Lynchburg mural honors 'Crafting Whiskey' heritage
Photos courtesy Odinn Media
GALLERY: Artist Kim Radford has completed the “Crafting Whiskey” mural on the side of the covered bridge on Main Street at The Retreat at Whiskey Creek in Lynchburg. The mural is the first installation in phase one of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail Mural Project.
Lynchburg’s whiskey legacy now has a bold, new canvas thanks to a mural that beautifully blends art, history, and southern spirit. Completed on Tuesday, April 29, by renowned Nashville muralist Kim Radford, Crafting Whiskey pays visual tribute to Tennessee’s distilling roots through an imaginative portrayal of the Lincoln County Process – a defining method in the making of Tennessee whiskey.
Unveiled on the side of a covered bridge leading into the Retreat at Whiskey Creek – the tiny-home community on Main Street, a mile from the Square – the mural features vivid color blocks, stylized pictographs, and a warm, nostalgic palette evocative of mid-century Americana.
“My goal was to tell the story of whiskey in a cheerful, engaging way for a community that built the business,” Radford said. The four-step Lincoln County Process, which filters whiskey through sugar maple charcoal before aging, takes center stage in her depiction – blending heritage with visual storytelling.
Set alongside Mulberry Creek, which flows directly from the Jack Daniel Distillery, Crafting Whiskey anchors a region steeped in whiskey lore. Nearby, the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead welcomes travelers seeking to explore the broader Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which includes iconic names like Cascade Hollow (George Dickel), Nearest Green Distillery, and Prichard’s Distillery.
“The Tennessee Whiskey Trail celebrates the creativity, craft, and collaboration among our members,” said Charity Toombs, executive director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. “We are honored to see how beautifully those values have been brought to life through this public art. The Lincoln County Process is special to Tennessee Whiskey, and this mural helps educate and commemorate that heritage.”
The mural is the first installation in phase one of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail Mural Project – an initiative from the Tennessee Distillers Guild and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, in partnership with the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. The Lynchburg mural was sponsored by The Retreat at Whiskey Creek.
Spearheaded by public art nonprofit DMA-events, the mural project also includes upcoming installations in Fayetteville and Wartrace. Visitors who check in at all three locations via the Experience Tennessee app will receive a limited-edition poker chip available exclusively at the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead in Lynchburg.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to see the Tennessee Whiskey Trail Mural Project coming to life,” said Ryan French, executive director of the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association. “This initiative recognizes the history, the craftsmanship, and the incredible people who have shaped the story of Tennessee whiskey. It also brings discovery and economic activity to the rural communities that have carried this tradition for generations.”
DMA-events, founded in 2018 by journalists Kristin Luna and Scott van Velsor, has brought more than 60 large-scale murals to underserved communities throughout the South. The nonprofit aims to make art accessible in unexpected places, and its award-winning Walls for Women program has already earned recognition for promoting history, education, and community pride.
As visitors gather to admire the mural and reflect on the culture it celebrates, Crafting Whiskey serves as both a striking visual landmark and a heartfelt tribute to the craftsmanship that put Lynchburg – and Tennessee – on the whiskey map.
