Preserve Chattanooga is inviting local artists to take a pen for a walk – literally.
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the preservation nonprofit has announced a summer architectural drawing contest inspired by “Taking a Pen for a Walk: Discovering Towns and Cities Through Drawing” by urban designer Ray Gindroz. The contest encourages participants to explore Chattanooga’s architectural landscape by creating hand-drawn sketches of streetscapes, iconic building facades, or mapped walks that highlight significant design elements.
The competition is open to two age groups: youths ages 14-18 and adults 19 and older. There’s no cost to enter. All submissions must be received by Monday, Sept. 1, by 5 p.m.
Contest organizers say artists should use pen and paper, drawing inspiration from the techniques and observations in Gindroz’s book, which emphasizes discovering cities through the act of sketching.
“Chattanooga has a rich architectural heritage,” says a Preserve Chattanooga spokesperson. “This contest is an exciting way for people to engage with their surroundings and celebrate the built environment that makes our city unique.”
Gindroz, co-founder and Principal Emeritus of Urban Design Associates, is widely known for championing community-driven urban planning and for reviving the use of architectural pattern books. In addition to “Taking a Pen for a Walk,” he has written several texts on design and planning and taught urban design at institutions including Yale and Carnegie Mellon.
Winners of the drawing contest will be announced during the Chattanooga Preservation Awards ceremony Thursday, Sept. 18 at the historic Read House Silver Ballroom. The event will feature keynote speaker Donovan Rypkema, an internationally recognized expert on the economic and social impacts of historic preservation.
Guidelines and registration