Charles Key

Charles Key’s extraordinary art has transformed the Tennessee Justice Center building from an everyday workspace into a place of inspiration. In 2020, in the wake of the Nashville tornado and in the darkest hours of a lethal pandemic, TJC seriously considered dropping its plan to buy a derelict building on Lafayette. Then, as if by magic, an amazing mural of Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther appeared on the building, and we were sold. We discovered that Charles was the creator of not just that mural, but of many other beautiful works that grace the neighborhood. These labors of love inspire hope by reminding viewers of the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit. We soon discovered he is beloved throughout the community not only for his art, but for his generosity and kindness. After TJC commissioned him to add murals to our building, Charles spent hundreds of hours researching local history and creating works that honor heroes with a connection to our community. For generations to come, those images will inspire TJC, our neighbors and the thousands who pass the building every day. Most of all, we share Charles’ hope that his murals will encourage our neighborhood’s children to dream of what they might do with their own lives to change the world.