Who is Norris Hall?
Norris Hall is one of Middle Tennessee’s most commissioned artists. His work features a kaleidoscope of whimsical characters in the form of animals and other colorful images which have been displayed in galleries, museums and fine craft and gift shops coast to coast.
The Austin Peay State University graduate began his career in the picturesque Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, where he perfected his form on traditional portraits, caricatures and airbrushed t-shirts while working in Gatlinburg. It was at that time Hall developed his brand of artistic vision.
In 1983 Hall was named head of the art department for a school sporstwear and accessories company, where he met his wife Linda. In 1987, they decided to devote themselves full time to the world of art and began churning out all manners of expression, including paintings, painted wood sculpture, prints and murals, along with furniture, clocks and other functional home and office accessories.
Hall has completed a vast number of public and private commissioned pieces, including a project for Disneyland Paris where Hall designed and painted three 25-foot “Nashville Cats” sculptures that were installed atop Thunder Mountain roller coaster ride.
Hall was also commissioned by the state of Tennessee to design two new automobile license plates. They are available statewide at any county motor vehicle department. The proceeds from the sale of the “Art Tags” benefit Tennessee arts programs.
He has been voted Best Visual Artist in the Nashville Scene newspaper readers poll, and #1 Artist by the readers poll in Murfreesboro Magazine. He has been featured on most of the local television news and talk shows in Nashville and Chattanooga, as well as public television’s Tennessee Crossroads and Tennessee Wild Side. He has also made two national television appearances on Home & Garden Television (HGTV).
Hall recently received national recognition from UPS as one of America’s Top Ten Most Intriguing Small Businesses.
The children’s book The All Animal Band written by Jim Moore and illustrated by Hall, is available Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com. as well as Target.com & Walmart.com.
He designed the stage sets and costumes for the Nashville Ballet’s production of Peter and the Wolf, has done artwork for Charter Communications, AT&T, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and other major organizations.
Hall is a member of the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists and Stones River Crafts Association. He resides with his wife Linda in Murfreesboro, Tenn.