Cranbrook Alumnus Luke Warren Shapes Clarksville’s Public Art Landscape
Luke Warren in his Studio. Photo by Xu James Zhang.
Cranbrook Academy of Art alumnus Luke Warren (MFA Sculpture 2020) is featured in Clarksville Living for his role in shaping Clarksville, Tennessee’s evolving artistic and cultural landscape. An assistant professor of sculpture at Austin Peay State University (APSU), Warren is recognized for seamlessly integrating his artistic practice with teaching, public engagement, and community-building.
Before earning his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Warren studied film, television, and digital media at Texas Christian University. His interdisciplinary background informs a practice that brings together film, music, sculpture, and context-driven installation. Describing himself as a “contextician,” Warren emphasizes that every element of an artwork—from material to placement—contributes to a broader dialogue.
Since arriving in Clarksville, Warren has been instrumental in revitalizing APSU’s public sculpture program. In March, he facilitated the installation of Cracked Earth by sculptor Araan Schmidt, the university’s first outdoor public sculpture since 2018. He also serves on the Tennessee Trail Arts Commission, contributes to projects at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, and is involved in efforts to preserve and expand access to the work of Montgomery County folk sculptor E.T. Wickham.
Through his teaching and public art initiatives, Warren continues to foster what he calls a “cultural language of sculpture” for Clarksville—one rooted in accessibility, heritage, and dialogue. His work reflects a belief that art is not only an object but a shared language through which communities connect, reflect, and grow.
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