KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Feb. 13, 2026) — The Old Sevier Community Group selected Knoxville artist Bill Cook Jr.’s proposal for its second neighborhood sculpture installation. Homeowner Barry Crowder commissioned the sculpture, which will be installed on Elizabeth Avenue and supported by matching funds from a city of Knoxville grant administered through the group.
Titled “Southern Beacon,” the installation aims to serve as a visual guide. Like others planned throughout SoKno, it invites visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of life south of the river. The sculpture features a green marble disc mounted on a tapered white Turkish marble pedestal. It offers two distinct perspectives. One side features a hand-textured, radiant pattern, while the other is highly polished to showcase the stone’s natural elegance. At more than 8 feet tall, the “beacon” is more than just art. It is a beautiful addition to the neighborhood that honors the local environment.
Cook grew up in the foothills of East Tennessee and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee in 1995. He is a member of SoKno Sculpt, the artist collective working with the Old Sevier Community Group to expand public art in South Knoxville. The first SoKno Sculpt neighborhood sculpture was unveiled in June 2025 at the home of Christian Lange on Sam Houston Street.