Tennessee State Painting

"Tennessee Treasures"

by Tennessee artist Michael Sloan

Adopted on June 13, 1997

The painting Tennessee Treasures, by Tennessee artist Michael Sloan, was designated as the official painting of Tennessee by Senate Joint Resolution 57 of the 100th General Assembly in 1997

 The painting features Tennessee's ten most recognizable symbols- raccoon, mockingbird iris, passion wildflower, tulip poplar, Tennessee River pearl, lady bug zebra swallowtail, largemouth bass and limestone- as well as images of the stat flag, the actual geographic layout of the state, a gold-embossed seal of the state, an the signature of Tennessee's first governor, John Sevier.

Tennessee State Painting: "Tennessee Treasures"

"Michael Sloan was born in Davidson County on July 2, 1947, and grew up in Madison, Tennessee. He received four years of formal training at the Memphis Academy of Arts (now the Memphis College of Arts), and graduated in 1969 with a BFA degree in advertising design. Professionally, he free lanced as an illustrator while developing his personal style of painting. In 1973 he published his first limited edition print, ""Tennessee Winter"", which was an immediate success. For the past seventeen years the artist has continued to publish ""The Michael Sloan Collection"" of limited edition prints; watercolor landscapes of Tennessee's hills and countryside. In 1982 Mr. Sloan had the honor of being a featured artist at the World's Fair and created a commemorative poster for the Fine Arts Pavilion. The continuing popularity of his work has earned him the reputation as one of the south's finest artists. His works are collected by art enthusiasts throughout America and select foreign cities. In June of 1988, Michael's watercolor ""Twilight at Little River"" was selected as one of the top 100 entries from a field of 3,000 paintings in the annual ""Arts for the Park"" national competition. Sponsored by the National Parks Services, the top entries toured select museums throughout the country during 1988-89. On Friday June 1st, 1990, Governor Ned McWherter and Mr. Sloan unveiled ""The Pride of Tennessee"", an oil on canvas painting of Tennessee historic figures that is displayed in the State Capitol building.

In conjunction with the unveiling of Sloan's historic painting, McWherter signed a resolution passed be the Tennessee General Assembly designating Michael Sloan as Tennessee's official ""Artist-In-Residence"" through the 2000. The resolution stated that the official artist-in-residence will express the spirit and assets of Tennessee throughout his works, establishing outstanding talent, contributions to the state and professional accomplishment and the creation of visual art."

In 2007, Mr. Sloan's Tennessee Treasures Too was also honored as an official state painting.

Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution 57

Filed for intro on 02/19/97
TENNESSEE SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 57
By Haynes

A RESOLUTION to designate the painting entitled "Tennessee Treasures," by Tennessee's Artist in Residence Michael Sloan, as the official painting of Tennessee.

WHEREAS, from time to time, this General Assembly deems it appropriate to adopt certain works as official state symbols; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, the Tennessee General Assembly adopted a resolution designating Michael Sloan as Tennessee's official "Artist in Residence" through the year 2000; and

WHEREAS, Ten of the most recognizable symbols of Tennessee are displayed in "Tennessee Treasures": State Animal--Raccoon, State Bird--Mockingbird, State Cultured Flower--Iris, State Wildflower--Passion Wildflower, State Tree--Tulip Poplar, State Gem--Tennessee River Pearl, State Insect--Lady Bug, State Butterfly--Zebra Swallowtail, State Game Fish--Largemouth Bass and State Mineral--Limestone; and

WHEREAS, The Cascade Waterfall, located near Cosby east of Gatlinburg, is pictured in the background, playing a major part in the picture, anchoring the scene in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Below the "Tennessee Treasures" lithograph are images of the state flag, the actual geographic outlay of the state, and a gold-embossed seal of the Great Seal of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, The first governor's signature, John Sevier, is located inside the outline of the state; and

WHEREAS, because of its inspiring representations of Tennessee's symbols, history and geography, "Tennessee Treasures" is a great learning tool for the children in our schools; and

WHEREAS, no painting has ever been designated and adopted as the official State Painting for Tennessee; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE-HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, That we hereby designate "Tennessee Treasures" by Michael Sloan as the Official Painting of Tennessee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy.