News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center For Craft has a new life-sized bronze sculpture titled “Reverence.”
Cookeville resident Bill Miller and his wife Sandy donated the sculpture. Miller said he hopes that its welcoming aura inspires Tech students and intrigues visitors. Miller said Cookeville’s dedication to crafts inspired him and his wife to contribute one of their most beloved pieces.
“I think it brings a lot of vitality to a community, so we’re hopeful that with this donation and future opportunities, Cookeville’s art scene can grow and there will be even more to enjoy,” Miller said.
Miller said the limited-edition sculpture has both arms outstretched, holding a white bird in either hand. The piece is the second in a limited edition of 15 made by artist David Pearson. Miller said he wanted more people to experience the “peaceful easy feeling” he gets when he looks at Reverence.
“Art is inspirational,” Miller said. “It’s all about creativity, and we’re very hopeful, as is Kimberly Winkle, that it will be an inspiration for artists that go out to the Appalachian Center for Craft as well as visitors.”
Appalachian Center for Craft Director Kimberly Winkle worked closely with the Millers throughout the process of donating and dedicating the sculpture. Miller said Winkle told him that on the day the piece was installed, it turned into an immediate favorite for students and visitors alike.
“Not long after it was installed in October, she noticed a lady coming up and looking at it for a long time, and then the lady left, went back to her car, and brought her camera back to take a picture,” Miller said. “So, very quickly, it’s already had an impact on visitors.”
Miller said when he and his wife decided to retire and leave their home in St. Louis, they were looking for a smaller town with a strong university. Miller said after seeing the abundant art around the city and spending time at Tennessee Tech, Cookeville was the perfect place for them.
“We’ve been fortunate in our lives and, again, at this point in our lives, it’s important to pay back or pay forward when we are able to,” Miller said.
Both of the Millers have taken courses at Tech and Sandy, with a degree in Fine Art, said Tennessee Tech has the best art teachers she has ever had. Miller said new sculptures in Dogwood Park, the bicycle sculpture in the West Depot area, and the sculptures at Cane Creek Park help showcase how vibrant the city of Cookeville is.
The piece was installed in late October and formally dedicated on November 19.
