KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Emory Place may seem like it's business as usual but tucked into a back alley is 7,000 feet of art called KnoxWalls.
"A diva is someone who's inspirational and impactful, doesn't have to be necessarily a man or a woman but is someone who's making waves and changing the atmosphere around them," Orel Brodt, an artist with the project, said. "Diva is the theme of this major project."
Shannon Herron, director of marketing and media with Dogwood Arts, said they hope to draw the art scene to the northern part of town.
The murals were painted by 13 different artists over 18 months, highlighting divas that inspire them. The art ranges from mothers to grandmothers to historical figures, each having its place in the artist's heart.
"We all followed the same prompt to the best of our ability and came up with a bunch of different ideas that are now all next to each other side by side, and they all tell a different story", Curtis Glover, an artist, said.
While art is subjective, the artists on this mural hope that people are left with their own appreciation for each mural.
"We're hoping it becomes a connector of all the amazing stuff that's happening downtown and in North Knoxville as we create this arts and culture hub at Emory Place," Gared Luquet, an artist, said.
The exhibit is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and is free to visit.