Given its unique location on a mountaintop, Raccoon Mountain has always been seen as an engineering marvel. In operation since 1978, it can store and release water to generate up to 1,700 megawatts for periods of high demand.
But to TVA and the people of the Valley region, it’s much more than a pumped storage plant.
While the structure itself leaves many in awe, its true significance comes from the people who work tirelessly within it to deliver power to the seven-state region.
About two years ago, Karen Estes, a graphic designer at TVA, began collaborating with former TVA historian Pat Ezzell on an idea: Create a mural at Raccoon Mountain – something similar to those painted by Robert Birdwell, a renowned TVA artist whose iconic murals in the mid-20th century were known for capturing TVA’s history, culture and story.
His work inspired Karen, who has experience painting beautiful murals in downtown Chattanooga.
When it came to artistic vision, this new mural would aim to spotlight the people and partnerships that have contributed to Raccoon Mountain’s success. It would feature elements of power production, natural resources, recreation, history and more.
“Art is such an intricate part of the human experience,” Karen said. “When people see a mural, I hope they are inspired to pause and reflect – and, ideally, see something new or different with each encounter.”
In spring of 2025, she and others on TVA’s Communications team set out to make the mural a reality. They strategically chose panels and paints that ensured not just durability over time, but also an ability to remove panels as needed for building maintenance.
In assembling plans and materials, they gained insights and tips from Raccoon Mountain’s machinists, painters and technical experts, all of whom helped them execute the project skillfully.
Karen also developed a painting system that enabled a paint-by-numbers approach.
“That made it accessible to more people to help paint the mural efficiently,” she said. “It brought in all levels of painters, all skill levels – so it was a very collaborative project.”
Painting the mural, as opposed to producing a printed graphic wall covering, ensured many team members could work closely in a hands-on project. That’s precisely how much of the work is performed every day by the many experts who keep Raccoon Mountain operating safely and smoothly.
The finished product, about 33 feet long and nearly 8 feet high, features area wildlife such as deer, raccoon and heron, and some recreational offerings that visitors can expect at Raccoon Mountain: cycling, hiking and fishing. It also gives a firm nod to Raccoon Mountain’s technical side, with pipes, gears and other components positioned artfully throughout the scene.
Richard “RT” Turner, operations manager at Raccoon Mountain, said the mural is an excellent depiction of what the plant means to employees and the public.
“We see a plant, our workplace, where we come to work every day,” he said. “The public sees Raccoon Mountain as a destination to enjoy the outdoors in a multitude of ways. And all of that is vividly depicted in this mural.”
Holli Hess, general manager of Raccoon Mountain, sees it as a lasting tribute to Raccoon Mountain’s legacy of service.
“I had random ideas that Karen was able to make into a work of art,” Holli said. “I’m certain her unique masterpiece will bring years of joy to Raccoon Mountain and serve as a reminder of how special this place really is.
“And it doesn’t take long to realize this place is special. It’s because of the people who tirelessly serve here to make life better for the people in the Valley region.”
The mural, displayed in a conference room at Raccoon Mountain’s administrative building, will be seen by tour groups and customer partners passing through Raccoon Mountain during visits.