“Tim Loves Tink.” Say those words to anyone familiar with Cornelia and chances are, they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about…and where.
The graffitied love note first appeared on the Wells Street underpass decades ago. Each time the city painted over it, someone painted it back. That went on for years until the city finally gave in and, in a savvy public relations move, painted “Tim Loves Tink” on the underpass in big, bold, black capital letters.
That’s how it’s been now for years.
Mystery couple inspires mural project
People still question – even debate – Tim and Tink’s true identities, yet, no one can argue their place in local lore. Building on that mystery couple’s influence, Cornelia is now embarking on a community mural project. The plan is to turn the Wells Street underpass into a canvas.
“The downtown has undergone a major transformation in the past three years. We want to keep this momentum going, and public art can be a huge tourist attraction,” says Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson.
To that end, Cornelia recently updated its zoning ordinance to allow murals and now plans to add artwork to the underpass. The project aims to preserve the legend of Tim and Tink while also expanding its vision of love.
Acting on a proposal from local artist and community leader Audrey Davenport, the city applied for a $5,000 Vibrant Communities Grant through the Georgia Arts Council. The city also hired Davenport’s firm, Soque Street LLC, to serve as project manager for the Public Art Mural Project.
“Ms. Davenport approached me several months ago about the underpass, and we feel this will be a great location for the first of what we hope will be many public art displays in Cornelia,” says Anderson.
“It’s clear, everybody loves the ‘Tim loves Tink’ underpass. It obviously matters to the community. It will establish a community cohesion, identification and ownership of the project,” says Davenport.
Community involvment
The Vibrant Communities Grant stresses community engagement. Hoping to spur that on, Davenport has created a QR code to collect Tim Loves Tink (TLT) stories; real, imagined, or personal.
“Whether or not we stumble upon the true story of ‘Tim loves Tink,’ the love note is historically significant; it’s legendary and intriguing,” says Davenport. “It will serve as a catalyst for community engagement and interaction of shared interests for the years to come.”
Davenport encourages local artists of all ages to create a visual to submit with their story. By submitting a story and or art, participants will have an opportunity to have their input reflected in the final design.
“This is all about love; Tim loves Tink — that’s the focus. Ideally, if the project is successful in bringing the community together as intended, the final design would reflect the different ways that the community depicts love,” she says.
A reflection of the community
In support of the project, the city will host a series of artist-led, pop-up activities such as paint days, “make it – take it” workshops, and the “Tim loves Tink” (TLT) art exhibition.
To raise money, they’ve launched a promotional campaign called “Everybody loves Tim loves Tink.” People may buy T-shirts and buttons with the slogan emblazoned on them. The items will be available to purchase during the Big Red Apple Festival on September 23 in Cornelia. All funds raised will be used to help with the cost of the mural project.
Davenport says the vision for a broader canvas and message on the underpass fits in with where Cornelia is in its development.
“Sort of like staying put and moving forward. Staying small town but growing bigger,” she explains.
At the end of this project, the plan is to have a mural that extends to both sides of the Wells Street underpass.
Cornelia should know by mid-October if the grant for the project is approved.
