if You Go
What: AVA’s 4 Bridges Arts Festival.When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 12.Where: First Tennessee Pavil- ion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.Admission: $7 single-day ticket, $10 two-day pass.For more information: www.4bridgesartsfestival.org
Two artists new to the area will receive quite an auspicious introduction to Chattanooga’s arts community next weekend. Myles Freeman and Jillian Walther have been awarded the Emerging Artist Scholarship by the Association for Visual Arts. As their prize, the two receive a free booth to debut their work at the prestigious 4 Bridges Arts Festival, which will be held in First Tennessee Pavilion April 11-12.
“We haven’t lived here a year yet, but I’ve really been wanting to get to know the local art scene and those who support the arts,” says Walther, formerly of Illinois. “My first show here is such a good one with such a good reputation. It’s amazing to me. I’m overwhelmed, but optimistic, about the opportunities it will bring.”
Walther, 32, is a photographer who prints her work on metal infused with dyes. Freeman, 42, only began pursuing a career in oil painting two years ago after having worked in construction then 10 years as a wilderness educator in North Carolina, Florida, Oregon and California.
Kat Wright, AVA’s 4 Bridges Arts Festival director, says there were more applicants for the Emerging Artist recognition this year than last, but jurors felt very strongly that these two applicants were indicative of the parameters of being an “emerging” artist. Emerging Artist honorees may not have had gallery representation up to this point, yet they must have a body of work that’s cohesive, well-developed and up to the professional caliber of any other artist exhibiting in 4 Bridges.