Art, Wheels, Action!
Time to Get Rolling…
We Make is back Saturday, May 4th on the Chattanooga Green and the community is so excited to see what your students will make this year,An art car is any wheeled contraption created to suit the vision of the artist(s). Your art car could have a theme, show school pride, make a statement, or create something completely original just for fun. Most art car are made up from lots of little things so every student can make a piece of the main project. Students have arted up Green Prix Racers, scooters, bikes, cars, and even created their own wheeled sculpture. Only one school team will take home the Golden Gnome Award and $500 courtesy of Rock City. We can even come help you get started, just let us know on the application.
Need some help or inspiration? Our DIY and school art car inspiration videos are included in this article. Feel free to check out on your own or share with your class. Teachers can also choose to have an art car artist visit your school before the event but space is limited so you must register as soon as possible so we can get you on the schedule. Looking forward to seeing what your kids create for We Make 2024!
UpCycle Fashion Returns for We Make May 4th!
Calling All Fashion Creatives, $250 for the Best UpCycle Fashion is up for Grabs!
Are you a student with a knack for making the drab fab? Then we have just the event for you. Art 120 is partnering with Hamilton County Department of Education and Forrestall Consulting to showcase your fabulous UpCycle fashions on the Chattanooga Green stage. Anything you can re-design, recycling, re-imagineer is eligible. Students must be primary or grade school level and can work either as a team or solo to transform old clothes and discarded items into runway fashions. One student per entry will walk the runway and one school group, team, or individual will receive a trophy plus $250 courtesy of Art 120.
A professional fashion panel will select one fashion from the runway to receive $250 for their winning design courtesy of Art 120. All students involved may be onstage when their design is called but only one student per entry may walk the runway.
Need some help or inspiration? Our DIY and fashion inspiration videos included in this article. Teachers can also choose to have an UpCycle fashion artist visit your school before the event but space is limited so you must register as soon as possible so we can get you on the schedule. Looking forward to seeing what you create for We Make!
Art 120 Year-End Wrap Up
By Laila Smith
Art120 had a very busy year. We worked with many vendors, artists, schools, and most importantly: students! Check out some of our clickable stats below:
110 Students received a 4 day cultural music immersion through the Student Ticket Subsidy
45 Artists were paid to share their talents and skills with the community
4 free public arts and cultural activities provided with community partners
2 art bikes created during our summer Urban Art Bike program with youth
3 up and coming arts/cultural organizations mentored
We take pride in all the help we are able to give those who need or want it, and can only do so thanks to our amazing sponsors. A special thank you to the Tennessee Arts Commission, Outdoor Chattanooga, and Arts Build!
For a in-depth look at some of the things we did this year, check out the content below:
Our 2023 Cultural Events
Ensemble de Mexico
This year Art 120 organized three market events, each taking place across the Downtown area of Chattanooga. These events started mid-August, and ended just as the city entered winter on December 2nd. On October 28th, the market series was kicked off with a special Día de los Santos celebration in Patten Parkway. There was music preformed by Jay Shemaz, and La Rumba Latin Club. There was an amazing dance performance from Ensemble de Mexico. Playfully Evolving Monsters interacted with market-goers in their walking puppet Flora, and were also kind enough to help Art 120 with set-up and tear down. There were also great food trucks and booths to choose from, like Beni’s Cubano, Guatemala Crafts (who did food and clothes), and a booth that sold tamales, atole, soft drinks and more. There were also plenty of other types of vendors, like Ayelet’s Style, Maria Gomez and Lighthouse Boutique. WTCI Chattanooga It was an amazing event series kick-off!
Weather the Weather during an interview with local media
The second event took place at the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s renovated garden lawn on Artists’ Sunday, November 26th. Though this event was cold and rainy, there was still plenty of food, entertainment, and fun. Joel Karabo Elliott, Jay Shemaz, Crazy Flute, Lon Eldredge, and Rick Rushing III were this market’s musical performances. Though not everyone could play due to the rain, our performers all banded together to help run and sound to keep the music going. One of our special acts, Weather the Weather, were able to hold a fun interactive performance for children and adults alike. Our vendors for this event were many, and varied in theme and content.
There was food from vendors like Odz Delight, Beni’s Cubano, and Sudanese Food by Randa. Jewelry from vendors like Hello Disco, Lighthouse Boutique, and more. There were clothes from Stylesay, Ayelet’s Style, and art from One Bridges, and The Art of Keith Landrum. That’s not even the full list!
We were grateful for all of our vendors who came out for Artist’s Sunday, and to those who came by to watch the performances and pick up a gift or two along the way.
Dj Shamaz and Israel “Izzy” James mixin’ it up at Art 120’s International Market & More for Mainx24.
Joel Elliot Karabo getting soulful at Art 120’s International Market & More for Mainx24.
The third and final market of the year took place at Mainx24, in the Climbing Ninja parking lot December 2nd. The rainy weather never let up, but even that was not enough to dampen the good music, good food, and overall amazing turnout. The music line-up included returning musical guests La Ruma Latin Club, Jay Shemaz, and Joel Karabo Elliot. Many of our vendors were also returners from previous Markets. Those amazing vendors were Hello Disco, Odz Delight, Lighthouse Boutique, Taqueria el Jaguar, and The Art of Keith Landrum to name a few. We also had some vendors who hadn’t made it to other Markets, like El Taco Boss, Saphan Food Project, and HF-Arts, a vendor who is selling her wares at the age of fourteen. Though not everyone could make it due to time restraints, and weather restrictions, it was a great event series send off.
Thank you to all vendors, supporters, and those who helped make the year’s International Market Series a success. See you all next Market season!
We Make Community Events
We Make is Art 120’s annual series of art car based events focused around art education, and the beauty of art. We Make first started in 2012 with the goal to bring art to schools without art classes, and grew to also celebrate students’ art achievements across the several counties Art 120 works with. This series was broken up into a few different events: the ArtCaraVan, an art car building workshop, an art car painting workshop, and a We Make Feast that took place in Miller Park.
Briah Gober and her first art car
Artists Briah Gober and Sadaf Khan did live art demonstrations over the course of three days alongside our friends at River City Company during their Rock the Riverfront series in April. They did so on vehicles, utilizing their unique art styles to demonstrate how art cars are made. Sadaf shared the Pakistani painting process known as Phool Patti (pool pah-ti) while Briah demonstrated her signature abstract style with paint, stencil and vinyl.
The ArtCaraVan sent artists in teams of two, to spend the day at local schools on Thursday, May 11 and Friday May 12th. The artists reached ten schools in two days, presenting their work/process to 4,671 students. At these schools, both the Art Car Drivers and students shared important moments. Artist and veteran Joshua Kappellusch's art car honors fallen soldiers, serving as a moving memorial and tribute. On his car, students were welcomed to add their own tributes through drawings they added directly to the sides of his vehicle. When students ran out of markers, Joshua handed out bandaids so they could draw in pen. When the kids began covering the bullet holes with bandaids, he realized that their kind actions were actually helping him heal his trauma. Joshua said those kids helped him more that day than any support the Veteran Affairs Offices ever could.
Robin Jagliski and the “Bead Beats” sculpture
The We Make Festival was a celebration of Art Cars, student work, and local art. It showcased the Upcycle Fashion Show, and an awards show that gifted student winners with $100 Arts Creation gift cards. Teacher Robin Jaglinski represented Woodmore Elementary School as her class received the prestigious Golden Gnome award and $500 for her school’s art program courtesy of Rock City.
Art120 was also able to create an art car building workshop for Loftis Middle School. Artist, musician, and Art120 supporter Joel Karrabo Elliott was able to lead the workshop, and coordinate with art educator Pam Hopkins to prepare our donated car for its workshop transformation. The students created a nature themed vehicle using recycled coffee bean bags, paper flowers and musical instruments. According to Pam, the students had been waiting two years to make an art car
Overall, the We Make 2023 series of events was a success! Art120 was able to support students, the community, and artists alike.
Thank you to the Tennessee Arts Commission, Arts Build, River City Company, WTCI, Rock City, and Regan Outdoor for making We Make possible this year. A special thank you to all students, teachers, and artists who worked together to make art, and share it with each other, and the public!
The Upcycle Fashion Show
For more information about the We Make Festival, check out the article on our News front page.
Celebrating Diversity with Our Partners in Art
Art 120, Outdoor Chattanooga and Playful Evolving Monsters did a Hummingbird Lantern workshop this summer. This joint venture was an event dedicated to the welcoming of Little Amal, a 12 foot walking puppet who stopped through Chattanooga on her tour of the United States. Many Coolidge Park goers stopped by to make their own lanterns, and join in on the workshop fun!
Two weeks after the workshop, attendees met on the Northshore to join Amal on a special parade across the Walnut Street Bridge. Amal represents a young Syrian refugee girl who is traveling the world in search of her mother. In additiona to all the lanterns, Amal was accompanied by fellow refugees and the CSO chidren’s orchestra who played as we joined this special event. Thank you to Outdoor Chattanooga and Playful Evolving Monsters for the help and support!
John P. Franklin Funeral Home Fall Festival
Art120 was invited to help John P. Franklin’s Funeral Home by making Guatemalan Kites with the event-goers! Guatemalan Paper Kites are very special because they symbolize the spirits or souls of the deceased flying to heaven. This is great way to honor those lost, and to create something beautiful!
Thank you to John P. Franklin Funeral Home for having us!
Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
On October 15th, Art 120 partnered with Culture Chatt and the City of Chattanooga to organize a Hispanic Heritage Month festival in Miller Park. Art 120 helped provide art activities, and coordinated performances from local acts. Our friends at Playfully Evolving Monsters helped with set up, and brought their walking puppet Flora to interact with the festival-goers.
The performer line up included Ensemble de Mexico, Marilyn Perez (who did two Cuban dances), Danza Guatemalteca, Gisela (who did two Interactive Latin dances with the audience), Ensemble Ballet Folklorico (who did Traditional folk dances from Mexico), and Capoeira Chattanooga, which featured a traditional form of dance from Brazil.
Thank you to all event-goers, Culture Chatt, City of Chattanooga, and the lovely performers who gave us all entertainment on that drizzly Sunday afternoon!
Ensemble de Mexico preforming
Education
Joel Karabo Elliott teaches Ivy Academy
Joel with Ivy Academy Student Canaan
Ivy Academy, a school just at the edge of the Hamilton County school district, welcomed Joel Karabo Elliot of Roots Grown Deep to teach them music. As Art120’s music educator, Joel shared the music of Appalachian culture, walking the students through its history, its correlation to the world, and the profound connection music shares with nature. As a school surrounded by nature, Ivy Academy’s students heavily connected with Joel’s teachings. English and theatre teacher Jemmie Godwin-Smith had nothing but praise to give the experience, saying, “I loved having Joel and the gift of music in my class. The lessons were palpable and the exposure to his music and lessons were engaging and enjoyable.”
Joel teaching students
Joel himself enjoyed his teaching, citing the experience of having the children so earnestly participate in the lesson as spiritual. He told the story of the way one student in particular found the experience so moving, she felt a connection to the memory of a relative who’d passed as she listened to the music of the Mbira, the African instrument Joel played throughout the lesson.
Thank you to the Student Ticket Subsidy, which made this lesson possible, Joel Karabo Elliot for his earnest teaching, and Ivy academy for its earnest acceptance of Joel’s teachings.
Hamilton County Art Teachers Learn CNC Fabrication
As a way to increase learning opportunities for youth and access to the Hamilton County VWeLabs, Art 120 partnered with ChattLab and the Global Center for Digital Innovation (GCDI) to provide a digital fabrication workshop just for art teachers. At the completion of this program, art teachers would know how to use computer layout software to create a digital lasercut mobile project that teachers could implement as part of their curriculum.
The day began at ChattLab Makerspace with artist, Eddie Bridges. Eddie instructed twelve arts educators on how to use Inkscape, a free computer drawing program, to design their mobile sculptures in the style of Alexander Calder. After lunch and with their computer files in hand, we headed over to meet with program manager, Kristin Burrus, at the GCDI for a hands-on production and assembly of their projects. Kristin walked each teacher through how to bring their 2D design to life using a CNC (computer numerical controlled) machine. Basically, a CNC machine is a manufacturing device that uses software to precisely cut, tool, and/or produce a part or product. In this case, art is the end result.
By the end of the day, all twelve art teachers were able to effectively produce their design on the laser cutter and assemble their mobiles. Special thanks to: The Tennessee Arts Commission, Public Education Foundation, Hamilton County Department of Education, ChattLab, and especially, Volkswagen Group of America in Chattanooga for funding the 36 VWeLabs a growing for Hamilton County schools.
“Hamilton County School District is a national leader when it comes to providing the tools of innovation for our youth. With 36 fabrication labs in our school system and growing, our kids have the best opportunity in the country to learn 21st century skills. We need more opportunities to engage youth at every level and embolden them to use their creativity to develop these important skills to help them thrive in our future global economy.”
2023 Urban Art Bike
Art120 partnered with Chattanooga 2.0 this past summer to hold this year's summer Urban Art Bike Program. Chattanooga 2.0 is an coalition that strives to provide all students K- 12 an equal opportunity for learning, growing, and a thriving wage. With that in mind, Chattanooga 2.0 sent six kids from the Avondale and Bushtown areas of Chattanooga to spend time building valuable teamwork, and trade skills. Following the week of memorial day, the kids would start their forty hour journey.
Before the students started, the summer program's two teachers Jacobo Salazaar Jr. of KickStand Bicycles, and April Dennison of with Denizen Design, were taught the exact things they would be teaching by Art120 founder Kate Warren.
Though both had extensive history with welding and bike work (April has worked with the animatronics at Harry Potter World and Super Mario World, and Jacobo has been taking apart bikes and fixing them up for years) it was important to teach them how to approach guiding children through the process. After the teachers were done with their mini-class, they were introduced to the children who then split up into two groups. From there, each group went through a five-step process starting with the design of the bike, and ending with a working bike based off of the team's vision. During this process, Art120 was able to teach all six kids the basics of welding, a variety of fabrication techniques, and bike mechanics.
Starting from May 30th, and ending June 15, each student worked through the hottest summer to date. They would weld within Art120's base Chattlab for four hours a day, Monday through Friday. With their respective teachers and groups, the students would start the Art Bike process with a brainstorming session. The goal of this session was to come out with a drawing the would detail the design of each bike. Team one, led by Jacobo wanted to make a "Chopper" bike, and the one led by April wanted to make a "Firefighter" bike. Each team drew what the bike would look like from different angles, taking the time to create a design that could feasibly be made in the forty allotted hours.
The two teams and teachers working on their bikes.
After a class focused on welding safety, students started learning how to use the tools needed to cut up donated bikes, and weld their bikes back together to match the drawn designs. Teachers would lead them on their journey, supervising but not controlling their progress. Each student had a chance to do welding through each step of the process, grinding, cutting, and welding their creations to life. Students learned to put their tools together, how to put them away after use, and how to dress for protection. Each worker in the shop wore flannel, thick gloves, a mask or glasses, shoe-coverings, and ear protection. At the end of it, students then decorated or painted their bikes as they saw fit before giving the bikes a test drive in the parking lot just in front of Chattlab.
With their respective bikes, the “Chopper” Bike, and the “Firefighting” Bike finished, the kids and teachers were able to celebrate their finished work!
Thank you to all participants, Jacobo Salazer Jr, April Denison, Chattanooga 2.0, and the Tennessee Arts Comission for making the 2023 Urban Art Bike program possible!
Spotlight
PEF and the Step-Up Program once again sent wonderful intern DeAsia Powell to help provide support to Art120’s summer operations. She helped with logistics for the fall program season, wrote articles for Art120’s website, and more! Though she had to leave for her freshman year at MTSU, DeAsia still helps us out and provides much needed support to our team. Thanks DeAsia!
Thank you to all of our partners, collaborators, and superstar teachers. We wouldn’t be able to do our work without you—we love you superstars! We’ll see you next year!
Art 120 kicked off its 2023-2024 International Market Series with Día de los Santos
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. We are so grateful for all the wonderful community partners, donors, and friends that have made our 2023 programs and events possible. Our year end update is coming soon. Huge thanks to everyone who helped us make an impact on our community this year!!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. We are so grateful for all the wonderful community partners, donors, and friends that have made our 2023 programs and events possible. Our year end update is coming soon. Huge thanks to everyone who helped us make an impact on our community this year!!!
Art 120 kicked off its 2023-2024 International Market Series
with Día de los Santos
Art 120 is delighted to partner with River City Company, the City of Chattanooga, ArtsBuild, the Z.C. Patten Fund, and the Tennessee Arts Commission to bring our International Market & More series back
Through these activities, we provide venues that showcase our beautiful community while also providing economic opportunities for burgeoning artists and new Americans through the celebration of their culture. Our current calendar of events include: Día de los Santos on Saturday, October 28th from 11am to 4pm in Patten Square.
The goal of our International Market and More series is to connect Chattanooga with its beautifully diverse communities by highlighting a particular culture or group around a holiday of importance for them. International Market attendees can expect a joyous celebration filled with live cultural performances, food and art. As Día de los Santos celebrates our Latin community, Art 120 is looking for artists and small businesses in our Latin community who would like to participate. Registration is open to all in our Latin community and requires a refundable deposit of $25 to reserve your space. Please share with any fellow Latino organizations and businesses so we may all grow this event together.
October 28th Día de los Santos: 11am to 4pm in Patten Square -
Our International Market features Chattanooga’s Latin American community with a special Día de los Santos celebration featuring traditional dance from local Folklorico groups, Latin artwork, and Dia De Los Santos art activities, plus lots of great food from Guatemala, Brazil, Haiti, and others. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is also hosting a Halloween Bash across the street and the entire events end with a special event in Miller Park couresy of Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors.
November 26th Artist’s Sunday: 11am to 4pm in Patten Square -
In addition to street food from many nationalities, the market is celebrating Artists Sunday, a national alternative to Black Friday. This event showcases the work and performances from Chattanooga’s arts community. Attendees will enjoy a variety of food, live music, temporary henna tattoos, and plenty of handcrafted items that are perfect for gift giving.
December 2ndMainx24: 11am to 4pm in Patten Square
In addition to street food from many nationalities, the market is celebrating Artists Sunday, a national alternative to Black Friday. This event showcases the work and performances from Chattanooga’s arts community. Attendees will enjoy a variety of food, live music, temporary henna tattoos, and plenty of handcrafted items that are perfect for gift giving.
May 4th, 2024 We Make Festival: 11am to 4pm -
Our signature event takes place on the Chattanooga Green with a free, family friendly festival complete with international food, student art exhibits, gifts for Mom, and art. Attendees can also expect live entertainment plus a variety of art cars from fun to fabulous lined up around the park for everyone to enjoy. Student art car entries will vie for the Golden Gnome Award courtesy of Rock City with a $500 cash prize. Come out, enjoy some great food, artwork and vote for your favorite student art car. Revelers are welcome to art up a bike, scooter or car and join the fun on this special day.
Hispanic Heritage Month Highlight: Claudia Berck, Owner of Ayelet’s Style
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Art 120 would like to highlight a Latino business owner that has been part of their International Market series since 2016.
Art 120 is happy to announce that they are highlighting Chattanooga business owner, Claudia Berck. Ms. Berck is the owner of Ayelet’s Style, a unique clothing store that sells handmade blouses sourced straight from indigenous Mexican embroiders. With help from Roxana, an artist who agreed with Berck’s vision, Ayelet’s Style was able to get these garments created at remote locations with indigenous craftsmen and women. A few of the places these craftsmen and women live are the Aguacatenango Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla and Jalisco regions of Mexico. Their work on these garments afford them income, which feeds back into their communities and families. After they are done with garments, they are sent back to Ayelet's Style and put directly on the shelf. '
Claudia first started Ayelet's Style in August 2015, after a visit to Mexico. Berck stated, “I wanted to do something to help my family in Mexico and when my youngest daughter started school, I wanted to occupy my time with something meaningful that would still allow me time with my family.” After wearing an embroidered blouse from her trip to Mexico she was asked by many locals where they could get a blouse like hers. From that moment, the idea for her clothing store emerged.
As a native of Monterrey Mexico, Claudia’s deep connection with her culture is part of what drives her passion. “I feel proud to show my roots to the world, the unique pieces handmade by artisans, and to see the happiness that they bring to the people that purchase them and proudly wear them,” Berck stated. “I love my Mexican heritage and I want to share Mexican art by preserving our traditions of hand-embroidery and empowering artisans throughout Mexico.”
Claudia was recently selected as a finalist for Latino New Business of the Year by La Paz and her business will be featured at Art 120’s upcoming Día de los Santos Celebration on Saturday, October 28th, from 11am to 4pm. The event will be held at Patten Square, located between Georgia Avenue and Lindsey Street in Downtown Chattanooga. Ayelet's Style has a brick-and-mortar location, and can be found at 4330 Ringgold Rd Ste 3, East Ridge, Chattanooga TN.
Thank You For Making We Make Successful!
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE TENNESSEE ARTS COMMISSION, ROCK CITY, ArtsBuild. AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS WHO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF ART. HERE’S WHAT YOU HELPED ACCOMPLISH!
You helped us provide art & joy for 4,671 students in two days!
Ten artists from as far away as Texas and Michigan joined our event to make the ArtCaraVan special for all these kids!
WHAT IS WE MAKE ALL ABOUT?
We Make is a multi day art caravan event that started in 2012 with the motive of presenting creativity to schools without art and grew to celebrate students’ art achievements across the county - providing art programming for 26,750 children in Hamilton County Schools.
This year the event kicked off with the 2 day ArtCaraVan visit to 10 Hamilton County schools, including Clifton Hills, Ootawah, Snow Hill Elementary, and many more, Each day, two artists brought their art cars to a different school and shared with students the mediums used, the concept, and the source of their inspiration. Students then get to become drivers of their own creativity, asking the artists questions and creating their own art car concept.For instance, some of our artists even helped students with their We Make projects. Joel Karrabo Elliott taught students at Loftis Middle School how to build an art car; while textile artist, Becky Morris, assisted students with their UpCycle Fashions at Tommie F Brown Academy.
THE IMPACT….
The Art Car impact Is exhibited by its powerful statistics. The ArtCaraVan covered 216 square miles in two days, spreading creative spirit around chattanooga to at least 75,000 people before our main event on Saturday.
Whether the Weather Debuts at We Make!
Whimsical interactive performance by local artists add to the magic of We Make 2022.
WE MAKE FEST
This year's program also arrived with a very artistic twist; showcasing its many Art Cars, student art exhibits, international food, entertainment, UpCycle Fashion, and more at its main event hosted in Miller Park called the “We Make Fest”. This annual festival was a huge success this year, as students from Hamilton County Schools entered their art in an art show exhibit and were recognized for their work!
The We Make Fest at a glance, May 2023
2023 We Make Winners
Woodmore Elementary Wins the Golden Gnome!
When art teacher, Robin Jaglinski, returned to class last year, her students could not wait to make another art car. This wheeled contraption inspired by Africna American artist, Nick Cave, features hand beaded and sewn recycled objects that jingle and move when the vehicle is rolled around. Way to go, Woodmore!
These are the 2023 first place winners of the We Make Fest Art Exhibit. In reward, these artists received a $100 Art Creations gift card in courtesy of Art 120!
Secondary School Art Winner Deshon Grayson
Brainerd High School
Primary School Winner, Neil Gorshkov,
Brown Academy
OTHER Young ARTISTS of Distinction
The following are runner up winners we would also like to recognize for their achievement….
2nd Place - Anna Brown od Brown Academy,
3rd Place - Thomas Brown of Brown Academy,
Liv Hamilton and Reese Meyer of Signal Mountain Middle High School
2022 International Market
Since 2019, The International Market has been going strong–and only getting better each year. Art 120 has been on a mission to put focus on Chattanooga’s underrepresented populations since it’s inception. The International Market is an example of this mission. This event was created with the intention to be a free intercultural event that would support both Chattanooga’s economy–but also the thriving immigrant community we have here.
It’s second goal is to create a place where local artists can sell their crafts, and where local artists of color can have a space to introduce their crafts to the wide audience of our community. At the last International Market, many participated, including two non-profit organizations, four local artists, seven local businesses, and nine startup businesses–eight of which were run by local immigrant women in our community. Due to this goal, our market is usually filled with very diverse experiences, ranging from music, to dance, and to very enriching experiences like receiving a Henna tattoo.
One of the best examples of what the International Market is about, focuses on the youngest artist we've had. Her mother, Sam, said in last year’s registration form, "My daughter (13yrs) makes handmade silver/found objects jewelry and would love to participate in your art show. She has only sold her jewelry at one other small venue and really enjoyed it!"
On Artists Sunday, Sam's daughter arrived and in four hours, sold 70% of her handmade jewelry. Sam was so pleased with the response from attendees that she told me to keep her deposit, that our event gave her daughter the confidence she needed to continue making art.
In the past, Partners such as Downtown Chattanooga Alliance, who provided services, ArtsBuild, The Tennessee Arts Commission , who provided financial support, and River City Company, who provided both, worked with us on this event. This year, Art 120 is planning to be even better, and even more inclusive.
The Cheshire Cat: A Retrospective On Creation
Becky “Queen Becky” Morris, and her good friend Gina Hampen took a road trip to Chattanooga from their homes in Huston, Texas. They hit the road in April of 2022 with the single goal of creating a Cheshire cat inspired art car later named “Kat BaLue”. Take a look with us, and learn the process behind the creation of this creepy-cool piece of moving art!
The Start
“While on the road stopping at the convenience stores to fill up with gas, people would walk out of the store with the strangest faces.”
A Little Bit of Nonsense and Randy Blair
“The car started as a Little Bit of Nonsense by Randy Blair,” Becky ‘Queen Becky’ Morris remembers. “It was beautiful, covered with glass, mirrors and lights. During quarantine, with plenty of time on his hands, he began disassembling this fabulous car.” Becky continued, going on to recall the thick silicone covering left behind. “It was like picking at a Scab,” Becky commented, The car was covered with silicone, varying in layers of thickness from 1/2 inch, to 3 inches in density.
Scabby - Kat BaLue in its “Pupal Stage”
It was in many shapes and sizes, and once you started picking at the excess silicone, you couldn’t stop. The car was then dubbed Scabby, and the name would stick for the entirety of Becky’s car ride home. “This was such an ugly car, I got pulled over twice by the police. They probably thought I was a crack head with such a horrible scabby looking car.” People would stop and stare, according to Becky. “While on the road stopping at the convenience stores to fill up with gas, people would walk out of the store with the strangest faces. They did not know how to react to such a disaster of a car. No one would talk, only look disgusted or surprised. It was laughingly embarrassing.”
The Plan
Before Morris even started to travel in Scabby, she’d already planned what would become of the retired art car. First, Morris and her Cheshire co-creator Gina Hampen created a list. That list was:
Tape measure.
Several Sharpies.
Carpet knife with plenty of blades.
Chip brushes, lots, in several sizes, and little (paintbrush) brushes for all the edges.
A gallon (possibly a bit more) latex carpet glue.
A packet of clothes pins (the laundry kind).
Scissors.
A broom.
Screwdriver.
Strong magnets (auto parts has rare earth magnets, those are good).
Newspaper and masking tape.
A needle and strong thread to assemble the tail.
Pool noodle? for the tail.
They then worked together to source the materials that they’d need to create their car. Hampen would email Morris about this, saying: “Let me think on the eyes. Mouth of car is a funny shape (not smiley)….Could build/carve teeth of foam or maybe Bondo (roadproof). Depends upon whether you want sharp cat teeth or solid Disney teeth…” Hampen’s main points was that the mouth would be the most simple to figure out, as cats don't have lips—which would make building it into the design easy.
The Final Choice
Runner Up
What would be a bit more difficult, was deciding what fur the car was going to use. There were a few choices but ultimately, Morris and Hampen were able to narrow the choice down to a few choices (pictured left). When it came down to it, Morris was able to narrow it down to the first choice of fur. “The top is my favorite fur. It looks like the rug in my living room,” She said. After that, they needed to get into logistics.
“Quick figuring: about 5 yards, about $200 before shipping costs and this company is in California,” Hampen started. “Probably enough left over to make a nice fur coat.” Since it was getting shipped, and wasn’t near enough for either of them to drive to, they’d need to call and talk shipping costs.
Once they got their plans figured out, collected the things they needed from their list, they geared up and made their final plans. This time, it was about travel to Chattanooga TN—where they planned to put together their Cheshire Cat creation.
““I took off April 19-May 12. Will pick you up after work and head home. On Tues we’ll hit the road.””
The Process
Gina Hampen forming Chesire’s ears from a pair of old men’s dress shoes.
Hampen Working in front of The Creative Discovery Museum
After their journey to Chattanooga, the two started working on the truck at various workspaces—including the Creative Discovery Museum. The list also included Kate Warren’s (Executive Director of Art 120) house, and local makerspace, ChattLab, to name a few. Lots of creative problem solving went into the final design. Two challenges that arose were how to maker the ears and eyes. The ears needed a stable, ear-shaped, form to build on and the eyes needed to be waterproof.
Sketches and discussions ensued. Gina realized the ear shape resembled a men’s dress shoe which can not only can be acquired cheaply at a thrift store, but also has enough support to build on. The eyes were found online and the artists found plastic domes commonly used for crafts to make them waterproof and more dimensional. They started working on ‘Cheshire’ on April 24th, and finished on May 3rd, one day before We Make fully kicked off with school visits, artists, and events.
The Stages of Work-In-Progress
Life Lessons From The Cheshire Cat
A Closing Message
Be Proud of Who You Are
Like all members of Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat is mad, but unlike the others, he admits it with pride. The Cheshire cat was proud to be who he is. I think we can learn a lesson in that. We aren’t perfect. We are all a little off in one way or another. Instead of hiding our imperfections from society- be real and admit your shortcomings, fears, and problems. You might just find out you are not alone!
—PixieDustSavings
Special Thanks to The Creative Discovery Museum, The Lyndhurst Foundation, and Hamilton County Department of Education!
Art 120’s 2022 “Urban Art Bike” Teacher Training
By DeAsia Powell, Communications Assistant Intern
Introduction
Art 120’s Stingray bile under construction
In Art120’s Urban Art Bike workshop, kids of the “Reach One Teach One” program, ages 10 - 14, they will experience the task of creating a full function art themed bike. This will take place in over under 40 hours in a makerspace filled with high tech art equipment such as grinders, laser cutters, a wood workshop, and much more! They will be broken into two groups instructed by one Hamilton County Art Teacher each!
They will discuss and face the challenge of thinking about the bikes’ function; ensuring that added crafts don’t weigh down the bike defeating its purpose of function - BUT… still representing authenticity and creativity! Through these tasks, teachers and directors will be discussing engineering and innovation methods; as well as assessing kids’ levels of teamwork ethic, observation/learning styles, creativity, and artistic skills through a county wide graded rubric! Beforehand, teachers and directors will also gather to construct a bike themselves!
Teachers and Interns of Art120
Meet The Team
Kathryn Warren (Director and Teacher Workshop Lead
After founding Art120 in 2010, Kate Warren made it her mission to use her 20 years of experience in graphic design, marketing, events, and other mediums to create non-profit art educational programs. She did so with the purpose of connecting people
with different backgrounds and art experiences! She wants to empower people and kids to embrace creativity and expand their art horizon. She believes everyone deserves to find their inner strength!
Sherry Heinz (Art Teacher of Howard High School)
Sherry Heinz, of New Jersey, Is a Hamilton County Teacher of 13 years. She joined Art120 with the ambition of acquiring welding lessons to potentially use in the classroom. She wants to leave a deep impact of students saying, “I want them to be so on fire when they walk out of the room that they pursue what I left them hungry for!”
Robin Jaglinski (Art Teacher of Woodmore Elementary)
Robin Jaglinski, of Wisconsin, has taught art in every form over the course of 15 years. This was done via international and national schools, museums, parks, etc. She is currently teaching at Woodmore Elementary School and joined Art120 with the love of being involved in the community, and learning in a non - traditional setting! She wishes to impact students by teaching them applicable skills for their futures!
Ivan Warren (Industrial Design Intern)
Ivan Warren, of Hutson TX, is a senior at the University of Houston. He is an Art120 industrial design intern, and college student. He’s passionate in all things creative with a goal of sharing his design knowledge to help others accomplish their visions with creativity at Art120!
Laila Smith (Intern Communications Manager)
Laila Smith, of Chattanooga, is an Art120 communications intern of 5 years; she is in her final year at Warren Wilson College and will graduate in 2023 with a major in creative writing. With an interest in fiction writing and published works, she plans to get a career in journalism and/or professional editing in the future!
DeAsia Powell (Intern Communication Assistant)
DeAsia Powell, of Chattanooga, is a first year Art120 communications intern. She plans on attending Middle State Tennessee University with a major in animation and music production/business. She’s full of enthusiasm and loves interacting with others, and wants to attain experience and extended skills from her internship.
Day 1: Teacher Training
Art120’s Team Brainstorm Bike Designs
On the first day, after all organizers meet and introduce themselves, Art120’s director Kate Warren goes over the layout and schedule of the program, including rules, and safety protocols. She explains what teachers should look for in kids’ participation and also reads over rubrics and applications! In this discussion, teachers mention observation tactics and ideas. For example, during the brainstorming process, it would be beneficial to the kids’ ownership, team work, and creativity to voice ideas, draw & test prototypes, agree on one to two ideas, then begin creating on teams; whilst teachers observe their learning styles and ways of thinking!
Shortly after, she gives a tour of the space and explains the use of equipment!
Next, teachers brainstorm and negotiate ideas of bike designs and the materials needed! We came up with a jellyfish prototype with plastic material and a wide hoola-hoop with attached LED lights for the round head with gears for possible movements; followed by plastic bottles, plastic sheet material, or shiny coins and stars for the tentacles!
Day 2 & 3: Bike Construction and Documenting
Throughout the two days of construction, teachers and organizers got the chance to learn and practice welding; and safety/protective actions! They negotiated the use of materials brought in from the previous brainstorm and worked together, placing the wheels and steering wheel to the main bike frame via angle grinding rust and paint from former parts, welding parts together, etc. I got to speak with a few organizers during the construction: Ms. Robin detailed the construction of the “head” or base - she explained, “First I trace out the plastic circles, then I sew the two layers with an iron to seam it together, inverting the model (body prototype)! Circle goes to circle! We’re good!” On the other hand, Ivan grinds the paint off of an old steering wheel, with hopes of welding metal scraps to the sides to give it a “coral” look!
Director Kate Warren and Art Teacher Robbin Jagalinski work together to construct the frame of “Jellyfish body” !
My Experience
Intern DeAsia Powell welds for the first time!
As a communications assistant intern, I had the joy of picturing, videoing, and taking notes throughout this process, learning how to weld for the first time, and learning what Art120 has to offer to the community! It has inspired me to embrace my enter - talents and creativity to its fullest! It has also taught me how to advocate for myself and anything else profit/non - profit in the community!
To Be Continued….
In the next phase of the program, teachers will be working with the kids on safety protocol, instruction demo’s, brainstorming, and construction of their bikes! Stay tuned!
Through The Years With Art 120
By Laila E. Smith
Laila Smith
Good afternoon STEP-UP Student,
We have matched you with Art 120…
As a Step-Up Intern, my journey started with an email that placed me with Art 120 way back in 2017. This was all the way back in 10th grade; I was just fifteen or sixteen then, and I had been looking for a job. Every teenager starts working for different reasons–some work to help with family matters, some work to start paying things like phone bills. Fortunately, I didn't have bills I had to help pay, and I also didn't have family matters I could help with by working. I was probably a little unconventional, because I only wanted to work to get out of the house.
Regardless of the reasoning, I would start my very first job soon after learning my placement.
Back then, Kate Warren (Director of Art 120) wasn’t the person who was leading us. She had Hannah Hahn to help us do that, and so my first taste of Art 120’s operations was to help set up an event at The Bethlehem Center, in Alton Park. This was a pretty convenient first job—I lived just across the street.
The event itself was going to be an art gallery event hosted by Painted Story, and my job was to help set it up. I worked alongside two other interns to do so, and everyday for a few weeks I would go and help to plan and set this event up. Together, we built shelves, displays, hung artwork, and did general cleaning. It was a very fun first event experience, because at the end of it I got to see people I knew from my neighborhood enjoying what I helped put together. Sadly, my first year at Art 120 was cut short because of an amazing summer camp opportunity. By the time I came back from the three week long trip, my summer was mostly over–and so was my first job. We would go do some interesting technology projects at local elementary schools, introducing them to teachers just before the start of my 11th grade year started.
Luckily, Art 120 needed help throughout the year. The Levitt Amp music series was an apparent big deal, and Kate was going to need help running the Art 120 booth for children. Another intern, Chris White, and I would show up every Friday at 5:00pm to the Bessie Smith center to help set up. Our set up included big blue blocks, which we called the sculpture blocks. We would set up a small fenced in area, and kids would come play with them during the concert. This is one of my favorite memories of working with Art 120–building relationships with the food trucks and kids we’d see every week was fun.
Laila Smith, Chris White, and friends.
It was my first time experiencing events like that, because I’d never had a reason to know about events in town before. This really helped open my eyes to Chattanooga’s booming music scene—and it also helped me with people skills (which I’d been sorely lacking).
Another important Art 120 project I was part of was NOMCON–The Nation of Maker Conference. Art 120 received the honor of hosting it June of 2019. This meant that I got a new title: Executive Administrative Assistant. It was my first taste of large scale event management. Throughout the day, I worked to help wherever I was needed. It was a really eye-opening experience, because I had to help plan, set-up and oversee parts of such a large and complex operation. Usually, when you go to an event like that, you simply go through the program--never realizing that some intern and her best friends had set up the majority of venue’s tables and chairs by themselves. It was a great lesson to learn. Sometimes the only recognition you need is from yourself, and the work you put in.
Haider Ali and the Jingle Truck
Over the years, and the summers I’ve spent with Art 120, I’ve done a lot of varied things alongside all of those really big things. I made a calendar for teachers a few years back, and learned how to use InDesign—and then we went to get paper from a paper store, printed our content, and then assembled fifty calendars to hand out. I’ve met some really cool people, like award-winning artist Haider Ali, who allowed me to help him paint some of the Jingle Truck he was designing for Art 120.
Painting the Jingle Truck!
I learned a lot about what goes into Jingle Trucks—you need a lot of symbolism, and you need to think of important imagery from your hometown. It was fun listening to Kate, Saddaf, and Haider talk about design choices. It was just as fun to watch Haider work his magic—he painted so easily he made it seem like nothing hard.
A few other things that happened in my later years at Art 120:
Teaching myself to solder!
Learning to weld!
Helping Children Make Their Own Jingle Trucks
What Art 120 Has Done For Me
Laila Smith and Kate Warren, Founder of Art 120 at Laila’s going away party
Laila Smith and Kate Warren
Working for Art 120 has done a lot for me, both as an intern and as a person. Right as I graduated, Kate Warren Helped kickstart a fundraiser that helped me go to college. They raised thousands of dollars to help me get to school—it was a really uplifting experience for me. Kate even took it a step further and put together a giant going-away party, with a venue and catering. I’ve never forgotten that, even almost four years out from the experience. Had I not had Kate in my corner, I’m not sure I would have made it to school. I really needed that help, and Art 120 stepped up to give it to me.
Going into my final year of college, I’m looking forward to taking everything that working for Art 120 taught me into my final year of school. I really glad that I was able to be part of this organization for so long, and I hope to further help it in the future.
Birthday Brunch!