A New Mural in Downtown McMinnville Celebrates Our Past and Paints a Bright Future

We’re thrilled to announce the completion of a brand-new mural in downtown McMinnville! This beautiful piece of public art, located behind Wink at 228 E Morford St, pays tribute to our community’s rich history by depicting the historic buildings that once stood right where the Main Street Center is today.

Created by the incredibly talented artist Emmy Stepien, the mural blends artistry with local storytelling, bringing the past to life in vibrant color. Emmy did a phenomenal job capturing the architectural charm and heritage that make our downtown so special.

This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program. The ABC grant supports projects across Tennessee that use the arts to strengthen communities—something we’re passionate about at Main Street McMinnville. From murals and performances to festivals and workshops, this grant helps bring creativity and culture to every corner of the state.

Even better? This kind of work is funded in part by Tennessee Specialty License Plates. When you choose a specialty plate—like the one supporting the Tennessee Arts Commission—you’re helping fund arts programs all across the state, including right here in McMinnville.

Want to help bring more art to our streets?
It's easy: Just take your current license plate to your county clerk’s office and swap it for an arts plate. You don’t have to wait until your tag renewal—they’ll prorate your fees. It’s a small change that makes a big impact.

We're so proud of this mural, and we hope it becomes a favorite photo spot and point of pride for everyone in our community. Stop by, snap a picture, and help us spread the word about the power of public art!

Learn More:
🎨 About TN Specialty Plates: http://tnspecialtyplates.org
🎭 About the ABC Grant: https://tnartscommission.org/grants/arts-build-communities-grant

For more about downtown projects and upcoming events, visit us at
🌐 www.mainstreetmcminnville.org
📞 Or give us a call at (931) 506-5335