The options are endless when it comes to filling your sketchbook. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
Folks may remember The Sketchbook Project, an initiative out of the Brooklyn Art Library that featured a collection of over 50,000 works by more than 30,000 artists.
After 17 years, the library and project closed, and the sketchbooks were sent to their new homes — the Southeast portion of the collection now resides in Chattanooga at Stove Works.
Bonus: You can check out the list of sketchbooks in the collection online + see them for yourselves in the art space’s library during its gallery operational hours.
Stove Works is one of four institutions to house the works from The Sketchbook Project.
Photo by NOOGAtoday
Taking inspiration from the project, Stove Works has launched its own Sketchbook Collection initiative. Local artists can participate by checking out a 28-page sketchbook to complete and return to be housed with the permanent collection.
There’s no timeline for the project, meaning artists can complete sketchbooks at their leisure — just make sure to bring your work back to Stove Works to be put on display.
Artists of all experience levels can join in the initiative — you’ll even see some of Stove Works’ artists in residency housed in the collection like Neena Wang, whose exhibit “Celestial Bodies” is currently on display in the gallery through Saturday, June 7.
Sketchbooks can be picked up Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. + there is no charge to participate.
Events
Events
Friday, April 11
Create & Connect: Friday Night Art Club | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery (Broad Street) | Free, RSVP | Bring a friend or come solo to meet fellow creatives for a night of art, conversation, and connection — donations are encouraged.
Saturday, April 12
Spring Plant Festival | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Creekside Flower Farm, Chickamauga, GA | $5+ | Shop from 60+ varieties of plants and merch from the farm while enjoying a vendor market, food trucks, and yard games.
“Glass From the Past” Opening Reception | 4-6 p.m. | Chattanooga Public Library, Downtown Branch | Free, RSVP | Learn more about Chattanooga’s glass manufacturing and bottling history while enjoying refreshments from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. + Chattanooga Whiskey.
Sunday, April 13
Herbal Allies for Stressful Times | 12-3 p.m. (CST) | Bird Fork Farm, Dunlap | $45+ | Join this outdoor workshop to discuss how our bodies react to stress + ways plants may be able to help.
Monday, April 14
Planting Party | 4-6 p.m. | Chester Frost Park, Hixson | Free+ | Celebrate National Gardening Day with free activities, food + beverage vendors, games, music, and more family fun.
Putt-Putt in the Park | 4-7 p.m. | Little Debbie Park, Collegedale | Free+ | Head to the park to play a nine-hole putt-putt course + large yard games — The Frozen Frenzy will be on site selling food and treats.
But just as “Nothing gold can stay,” this peak petal season won’t be around much longer. Only for a few more weeks, in fact.
For an up-close look at trillium, Virginia bluebell, celandine poppy, and so many more native flowers, stop by Reflection Riding or join a guided Wildflower Walk (like the one tomorrow) for expert insights + info.
Chag sameach. Passover (or Pesach) begins at sundown tomorrow and goes through Sunday, April 20. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga on Sunday, April 13 for its Passover Seder meal from 6 to 8 p.m.
Development
Lucey Quarter, a mixed-use development coming to Highland Park, has released renderings for its planned Food Hall, with plans to offer quick bites + leisurely meals. Bonus: Developers are seeking local restaurant owners who are interested in the food truck rental space.
Environment
EPB’s Free Tree ReLeaf program kicks off tomorrow, where eligible residents can receive two native trees per household. Trees can be picked up Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center’s Native Plant Nursery while supplies last.
Cause
La Paz Chattanooga is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Latino Leadership Awards. The award ceremony recognizes individuals, businesses + organizations that are positively impacting the Latino community in Chattanooga. Submit your nominations by Friday, May 30.
Sports
Tomorrow is Jackie Robinson Day. You can celebrate the legacy of this American baseball player with the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULCG) + the Lookouts at tomorrow’s game against the Birmingham Barons. Bonus: Stop by ULCG’s booth to learn more about Robinson.
Biz
In case you missed it,McKay’s Chattanooga recently completed renovations after a temporary closure. Now the business is open for regular hours every day + you can check out the new floor plan before shopping for used books, CDs, records, movies, and more.
Film
The Southeastern Climbers Coalition is teaming up with Lookout Wild Film Festival, Gearhead Outfitters + Barrelhouse Ballroom to bring “Reel Rock 19" to Chattanooga. Get your tickets to watch worldwide climbing films on the big screen with fellow enthusiasts on Friday, May 2.
Plan Ahead
ClearStory Arts will bring back its Spring Chicken Art Market on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This seasonal celebration features 40+ local and regional art vendors, live music performances, pen art studios, food, and more springtime fun.
Category
Arts
🎨 The Hunter’s Invitational series is back
The exhibition will showcase new works and allow visitors to see artists from their own communities. | Photo by The Hunter Museum via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
The Hunter Museum of American Art has unveiled the artists chosen for “The Hunter Invitational V,” the fifth installment of an exhibition series that showcases artists living + working in the Southeast.
The series debuted in 2007 to highlight the region’s vibrant art scene + explore its connections to broader trends in the art world through a select group of artists — the last installment was on view in 2018.
Over the course of a year, Hunter Museum Chief Curator Nandini Makrandi conducted studio visits across the region to select nine emerging + established artists for the series — including a few locals.
The artists will work in their chosen mediums this year. Mark your calendars to see their completed work when the exhibit opens on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 — we’ll make sure to be back with an update.
A set of nice thank you cards. This budget-friendly 36-pack combines elegant minimalism with gold foil accents on high-quality paper. Keep it on hand for expressing gratitude at a moment’s notice.
In case you missed it, the first Play Streets event is happening today from 5 to 6:30 p.m. over on Boylston Street. We asked our readers where else they would like to see this initiative pop up in town, and Rossville Avenue took the lead spot with 33.3% of the votes — though Highland Park + St. Elmo Avenues were close behind.
The Buy
A men’s sun protective shirt. The lightweight, long sleeve design is great for fishing, camping, and hiking and blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays.
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