Visitors to downtown Memphis can now experience the city through the eyes of young artists from Lakeland.
Students from grades 5 through 12 at Lakeland Preparatory School and Lakeland Middle Preparatory School have unveiled “Made in Memphis,” a large-scale public art installation at the Renasant Convention Center. The exhibit represents months of creative work and collaboration and is particularly significant because Lakeland is the only school system selected to display student artwork in a venue that has traditionally featured professional artists.
Teachers and volunteers recently dedicated nearly 10 hours to installing the exhibit, which explores the spirit of Memphis through a variety of artistic mediums, including collage, painting, sculpture, mixed media, acrylics, and oil pastels. The collection celebrates the city’s culture, history, music, landmarks, and community through the perspectives of local students.
The exhibition opens with an introduction to the project, encouraging visitors to consider the people, places, traditions, and memories that make Memphis unique. Throughout the display, viewers will recognize familiar landmarks such as the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, Bass Pro Pyramid, Shelby Farms Park, FedExForum, and other locations that hold special meaning to the student artists.
One of the exhibit’s centerpiece projects is “MEMPHIS, TN College Letters,” created by fifth- and sixth-grade art club students. Working together, students designed large collage letters spelling “MEMPHIS, TN,” incorporating imagery and materials that reflect the city’s neighborhoods, attractions, and cultural influences. High school STEM and art students later collaborated to transform the letters into three-dimensional sculptural pieces, turning the project into both an artistic and engineering achievement.
The city’s rich musical heritage is highlighted through “Memphis Music Design,” a collection created by seventh-grade visual art students. After researching Memphis musicians, songwriters, and songs, students developed original album cover designs inspired by their chosen music. Using acrylic paints and paint markers, the young artists created works that reflect the themes, moods, and visual identities of iconic Memphis sounds.
Art I and Art II students contributed “Memphis Vibes,” a collection that explores personal connections to the city. The works feature a wide range of subjects, including food, architecture, music, automobiles, signage, and everyday scenes. Together, the pieces illustrate how personal experiences help shape an individual’s relationship with a community.
Advanced Art III and Art IV students participated in the annual “Memphis Airport Paintings” competition. Students created large-scale paintings showcasing what they love most about Memphis, from its culture and cuisine to its people, music, and famous destinations. Each piece was reproduced on canvases measuring approximately three by four feet, emphasizing storytelling, composition, and artistic interpretation.
The exhibit also includes “Memphis Oil Pastel Landscapes,” created by eighth-grade visual art students. Using oil pastel techniques, students transformed iconic Memphis locations into colorful landscape artworks. Featured subjects include downtown Memphis, Beale Street, the Orpheum Theatre, Shelby Farms Park, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, and the Memphis Botanic Garden.
What sets “Made in Memphis” apart is its focus on personal storytelling. Rather than simply recreating well-known landmarks, the exhibit captures how young people experience Memphis through its music, neighborhoods, parks, culture, and everyday moments. The result is a collection that reflects both civic pride and individual perspective.
The partnership between Lakeland Schools and the Renasant Convention Center is expected to continue in the years ahead. Convention center officials have committed the space to a new Lakeland student installation annually, providing future students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity to thousands of visitors who pass through the facility each year.
A public reception is being planned for September, when participating students, families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate the exhibit and the achievement of having Lakeland student artwork displayed on one of Memphis’ most prominent public stages.
For the students behind “Made in Memphis,” the exhibit represents more than an art show. It is an opportunity to share their voices, experiences, and creativity while helping tell the story of Memphis from a new generation’s perspective.
