About AiPP

Art in Public Places is a community art project organized and implemented by the Art in Public Places Committee of Arts Alliance Mountain Empire with the cooperation of the Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia, city governments. It is our goal to install art in public spaces in Bristol for the enjoyment and enrichment of the community. Artist submissions are solicited from throughout the nation, and entries are judged by an expert juror, who is selected by the Art in Public Places Committee.

The Art in Public Places project began in 2006 with the installation of six sculptures in the downtown area. The public response to the original exhibit was immediate and lively, drawing interest and debate from numerous sections of the community, including art students from Vance Middle School and St. Anne's School.

In 2007, the project built on its initial success, bringing eight new sculptures to downtown Bristol. We aim to continue bringing public art to Bristol each year, increasing both the number and quality of our entries each year.

The Art in Public Places project is funded by donations from area businesses and individuals. Click here to learn more about sponsoring Art in Public Places.

Arts Alliance Mountain Empire (AAME) is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in the arts. AAME does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, or national origin.

Statement from the Chair


Candy Snodgrass, Chair, Art in Public Places Committee
On behalf of Arts Alliance Mountain Empire and the Art in Public Places Committee, I extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our individual and corporate sponsors for their generous support.

AAME is proud to bring Art in Public Places to Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia. The eight pieces selected by our juror for the year-long exhibition (2007 – 2008) represent a wide range of artistic styles and themes and add another dimension to the jewel that is our downtown. I personally have been enriched by the lively dialogue created by the first exhibit and look forward to the continued conversation about art in the community.

Arts Alliance Mountain Empire stands as an advocate for the advancement of and participation in public art. Arts make our lives richer and spark new ways of thinking, communicating, and attracting business. We hope this exhibition will make you think, make you smile, and make you talk about the sculptures and other pieces of art throughout our cities.

Statement from the Juror (2007)


Vaughn Whitney Garland, Co-Founder/Co-Curator, Richmond Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
Eighty years ago, A.P. Carter, Sara Carter, and Mother Maybelle Carter of Maces Springs, Virginia walked into the Victor Recording office in Bristol, Tennessee and created history in the form of mountain music. Today, another kind of art form finds its way to those same streets – in much the same way.

Selecting the outdoor sculptures for the 2007 Art in Public Places has been a great joy and privilege for me. The success of this show rests on the shoulders of those who made it possible: the individuals with a vision and love for the arts, such as the artist in his or her studio; and those who support the arts. I am very fortunate and honored to be a small part of this important exhibition. The work I selected speaks to the way I view the town and the surrounding area – whether by its beauty, its history, or its playful atmosphere.

These nationally recognized artists are as diverse as they are talented; and it is a true pleasure to see the dreams of both Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee mirror those of the culture of such great artists in and around the city.

My hope for the 2007 Art in Public Places outdoor sculpture exhibition is that as we march through the city, we recall all of those cultures that make Bristol and the surrounding regions unique. Thank you all for giving me this wonderful opportunity.