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In Chattanooga, we believe strongly that public art enriches the places and spaces where we live, work, and play. It visually enhances our landscapes. Public art stirs interactions between community members and their environment. It adds artistic and creative dimensions to civic spaces.
The first major public art project was launched as part of downtown's 21st Century Waterfront Project, as an unprecedented 1% of the waterfront budget ($1.2 million) was allocated to purchase public art, and resulted in 3 major public art projects, the Light Masts on the Chattanooga Pier, the Native American art installation at the Passage, and the First Street Sculpture Garden. A citizen committee appointed by the mayor was formed to oversee the project. Partner organizations included Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, the City of Chattanooga, the Hunter Museum of American Art, and River City Company.
For a walking tour map of just some of Chattanooga’s public art installations, click here.
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The First Street Sculpture Garden
The First Street Incline and Sculpture Garden are at First and Market Streets in downtown Chattanooga. Take a 50-second ride on the First Street Incline up to the Walnut St. Bridge. Walk through the Sculpture Garden to reach the Holmberg Bridge and then cross Riverfront Parkway to the Hunter Museum and Bluff View Arts District. Open 24 hours.
The River Gallery Sculpture Garden
River Gallery Sculpture Garden, designed by landscape architect Joe Baasch, is a two-acre outdoor exhibit space located in the Bluff View Art District overlooking the Tennessee River and was recently included in Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens.
Visitors to River Gallery Sculpture Garden enjoy one of the Southeast’s most impressive private collections of contemporary American sculpture, including work by Leonard Baskin, Allan Houser, Isamu Noguchi, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, and Ernest Trova.
River Gallery Sculpture Garden is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. until dusk, year-round. There is no charge for admission and printed guides can be obtained at the Sculpture Garden entrance for self-guided tours, or guided tours can be arranged through River Gallery. Exhibit information and images are available by contacting River Gallery.
Main Street
Since 2006, Public Art Chattanooga has organized an outdoor juried exhibition called “Art on Main” along the bustling sidewalks of Main Street. The exhibition rotates every two years and features the works of local/regional artists. Works are available for purchase.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Renaissance Park
Renaissance Park is a beautiful wetlands park that is home to three permanent pieces of public art. These include: Ascending Path, by Brad Bourgoynne and Aaron Hussey. This piece honors the site as an intersection of past events with the present and future of the Chattanooga community. The arching form of a bridge and a gateway supports seven silent travelers figures crossing the structure. The figures represent transition speaking to all of those who have moved through Chattanooga either by choice or by force. Renaissance Park is also home to “Tennessee Leaf” by Terry Allen and “A Place in the Wood” by Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse, pieces from the Hunter Museum’s Art in Public Places program.
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