MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - A new piece of public art is turning heads on the front lawn of the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, where a 14‑foot bronze sculpture shaped like a flowing, ribbon‑like heart now stands as a tribute to creativity, community, and the spirit of Middle Tennessee. The work, titled HeArt of Tennessee, was designed by Middle Tennessee State University associate art professor Michael Baggarly in collaboration with Rutherford Arts Alliance artists Ginny Togrye and Sharon Kolli.

The sculpture is part of the Cultural Arts Murfreesboro Laureate project, which also features painted aluminum hearts created by 24 local artists. Together, the pieces celebrate Murfreesboro’s place at the geographic center of Tennessee while highlighting MTSU’s ongoing commitment to artistic innovation and community partnerships.

Baggarly said the idea began taking shape in 2020, starting with meetings, sketches, and a 3D model. Togrye had envisioned something heart‑related, but Baggarly wanted a design that nodded to the symbol without repeating it literally. After experimenting with materials and forms, he landed on a double Möbius loop — a continuous, one‑sided shape that subtly echoes the gesture of drawing a heart. He said the form’s seamless flow represents the idea that “love encompasses all.”

Although the sculpture was originally planned for another location, its permanent home at the Discovery Center carries personal meaning for Baggarly. He spent many hours there with his children and once remarked to his wife that the space “seemed to be waiting for something.” Years later, that intuition proved true. He said the copper finish blends naturally with the building’s architecture and the surrounding landscape.

Discovery Center President and CEO Tara MacDougall said the sculpture is more than a striking visual. She described it as a reminder that science and creativity begin with belonging, and that when a community invests in imagination and curiosity, extraordinary learning becomes possible. The piece reflects the center’s STEAM mission and complements the colorful hearts displayed along the ironworks fence.

MTSU College of Liberal Arts Dean Leah Tolbert Lyons praised the installation as a powerful example of how the arts enrich communities and how faculty creativity can inspire the region.