Friday, October 31, 2008

CreateHere Votes!

Citizens and friends,

Next Tuesday is a big day for the United States, for all of us who believe in democracy and grassroots activism. Regardless of where you stand on the issues and the candidates, we ask, entreat, beg you to get out and vote. Global and local conversations alike start at the ballot box. It couldn’t be easier.

A few CreateHere folks, eager to get started on this project of democracy and enfranchisement, voted on Thursday, the last day that Tennesseans were eligible for early voting. The lines were long, but the cause worthwhile. Seeing that snake of eager voters, we all felt a little proud, a little excited, and more than a little ready to start new discussions with our fellow Chattanoogans.

To all those who have voted and those who will, we salute you!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Fighting Hunger with Pottery

The Jewish Community Federation of Greater Chattanooga (JCFGC) is calling for contributions of all kinds to help fight hunger. The organization’s goal is to make and sell 200 bowls at auction, in addition to selling and exhibiting pottery by professional artists, for an on-going fundraiser in the month of November. Proceeds will go to support the Empty Bowls project, which raises awareness of hunger while promoting potters and the ceramic arts.

In Chattanooga, the Empty Bowls project supports JCFGC’s Mitzvah Meals program, which has delivered over 3,500 free or reduced-priced meals to those in need.

This fundraiser will culminate with a simple meal on December 7. Tickets to the meal cost $6 per person.

Those interested in participating can help in the following ways:
• assist people coming to the Jewish Cultural Center in making bowls;
• donate a bowl for auction;
• make a bowl available on commission;
• come to the Simple Meal ($6 per person) to show your support for the project.

For more information on this event, contact Anne Treadwell at (423) 493-0270, or by visiting www.jewishchattanooga.com. Learn more about the Empty Bowls program here.

Mainx24: A Full Day of Southside Delight

Mainx24, an annual event celebrating wintry climes and creative endeavor, gives Chattanoogans the opportunity to live fancy-free with 24-hours of Main Street frolic. A day for showcasing and sharing, planned by locals.

This year’s event, kicking-off at 8 am on December 6, features a Southside gallery hop; a sampling of Middle-Eastern cuisine among Persian rugs; a Chattanooga tree lighting; a chance for a heart-to-heart with Santa; and several demonstrations by local artists. There’s a bicycle scavenger hunt, an open-house at the Battle Academy, and a fashion-show at the ChooChoo featuring local couture.

24-hours of cheer later, a night of Main Streeting—which includes a Habitat for Humanity benefit, midnight storytelling, and an after party in the wee hours—ends with mimosas and eggs benedict.

In 2007, CreateHere spearheaded this event, working cooperatively with businesses and artists to provide a day full of food and fun. This year, the neighborhood is taking the reigns, making the entertainment, bites, and available wares a true reflection of the Southside’s greatest asset: its people.

A complete schedule and list of participants will be available at mainx24.com on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Senior Fellow Kicks-Off Chattarati Feature

Sarah Lester, CreateHere’s resident communications expert since October 2007, sat down with Chattarati this week to discuss CreateHere’s mission, life-cycle, and on-the-ground work. The first interviewee in a new series called “Justify Your Existence,” we think Sarah started things off just right.

“We believe that if you invest in people, encourage them to unleash their imagination and unlock their potential, incredible things will happen,” she said. “Chattanooga’s greatest asset is its people and their ability to shape the future of this place. CreateHere is here to help that process.”

Read the full interview here.

“Scary Stuff” Opening Reception: What Gives You Shivers?

Looking for a few chilly thrills? This Hallow’s Eve, “Scary Stuff” begs the question, what makes your blood run cold?

Join CreateHere for a shiver-worthy gallery opening where we unveil a show exploring phobias, featuring spooky artifacts and works of terror. “Scary Stuff” runs from October 30 through November 28, with an opening reception on Halloween night.

According to curator, Jan Chenoweth, the artists featured in “Scary Stuff” drew inspiration from traditional Halloween themes of costumes, decay, horror, and a harvest-time celebration.

Featured artists include Cathy Collier, Mia Bergeron, Miki Boni, TJ Bowman, Carrie May Ezell, Katie Knutson, Shaun La Rose, John McLeod, John Petrey, Mary Helen Robert, and Steve Terelizze.

Trick-o-treaters of all ages are welcome to this free family-friendly event. Costumes are a must, as well as a love of all things scary.

Opening reception for “Scary Stuff”
October 31 | 5-8 pm
Show runs from October 30 to November 28

Murder on the Back-Lot: A Creative Discovery Museum Event

1930s Chattanooga is one apple of a town, until, that is, the opening of CDM Studios finds its director, filmmaker Louie D. Flayer, murdered in cold blood. The question on everyone’s mind is, whodunnit? Rumors are flying, in this studio full of plenty-rugged-types and lovely dames, that a ghost or two may be to blame.

But this is show biz, babe, and the show must go on. With the help of two enterprising gumshoes, the studio’s inaugural tour sallies on with business as usual, and it’s a ring-a-ding-ding murder mystery for studio employees and visitors alike.

Play along with the flatfoots at the Creative Discovery Museum’s annual Halloween Party, Saturday, November 1, 2008. There’s murder in the air, celluloid dreams in the making, and a speakeasy and jolly up for studio visitors. Just be sure to dress the part.

“Murder on the Back-Lot” is hosted by the Tower Club. Proceeds from this event support free admissions and scholarships to ensure that all children and families can benefit from the Museum’s education programs and exhibits.

To reserve your spot in the CDM Studios Murder Mystery, visit cdmfun.org. Tickets are $40 per person.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SpringBoard Announces Youth Entrepreneurship Competition

CreateHere’s innovative business development program, SpringBoard, has spent the last six months empowering a new wave of small business owners, current and aspiring. As of mid-November, 86 graduates of the business planning course will have entered Chattanooga’s creative business community, each specializing in a unique trade or services. SpringBoard now turns its attention to another group of promising entrepreneurs: high school students.

SpringBoard’s Youth Entrepreneurship Competition asks Chattanooga’s aspiring young business owners to organize and act. In completing an application, students draft a simple business plan. This business plan then becomes the grounds by which they are judged for a $500 grant, to be used for start-up costs, maintenance, marketing, even professional training. 

SpringBoard began as an eight-week business planning course, teaching participants to build a comprehensive business plan while receiving constructive feedback and group support. 

“SpringBoard was a great help in setting up a framework for my business,” said Casey Neal of Casey Neal Landscape Architecture, a SpringBoard graduate. “Working through the program helped me create a plan to take my business from a small startup to a professional operation.” 

The Youth Entrepreneurship Competition works in much the same way, asking targeted questions to get students thinking about the creative economy in tangible ways. While high school students may not have had access to business planning courses in the past, the plans and resources provided by this competition will allow them to act on their ambitions in much the same way as their seasoned counterparts. 

Through this program, as well as numerous other collective efforts, SpringBoard is defining a holistic approach to creative economic stimulation. This approach, known as Economic Gardening, promotes sustainable growth, micro-finance, and mentorship in business. 

Applications for the Youth Entrepreneurship Competition are due on December 8, 2008, and are available by contacting Sheldon Grizzle at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or by calling 423.648.2195.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

“Works on Paper” Opening Reception Friday

“Works on Paper,” opens this Friday at the Tanner-Hill Gallery and features pieces from seven artists working exclusively in paper. A reception from 5:30 to 8 pm kicks-off the show, which runs through November 21.

Tanner-Hill Gallery, located in the Southern Saddlery Building, is open every week, Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 pm, and by appointment.

Contact 423.280.7182 or visit tannerhillgallery.com for more information on this and past shows.

What? “Works on Paper” Opening Reception
Where? Tanner-Hill Gallery
Southern Saddlery Building
3069 South Broad, Suite 3
When? Friday, October 24 | 5:30 to 8 pm
Featured works by:
Barrett Brewer
Kaaren Engel
Geri Forkner
Jake Kelly
Karl Mullen
Juanita Tumelaire
Frank Zirbel

By Veronique Bergeron

Monday, October 20, 2008

Fundraising Campaign Features Unconventional Mascot

La Paz de Dios, a local non-profit that connects Hispanic communities to the organizations best equipped to serve their diverse needs, is hosting an unconventional fundraiser during the week of October 20. At the heart of the “Keep La Paz de Dios Alive” campaign is a character of small stature and big appeal.

Lalo, a five-foot tall hand-made piñata, is being dropped off and photographed in various local businesses to demonstrate the community’s continued support of this organization. While Lalo spent Monday touring the Hunter Museum, La Plaza Comunitaria, La Guatemalteca and The Holston Methodist Federal Credit Union, he’ll spend the rest of the week at the new Southside Mexican restaurant and grocery store, Main and Hawthorne Grocery. Each person who visits on Lalo’s behalf is encouraged to leave a business card: every card will be matched financially by the Main and Hawthorne Grocery.

Additionally, there are opportunities to provide direct support to La Paz de Dios. Visit the organization’s website at lapazdedios.com to find out how your donation can sustain this organization for an hour, a day, a week, or even a full month.

By Veronique Bergeron

Sunday, October 19, 2008

“StereoType” Brings Graffiti Artists to Chattanooga

While Chattanooga’s artist community is decidedly full, there are many unexplored perspectives in our town. As is often the case in hotbeds of creative conversation, there’s more than a little room for new voices to have a big impact here.

Creativinc, a new local arts organization, is working in partnership with New Juncture to host Chattanooga’s first progressive underground art show. The event, titled “StereoType,” will feature work from graffiti artists KyleG, Seven, Andrew Wright, Lucien Downes, Smooth-E, Shaun LaRose, Spectro, John Freese, and Fernando Martinez. In addition to work on display, the event will give guests a chance to paint while enjoying the workings of ToneHarm, a local DJ group.

The proceeds from “StereoType” will go to benefit Battle Academy’s art department. “As local artists, we hope to turn Chattanooga into an art Mecca. But, most importantly, the children in our public school systems need to have the tools to learn about art and use art as an expressive outlet,” said Andrew Wright, local artist and co-founder of Creativinc.

While this event may be a first for Chattanooga, it will not be the last of its kind: Creativinc intends to host four events annually, all with the same goal of adding new voices to the city’s creative mix.

“We want to give Chattanooga a closer look into what the art world has to offer,” said Fernando Martinez, another artist featured in the event and co-founder of Creativinc.

“StereoType” will be held at The Church at 1601 Rossville Avenue on Friday, October 24. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $12 online and $15 at the door. Event sponsors include Market St. Tavern, Big River, Atlanta Brewing Company and Royal Restrooms.

Visit www.Creativinc.com to purchase tickets.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Art & Artist Exhibition OCTOBER 25 & 26

Pumpkin Glow at Cloudland Station

Saturday and Sunday, October 25 & 26, Cloudland Station will host it’s 3rd Annual Pumpkin Glow festival full of games, zip lines, face painting, pony rides, food, pumpkin carving, hay rides, canoeing, hiking and….Artists!

This year will feature an Artist Cove at the center of the event.  Visitors can wander among the tents and tables of artists during the entire two days.  Admission for the artists is free as well as for their family members.  Artists may keep all of their proceeds from the sale of their art. 

Contact: 
Michelle Potter
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
678-386-8131

Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, October 22nd

Open to the Public.  Admission $15 per family. 

Location:
9862 Highway 193
Chickamauga, GA 30707
or visit CloudlandStation.com