By Caleb Jarreau (’25)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumna Paris Woodhull never had a doubt about what she wanted to do.
She proclaimed to her parents at six years old that she would be an artist. By 10, she was already sharing her work with the Knoxville community—selling handmade items at the Market Square Farmers’ Market.
Years later, while living in Massey Hall as a UT student, Woodhull designed a sticker featuring Knoxville and sold it through a former local art store, RALA. The 2015 sticker became the first product of what would grow into Paris Woodhull Illustrations, the creative business she turned into a full-time career in 2020.
Paris Woodhull (’17) is using her artwork to highlight the community and university that shaped her.
Now, Woodhull (’17) is using her artwork to highlight the community and university that shaped her through a series of murals at Fulton, Central, and Austin-East High Schools.
The project is a full-circle moment for Woodhull, a graduate of Fulton and a UT Flagship Scholarship recipient.
“I’m just so honored that I get to help with this project,” says Woodhull. “It means so much to me, and being back in the schools that I visited as a kid or went to as a kid—I’m just so honored. Pinch me.”
UT’s Division of Enrollment Management commissioned Woodhull to paint murals at Knox County’s three Flagship High Schools, highlighting the opportunities afforded to graduates to enjoy a high-quality, affordable education at Tennessee’s premier flagship, land-grant university.
The division chose to partner with schools in their backyard as a pilot approach with plans to extend the initiative statewide—inviting participation from other Flagship schools. The next install is scheduled to be announced in the coming weeks.
Flagship Scholarship Opens Doors
College wasn’t a sure thing for Woodhull.
She saw her friends pursue fancy art schools out of state, taking on large student loans for expensive educations. Then, Woodhull learned about the Flagship Scholarship, and toured the UT Art Department soon after.
The Flagship Scholarship opens doors for students across 52 high schools in Tennessee, an initiative in place to strengthen pathways to a more affordable UT education for more Tennesseans.
Today, The Flagship Scholarship is part of the UT Knoxville Tri-Star Scholarship program, a suite of scholarships specifically designed to help Tennesseans achieve an affordable education at the university. What began as a fully university-funded initiative is now partially supported by donors. There are 19 dedicated, privately supported Flagship Scholarships, including three such endowed funds for Fulton, Austin-East, and Central that help the university provide students a pathway to attend UT.
When combined with the HOPE scholarship and other financial aid, this scholarship covers all tuition and mandatory fees for all four years.
“It’s an incredible program, especially for students like me that might not have gone to college because of how expensive it can be,” says Woodhull.
The support system of great teachers and staff at Fulton put Woodhull in a position to earn the scholarship.
Returning to her old stomping grounds to complete the mural project was “so special” for the artist. Saying “hello” to familiar faces and showing a real-world example of the doors the Flagship Scholarship can open was a perk of the project for Woodhull.
“These kids know exactly what the Flagship program is, and they want it,” says Woodhull. “To see that now is awesome. I’m so glad that they are familiar with the program and they know what opportunity they have.”
Giving Back to UT
When UT Enrollment Management approached Woodhull with the idea for murals at Knox County’s three Flagship schools, it was an easy decision to accept. She had spent years talking about her experience at UT and the opportunities the Flagship Scholarship gave her. Now, she had the chance to turn those experiences into something students could see every day.
“I just hope it really inspires students that they realize what an insane opportunity they have at their own front door. UT is incredible. There are so many different degrees that you can come out of UT with and go straight into job opportunities. I just hope that the younger generation doesn’t think, ‘I can’t afford college,’ but instead they think, ‘I have this amazing program that’s going to allow me to go to this amazing school.”
Paris Woodhull (’17)
Since graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2D Art, concentrating on painting and drawing, Woodhull has stayed connected with the “huge community” that comes with being a UT alumna.
She has continued to collaborate with the university on projects and return to campus as her career has grown—painting the Rock for Big Orange Preview, putting a mural on State Street Garage in downtown Knoxville, and completing several digital pieces like campus maps.
Her latest project brings the relationship full circle, allowing her to give back to the university and community that gave her the foundation to pursue an art career.
“If you had told me in school that I would have UT as one of my clients in my future, I would have told you that you’re wrong,” says Woodhull. “I would have been like, ‘No way, there’s no way.’ So, it’s really, really cool that they continue to partner with me. I’m so honored.”
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