Jackson Sees Completion Of Downtown Mural Representing County

Jackson County saw the completion of its first mural in downtown Gainesboro.

Mural artist Manny Fuentes said the partnership came about with Jordan Hunter of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Fuentes said that after talking to Hunter about features in Jackson County, he wanted to create something for the community that would last.

“To do something the community will enjoying looking at and be proud of,” Fuentes said. “Mostly I just wanted to make sure the community will be proud of it and love it. At the end of the day, it’s for the community. My concern was making sure they love it, and make sure it represents them well.”

The mural features highlights of Jackson, including the I.T Rhea steam riverboat, Cummins Falls State Park, and a truck for Gainesboro’s automotive history. He said that after having worked in Gainesboro for some four weeks, his favorite part was getting to know the community he was representing through his art.

“I got to meet a lot of good folks,” Fuentes said. “I made a lot of friends so I think that was my favorite part of the process. Getting to meet everybody and y you know realizing how many things we got in common. Even though we’re from different towns and different areas, we’re all from kind of the same big community and we all have a lot in common. So I think that was my favorite part.”

Fuentes said that he began his journey with art as a child. He said that in school he got into trouble for doodling on desks and books. He said that at some point he decided to turn his passion into a career. Fuentes said that he’s done murals all across Tennessee from Portland to Livingston. He said that he looks forward to continuing his work in the area and future murals for the community.