Metro Arts Unveils the Design for Exterior Public Art at the New Donelson Branch Library

"Reverie" Reflects the Spirit of Creativity Embodied in the Vibrant Donelson Community

Digital rendering of Reverie sculptures by artist duo Wowhaus.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At their November 17th meeting, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission approved designs for Reverie, a series of Tennessee marble sculptures outside the forthcoming Donelson Branch Library of Nashville Public Library. These landmark sculptures, designed by the artist duo Wowhaus, will create a unique destination in Donelson as part of a dynamic green space for reading, recreation and rest for library patrons and the surrounding community. In March 2022, Wowhaus was selected by a citizen selection panel of Donelson-area residents and stakeholders.

“A state of reverie invites creativity and nurtures new ideas,” said Wowhaus artist team Scott Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable. “This public art installation will foster interaction and encourage reading, writing, drawing, conversation, music and every flavor of creativity and play.  In an era dominated by digital and virtual experiences, Reverie invites presence and visceral engagement with the world around us.”

Evoking the early modernist architectural history of Donelson’s Lebanon Pike corridor, Reverie complements the design of the new Donelson Branch Library. It also helps foster a new era of pedestrian accessibility, encouraging people to walk to the library, while also benefitting from proximity to the train line. Reverie will be installed in early 2024. Final artwork placements will be determined in cooperation with the project design team.

Native Tennessee marble is known for its aesthetics and durability.

LED lights underneath the sculptures provide night-time presence.

“We are thrilled to be moving forward with these beautiful installations,” said District 15 Councilmember Jeff Syracuse. "Reverie will be part of an engaging new green space that the heart of Donelson has never had before, bringing the community together to share in enjoying our beautiful new library and support for local, small businesses in and around Donelson Plaza, all within walking distance to a revitalized Donelson Station as a regional transit center.”

The design of Reverie was informed and inspired by community engagement sessions with Donelson residents and stakeholders in April 2022, including sessions at the current Donelson library location and Wine Down Nashville, adjacent to the new library site.

Community Session: Donelson Branch Library (4/28)

Community Session: Wine Down Nashville (4/29)

Founded in 1997, Wowhaus (pronounced “wow-house”) is a trans-disciplinary art and design team whose work spans public art, strategic planning, design, and architecture. Wowhaus explores the common denominators of everyday life, the central question of how things, places, and relationships acquire meaning. They embrace a systems-based, community-engaged approach, finding inspiration in the cultural, historical, and ecological factors that shape a sense of place. Learn more about Wowhaus at www.thewowhaus.com

Reverie is funded through Metro Nashville’s Percent for Public Art Fund, established in 2000 under Mayor Bill Purcell. This fund allocates one percent of funding for designated projects in the Metro Capital Improvements Budget toward the commission of artworks in the Metro Public Art Collection. Metro Arts has 178 permanent artworks in their collection. Sixty of these are available for checkout through the Metro Arts Lending Library, a partnership with Nashville Public Library.

You can follow the creation and installation process of Reverie at Metro Arts’ social media channels and email newsletter.