall, with each of the six panels spanning approximately six feet wide and 10 feet tall. Along with the recognition of their original pieces being on display for years in downtown Owensboro, each artist whose piece is chosen received a $1,000 award for their efforts.
Billy Strings
by Paula Gieske
An acrylic painting of Billy Strings on canvas playing bluegrass guitar. The work celebrates the artist’s love of art, bluegrass, and life.
Bluegrass Legends
by Brittany Samsil
This Bluegrass Legends painting is originally done in acrylic paint, charcoal pencil, and modeling paste for texture. The top starts with Bill Monroe’s house then to the Bluegrass Boys. It then goes to Doc Watson and Arnold Shultz. The Bluegrass Museum is behind Flat and Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs. The background then fades into an old map of Kentucky with Del McCoury at the bottom. Bluegrass instruments then fill in random spaces.
Blue Moon Monroe
by Emrys Cunningham
A digital portrait of “The Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe. His visage hangs over a view all too familiar to native Kentuckians, the foggy blue mountains with a full moon in the clear night sky – an homage to one of his most famous songs “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”
River of Music Party
by Rex Robinson
One of the many festive moments featuring early ROMP performers Reel Time Traviling at English Park in Owensboro by the Ohio river where it all started!
Bridging Traditions
by Amy Burgan
Acrylic painting of culturally diverse children representative of our population in Owensboro. Children are playing various bluegrass instruments. Allusion to the Blue Bridge in the background. Inspired by the great experience my own children had with Bluegrass lessons when they were young.
Golden Harmony: The Pillar of Bluegrass
by Adalynn Opal Leach
This stained-glass-style mural of Alison Krauss glows with vibrant hues, capturing her timeless grace and deep musical legacy. She stands as a radiant pillar of bluegrass, her flowing hair illuminated by golden light. Surrounding her, intricate sunflowers bloom, symbolizing warmth and growth. The stained flass effect casts a luminous aura, blending tradition with elegance. Deep in connection while fiddling, displaying her mastery while ethereal blues and greens evoke the soul of bluegrass.