Wednesday, May 27, 2009

‘Zero Sum: Experiments in Game Theory’ Opens Saturday

CreateHere is pleased to announce the opening of our next show, Zero Sum: Experiments in Game Theory. From Twister in the family room to animated flash games on the web, this exhibition finds a space to explore why we play games, and what our games say about us.

Zero Sum is a multi-disciplinary juried fine arts show featuring work by artists from around the country, including:

• Kem Alexander, sculpture
• Gideon Barnett, photography
• Andrew Breen, mixed media
• Matthew Dutton, mixed media
• Shaun Inman, digital media
• Katie Ward Knutson, painting
• Amy Mayfield, painting
• Tammy Mercure, photography
• Sonia Sinton, sculpture/mixed media
• Joshua Summerville, mixed media
• Rachel Wolfe, photography

We’re kicking off the six-week exhibit with a night of mind-games and competitive fun. Join us from 6 to 9 pm on Saturday, May 30. The evening starts with tunes by Reeve Hunter, who counts video-game music mash-ups among the pieces in his repertoire. Then the gloves come off for a two-hour pub quiz hosted by Eddie Bridges. Prizes, drinks, and a chance at glory, all in the CreateHere gallery space. And on the tap? Big River beer.

From Twister in the family room to animated flash games on the web, Zero Sum finds a space to explore why we play games, and what our games say about us. The exhibition takes its name from game theory, where the term describes any situation in which a player’s gains and losses balance perfectly with those of their competitor, and the result is zero. There’s no collective gain, and no collective loss. In this exhibit, that spirit of equality drives us to accept diverse submissions, to celebrate the blank slate looking forward, together with the memories of our favorite pastimes.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Spring in Chattanooga: Community Events that Make the Season Sweet

Spring’s here, y’all. Finally, right? And just in time: the coming weeks have a lot in store for sun-starved Chattanoogans, starting this Friday.

Friday, May 22
Talle Johnson Pottery presents new pieces straight of the kiln, with light refreshments and a gallery viewing from 4 pm to 8:30 pm. The event features work by Talle Johnson, Marian Heintz, and Lolly Durant. Talle Johnson Pottery is located just over the Georgia state line, 612 Chattanooga Valley Road.

Decosimo Rogers Studio presents a Chinese calligraphy performance with calligrapher Zhou Tongke of Nanjing University from 7 pm to 9 pm. Tongke will be accompanied by local musicians, including soprano Desirée Earl Soteres, of Hops and Opera fame, and fiddler Joseph Decosimo, a MakeWork 2008 grant recipient. Decosimo Rogers Studio is located at 1427 Williams Street.

The 2009 season of Nightfall kicks off at 7 pm, with headliners Lil’ Malcolm & the Zydeco House Rockers, with the Dexter Thomas Band opening.

Saturday, May 23
Who-Fest, a folk art festival, runs both Saturday and Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm in Renaissance Park. Features local art and music.

Coolidge Park hosts Hip Fest from 10 am to 6 pm, with hula hoops and kids games in the park, plus yoga on the Theater Center front lawn, presented by Riverside Yoga.

In the very near future…
On May 28, Chattanoogans get a sneak peek at Clearstory, located at 400 East Main Street. Learn more about the future of alternative energy living in Chattanooga, over drinks, aerial dancing, and a film screening of Thick as Thieves, the first full-length features shot entirely in Chattanooga.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Young Monster weekend, starting June 6. The design think-tank and screen printing shop launches a summer clothing line and new rock posters, with a big gig at JJ’s, featuring Coral Castles, Forest Magic, and Giant Tiger. They’ll also be selling monster wares at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, June 7.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Josh McManus participates in Next American Vanguard Conference

We’re pleased to announce that Josh McManus, CreateHere’s Co-founder and Creative Strategist, will participate in the Next American Vanguard conference, organized by Next American City magazine. This two-day conference is hosted in Washington DC and begins today.

“Next American Vanguard is a gathering of more than 30 of the country’s brightest young urban leaders,” according to Next American City. “Hailing from 18 different states with equally diverse backgrounds, these environmental justice advocates, community organizers, consultants, designers, politicians and others share a dedication to improving American cities and fostering a network of like-minded advocates.”

During the conference, each Vanguard has been asked to present briefly—with no supplemental materials—on behalf of their organization or work. This unique introduction will be followed by a rapid-fire question from panelists in the areas of sustainability and green issues; urban economy and job creation; or investing in cities; and how these issues relate specifically to the Vanguard’s hometown. From there, Vanguards will be grouped into breakout discussions that draw upon individual experience, as well as historical references learned during a day of keynote addresses and site visits around DC.

For Chattanooga, Josh’s participation in this ground-breaking conference heralds big things. Our city is recognized daily for the cutting-edge work that goes on here, the work that distinguishes us from other mid-sized cities in America. To give to and take from a brain trust of urban leaders like these Vanguards is an honor for us, and a great opportunity for our city.

Photo courtesy Next American City.

SpringBoard presents Peer Roundtables for local CEOs

Chattanooga is home to a dynamic economic landscape, and to date, more than a dozen small business development and entrepreneur support organizations exist here to help new entrepreneurs make bottom lines out of big dreams. But as of yet, no organization is singularly focused on supporting Chattanooga’s second-stage and high-growth businesses. SpringBoard, CreateHere’s family of economic programs, is pleased to announce the launch of Peer Roundtables, a program that will offer vital support services for this distinct group of business leaders.

Peer Roundtables is a series of twelve monthly meetings for CEOs of second-stage businesses. At each Peer Roundtable meeting, a facilitator guides ten to twelve local CEOs from different industries in discussing their experiences and insights in a confidential setting, driving innovation and problem-solving.

“I’m excited about the prospect of a peer group starting in Chattanooga that will focus on growth and innovation,” said Tim Kelly, CEO of Kelly Auto Group. “I am a big believer in the power of these groups to make all the members better operators—particularly with the focus and priorities CreateHere has set for this group. It is very compelling.”

According to the Edward Lowe Foundation, Chattanooga may be home to as many as 2,500 mid-size companies. “An opportunity exists in our city to better support these businesses,” said Sheldon Grizzle, Director of SpringBoard. “Peer Roundtables provides CEOs and business owners with valuable insight to hone decision-making and improve business performance for participants.”

SpringBoard is a resource hub for Chattanooga’s entrepreneurs, working to build a vibrant, flourishing community by energizing the local economy through three developmental programs: the Business Planning Course, a Panel Discussion series and Peer Roundtables. These programs aim to bridge gaps between great ideas and profitable outcomes. SpringBoard empowers Chattanooga’s own by giving local businesses a chance to reach their productive capacity.

Peer Roundtables are forming now. Apply by June 15. Applications are available for download.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Vacation Season: Summer in Chattanooga

Our city is home to countless diversions, but sorting through vacation options takes a local’s eye. The Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau recently launched a social itineraries site, where Chattanoogans can submit their summer fun suggestions, for locals and visitors alike.

As it turns out, almost 90% of visitors look to the web for vacation ideas. This program lets people unfamiliar with our city’s glories and wonders find a visit that’s best for them, bringing new faces to the places and pastimes we love. Submit an itinerary, or visit the CVB’s site for a list of Top Ten Summer Adventures.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Business Planning Course Graduates 115th Entrepreneur

SpringBoard is proud to announce the graduation of its third Business Planning Class in 2009—its ninth class overall. Monday evening, seven entrepreneurs completed the course, placing them among 115 total graduates to complete the business planning curriculum since March of 2008. Their enterprises offer a variety of services, including customized graphic design, professional writing, video production, a line of natural hair and skincare products, athletic mentoring and an eco-friendly courier.

While some students enrolled to improve their existing businesses, others were preparing to open their doors and join Chattanooga’s growing entrepreneurial community. Two class members, Nick Dupey and Alison Burke of Young Monster, create customized graphic design and offer screen-printing, along with their own line of retail apparel and art prints. “The budgeting and financial aspects of the class were invaluable,” Burke said. “[The class] really helped us gauge how to begin breaking down these aspects into digestible parts.”

Jennifer Hoff, currently a freelance writer who hasn’t established her small business yet, said that networking with fellow entrepreneurs in the class was helpful. Hoff also felt “having focused time to plan business strategies” gave her a solid vision for her future business.

The next round of classes begins Monday, June 29. Classes run from 6-9 pm at the CreateHere studio on East Main Street, and fees are determined on a sliding scale. To pre-register or request more information, contact Trey Meyer at 423-648-2195 or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

MakeWork Grants: Over $300,000 Awarded to Local Creatives

CreateHere is pleased to announce that we’ve awarded MakeWork grants to 34 Chattanooga creatives. Grant monies come in at $301,226—nearly double the initially planned total—thanks to the strength and promise of this year’s applicants, in addition to generous support from the Lyndhurst and Benwood foundations.

In economic hard times, conventional wisdom tells us that creative individuals and enterprises take the deepest cuts; that creative work is, in fact, a dispensable luxury. But CreateHere couldn’t disagree more. We believe the arts are essential to developing and maintaining healthy local economies.

We went into MakeWork 2009 promising $150,000 to local creatives, confident that this year’s applications would carry the same weight and promise as last year’s. When we received $1.3 million in requests—each application uniquely Chattanoogan, with potentially enormous economic implications—we recognized that local creatives were more productive than even we thought possible.

Where there is a need, there is certainly a way. Support from local foundations, plus the addition of $4,575 in application fees to the grant purse, made CreateHere’s vision to build Chattanooga’s cultural economy a reality through MakeWork. Our economic stimulus package gives local creatives the ability to pursue projects and advance their careers, and make real waves in Chattanooga’s economy.

We’ll keep you posted on details regarding recipients, final totals, and the creative capital coming out of MakeWork 2009. Look for more information later this week.

Stand: A community visioning effort, for you and for me

Stand is a community visioning effort for the Chattanooga region. You’ve heard word in several media outlets, including the Times Free Press and local news blog Chattarati. And maybe you’ve taken the four-question survey yourself. However you know about Stand, and wherever you’ve seen it in your community, you must know: this effort is about your deepest hopes for our community. No agenda, just dream.

We at CreateHere have had the privilege to witness some of the early planning that went into Stand, which is led by a team of community volunteers and leaders. Our staff members have taken the survey, and as invaluable supporters of the work we do, we urge you to do the same. Let the focus of the survey be all your own, and the action that follows will reflect exactly what you want.

In perusing Stand’s volunteer page, we found some great ways to plug in, and being fans of the blog format, thought we’d try our hand at a little something in that arena. A little prompt from our colleagues on the visioning effort:

“Show and tell: what’s your big idea for Chattanooga? Share your daydreams, off-the-wall ideas and napkin sketches, no matter how outlandish or practical.”

So, our big ideas for Chattanooga? Parks and public transportation, green energy and downtown nightlife. For Trey Meyer, economy Fellow, the Chattanooga of the future is as noble as it is productive. “An interactive community that inspires human progress—life, liberty and the pursuit of purpose.”

For Katherine Nielsen, executive liaison, Chattanooga’s future is bright green. “We would be the top investor and user of innovative, green technologies in transportation and other municipal operations, like having cisterns to manage storm water and simultaneously creating a source of water for keeping parks green or filtering to make it potable.”

And for you? What’s your big idea for Chattanooga? Tell Stand, and tell the entire region.

Monday, May 04, 2009

“And the Iron did Swim,” Work by Mary Barnett | Opening May 8 at Tanner Hill Gallery

We’re pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition of MakeWork 2008 recipient Mary Barnett’s work. “And the Iron did Swim” opens Friday, May 8 at Tanner Hill Gallery, with a reception from 5:30 to 8 pm. This show features documentary photography, captured at Chattanooga’s U.S. Pipe Foundry, a visible relic in the cityscape, which Barnett has been photographing since 2006.

“The place, the structure, the bones are good and so is the opportunity to gain a sense of who we are while respecting what happened before us,” says Barnett. “This past belongs to everyone. By documenting and embracing it we have an opportunity to anchor all of us through time.”

In capturing the structure, Barnett came to know the workers at the plant, as well, spending time with them and learning their stories. “There was so much passion and energy in those spaces and I wanted to know what the workers were like.”

For more information on Barnett’s work at the Foundry, visit her site. Also check out an article on Barnett’s work in today’s edition of the Times Free Press.

New Work in the Art-o-mat

The Art-o-mat came to Chattanooga just two and a half weeks ago, and in that short time, the machine’s made many friends—and cultivated addicts out of humble art buyers. This morning we reloaded the machine with work by Leigh Adams, Chattanooga-based Herb Hoover, DeWitt Young, and Nemo, among a list of 20 other artists who already have or very soon will exhibit in the vintage cigarette machine.

Come by and visit the machine, which vends original art pieces for $5 a pop. CreateHere’s gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays in the summer from 9 am to 1 pm.

For more information on the Art-o-mat, visit creator Clark Whittington’s site, dedicated to these vintage glories.