July 17, 2003

CHATTANOOGA, TN - The Chattanooga Downtown Redevelopment Corporation (CDRC) today approved funds which will allow several nationally renowned artists to compete for two major art projects related to the implementation of the 21st Century Waterfront Plan.

Artists will play key roles in the design of the Pine Street Pier which will extend from a newly connected Pine Street into the Tennessee River and The Passage which will connect the Aquarium and Ross’s Landing underneath Riverfront Parkway.

The Public Art Transition Committee, Chaired by Virginia Anne Sharber, narrowed down the list of artists to 5 who will be competing to create the design for the Pine Street Pier. One important requirement for artists working on the Passage is that the team selected must include a member who is a Cherokee Native American.

Mayor Bob Corker said, “I am very appreciative of the work of the Public Art Transition Committee, who have helped us select some outstanding artists to contribute to this tremendous project. I am confident that the Pier and the Passage will become very visible landmarks, and when completed, will cause our community to be distinguished around the nation for our commitment to public art.”

In this morning’s vote, the CDRC authorized each competing artist to receive a $2,500 stipend to complete their proposed design and to pay their travel expenses. The five artists who will compete to design the Pine Street Pier are Howard Ben Tre,` James Fraser Carpenter , R. M Fischer, Jenny Holzer, The team of Douglas Hollis and Anna Valentina Murch . The four artist teams working on the Passage are: Jim Collins, Alva Crowe, Bunnie McCosar, and Charlie Newton. Second team are Gary Allen, Bill and Demos Glass, Rob McMurty and Knokovtee Scott. Third team are Evan Haynes and Jesse Hummingbird. Fourth group Erin Yon, Freeman Owle and Joel Queen .