MOUNTAIN CITY,TN— When you visit Main Street, Mountain City, Tennessee, businesses this summer, be sure to look for the five fiddles on display that were created by local artists.From mosaics to landscapes to sculpture, these fiddles were created to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Historic 1925 Fiddler’s Convention. The fiddles are displayed at Local’s Deli, Nalley’s Shirt Shop, Quality Furniture, The Center for the Arts and Mi-Su B’s restaurant through Labor Day Weekend. They are up for auction, and they will be awarded to the highest bidder during this year’s Long Journey Home Festival.
“This is a big year for Mountain City, and we couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate than to create a public art project to bring people downtown,”said Arts Center Director and artist Cristy Dunn.“This group of artists took the project beyond anything I could have imagined. They are all so unique and meaningful.We are excited to release John McCutcheon’s Tribute album during the Long Journey Home Festival and then celebrate with Kody and Mary Rachel at the 100th annual Mountain City Fiddler’s Convention in October. We hope these five fiddles will be enjoyed and get people excited. I created a glass mosaic with sunflowers on my fiddle, and it fits right in in Mi-Su B’s beautiful new restaurant.”
Artist Jacob Proffitt chose to paint a landscape on the back of his fiddle.“To get in the right mood, I listened to Doc Watson's 'Summertime,' my favorite by him, and it inspired the whole ambiance of the painting.I wanted the art to feel warm and subdued, like the song.”This masterpiece is displayed at Quality Furniture and was sponsored by Farmers State Bank.
When you visit Nalley’s Shirt Shop, you’ll find the Cacklin’Hens Fiddle, painted by Temple Reece.“I was very honored to be selected to paint a fiddle for the Fiddles on Main Project,”saidReece, who generously donated her time and talent for the project.“I’m happy it benefits the Center for the Arts and other downtown businesses. It's been so exciting seeing each fiddle created in such unique ways.”
“After thinking about fiddle tunes that were played by our Cultural Heritage musicians in Johnson County, Cacklin’Hens just lifts our local spirit; and makes you want to dance.”
On the back of the fiddle Reece painted a group of chickens pecking corn and said,“I added an egg and gold leaf on the front for a bit of magic or humor.”Reece also painted lettering on the sides of the fiddle that celebrate 100 years since the 1925 Fiddlers Convention. It is painted in acrylics and varnished to preserve the art for years to come.
"The inspiration for my fiddle-art came from my husband, Lewis,”said artist Jeana T. Chapman.“He thought that the lyrics to the song Handsome Molly might spark my imagination, and he was right. I was planning to paint a scene in which the fellow in the story is crossing the ocean, searching in vain for Miss Molly but it seemed too sad. So instead, I depicted a scene in which he has found his beloved Molly by the seashore and they are reunited and live happily ever after." Jeana’s Fiddle is on display at the Gallery on Main.
Fiddlehead ferns, rhododendronand an eastern newt are showcased on artist Lewis Chapman’s fiddle, which was sponsored by Nela at Pleasant Properties. and is a perfect fit at Local’s Deli. “I am honored to be a part of the Fiddles on Main project," said Lewis Chapman.“The theme of my fiddle was suggested to me by my wife Jeana Chapman, I thought the fern and forest scene was a great nod to our mountains.”
To bid on a fiddle go online to www.jocoartcenter.org and click on the Fiddles on Main link. This will open the 32auctions.com website, a secure platform for online silent auctions used by many nonprofits. You will need to log in or set up an account to bid. The auction closes at 1 p.m.,Saturday, Aug.30, and fiddles are awarded to the highest bidder during the Long Journey Home Festival Labor Day Weekend.
