Thank you Chattanooga!

Posted on May 18, 2013 by art120org
Art Car Artist, WEndy Tippens shares a smile with a new friend at the Scenic City Art Car Parade.

Art Car Artist, WEndy Tippens shares a smile with a new friend at the Scenic City Art Car Parade.

Wow, what a wonderful event! The Scenic City Art Car Weekend celebrated our city’s creative side with 35 contraptions which included sixteen artists from out of town, four school entries, our own urban art bikes, and two local artists. We visited fifteen schools, organized a free public parade for Chattanooga and held our first art car ball with the sultry and mesmerizing sounds of Ashley & the X’s.

Lafayette Middle School's Spanish Class wins the 2013 Scenic City Golden Gnome Award.

Lafayette Middle School’s Spanish Class wins the 2013 Scenic City Golden Gnome Award.

Mike Wooden’s Spanish class at Lafayette Middle School took the Golden Gnome Award with their art car, “El Carro de Arte”. In addition to an amazing trophy and bragging rights, Mike’s class has a choice of a $500 award for their school or a Gnome workshop with Matt Dutton compliments of Rick City. We had so much fun and raised awareness for the importance of introducing workforce development skills through arts education.

Look for us on May 27th on the North Shore during the time trials for the US cycling event. Come take a ride on the swing bike and middle school age kids can register for our urban art bikes workshops.

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Chattanooga, Start Your Art Cars!!!!

Posted on April 4, 2013 by art120org

We are one week away from an amazing free public art event in this city. Artists from across the country will be stopping by for a weekend of arts education and celebration. Here is a breakdown of what’s on tap…

Kids get to meet the artists and discuss their work up close during the Art-Car-A-Van.

Kids get to meet the artists and discuss their work up close during the Art-Car-A-Van.

Friday, April 12th – Art-Car-A-Van
Be on the lookout Friday morning
as art cars will be heading to schools in Hamilton County. Our goals is
to reach at least sixteen of the thirty-five elementary schools that do not have an art program. We are delighted to have the support of the Community Foundation to help us provide this important service that empowers kids to believe in their ideas, learn new approaches to art, and respect cultural differences.

Register your school today.

 

Canines get to ride shotgun in Nancy William's Art Car, "Nippy Thelma".

Canines get to ride shotgun in Nancy William’s Art Car, “Nippy Thelma”.

Saturday Morning, April 13th –
Tailgate Party by the Choo-Choo
Art cars will line up on West 14th and Market across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo for free family fun. See the art cars up close, meet the artists, and vote for your favorite school entry! All schools will receive awards, but only one can walk away with the Golden Gnome Award and $500 prize courtesy of Rock City.

 

 

Art car artist, Wendy Tippens, waves to the crowd on Main Street.

Art car artist, Wendy Tippens, waves
to the crowd on Main Street.

Saturday Noon, April 13th –
The Parade Begins!
Art cars are best viewed in action! Come on out and cheer for your favorite school entry or artist as they head down Main Street, over Rossville Boulevard, and loop through Jefferson Heights.
The art cars will line back up
on Main after the parade.

 

 


AshXPromo2

Saturday 7pm-10pm, April 13th – The Art Car Ball, Miller Plaza -
Dance the night away to Ashley &
the X’s, enjoy fabulous food, and of course, art cars that shine! This event is free to attend, but bring your appetite. A portion
of the proceeds from Art 120 partner restaurants benefit our educational outreach programs.

 

Melanie Harris' Tiki car at night.

Melanie Harris’ Tiki car at night.

Want to get Involved?
Enjoy the most creative volunteer position you will ever love that also helps children while supporting our creative community.
Click here to sign up today.

 

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2nd Scenic City Art Car Weekend Planned for April

Posted on August 30, 2012 by art120org

CFGCThanks to a grant from the Community Foundation, art cars will once again roam the streets of Chattanooga during our Scenic City Art Car Weekend. Our primary focus is to reach sixteen of the 35 schools that do not have an art program. While they are here, we are planning a weekend of festivities similar to last year. This includes the art car parade, the art car ball, and an award ceremony that recognizes schools for their entries. Right now, we are coordinating our efforts with local art organizations, businesses, and schools to make this year’s parade even better.

Last spring, Chattanoogans opened their city and their minds to allow art to literally take the streets and support the Scenic City Art Car Parade. Thank you for helping us launch this amazing art event. Here’s a look at the numbers:

Ohio Artist, Greg Phelps, discusses "That Car #3" with students at Battle Academy.

Ohio Artist, Greg Phelps, discusses
his sculpture, “That Car #3″, with
students at Battle Academy.

32  art contraptions made by:

14   artists
9   middle school age kids,
1   museum program
2   schools.

1,230   children learned about art and art cars during our caravan to local schools and Siskin Institute.

In just 3 days, art cars were seen by over 1,500 Chattanooga drivers and 2,000 Parade Spectators, and seen by community at large in The Times Free Press and on four local TV News broadcasts.

PLUS:    Patrons of Rock City, Palate 2 Palette,
Faux Bridges Arts Festival, and the Hunter Museum.

AND … Chattanooga was recognized nationally as an official artcar destination

An impromptu entry proves its the people that make this event special.

An impromptu entry proves its the people that make this event.

This all was made possible by:

20   Amazing volunteers
8   Terrific sponsors:
             Coca-Cola
             Rock City
             CSAS
             Champy’s Fried Chicken
             St. Elmo Firehall
             Boyd Design Group
             Coker Tire
             Moccasin Bend Brewing.

And of course artists, educators, students and a couple
“Just Fooling Around.”

 

Posted in Art, Art and Events, art car, art car weekend, Art in Atlanta, Art in Birmingham, Art in Chattanooga, Art in Knoxville, Art in Nashville, artist, bike, business, car, education, electric, Engineering, fabrication, Houston, local, machine, media, Middle School, music, Orange Show, photograph, social media, visionary, welding | Leave a comment

LaFayette Schools Sweep the Art Car Awards!

Posted on April 15, 2012 by art120org

The Scenic City’s Inaugural Art Car Parade was a huge success! The student bikes and Truck-Ceratops were amazing! Both LaFayette upper schools entered some amazing creations and took all three student awards this year with the coveted Golden Gnome Award going to LaFayette Middle School for their pedaled creation, Horsepower. Congratulations!

Posted in Art, Art and Events, art car, art car weekend, Art in Atlanta, Art in Chattanooga, artist, bike, car, Chicken, education, Engineering, fabrication, high school, media, Middle School, paint, photograph, school, science, social media, street art, visionary, vocational, welding | Leave a comment

CSAS to host Bonnie Blue for The Scenic City Art Car Weekend!

Posted on March 26, 2012 by art120org
Women that rock van

Bonnie will unveil her art car’s new look to the public during The Scenic City Art Car Tailgate Party at 9am, April 14th across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo on West 14th. This event is free and open to the public. Come on down and enjoy the fun! The art cars roll down Main Street at noon.

On April 13th The Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) will host a very special guest to share with students how important it is to believe in yourself. Nine years ago, Bonnie Blue had an idea to paint portraits on rocks. Rather than doubting her idea, Ms. Blue embraced it as a gift. With the help of her family, Bonnie created an art car based on her stone paintings called, “Women that Rock”. Since that day, her “idea” has taken Bonnie across the country, been featured on TV, and has introduced her to famous people. Ms. Blue loves to talk to kids about her car, her art, and that it is okay to be different.

“Our emphasis of providing a well rounded educational experience through the integration of the arts in our curriculum has been a focus we continue to build at CSAS Elementary. We are excited about being afforded this unique opportunity to partner with ART 120 and look forward to the positive impact this experience will have for our students.” — William Fain, CSAS Principal K-5

Bonnie Blue’s visit is part of the art car caravan organized by Art 120, a local non-profit created to enrich Chattanooga and its surrounding community through the creation, education, and celebration of art. On April 13th from 9am-noon, artists will drive their mobile masterpieces to participating area schools for an in-school field trip. Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences is the official guest host for Bonnie Blue and her “Women That Rock” art car. On April 14th, Bonnie and several other enjoyable works of art, some complete with lights, sound, and found objects will line up on West 14th Street across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo beginning at 9am and end with a parade down Main Street at noon. The public will have a chance to see the work up close as well as visit with the artists and students who created this art on wheels. To learn how your school can become a guest host, contact Kate Warren directly by phone at 423/314-6659 or via email: info@art120.org

Posted in Art, Art and Events, art car, art car weekend, Art in Atlanta, Art in Birmingham, Art in Chattanooga, Art in Knoxville, Art in Nashville, artist, car, education, Engineering, fabrication, Houston, international, media, Middle School, paint, photograph, school, science, social media, street art, vocational | Leave a comment

Chattanooga Start Your Art Cars!

Posted on February 17, 2012 by art120org

Art cars entertain in all shapes and sizes. Peacock photo by Paul McRae

After a year of planning and art car summer programs, the time has come to share this amazing art form with the city. The call is out across the country for people to participate in this region’s very first art car event.

Coordinated to occur the same weekend as the 4Bridges Arts Festival, the Scenic City Art Car Weekend will be part of the opening events during the HATCH 10 day celebration of art. The festivities begin April 14th with a lineup and tailgate party over by The Chattanooga Choo-Choo at 9am and will complete with a parade down Main Street
around 11:45 am. This event is free and open to the public.

What is an art car?
An art car is a vehicle (car, bike, or wheeled contraption) that has had its appearance
modified as an act of personal artistic expression. Some of these works of art on wheels incorporate robotics, alternative fuel sources, painting, performance, and recycled materials.

Art cars and Awareness
This medium literally gets art and programs out from behind closed doors and into the streets. Art cars reach people of all ages and socio-economic levels. This is especially true for people who have never stepped foot into an art gallery, a theatre center, or museum before. You do not have to be an artist to create an art car either, all you need is desire, a vehicle, and a plan. Many non-profit organizations have created art cars as therapy programs, as educational tools, for fundraising events, and to showcase their public programs. To learn more about this exciting event for Chattanooga, click here.

Posted in Art, Art and Events, art car, art car weekend, Art in Atlanta, Art in Birmingham, Art in Chattanooga, Art in Knoxville, Art in Nashville, artist, bike, business, car, Chicken, domestic, education, electric, Engineering, fabrication, high school, Houston, integration, international, local, machine, media, Middle School, music, Orange Show, paint, photograph, school, science, social media, solar, street art, theater, video, visionary, vocational, welding | Leave a comment

Stay Tuned Chattanooga, Art Cars Are Coming!

Posted on February 9, 2012 by art120org

SAVE the Date! On April 14th 2012, Chattanooga’s Southside will come alive with this region’s first art car parade. Art 120 is organizing this high profile event as part of the HATCH Arts Festival which celebrates art, innovation, and provides a public venue for students to present their completed art cars alongside professional artists. We have been busy making preparations and will be releasing the full details and registration forms soon.

International High School's entry made from recycled materials was a Houston favorite last year.

What is an art car?
An art car is a vehicle (car, bike, or wheeled contraption) that has had its
appearance modified as an act of personal artistic expression. Some of these works of art on wheels incorporate robotics, alternative fuel sources, painting, performance, and recycled materials.

Twenty-five years ago, the Houston parade began with just a few art cars and small crowd. Today, this event has grown into a celebration of art with over 250 art cars from across the country participating and 300,000 spectators coming out to see them.

Art cars and Awareness
This medium literally brings art into the streets. As an uncommon form of art, art cars encourage participation from people of all ages and socio-economic levels. This is especially true for people who have never stepped foot into an art gallery, a theatre center, or museum before. You do not have to be an artist to create an art car either, all you need is desire, a vehicle, and a plan. Many non-profit organizations have created art cars as therapy programs, as educational tools, for fundraising events, and to showcase their public programs.

Reaching out
Providing free access to art at public events connect Chattanooga residents and tourists with our vibrant arts culture while giving students a chance to receive positive recognition for their achievements. Our 2011 students have already this positive reinforcement first-hand while riding in events such as River Rocks, Mainx24, and on display at venues such as the IMAX 3D Movie Theater and The Creative Discovery Museum. This April they will have the opportunity to ride alongside professional artists during Chattanooga’s first art car weekend. This annual celebration as part of the HATCH Arts Festival will be a showstopper to promote artists, downtown businesses, and local organizations.

Posted in Art, Art and Events, art car, art car weekend, Art in Atlanta, Art in Birmingham, Art in Chattanooga, Art in Knoxville, Art in Nashville, artist, bike, business, car, domestic, education, electric, Engineering, fabrication, local, machine, media, Middle School, Orange Show, photograph, science, social media, solar, street art, theater, visionary, vocational, welding | Leave a comment

Students Shine with Solar Power in the Holiday Starlight Parade

Posted on December 12, 2011 by art120org

Art bikes and artists line up beside the Volkswagen float.

Saturday was a fun-filled evening for downtown Chattanooga. Both art bikes and artists had a fabulous time preparing for the big event and the crowd loved their sculptures. Instead of conventional light sources, Art 120 relied mostly on solar power to keep art bikes lit throughout the night. “We were looking for an efficient, lightweight source and, thanks to a friend, quickly realized solar would be the best choice.”

 

An art bike rider waits for the lights to power up on the swing bike.

In fact, it was so successful that Art 120 will look at ways to incorporate this source of energy into their summer art bike workshops.

Last year due to zero sponsorship, this annual event was cancelled. According to WRCB, Volkswagen stepped in and made this event possible for our local families to enjoy. They also noted that this event was a much needed boost for downtown businesses as well. To view WRCB’s news story, see the link below. In case you missed the parade lovely evening, channel 3 will air the event in its entirety, December 17th at 1:00pm. Thank you Chattanooga Presents, Volkswagen and WRCB for providing such a wonderful community event.

Holiday Starlight Parade boosts downtown business – WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports.

 

Posted in Art, Art and Events, art car, Art in Chattanooga, artist, bike, business, car, education, Engineering, fabrication, high school, international, local, media, Middle School, social media, solar, vocational, welding | Leave a comment

Art Bikes on Parade for Mainx24

Posted on December 5, 2011 by art120org

Photoproof caught us Saturday in the Mainx24 Parade. What a great event. Here’s the footage.

Posted in Art, Art and Events, Art in Chattanooga, bike, business, education, Engineering, fabrication, high school, local, media, Middle School, photograph, school, science, street art, visionary, vocational, welding | Leave a comment

The River Otter is on the Loose

Posted on November 14, 2011 by art120org

Art car artist, Rebecca Bass,  left a lot of artcar momentum going after her seminar. Three weeks ago, artists, educators, and engineers assembled at Chattanooga State University to embark on a project never seen before, an art car created especially for the city of Chattanooga.

The Concept
Take an old, Toyota Chinook Camper and turn it into our scenic city on wheels. Our team worked together to create the design. Below are a few images show the original vehicle and our progress so far. As you can see, Lookout and Signal Mountain sit majestically on the roof with the Tennessee River spilling over either side of our sculpture. The passenger side represents the wonderful outdoor activities we enjoy and the driver’s side reveals our vibrant arts community. And gracefully hanging over the hood, we have a river otter to represent our wildlife.

Why?
Ever since the creation of the automobile, people have been modifying their cars, and receiving lots of smiles in return. Artwork like this is accessible to anyone, even those who have never stepped foot in an art gallery or museum before. Art cars combine both art and engineering, making them an excellent classroom project too. Furthermore, art cars are made from recycled parts. Many of these cars and their accessories are found objects destined more for the landfill than on the street. Artists all over the world tap into this form of of art and ultimately create something good for mankind.

What’s next?
This art car is currently under construction and will go on to participate in several public events such as Mainx24, Chattanooga’s first art car parade in April 2012, as well as represent Chattanooga in The 2012 Houston Art Car Parade.

Want to help?
Join us for some fun and inspiration. Share your thoughts and exchange ideas. Our next informal workshop will be Saturday, November 19th from 11am-5pm and it’s free. To register, please email katewarren@art120.org and she will add you to the list. School Classes and teachers are welcome too! Just call 423/314-6659 to see if we can arrange an all our art workday for your school.

Objects are Cool too.
Art 120 is also accepting old Chattanooga memorabilia, mardi gras beads, ornamental metal, etc. People interested in donating items for a tax deduction may contact Art 120 via email info@art120.org. Please list your contact info, type of donation, and we will coordinate with you.

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