Jewelry by Meghan Roach
Ceramics by Jim BridgemanIF YOU GOWhat: 4 Bridges Arts FestivalWhen: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, April 13; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 14Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.Admission: $7 per day, $10 two-day pass; free for children under 18Phone: 423-265-4282Website: www.4bridgesartsfestival.orgNote: Preview Party is 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 12, at First Tennessee Pavilion. Tickets are $75 through 5 p.m. today, April 11, $100 at door.PARTICIPATING LOCAL ARTISTSJanet Campbell, jewelryMatt Campbell, furnitureRobert Copeland, photographyRondell Crier, sculptureMatt Dutton, mixed mediaValerie Fleming, photographyChuck Frye, oil paintingKen Herrin, mixed mediaBeverly Hayden, mixed mediaJake Kelley, mixed mediaShadow May, ceramicsRaymond McCoy, mixed mediaLisa Norris, mixed mediaPeggy Petrey, jewelryBrent Sanders, acrylic paintingThomas Spake, glass
Nearly 550 artists from across the country applied, but just 145 were chosen to show their work in this weekend's 4 Bridges Arts Festival at First Tennessee Pavilion.
The 4 Bridges show of original fine art is sponsored annually by the Association for Visual Arts. This year's 13th show has drawn exhibitors from 29 states. Their work includes sculpture, paintings, glass, photography, pottery, jewelry, printmaking, basketry, wearable/decorative fibers, woodworking and digital art.
"It's an art gallery on steroids," says Peggy Petrey, one of 16 local artists who made the cut. "It's nice to be included in that select group. Traveling with (husband) John, we see all the different festivals, and we rank 4 Bridges right up there."
Petrey was selected to create this year's patron pin, whose design must include elements representative of bridges or water. Her piece is a vertical rectangle cut from recycled license plates that is layered in colors of blue, rust, brown and red. It can be worn as a pin or pendant.
Artist Jake Kelley returns to 4 Bridges after a two-year absence. As the 2013 featured artist, he was commissioned to make an original painting for auction at 4 Bridges. "Contemplating a World Clear as Water" is a mixed-media painting done in acrylic latex, ink and resin on aluminum. Additionally, 100 limited-edition posters have been made of the painting to be sold at the festival.
According to festival director Kathryn Dunn, there are three new features to this weekend's event.
"We are staying open two hours later on Saturday. Second, our music stage will feature more than just music and will include theater and dance," she says.
Third, the festival is launching a green initiative. This weekend, accurate baseline metrics of all activities directly linked to consumption at the festival will be measured from load-in to load-out. Metric categories include energy, waste, water, greenhouse gases and community awareness.
"We will target artists and participants in the assessment, as well as measure the life cycle of items that are made specifically for the festival, such as signage and brochures. The goal this year is to get a good idea of our starting point and look ahead to the next five to 10 years when a reduction in consumption can be achieved," Dunn explains.
The festival opens with a preview party on Friday, April 12, giving patrons first peek at the art. Tickets, which include dinner catered by Carrabba's Italian Grill, are $75 today, April 11 (purchase by 5 p.m.), $100 at the door. Music for the preview party will be provided by WTM Blues Band. For reservations, call 423-265-4282.
Put some Spark in your schedule
The 4 Bridges Arts Festival is one of the anchor events for Spark, A Right Brain Celebration.
This collaborative multiday festival, previously called HATCH Chatt, will start today, April 11, and run through Sunday, April 21.
Programming encompasses the broad spectrum of cultural events, including literature, technology, history, visual arts, performing arts, music and culinary arts. Events are held throughout the area.
Spark will culminate in a grand finale at Ross's Landing on Saturday, April 20.
For the schedule, visit www.sparkartschattanooga.com.
Contact staff writer Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.