A refresh of the iconic dragon mural on the side of a Hillsboro Village building is now complete.
Hillsboro Village neighbors, business owners and merchants collaborated on the repainting of the 20-year-old mural that spans the side of 1801 21st Ave. S., where the Posh clothing store is located. With the cooperation of Vanderbilt University, which owns the property, the group contracted with local muralist Andee Rudloff to oversee the project.
The majority of work on the refresh took place Oct. 31, when Hillsboro Village residents, including children, and other community members were invited to take up paint and brushes to help with the effort.
The project was supported by a number of area businesses and individuals, including Vanderbilt, the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association, Belcourt Theatre, Bob Bernstein of Fido, David Glick, Randy Rayburn and Craig Clifft of Cabana, Midtown Care, H.G. Hill, and Hillsboro Hardware. The team that worked on the refresh, including Vanderbilt, has received the 2015 Good Hood Award from the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association.
“We’re delighted to be a part of the refresh,” Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Beth Fortune said. “[rquote]The mural is an integral part of our neighborhood, both for Hillsboro Village and Vanderbilt.[/rquote] Its whimsical representation of the beloved sculpture in Fannie Mae Dees Park adds to the charm and character of this great neighborhood.”
Artists David Glick and Adam Randolph first painted the dragon mural in 1995. Neither Glick nor Randolph currently lives in Nashville, but both were enthusiastic supporters of the plan to refresh their work.
The original project took place over three weekends, and children from nearby Eakin Elementary School participated in the painting. The mural draws inspiration from the mosaic sea serpent created by Pedro Silva in 1980-81 at Fannie Mae Dees Park, located at 2400 Blakemore Ave. and affectionately known as “Dragon Park.”