New Sparta-White County Mural Brightens up Bockman

Narramore, the Library, and Chamber's Latest Contribution to the County

Posted Thursday, May 14, 2026 7:11 am

By Josh Austin

Anyone passing through Bockman has likely noticed the new mural being placed along the wall, just below the library.

Through a grant with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the White County Library Foundation and Chamber of Commerce have partnered to bring our town's history and arts front and center. The artist is Tommy Narramore. Anyone who knows the man will vouch for the skills and talent he brings to any piece.

The mural is far from finished, and the full piece is expected to stretch across the full wall, depicting various parts of White County's history.

"We want the mural to not only tell the history of the property," said Library Director Cathy Farley. "But also going to be reflective of the arts that are in the area."

Chamber Director Brent Young secured the grant, working hard with the Library Foundation to make sure they could depict all the want on the mural. The grant covers $2,900, with the Library Foundation making the leftover difference.

The mural will have depictions across all of Sparta’s history. While Farley wants to keep the full design a surprise for residents to see as its finished, the plan was to start with the Smoke Factory that older residents will remember, and then finish at the end with the library. Everything in between, White Countians will just have to wait and see how our county’s history is depicted.

Narramore has been working on the mural nearly every day the past week, and he will be continuing to do so as he draws closer to completion. It will surely be an exciting time for anyone who has either a love for our hometown, a love for history in general, or just an appreciation for the beauty the mural will add to Bockman Way.