The Museum Center at Five Points is organizing a van trip to Chattanooga on Saturday, August 30th. On arrival, attendees will take a walking tour of two areas of Chattanooga that have concentrations of contemporary sculpture. The tour will be led by Rachel Hildebrandt, Public Art Director for the City of Chattanooga, Cleveland sculptor Josh Coleman, and Museum Center staff. The trip will end with lunch at a local downtown restaurant. The trip will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Museum Center and end at 3:00 p.m. The cost, which does not include lunch, is $25 for museum members and $30 for non-museum members. Reservations and pre-payment are required by August 26th.

Participants will visit two areas in Chattanooga which have a concentration of sculpture including the Main Street area and the First Street area.  The works along Main Street are an integral part of the urban streetscape, with pedestals installed directly on the sidewalks.  This area is in the process of reinventing itself as an arts district, and public art is helping this initiative in a very visible manner.  The First Street area is a pedestrian corridor that connects the Bluff View Arts District with the Tennessee Aquarium and Market Street area.  The Third Biennial Sculpture Exhibition will open along First Street on August 23, and participants will be viewing these new sculptures from around the country on the tour.

Attendees will learn from Ms. Hildebrandt and Mr. Coleman about the sculpture they will be viewing, as well as learn about how Chattanooga has benefited from its public art. Following the walking tours, attendees will gather for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the Museum Center.

The Chattanooga walking tour is part of the Museum Center’s current exhibit, Josh Coleman: Why Sculpture? which is on exhibit through September 6. The exhibit and its accompanying education programs are sponsored by Seasons Harvest Market.

For further information or to make a reservation call Tracy O’Connell at the Museum Center at 339-5745.