The Arts in Rutherford (AIR) Council announced Norris Hall the winner of its logo design competition. His logo, which spelled “AIR” through a word illustration of ballet pointe shoes, a paintbrush and a guitar, was chosen by the AIR committee over 16 other submissions from area artists.

The committee wanted a logo that reflected the rich variety within the Rutherford County arts community while also establishing a fresh appearance as a new council.

“As a new collective organization to support art and art organizations within Rutherford County, we wanted to base our identity on cultivating and promoting the art experiences already present in our community,” said Lee Rennick, Founder of AIR. “We wanted our logo to express the spirit of the arts here, and we were thrilled to have this done by such an accomplished illustrator as Norris.”

“Having been a working artist here for the past 24 years, I’m honored to have my design chosen to represent the arts in Rutherford County,” said Norris Hall.

For Hall’s design, he was awarded a $100 gift certificate sponsored by The Avenue Murfreesboro to The Avenue retailer of his choice, which was World Market. Lindy Mullen, The Avenue Murfreesboro Marketing Manager, presented the certificate to him in December.

“The Avenue is proud to continue its support of local arts and education and we look forward to a continued partnership with AIR,” said Mullen.

A member of AIR, The Avenue promotes local art through annual public art displays and is home to The Mosaic Art Project—a display of large-scale mosaic portraits created by five local high school art classes on display in the children’s play area—as well as signature bronze statues placed throughout the center’s landscape. Artwork from the MTSU Art Department is shown during the year within The Avenue’s office spaces, and the center offers an annual program of community events including Music in the Park and Screen on the Green.

Since September 2009, the AIR council has met to develop plans to promote the arts in the county though networking, arts education and a central website with information about the many local arts organizations, artists and arts-related events and businesses.

For more information about AIR and the council’s activity, contact Lee Rennick at (615) 278-2008.