Mural Near Dogwood Park Showcases Dynamic UC Landscape

A new mural on the side of Cookeville’s Outdoor Experience displays the abundant natural activities available in the Upper Cumberland.

Outdoor Experience Owner Heather Call said the painting gives passersby a reminder of the outdoor adventure at their fingertips as well as what the store has to offer. She said the mural features an outdoor scene based on the region’s terrain, including a kayaker, rock climber, and a bicycle.

“I hope it does make people think about all of the options that we do have in our region to recreate outdoors, and then, of course, if tourists are coming to this area, it might kind open up their minds to exploring what we do have,” Call said.

Call said local artist Abby Ramaker completed the mural. The full-time student at Tennessee Tech spent about a year working on the mural. Call said it was amazing to watch Ramaker do the vast majority of the painting from the ground using an extension pole with a paint roller.

Call said she is very fortunate to be located in an area so rich in young talented people who could create something like this. She said she was connected to Ramaker through the Tennessee Tech Appalachian Center for Craft.

Call said the wall is the perfect place to display such a gorgeous landscape, located right next to Dogwood Park.

“It was just a large, concrete, block, plain wall, and it just seemed, in the position right beside Dogwood Park, it seemed like a neat spot to be able to display such a cool mural and piece of art,” Call said.

Call said she hopes that the mural might also inspire and motivate. She said she hopes that people passing by that have not explored much of the natural Upper Cumberland environment or those looking to begin their fitness journey are moved to take advantage of those opportunities. She said she has received loads of positive feedback and appreciation from the Cookeville community since the mural has been up.