Representatives from several Chattanooga organizations this month announced the creation of the first city-wide collaborative arts and culture showcase. The showcase will encompass visual art, performance art, technological art, musical art, history and more, and will include local, regional and national artists and entertainers. It will take place from April 13-22 across Chattanooga.
“We are thrilled to finally be able to announce this spectacular event,” said Daniel Stetson, executive director at the Hunter Museum of American Art. “HATCH will be an unprecedented collaboration of organizations throughout our region that will attract a wide variety of visitors, and we will also target those who have not previously been exposed to art in this way. The event will take place all over the city, from Southside to downtown to the Northshore and even Lookout Mountain.”
Several events have already been planned for the first year of HATCH. Headlining events include the 4 Bridges Arts Festival, the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Conference, the Festival of New Plays, several exhibits at the Hunter Museum of American Art and 10x10, a new exhibition of creativity that will span 10 city blocks. Founding sponsors are the Lyndhurst Foundation and the Benwood Foundation.
“We are expecting a huge draw of attendees from across the Southeast and think the economic impact of these combined events will be significant,” Stetson added. “Our goal is to have HATCH reach the level of Charleston’s Spoleto Festival.”
Events are continually being added to the festival. Anyone interested in participating should visit the event’s Web site at www.HATCHchatt.org.