(Union City, Tenn., Feb. 13, 2025) — Discovery Park of America will open an exhibit featuring sculptures by Dave Dunn in the museum’s Southern Artist Showcase gallery with a free reception and discussion with the artist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m. The gallery features a new exhibit each year spotlighting Southern painters, photographers, sculptors and other fine artists. “Southern Artist Showcase with Dave Dunn” is sponsored by Discover Reelfoot and will be on display Feb. 28 – Sept. 7, 2025.

Dave Dunn is a metal sculptor based in Silver Spring, Maryland. He creates movement and whimsy by welding found, repurposed and new metal objects into his artwork, which are displayed around the United States and in Europe. This collection, titled “Reelfoot Critters,” is inspired by his childhood summer visits with family in the nearby river port town of Hickman, Kentucky, with days spent on the Mississippi River and at Reelfoot Lake.

“I was fortunate to have been able to spend a lot of time with my grandparents, Judge John and Doris Bondurant, at their Hickman, Kentucky home,” said Dunn. “The art in this exhibit has been especially meaningful for me since it reflects treasured days spent on and around the Mississippi River and Reelfoot Lake with family.”

Dunn’s DunnInMetal Studio is in Silver Spring, Maryland, and his work can be found in galleries around the country and in private collections in Paris and Normandy, France; Willerzell, Switzerland; New York City and Shelter Island, New York; Los Angeles and Malibu, California; Washington D.C.; New Orleans, Louisiana; Lexington Kentucky; Asheville, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; Key West, Florida; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Talbot County, Maryland and others.

“This is going to be a fun way for our visitors to Discovery Park to experience some of the “critters” of Reelfoot Lake,” said Jennifer Wildes, the museum’s senior collections and exhibits director. “We’ve been working closely with Dave on how each sculpture is to be displayed. With titles like “Boom Snake,” “Goober Fish” and “Raijin Catfish,” this exhibit is going to be enjoyable for children and adults.”

“Southern Artist Showcase with Dave Dunn” will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 with a reception from 5:30-7 p.m. featuring a conversation with the artist, light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The exhibit is sponsored by Discover Reelfoot and will be on display Feb. 28 – Sept. 7, 2025.

Photo caption: Discovery Park will open an
exhibit featuring sculptures by Dave Dunn in
the museum’s Southern Artist Showcase gallery
with a free reception and discussion with the artist
on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m.

Download High-Resolution Photo

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About Discovery Park of America
The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.