The Bonnaroo Works Fund, the charitable arm of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, recently partnered with the Manchester Recreation Complex to create a mural that reflects the Bonnaroo Works Fund’s continued mission of making communities healthier through the arts, education and environmental sustainability.
The recently completed mural overlooks the outdoor pool area of the complex and can be enjoyed by Manchester residents as they drive past.
According to Nina Miller, Bonnaroo Works Fund director, the mural fills a community need and underscores the Bonnaroo Works Fund’s mission of advancing the arts.
The building hadn’t been painted since opening over ten years ago, said Miller. It was an easy decision for the Bonnaroo Works Fund to jump in and help reinvigorate this key community resource. The mural not only gives Manchester citizens something beautiful and entertaining to enjoy, it also celebrates the importance of art and the Bonnaroo partners ongoing commitment to its home community.”
The mural was painted by Nashville artist Bryan Deese in partnership with Beautify Earth, an organization committed to enlivening blank spaces, empowering artists and instilling pride in communities. It was created over the course of two weeks and depicts some of Bonnaroo’s most colorful and iconic touchstones from the farm, such as the arch, clock tower and fountain.
We have had an exciting response from the community, said Manchester Parks and Recreation Director Bonnie Gamble. The mural grabs your attention, energizes the area and is a source of colorful inspiration for the children of Manchester.
The Manchester Recreation Complex, located at 557 N. Woodland St., is a vital facility in Coffee County that provides affordable, quality programs and facilities that unite the community.
The completion of the mural is just one of last year’s Bonnaroo Works Fund projects. In 2015, the Bonnaroo Works Fund provided close to $300,000 in support to more than 50 organizations advancing the arts, education and environmental causes.

Pressure is mounting for Hamilton County school officials to publicly show action is underway to handle the assault of a 15-year-old student.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports an Ooltewah High School freshman was hospitalized on Dec. 22. Three of his basketball teammates were arrested and later charged with aggravated rape and aggravated assault.
District officials haven’t spoken publicly about the investigation. Meanwhile, a group of more than 120 Ooltewah High School alumni are asking for an outside authority to investigate the incident.
Assistant Superintendent Lee McDade says an investigation into the assault is ongoing, and Ooltewah will handle the discipline in this case.
The school board is scheduled to meet Wednesday. They will first meet in a closed executive session, and then in a public meeting to act on and discuss the situation.