• This is a free, immersive public art project. That means you get to walk through on your own, at your own pace, as many times as you want. You will experience sights and sounds that will immerse you into our natural environment.

    The project has two temporary installations: The Blue Trees Environmental Art Installation by international artist Konstantin Dimopoulos and Tree Tones by local artist duo Belleau + Churchill.

    By inviting these acclaimed artists to create the immersive experiences, we’re not just creating something beautiful. We’re raising awareness of our natural resources, the importance of our trees, and helping people feel more connected to our open spaces. We are also actively supporting the arts and showing how they can make a positive difference in our community.

    Shelby Canopy: Our Shared Connection is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Germantown, Germantown Parks & Recreation, the Public Art Program, and the Wolf River Conservancy.

  • No, it’s just liquid chalk. It’s a special kind of chalk (Ultramarine Blue and Calcium Carbonate if you want the technical info) that the artist developed that can be applied to trees, and it’s safe for people and the environment.

    The chalk will be applied with the same tools you’d see when someone is painting– brushes and rollers– and is very similar to the non-toxic chalk you see kids using to create art along sidewalks.

  • It is not harmful to the trees and their safety is a top priority. Before we agreed to have this installation in Germantown we talked with the artist who has a rigorous site safety plan for each installation.

    The first Blue Trees project happened in 2003 and since then, over 35 cities around the world and close to 100 sites have hosted the project, including schools, universities, museums, cities and parks. All trees have returned to their natural shade with no negative impact.

  • Yes, and even better, our arborist helped select the trees and the species, and he completed a health check on all trees before tinting. There will be no color applied to stressed, dying, or dead trees or any trees with moss and lichen.

  • Community safety is always a concern. The pigment used to color the trees is water-based and non-toxic so when it washes away naturally through our fall and winter weather, there will be no negative impact to anyone: water, trees, grass, animals or people.

  • Installation is an 18-day process and is planned to take place between November 1st and 18th (weather permitting).

    The trees will stay shades of blue for about six months until the color gradually disappears through the sun’s ultraviolet rays, visible light and natural rain.

  • You can visit from sunrise to sunset, daily, November 19th through April 2024.

  • The installation is located along a section of the Wolf River Greenway trail system, near the Memphis and Germantown border. This 26-mile-long paved trail extends from Mud Island in Memphis, through 20+ neighborhoods to Germantown and Collierville. We encourage you to hop on the greenway at a nearby trailhead to experience this community connector and beloved protected green space in all its splendor along with the two art installations. Please keep in mind the installation is only viewable from the trail and not visible from any nearby streets.

    Not sure how to access the trail?

    View the Wolf River Conservancy’s great interactive map

    View our site map

  • Yes, we’d love to have you involved. Please check out our Volunteer Opportunities for more information.

  • Yes. We want to make sure all of our community members can experience these exhibits in the ways that work for them.

    The trails are accessible by foot, wheelchair, stroller, etc. with dedicated accessible entrances at the Wolf River Nature Area (east) and the Wolf River Nature Area (west).

    We have an audio tour accessible via QR code at the sites.

    Tree Tones is an auditory art installation that can be enjoyed by those who are visually impaired.

    The City of Germantown complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need additional accommodations please call (901) 751-7664 at least 48 hours in advance.

  • Public Art & Design Manager, Cat Peña can provide safety information and testimonials from other cities and environmental organizations. Reach Cat at CPena@Germantown-TN.gov.

  • The City reviewed this development project through its Planning Commission and Design Review Commission. There will be significant replanting of trees on site as part of the redevelopment of the Old Germantown Country Club into the Glasgow subdivision. The developer also was required to provide mitigation funds in accordance with the City’s vegetation ordinance. These funds will be used to plant and maintain trees around the City. Learn more about the vegetation ordinance.

    If you're interested in knowing more about the state of the tree canopy in Germantown and other parts of Shelby County check out American Forests interactive Tree Equity map to see how we score.

  • We know it’s important to understand where funding is coming from for projects like this. The project is roughly valued at $130,000.00 and is grant funded.

    The City of Germantown received a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) which covers the cost of The Blue Tree Environmental Art Installation ($38,000) and the Tree Tone project ($12,000).

    The City’s match of $52,000 is an in-kind contribution for staffing support.

    The remaining $28,000 comes from the City’s public art budget to support artist travel, promotion, documentation and a project coordinator.

  • The Public Art Commission is a group of nine members who are appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Six members are Germantown residents who are local artists, educators, arts administrators and professionals who have a passion for the arts. The other three members are from Germantown’s Design Review Commission, Beautification Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.

    Under the guidance of the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Public Art Commission was formed in 2018 to enhance the City’s environment and public spaces by strategically placing public art throughout the community. The Shelby Canopy is the fifth project that the Commission has supported and the largest project to date.

    For more information, visit our about page.