Oneida Seeking Mural Submissions to Welcome Visitors

By Editor | December 2, 2025 |

Oneida Seeking Mural Submissions to Welcome Visitors

The Town of Oneida is inviting qualified artists (or a team of artists) to submit design proposals for a new public mural that will greet visitors as they enter the downtown and Main Street area. Ideally, according to Mayor Lori Phillips-Jones, who made beautification a part of her mayoral campaign, the artwork would be created to encompass both sides of the concrete overpass located near Oneida City Park, serving as a prominent and lasting first impression for tourists and residents alike. While this two-sided preference is not required, it will influence of the scale of the project for applying artists, who are encouraged to include outdoor and natural elements alongside community landmarks. Trains, notable landscapes, and popular visitors throughout Scott County and the Big South Fork – like hikers and bikers – would be ideal, according to the town, especially given the county’s strong connection to outdoor recreation, adventure tourism, and its historical ties to the railroad industry.
According to the city’s official project synopsis, all designs must prominently feature the phrase “Welcome to Oneida” in clear, highly legible large-scale lettering, serving as Oneida’s official welcome sign on that side of town. “Thanks for visiting” and similar phrases, however, are not permitted, according to the mayor.

Funding for the project, totaling $9,000, was made possible through a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, which supports cultural enrichment, community development, and expanded access to the arts throughout the state. Such grants, which are annually sought by the Phillips-Jones’ administration, are intended to empower local communities by funding public art and enhancing and promoting regional identity.
“We’ve already had a little bit of interest,” Phillips-Jones told SCN of the overpass project. What the mayor envisions, however, could be broad- hoping to leave it up entirely to the creativity of artists. It should be “welcoming and interesting,” she said.
Murals, like those advocated by the Phillips-Jones administration, have become a visual piece of the tourism puzzle and a powerful tool in the revitalization and beautification of Oneida. In June, Oneida saw a mural, designed by Kenzi Patterson and Kevin Terry, completed at Oneida City Park which pays homage to the creative spirit of Appalachia. Previous murals were completed in the proximity of downtown by renowned muralist Cymone Wilder, just steps away from the 2023 Anthony Smith creation.
“Having these murals is a definite tourism boost, and it helps highlight the artistic talent in the area,” Phillips-Jones told SCN in August. Perhaps as a benefit to that objective, all submissions should incorporate imagery that reflects the town’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and symbolic identity, portraying Oneida with warmth, inclusivity, and a sense of hometown pride.

All applicants must be at least 18 years old, capable of providing all necessary materials, and possess experience in designing and installing public artwork. Proposals are requested by December 20, 2025, with a February 2026 proposed start date for artists. Preliminary sketches must get the approval of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Interested artists can request a full information package from Oneida City Hall.