Chattanooga Celebrates 55 Years of Arts Enrichment and Honors Local Literary Talent at Authors Fair

Chattanooga: A Flourishing Creative Hub

Chattanooga is sprouting as a vibrant creative hub for artists and writers alike! On September 25, the local organization ArtsBuild will commemorate an impressive milestone—55 years of enriching our city through the arts. Alongside this celebration, they will also honor the tenth anniversary of the Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Awards, recognizing a diverse group of impactful individuals in our community. This year’s awardees are Cam Busch, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Olan and Norma Mills, and Anna Baker-VanCura. It’s heartwarming to see how these achievements interweave with our community’s ongoing artistic legacy.

Celebrating Our Artistic Roots

Recently, several relatives of the Ochs-Holmberg family visited the historic Mizpah Synagogue in Chattanooga, a place that carries the rich heritage of Ruth Holmberg and her family. Encountering them was a beautiful reminder of how the past and present harmoniously coexist within our city’s artistic landscape. From architecture and visual arts to dance and music, Chattanooga has a legacy that celebrates creativity in all its forms.

Authors Fair: A Celebration of Words

Last weekend, creativity also lit up the scene at the downtown public library during the local Authors Fair. Before even stepping inside, attendees were greeted by a lively microphone setup on the outdoor pavilion, where authors like Eric Smith shared thoughts on powerful topics like the war in Ukraine, the experience of being Black in the South, and environmental conservation. His words truly reminded us how poetry can be a profound source of healing. I couldn’t help but think of my father during World War II, who found solace in poetry while serving as a military intelligence officer.

Stepping into the library, I was greeted by the sight of nearly 30 authors showcased on the first floor. Each writer, representing a variety of genres and backgrounds, was eager to share their stories. Fans of murder mysteries might flock to George Hudson, while science fiction enthusiasts could find excitement in the works of Devon Erikson. There were poetry readings by Ray Zimmerman, enchanting tales from children’s book author Tom Bissonette, and the art-infused memoir by Brent Weston. To see so many authors achieving recognition, with their works potentially making the leap to film and television, was simply inspiring!

Engaging Young Creatives

Of course, the library didn’t forget about the younger crowd! Kids’ crafting stations seamlessly blended fun with creativity – I decided to try my hand at making a personalized bookmark. It was such a joyful experience! However, I eventually yielded my spot to an adorable young girl eagerly waiting to create her own bookmark.

A Network of Support

Several well-established organizations that support local authors and artists were present at the fair. The Writers Guild and the Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization, both founded around 25 years ago, have been pivotal for many writers. Additionally, the SoLit organization, known formerly as the Southern Lit Alliance, has been nurturing literary arts since its inception in 1952. Together, these organizations, along with newer ventures like Reve Coffee and Books, reflect the commitment to foster a community that appreciates reading, writing, and engaging conversations about literature.

Why This Matters

So, why does the library put so much effort into hosting the Authors Fair? As one library representative put it, “We want to give local authors a place to share their work with the public and a space for them to network with each other.” In today’s world, where libraries are evolving beyond just books, the heart of storytelling remains central to everything they do. The hope is to inspire aspiring writers to realize that their neighbors are out there publishing their stories too—a reminder that everyone has a tale worth telling!

Don’t hesitate—grab your pen and paper! It’s time to write that book and share your story with the world!