Bonnie Blue visit
Bonnie Blue at CGLA
In April, 20 artists from across the country will be heading to Chattanooga for the most creative caravan and free public art event this side of the Mississippi. The Scenic City Art Car Weekend, organized by local non-profit Art 120, returns for its third year. Thanks to the support of The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, private donations, corporate support, and in partnership with Hamilton County Department of Education, these artists will reach 10,000 elementary school children that do not have an art program in their school.
“Art has proved itself to be a crucial part of childhood development,” said Executive Director Kate Warren.
“Art teaches critical thinking skills and encourages learning on an interactive level. It’s no surprise that the one thing our six highest achieving elementary schools in Hamilton County have in common is a visual arts program.”
The Scenic City Art Car Weekend will have something for everyone. The Art-Car-A-Van will kick things off Friday, April 4, with a creative morning commute to participating schools. Later, adults can catch a sneak peek Friday night at the Art Car Ball from 7-10 p.m. at Miller Plaza. This free evening promises to be quite an event with costumes, high energy dance music, and cars that light up in the night. Trophies and bragging rights for the most creative attire. Proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit the Urban Art Bike Workshops and other Art 120 programs.
An Art Car Tailgate Party across from The Creative Discovery Museum, will be on Saturday, April 5, in the parking lot at 4th and Broad from 9 a.m.-noon. Meet the artists, see these mobile masterpieces up close, and vote for your favorite school entry before they hit the streets. The Art Car Parade begins at 12:30 p.m. and continues down Broad to Main Street. From 1-5 p.m., artists will line up along Main Street for a drag on the Southside where Art 120 will announce which school entries will receive the $500 Golden Gnome Award for most popular art car and the $400 Silver Spoke for the best human powered contraption.
More details are online at www.art120.org or on Art 120’s Facebook page.