The Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts), in partnership with the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT), has begun construction on a new public art installation beneath the Interstate 65 bridge at Arthur Avenue in North Nashville. Designed by multi-disciplinary artist Alex Braden, the project is expected to be completed later this year.
The idea for lighting the Arthur Avenue underpass began several years ago, when artist and neighborhood resident M. Simone Boyd facilitated community conversations about walking and biking in North Nashville. The vision to ‘Light Up Arthur’ helped secure a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town grant, spurred the Tennessee Department of Transportation to invest $4 million in bridge repairs, and led to the city’s commitment to adding public art lighting and related improvements.
Braden’s design, titled Be As Water, features a canopy of thousands of LED lights set against a vivid blue background. Inspired by the movement and adaptability of water, the installation pays tribute to the resilience and creativity of the North Nashville community. The design was shaped through a series of meetings in which residents shared their stories.
One such voice was Rev. Margreat Smithson, a lifelong North Nashville resident who has lived in Elizabeth Park for over 40 years. “I have seen the good, the bad, and the possibilities that this bridge represents,” Smithson said. “This project is about preserving our heritage and fostering pride in our community. It’s a way to honor our past while building a brighter future.”
The history of the site is deeply tied to the community. In the 1960s, construction of the interstate displaced hundreds of residents, demolished homes, and reduced property values. It created a physical barrier between neighborhoods, leaving Arthur Avenue as one of the few remaining east-west connections. Today, the bridge marks the boundary between Metro Council Districts 19 (Historic Buena Vista) and 21 (Elizabeth Park).
District 19 Councilman Jacob Kupin said: “The Arthur Avenue underpass has long been a symbol of division, but this project will help bring neighborhoods closer together.” District 21 Councilman Brandon Taylor said: “This investment shows how art can transform spaces, connect residents, and reflect the strength of North Nashville.”
The installation is funded and supported by Metro Arts and NDOT. Construction along Arthur Avenue between Garfield Street and Jane Street will continue through November 2025. Work will be staged on one side of the road at a time, with no full directional closures for vehicles or bicycles. The speed limit will be temporarily reduced to 15 mph, and speed feedback signs will be installed.
When completed, the lighting installation will become part of Nashville’s public art collection and will be maintained jointly by Metro Arts and NDOT. A dedication ceremony will be announced closer to the project’s completion.
For updates on the installation, visit <metroartsnashville.gov/arthur-avenue>. For traffic updates, visit <nashville.gov/roadway-closures>.
