Masterful Sculptures to Grace Grandiflora: Public Garden Honors Julie Warren Conn

Cast in gleaming bronze, *Seabirds* rises from a water feature at the entrance to the Julie Warren Conn Garden.

Three striking sculptures by internationally acclaimed artist Julie Warren Conn are poised to transform Grandiflora into a world-class outdoor art gallery. Whether you're here for a wedding, concert, or special event, you’ll want to allow ample time to take in these extraordinary works.

Our quarter-acre public garden will be named the Julie Warren Conn Garden—a tribute to the East Tennessee native whose monumental abstract sculptures crafted from stone, particularly Tennessee marble, have earned her worldwide acclaim. Grandiflora founder Phil Lawson has long admired Julie's art, and this dedicated public garden celebrates her legacy while enhancing the venue’s elegant spaces for visitors to enjoy.

Two of Julie’s beloved pieces—Seabirds and Fallen Angel—are being reimagined as five-foot bronze sculptures that will serve as focal points of the garden. Seabirds, rising majestically from a water feature, will greet you as you enter the garden through a charming Gate House. Meandering pathways through seasonal landscapes designed by Hedstrom Landscape Architecture will lead to Fallen Angel, nestled in a serene setting perfectly suited for quiet reflection.

Standing proudly at the front, Julie Warren Conn’s monumental *Marquesa* promises a grand entrance for every guest.

A Majestic Welcome on Magnolia Avenue

The third and largest piece—a spectacular 12-foot bronze sculpture—is currently in development for Grandiflora’s main entrance on Magnolia Avenue. Julie is meticulously overseeing every detail of this one-of-a-kind sculpture as it comes together at a specialized foundry in Oregon.

Named Marquesa, the sculpture features a feminine, regal form that invites personal interpretation.Julie designs her art to bring joy to others, and she hopes this commanding entrance piece inspires and uplifts you, making everyone feel like a distinguished guest the moment they arrive.

Julie is also designing the sculpture's substantial base as an intentional extension of the artwork, anchoring both its physical weight and symbolic spirit. As you approach, this stately pedestal will welcome you with inscriptions from civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, with the quotes personally selected by Phil.

"When Phil told me the plan to name the garden after me, I was surprised, touched, and definitely overwhelmed," Julie says. "It adds even greater significance to being part of this prestigious undertaking and working with a delightful, energized team. I am deeply honored and eager to help fulfill our dream."

As a lifelong artist officially named a "Tennessee Treasure" by the State of Tennessee, Julie views her upcoming installations at Grandiflora as a deeply meaningful chapter. More than just showcasing her work, she is thrilled to be part of a project that serves as a true catalyst for growth and revitalization in one of Knoxville’s original neighborhoods.

To learn more about Julie’s extraordinary body of work, please visit her website at juliewarrenconn.com.

Grandiflora pre-construction (left) and Grandiflora July 2026 (right)
Photos by Mark Parrott

Celebrating One Year of Progress

A day we had been dreaming about for years finally arrived last summer. On July 23, 2025, we officially moved Grandiflora off the drawing board and onto the construction site.

To mark the milestone, the Grandiflora team and close friends gathered at 2439 E. Magnolia Ave. for a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. We skipped the usual pomp and circumstance, keeping things informal—simply because we were far too excited to get this show on the road.

The gathering brought together key members of the project team, including Grandiflora Founder and President Phil Lawson and Executive Director Allie Welch. Reverend Harold Middlebrook delivered a beautiful dedication prayer over the site, joining a celebratory circle that included McCarty Holsaple McCarty’s Nathan Honeycutt and Sean Hackett, Christopoulos & Kennedy Construction’s Bill Kennedy, and Grandiflora Foundation board members Cristy Lockwood and Alvin Nance.

Looking back now, it is thrilling to see the immense progress made over the past 12 months. Construction continues to move forward rapidly, and we can’t wait for the curtain to rise on incredible shows, community gatherings, and unforgettable events starting in April 2027!

*Groundbreaking dedication July 23, 2025*

Grandiflora Founder and President Phil Lawson and City of
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon at Rule House ribbon cutting in March 2025.

Rule House Wins Knox Heritage Award

We are thrilled to share that another Grandiflora Foundation project on our block has been honored with a 2026 Knox Heritage Preservation Merit Award!

The Rule House, located right next door at 2445 E. Magnolia Ave., received this prestigious award in recognition of its transformative restoration and its role in safeguarding Knoxville’s historic character.

The renovation of the 105-year-old home was completed in 2025. Like our event venue, Grandiflora, the Rule House is owned by the Grandiflora Foundation and is part of founder and philanthropist Phil Lawson’s grand vision to revitalize this block of Magnolia Avenue.

Originally the home of Dr. Andrew Lafayette Rule, a beloved physician who lived there until his passing in 1950, the five-bedroom, three-story residence has been meticulously restored and modernized with an elevator and accessible amenities, creating a versatile space for use by a local nonprofit organization. This community-focused purpose fittingly honors the legacy of Dr. Rule, who was famous for his selfless dedication to his patients—often accepting payment in the form of homegrown vegetables left on his back porch.