Mayoral Portraits to Be Unveiled

Communications Director

Kristin Farley
[email protected]
(865) 215-2589

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Mayoral Portraits to Be Unveiled

Posted: 06/13/2012
The portraits of two former Knoxville mayors will be unveiled during a ceremony on Thursday, June 21st at 2:30 p.m., joining a historical gallery at the 5th floor Atrium of the City County Building.

Governor Bill Haslam and former Mayor Daniel Brown will attend the unveiling of their portraits with Mayor Madeline Rogero, city officials, and other guests.

"This will be a memorable and historic occasion for Gov. Haslam and Mayor Brown, their families, and all of us," said Mayor Rogero. "We are honored to host this reception and recognize these two men who gave of their time and talents to make Knoxville a better place."

John Woodrow Kelley is the artist behind Gov. Haslam's portrait. Kelley, with studios in Knoxville and New York City, uses classicism in his work inspired by Greek mythology. Kelley has received numerous commissions as an artist from institutions such as the Morgan Library, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Yale University. An art history graduate of the University of Tennessee and a graduate of Pratt Institute with a degree in architecture, Kelley has been published in The New York Times, the American Arts Quarterly and other periodicals.

Carl F. Hess II created the portrait rendering of Mayor Brown. Hess, who received his degree in Media Arts at the University of Tennessee, has painted portraits for several political and religious leaders including President Barack Obama and Pastor Joel Osteen. He developed a love for art when he was in the 6th grade in his native Memphis and began to pursue his craft at art schools on full scholarship. Hess has been painting portraits since 2001.

Both Kelley and Hess will attend the unveiling.