Painted Gardens

2015 Collection of Murals, 50 running feet

Site: Mark Making’s East Chattanooga Campus at the intersection of North Chamberlain Avenue and Glass Street

Artists: 50 participants from Orchard Knob Middle School and Girls Inc of Chattanooga, in collaboration with professional artists Frances McDonald and Rondell Crier

Partners: Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Orchard Knob Middle School, Girls Inc of Chattanooga, and Tennessee Arts Commission

Description: Drawing on inspiration from the late Dennis Palmer, one of Chattanooga’s most innovative painters and improvisational musicians, participants considered his work and the use of pattern in both visual and audio arts. Participants in these workshops studied vegetation and created Palmer-esque surrealistic drawings built from patterns, which were enlarged, traced onto a cloth, and painted by the teens. The painted vegetation were collaged and adhered to Mark Making’s buildings, in a place making effort that helps anchor Glass Street as a community of creative contributors.

Painted Gardens was funded in part by Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and Tennessee Arts Commission.