Laila Smith Laila Smith

Art Cars & Art Bikes - This is How We Roll

Thank you Chattanooga! Your support allows Art 120 to bring artists into schools where art programs do not exist, provide a public platform to celebrate students and artists for their work, teach workforce development skills to urban youth, encourage STEAM-based learning, curate exhibits, and organize the only art car event this side of the Mississippi from Miami to Baltimore.

Why? When you create art, you learn change is possible. When you bring art into the schools, you empower students to think for themselves. And when you take art to the streets, you positively impact your community.

With a 35% increase in exposure over the prior year, our event is growing fast. We are looking for innovative individuals, organizations, and businesses that are interested in being part of a high media event that supports creative learning opportunities for children.

It Takes Fuel to Keep the Parade Rolling and Free for Everyone

Donate. Your tax deductible contribution will go toward our programs that get art into the schools, provide urban art bike workshops, and provide free public art events that give everyone access to the arts. Any amount is appreciated and tax deductible. Our flagship donors will get to Hitch a Ride in an art car and support a great cause, click here to ride shotgun.

Volunteer. Our volunteers are the backbone of our program and they also get front row seats to the most amazing event of the year! Even a small amount of your time can make a positive difference. Lend your talents and have the time of your life! Click here to see the opportunities available.

Sponsor. In addition to a lot of media exposure, our sponsors have a lot of fun. Opportunities include art car team building exercises, onsite visit, and VIP access to our weekend activities including the art car ball and breakfast at Rock City. Contact katewarren@art120.org to learn more.

In-Kind State of Mind. As a small organization, we rely on the kindness of others to help provide anything from old bikes, cars, and trophies to food, athletic equipment, and places for our artists to stay while in town. We entertain just about any offer. Submit inquiries to: In-Kind Donations

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

Urban Art Bikes on Glass Street

Art 120 had the privilege of conducting two art bike workshops on Glass Street as part of the Glass House Collective's Summer Workshop Series. Houston art bike artist and teacher, Natali Leduc, taught students how to take a three dimensional concept and turn it into a fully functional kinetic sculpture in one week. Students learned how to present a concept in front of their peers, safely use power tools, measure and cut steel beams, and experienced welding with a trained professional.

The first week involved a group of five professional artists and young adults who learned how to weld. Using scrap metal and recycled parts, this group created a double bike with a ski system in tow. Adults who completed week one were able to mentor in the youth program the following week.

Week two proved to be the most exciting. Eleven youth ages 10-15 years arrived on Day 1. Many of our students thought they were just going to paint a bike. Once students learned about power tool and shop safety, they quickly realized they were going to be rebuilding from scrap parts and materials to make something completely new. By noon students had seen other examples and began drawing out their own concepts. Several great ideas came to the forefront and by the time each one was presented, three strong teams emerged, determined to get their art bikes completed in time.

By Saturday, the students were ready share their amazing creations with the public at the big reveal in Coolidge Park. Outdoor Chattanooga provided the perfect reception area. Following a recognition ceremony and lunch, it was time. Hundreds in the park stopped to see these works of art make their way across the North Shore landscape. People applauded and even giggled at the site of these unique creations. Click here to see video from our kids' debut.

Since the big reveal in the park, the Glass House kids' work has been featured in three news segments and will be in a special parade at Riverfront Nights, Saturday August 17th. Please come out and congratulate our kids on their upcoming venture to show their bikes at the Mini Maker Faire in Atlanta October 26th.

Held on the campus of Georgia Tech, this all day event is a wonderful opportunity to recognize our kids for their achievement and introduce them to opportunities they would not necessarily be exposed to. We want to make sure our students have the best experience possible when they are represented in front of Maker Faire's

7500 expected guests.

Contact katewarren@art120.org and learn how you can help make a difference today.

Art 120 would like to thank its volunteers, donors, and our partnership with Glass House Collective that helped us make this program a success.

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

Art Bikes, Sculpture, and Workshops. Oh My!

Art bike artist, Natali Leduc, is returning to Chattanooga to teach a series of workshops and will be bringing a special interactive sculpture to town for a small tour of Chattanooga.

"Thenwedieatron" a collaborative sculpture by Mattew Gorgol and Natali Leduc, is giant pyramid inflated by a stationary fan-bicycle. The sculpture is about t...

“Thenwedieatron” a collaborative sculpture by Matthew Gorgol and Natali Leduc, is giant pyramid inflated by a stationary fan-bicycle. The sculpture is about trust and interdependence. While pyramids are normally perceived as a structure devoted to the preservation of the dead, this one focuses on the ephemeral and the joy of being alive.

Visit the Chattanooga Public Library and be part of this amazing sculpture!

“Thenwedieatron” will begin its first week on the 4th floor of The Chattanooga Public Library on Monday, July 1st. Visitors to the library can take turns to inflate the structure and actually walk inside the pyramid. The 4th Floor is the library's new maker space and beta lab that serves as a public laboratory and educational facility with a focus on information, design, technology, and the applied arts. The public is invited to try out the bike on Monday, July 1 from 9-8pm, and Friday, July 5 from 9-6pm, during regular library hours.

 

The Workshops

Art 120 kicks off our second year of art bike building workshops with a class for adults on July 1-5th and a youth workshop July 8th-12th. Students will have fun learning about the art of form, design, fabrication, engineering, and problem solving. These workshops will take place at Glass House Collective’s Custom Cycle Shop located at 2525 Glass Street on the corner of Glass Street and Chamberlain. Participants will work in teams to complete several art bikes that will be on display throughout the year. Hurry! Deadline is June 26th and seats are limited! Click here to download an application.

These opportunities are made possible through the collaborative efforts of Art 120, The Chattanooga Public Library, Glass House Collective, Outdoor Chattanooga, The Hunter Museum, and The Lyndhurst Foundation.

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

Art Bike Workshops are Back!

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Glass House Collective, talented volunteers, and Lyndhurst Foundation, Art 120 will host our second year of art bike building workshops with a class for adults on July 1-5th and a youth workshop July 8th-12th.

Students will have fun learning about the art of form, design, fabrication, engineering, and problem solving. These workshops will take place at Glass House Collective’s Custom Cycle Shop located at 2525 Glass Street on the corner of Glass Street and Chamberlain.

Art bike artist, Professor Natali Leduc, will be returning to teach our workshops this year. In her career, Natali has created a variety of art bikes that incorporate a dazzling combination of engineering and whimsy, some of which produce music, inflate a giant cube, and wash clothes. Click here to download an application today.

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

US Cycling vs. Art Bikes

What a beautiful day for a race. The art bikes were poised and ready to go outside Brewhaus. The air was still and the anticipation mounted as bystanders took their favorite viewing positions.

Suddenly a flurry of cyclists streamed by so quickly that I barely had time to react.

It's a good thing the art bikes were ready. By the time the first group had passed, we had children waiting for a chance to ride during the US Cycling Championships.

We're not talking about a bike built for speed. Our bikes are built for fun.


A young girl gets a chance to see the race from a different point of view.

Participants will work in teams of two to design and assemble their own art bicycle. At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have built a working bicycle contraption. If time allows, participants will embellish their bike further with paint and ornaments. Our workshops cover a range of arts integration and workforce development skills such as critical thinking, mathematics, design, as well as power tool use, safety, and techniques. We will have a bike ride with participants and their bikes at the end of the workshop.

Sign up today

Cost for the program is $250 per person for the week and is limited to ten participants. The youth program for ages 11-15 will occur at the Custom Cycle Shop on Glass Street from June 24-25th and the adult class will occur from July 1st-5th. This is a perfect program for teachers interested in creating kinetic art sculptures with their students! Email art120org@gmail.com for an application and details.

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

Thank you Chattanooga!

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.

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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Laila Smith Laila Smith

Chattanooga, Start Your Art Cars!!!!

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.

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".

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

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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Laila Smith Laila Smith

2nd Scenic City Art Car Weekend Planned for April

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 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.

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."

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

Chattanooga Start Your Art Cars!

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.

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Laila Smith Laila Smith

LaFayette Schools Sweep the Art Car Awards!

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!

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