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Stove Works exhibit offers comprehensive view of Chattanooga’s contemporary art scene

Contributed Photo / The show features a body of work from Kirby Miles inspired by the idea of candy — brightly colored and glittery, a purely pleasurable thing that gets everywhere and sticks to everything. "I am a queer artist here in Chattanooga, and these works are all about the feminine and taking back power in terms of the feminine," she said of the works, which she installed on a wall of the galley that she painted Baker-Miller Pink, also referred to as "Drunk-Tank Pink" due to its use in jail holding cells for its psychological effect of reducing aggression. Contributed Photo / The show features a body of work from Kirby Miles inspired by the idea of candy — brightly colored and glittery, a purely pleasurable thing that gets everywhere and sticks to everything. "I am a queer artist here in Chattanooga, and these works are all about the feminine and taking back power in terms of the feminine," she said of the works, which she installed on a wall of the galley that she painted Baker-Miller Pink, also referred to as "Drunk-Tank Pink" due to its use in jail holding cells for its psychological effect of reducing aggression.

By Emily Crisman August 21, 2021 4 min read

Running through Sept. 4 at Stove Works, “Chattanooga Local” provides a comprehensive look at the city’s contemporary art scene in one physical space.

The exhibition is part of a series organized by Tri-Star Arts that showcases the work of Tennessee artists.

“Chattanooga Local” is the second exhibit in the series and has a different approach than the initial “Knoxville Local” exhibit based in that city, said artist Ray Padron, who co-curated the Chattanooga exhibit with fellow Chattanooga artist Stephanie Loggans.

Participating local artists were asked the questions, “Who sustains you?” and “Who do you sustain?” Works from those artists were also incorporated into the show, building a web of influences and interconnected artistic practices that compose the city’s contemporary art scene.

“It’s built on the idea that none of us could be here if it weren’t for each other,” Padron said, who selected artists with well-developed practices who were also heavily involved in elevating the Chattanooga art scene.