Three semifinalists have been selected to create concept designs for the permanent memorial to honor the five service members who were killed during the domestic terror attack on July 16, 2015.
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, Public Art Chattanooga, Erlanger representatives, and members of the Fallen Five Memorial Steering Committee on Tuesday afternoon provided details on the process. During the press conference at the Hubert Fry Center, which is in close proximity to the two site options selected for the memorial and near the Naval Reserve Center, the names and details of the three semifinalists were released to the public.
"Almost two year ago, Chattanooga was forever changed," said Mayor Berke. "And since that day, we have come together in a variety of ways to honor and remember our Fallen Five -- from the murals on McCallie Avenue and the monument on Lee Highway to events like the Heroes Run. This memorial will add to all the ways we pay tribute by creating a special place along the river to pray, reflect, and honor our Fallen Five and their families.”
After a request for qualifications process, Public Art Chattanooga received more than 50 applications from across the country of artists who wanted to help Chattanooga memorialize the Fallen Five. The semifinalists are Gordon Huether and Gates + Associates, Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee of Re:site, and Howard Meehan and William Freer of Firefly Studio. Next, the three semifinalists will submit concept designs, incorporating one or both site options along the Tennessee River for the final memorial.
“Hamilton County is pleased the selection process for the Fallen Five Memorial has been narrowed down to three excellent candidates," said County Mayor Coppinger. "We believe their designs will not only pay tribute to the fallen five but will also embrace the essence of the Riverwalk where the memorial will reside. Visitors will be able to properly honor and respect the heroes from July 16, 2015.”
At the Riverpark on Tuesday, Public Art Chattanooga displayed past work from the semifinalists, which the artists submitted as part of the request for qualifications process. The memorial steering committee outlined next steps, which include reviewing the concept designs and making a final selection of the artist that will ultimately create the Fallen Five Memorial.
"Creating a memorial that incorporates aspects of remembrance and the healing needs of a community can be a challenge,” said Katelyn Kirnie, director of Public Art Chattanooga. “We received an incredible amount of applications from talented artists, and the artist selection panel has selected top candidates that I know will fully consider these important spaces and create a meaningful memorial for our community.”
With donations from the Chattanooga Heroes Run and Erlanger, the Fallen Five Memorial Fund launched last year. The proceeds from this year’s Heroes Run and donations from the community will also go toward this fund, which is hosted at the Chattanooga Community Foundation.
To learn more about the Fallen Five Memorial visit http://connect.chattanooga.gov/publicart/fallenfivememorial.