You need more options!

these are the worst

Please catch up #7. I don't think I could stomach #3 winning.

Option one, Cross-Stitched Love... Curiosities: 1. A fragment of cloth which includes cross stitch was discovered and is thought to be the earliest of its kind, in a Coptic tomb in Egypt - (very near our ancient, city's namesake) 2. Examples of cross-stitch populate all trade routes within antiquity (from China, to Spain, to the U.K.); just as the Mississippi River was our original, regional, cultural trade route 3. The alphabet, number tables and religious / non religious texts began to appear on "samplers" approximately 250 years ago / (pieces of fabric used as practice devices); the sampler progressed from being just a means of teaching stitches, to a central part of the educational processes among the youth and a way to preserve ethnic idiosyncrasies.. akin to oral tradition on textiles; no better story tellers anywhere than in the south 4. The terms, cross and stitch: seen in one light - a cross or burden to bear mentally surface, a wound in near of repair, or to be stitched-up. Memphis has indeed suffered several such tragedies over the last century and a half; conversely - a cross, seen via another vantage, is a symbol which unifies... its all inclusive; and, my friends', that's emblematic by way of the guitar... nothing ever has, nor shall it, represent this city more than its music. Period. 5. Just as the cross-stitch has survived, so has this city. Irrespective of how urbane we ever become or whatever heights are achieved within our borders... all must be embedded into a reverential blend for the simplicity, the ability to adapt and overcome, to sustain; one that binds us not just together, but also with our forbearers whose midst we stand within; whose shoulders we stand upon. What better exemplifies the aforementioned points than, Cross-Stitched Love? ***Plus, it just flat-out rocks

A Cape Buffalo?! I have no idea why it's there, but damn, it's impossible not to vote for a Cape Buffalo.

man, these are all pretty good, but the muralist is going to be hating life if he has to do the Musical Love One. I really like Love in Red

Love in Red is my favorite :) What a fun thing to vote on! Cross-Stitched Love is pretty sweet too, but I am a country gal at heart (I am kind of like a cross between Loretta Lynn and Martha Stewart).

Have they all misspelled "Memfis?"

i like abstract love it reminds me of a old jazz disney cartoon

#7 says it best! It catches your eye because it's clean and red. i love it!

Love the graffiti look, bold colors and pure Memphis touches of #3, Musical Love.

[...] this would be a “well, it was worth a shot” type of post, but I was actually selected as a finalist! My design was inspired by Subversive Cross Stitch and the indie craft movement. I like the idea of [...]

@Richard - I assumed the buffalo on number 3 was to represent the buffalo herd at Shelby Farms. I love Number 3 - Musical Love. It represents all Memphis lovers.

#4 ABSTRACT LOVE! This one looks hand drawn with an artist's touch, and will look great painted on a wall by an artist. The others look more like computer graphics.

"Abstract Love" is the only one that was done by a real artist. It's hand drawn, has style and anticipates the challenges of the final medium. Any of the others would be nothing short of embarrassing. The sub-totaled results thus far prove the old adage, "art by committee is shitty."

Re: the water buffalo A friend suggested it might represent the zoo.

To be honest, I can't really pick one. None of them really grab me. However, if pick I must, I would definitely choose number 7.

#7 will melt people's faces when painted, IMO.

#7 is obviously the best...

I <3 number seven! Good job, all finalists.

and this is why people get paid to do murals...

I live all if the choices. I wish some of these were made into tshirts.

Love in Red #7 Rocks

None of these really look good to me. There would be no real harm if the deadline were pushed back to ask for additional submissions. A mural will be around for a very, very long time. Sometimes a little delay would pay off in the end.

I would like to see more options. I don't like Love in Red simply because the state is represented. Memphis is very unlike the rest of Tennessee.

Option No. 3: Musical Love A closer look at Graffiti A Cape Buffalo= Shelby Farms (obvious) St Jude Memphis & Arkansas Bridge Elvis Presley Grizzlies A microphone=Music

Is this I Love Photoshop? #4 is great and the only one I feel worthy of existing forever on a wall. The others look like they could be on keychains in a tourist trap giftshop. And does #3 have permission to use copyrighted logos? Me thinks there weren't many submissions to choose from if this list is the "best of"

I also recommend more options. None of these are good enough yet. Don't want to make a mistake like in CY.

VOTE FOR ABSTRACT LOVE :) it was hand drawn by mom's best friend, please vote for it! it's one of the only hand drawn ones....

Love in Red #7 rocks! Sharp, clean design that makes an immediate impression...perfect for a mural...or a t-shirt, mug, poster etc!

It's so hard to decide between #3 and #7!! Love them!!

Does it really matter if they were made in Photoshop or Illustrator if they are going to be painted by hand on a wall?

7 is the best by far. Looking at the entries I'm guessing their weren't many submissions?

Photoshop is fine but it doesn't mean it'll transfer well to a mural. My comment above referred to the fact that people can slap together stock images and put effects on their project and it'll be "art". I really hope there was some consultation with professional artists when choosing these. With Memphis being named one of the best cities in the world for young artists we have a reputation to uphold and I hope that the CVB and UrbanArt take that into consideration and that this isn't just some effort to slap up "ad art" for this blog across the city and call it art. If you want to see how a mural can be great by commissioning a professional artist, check out the brand new one on Broad Ave.

#7 emphasizes LOVE, something many people need to be reminded of daily. Wouldn't it be amazing if Memphis eventually became know as the city of love?

Street culture and graffiti are well-known for being provocative, appealing, bold and uncompromising. Originally used by gangs to mark their territory in some urban area, graffiti have now become a rich medium for unrestricted expression of ideas and statements. In fact, creative designers and artists across the globe use this form of art to deliver their message and showcase their work. The artist can use any tool for create these pieces, Photoshop, illustrator or hand drawn. They are going to be painted by hand in the wall. I think you need more information about murals and Street culture. Congrats to all finalist :)

No. 3: Musical Love

Miro, thanks for the art history lesson but you are missing my point since I'm not knocking street art or graffiti at all. I am saying that some of these have stock imagery and some basic photoshop effects applied which to me shows very little effort put into them. Lets put GREAT art all over Memphis not just ANY art.

#3 Musical Love - very representative of Memphis. It includes the things Memphis is famous for. I love the fact that St. Jude, Elvis, Music and The New Bridge are included. My least favorites are #2, #4 and #8.

I'm guessing Len Pipkin submitted #1? #7 looks nice, but it belongs in Nashville. It doesn't feel like Memphis. No offense intended; it really is pretty. The Shelby Farms buffalo are American bison, not the Cape (African) buffalo shown in #3. And I don't think we have Cape buffalo at the zoo. Is there another reason we'd have a Cape buffalo on Memphis mural that I'm not thinking of?

GREAT art vs. ANY art. LOL The first to decide whether something is an art or not is the creator himself. Upon submitting it to the public, Art critics and other viewers give their own opinion about it. But still, judgement of one's creation relies heavily to its creator. Van Gogh was ridiculed during his time because of his unique style- but now considered as one of the greatest artists in the world. Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has them. :)

I would love to see ALL the entries, even the ones the panel didn't like. Art chosen by committee isn't usually my idea of art.

do we really have nothing more than the Pyramid, Elvis and the Bridge....ugh! a little creativity would have been nice, I love the last one and apparently it's the least popular...oh well, one thing we could say about Memphis is, same ol' same ol'

All of these are great, but #7 is the best IMHO. Also seems the most "paintable" around town.

Option one: change the guitar body to a Valentine heart. Option seven: change the asterisk marking memphis to a big paddlewheel

I'd like to see a Memphis Ink version -- tattoo!

Yes, Joy, we do have more. We also have the Grizzlies, St. Jude, Shelby Farms, music (in general-not just Elvis) and all of those are represented in #3. But, there is a reason people use images of the Pyramid, the bridge and Elvis. Those are iconic images that are strictly Memphis.

Steve Higgins :)

Question: According the UrbanArts application for mural location it says "Colors are limited to palette of red, white, and black, but the design can be as intricate as the artist wishes." So are these going to be transferred to a 3 color mural?

I love #8