There’s new artwork at the Trail of Tears Park in Hopkinsville, after a group of local students worked hard in the last week to celebrate Native American history while learning more about mural art.
Local artist Jennifer Bowman helmed the project that was hosted by the Pennyroyal Arts Council, and she says learning all about Native American history and heritage to design the rising phoenix was a delight and an honor.
She says the bulk of the credit for the physical work goes to the students—she was there to guide and educate them on the endeavor, but they did the majority of the painting. Molly Campbell with the Pennyroyal Arts Council says it coincides with the recent awarding of a grant for the Big Read, which will be ‘There, There’ by Tommy Orange.
Conner Jones is one of the students involved, and she says it was a fun experience that let her learn more about art while letting her make something that will last in the community.
Thousands of people come to Hopkinsville and to the Trail of Tears Park each year for the Pow Wow, so the mural that is located directly adjacent to the main grounds will likely be seen by many people from across the country for years to come.