Larry Walker grew up in North Memphis and attended Northside High School. He looks back to important milestones in the Klondike neighborhood that led him to success as a painter including official portraits for former mayors Willie Herenton and A C Wharton.
An installation of more than 100 sculptures of butterflies works to brighten the neighborhood surrounding the Carnes community garden just north of the Memphis Medical District.
Celebrate what makes this North Memphis neighborhood great at a fun and free community expo on March 31.
A concerted effort is underway in Klondike Smokey City to fight blight and turn vacant lots and boarded-up houses into centers of hope for the neighborhood’s future.
The Klondike Smokey City CDC community garden in Memhis sows seeds for a neighborhood less burdened by blighted empty lots.
“All of these galleries are truly reflective of their community,” said Whitney Hardy, founder and executive director of Young Arts Patrons. “They’re not just there because they found cheaper rent and moved in. They’re tied to the community, and they invest in their community.”
In a declining neighborhood with high population turnover, churches aspire to be anchors in Klondike Smokey City.
New streetscape enhancements and an art installation by local public artist Cat Peña are helping to reshape the Medical District and Edge neighborhood making streets and intersections like the one at Monroe and Marshall avenues more walkable and pedestrian-friendly.
The Veterans Care Center’s focus will offer treatment strategies for coping with conditions often faced by veterans such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse and anxiety. In addition to treatment, the VCC will facilitate research to develop new therapies.
“For some, I am the only man that they see all day,” said Ron Nelson, director of the John Dustin Buckman Boys & Girls Club. “I use the same way I grew up to raise these kids. The only way I knew was church, school and discipline.”
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