On October 25 & 26, 2008, 55 third graders from Chattanooga School for the Arts and
Science painted a 50 x 18 ft. mural: "My City 'Tis of Thee." It is a choir of self portraits
singing located on Barton Avenue, just north of the Veteran's Bridge. The facilitators were
Frances McDonald, Dennis Palmer and John McLeod. The Partners were Mark Making,
CSAS, Allied Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, Community Foundation of Greater
Chattanooga, the City of Chattanooga, namely the Departments of Parks and Recreation
and Education, Arts and Culture. The mural is portable and is to be moved in April to a site
close to the First Tennessee Pavilion.
Science painted a 50 x 18 ft. mural: "My City 'Tis of Thee." It is a choir of self portraits
singing located on Barton Avenue, just north of the Veteran's Bridge. The facilitators were
Frances McDonald, Dennis Palmer and John McLeod. The Partners were Mark Making,
CSAS, Allied Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, Community Foundation of Greater
Chattanooga, the City of Chattanooga, namely the Departments of Parks and Recreation
and Education, Arts and Culture. The mural is portable and is to be moved in April to a site
close to the First Tennessee Pavilion.
The artists worked in 2 hour shifts, 3 shifts total on the two working
days. They painted whole bodies on the choir's front row and heads
behind. This left space for future heads (and bodies) which were
added in subsequent shifts. All artists painted at least one self
portrait; many of the bodies were collaborative.
days. They painted whole bodies on the choir's front row and heads
behind. This left space for future heads (and bodies) which were
added in subsequent shifts. All artists painted at least one self
portrait; many of the bodies were collaborative.
Here Frances and Brad are discussing
his part. She is pointing, not painting.
The facilitators only paint when
absolutely necessary and to work
background.
his part. She is pointing, not painting.
The facilitators only paint when
absolutely necessary and to work
background.
My City 'Tis of Thee
Pictures of mural in progress
In this picture, the viewer can admire
the different mouth positions. In
preparation, the students had made
studies of mouths with different vowel
shapes.
the different mouth positions. In
preparation, the students had made
studies of mouths with different vowel
shapes.
Every one of the fifty five children
chose to work on the scaffolding. It is
truly an empowering place to paint.
Featured here is Aidan getting his
bearings.
chose to work on the scaffolding. It is
truly an empowering place to paint.
Featured here is Aidan getting his
bearings.
This is a rare photo of facilitator
Dennis Palmer; he is very clever. He
wore a hat.
The sectional more finished spaces
are not typical; we are working with
and around the scaffolding.
Dennis Palmer; he is very clever. He
wore a hat.
The sectional more finished spaces
are not typical; we are working with
and around the scaffolding.
This group photo was taken at our end-of -work "juice and cookie moment."
We invite parents, school representatives, and our sponsors. This is at the end of our
two days of workshops. Frances will finish the background. The artists are now proud
but tired; they have worked hard to complete close to seventy five self portraits.
We invite parents, school representatives, and our sponsors. This is at the end of our
two days of workshops. Frances will finish the background. The artists are now proud
but tired; they have worked hard to complete close to seventy five self portraits.
Here, the artists are asking for your feedback.