As usual our local East Chatt YFD Center will be offering sports-based summer camp with the chance to experience some field trips as well. Interested families should not wait to sign up, as the conveniently located camps fill quickly. This year, Cameron Williams (aka C-Grimey) plans to add some more arts and music based elements to the traditional programming. During the recent Chamber of Commerce sponsored job fair, he said “I’ve been hosting these history of hip-hop classes each Wednesday here at the center, so I know the enthusiasm is building.”

Nearby Sterchi Farm trailhead park has received a huge facelift from a joint effort of Public Art Chattanooga and the Trust for Public Land. Artist Adam Kuby’s climbable sculpture installation was unveiled last month with some of our neighbors and board members in attendance. Outdoor Chattanooga also sponsored demonstrations of kayaking and SUP (stand-up paddle board) techniques. One of our board members, architect Jared Hueter attended the April 28th “Clamber, Scramble, Traverse” event with his children. “This is a unique park creating a water and trail connection to the downtown riverwalk system via the South Chickamauga Creek and Greenway– a very cool local resource.”

One of the best ways to enjoy the Sterchi Farm trailhead is via bicycle, and anyone interested can receive advice and bike repair at the Resource Bike Co-Op. They are located right next door to Rondell Crier’s Studio Everything on Glass Street and throughout the summer they’re planning to be open Tuesday and Wed. from 4-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-9 p.m. Anyone wanting more info can contact Zac or other co-op members at 423-521-0249.

Just across the street from our GHC offices, Mark Making will host Magic Markers 2018 : a one week work readiness program for EAST CHATTANOOGA teens (14-18) that focuses on citizenship, written word, design and entrepreneurship. Participants will have the opportunity to create, market and distribute wallets of their own design reflecting their ideas on citizenship. The young artists will also be able to receive compensation on a sliding scale depending on demonstrated level of professionalism and the strength of their wallet design. Due to limited space, there are only 24 spots available, so interested teens should hurry to apply via the link above.

If you or another local partner knows of more resources not highlighted here, please send and email to our Community Relations Manager, Nicole Lewis (nicole@glasshousecollective.org) or stop by to share brochures during our regular office hours so we can post and share info.

We hope all of our friends and neighbors will stay safe and have fun this summer!

 

In spite of the rain sprinkles, the kids had a blast showing off their bikes to the comments and cheers of curious park visitors. Lexi Buckner proudly displayed her Dia de los Muertos style “Skull Bike,” complete with a skull helmet to match.

Meanwhile Eve McClure created a sparkly-pink “Ladybug Bike” with 7″ records attached to the wings as the spots. Eve was headed to a 50-year family reunion directly following Saturday’s picnic, and her grandfather confirmed that “Ladybug” has been Eve’s family nickname for years.

Coreyun Richardson created a swivel “Race Car Bike” that’s particularly tricky to maneuver, although he makes it look easy. Because he wasn’t able to come out to the ride on Saturday, he received his certificate the next week in front of his fellow campers at the East Chattanooga YFD Center.

Thanks to committed donors and the time investment from Art 120’s caring and talented instructors, Urban Art Bike Camp accomplished its two biggest goals:

1. Exposing a new generation of local youth to the fun and challenge of safely using professional welding tools to construct original Art Bike designs.

2. Creating three new Art Bikes for Art 120’s fleet of whimsical bikes to be ridden during this year’s Glass Street LIVE parade on October 8 as the finale event for City Celebration. 

In addition to those outcomes, the site selection–partnering with East Chattanooga YFD Center– provided campers there with unique exposure and proximity to the welding and design work underway. Mr. Drake, director of East Chatt YFD, was very pleased with the respect shown to the space and the artistic element the team brought to the regular pace of summer camp. “It was very exciting to watch the bikes take shape and see the dedication the kids put into the process. I think it’s really neat what they set up, and I know they’re all enjoying it so much,” Mr. Drake said last week.

When Outdoor Chattanooga came to provide a bike safety rodeo for the students, Kate improvised with Mr. Drake so all the kids at East Chatt YFD Center’s camp learned bike safety that day. As for the next steps, the bikes have generated anticipation for the upcoming Glass Street LIVE block party this fall, and several local youth at the East Chatt YFD Center like Kadesha Cook remembered building puppets for last year’s parade, and are eager to try their skills out on the bikes this time around.

Kate Warren, director of Art 120 says, “While only our campers had access to power tools and welding, the youth at the Rec Center crowded around our teachers as they taught students how to change a tire and replace a bicycle chain. By the second week, Coreyun was able to ride his special hinge bike and everyone at the Rec Center cheered him on and took turns riding. Now we have a lot of kids that want to build an art bike too.”

Check out video footage including interviews with the participants on our YouTube channel HERE.