Chattanooga Selects Ebony Bolt for Transformative Walnut Street Bridge Art Installation

Chattanooga Welcomes Artist Ebony Bolt for Walnut Street Bridge Transformation

Hey there, Chattanooga! Exciting news is buzzing around town as the city has just announced that New York-based artist Ebony Bolt has been selected to create a stunning public art installation as part of the Walnut Street Bridge renovation project. This isn’t just any artist; Ms. Bolt is known for her vibrant, community-focused designs that truly celebrate the heart and soul of urban spaces. Sounds amazing, right?

A Thoughtful Selection Process

City officials shared that choosing the right artist for this unique project wasn’t a walk in the park. The selection process was rigorous and designed to identify an artist with the skills and vision to meet the specific needs of this time-sensitive initiative. Working with Via Partnership, a firm skilled in municipal art projects, the Chattanooga Public Art Commission (CPAC) put together a speedy selection method. They invited a select group of talented artists to compete. Out of seven applicants, a committee of local leaders and arts professionals reviewed their submissions, shortlisted potential candidates on October 28, and interviewed three finalists on November 1.

The result? An enthusiastic decision as Ms. Bolt was chosen by a decisive margin! Officials praised her for her artistic vision and her thoughtful approach to community representation and engagement. It seems clear that the selection committee was very impressed!

Meet Ebony Bolt!

So, what makes Ms. Bolt stand out among a pool of talented artists? For starters, she brings a wealth of experience in crafting public art that truly honors community diversity. With a background as a CAD Print Designer in the fashion world, her creations are filled with bold patterns inspired by everything from urban landscapes to traditional textiles. Some of her previous projects include enhancing streetscapes in New York City and activating flood protection barriers at South Street Seaport. Talk about versatility!

Ms. Bolt shared her inspiration for this project, stating, “I believe it is important to incorporate motifs that provide a visual guide to the site-specific areas where my work is featured.” She hopes to honor veterans while emphasizing the role of art as a powerful tool for community connection. Ms. Bolt sees the Walnut Street Bridge as not just a physical structure, but as a symbolic vehicle for bringing people together. We couldn’t agree more!

Community Engagement and Next Steps

This weekend, Ms. Bolt will be visiting Chattanooga from Thursday to Saturday to connect with the local community and soak in the vibe of the city. During her visit, she will develop a proposal and implementation plan that will need to be reviewed and approved by the selection committee and the CPAC. This promise of engagement helps assure that the installation will connect with the heart of the community.

Mark your calendars, because the installation process for Ms. Bolt’s stunning artwork is set to kick off in late February or early March 2025, right before the planned closure of the Walnut Street Bridge. Residents can also look forward to local vendors being enlisted for the fabrication and installation of the artwork, ensuring that this project is a truly collaborative and community-driven effort.

Don’t Forget About the New Mural!

But wait, there’s more! As part of the second phase of the bridge detour project, a mural will also be commissioned for the Veterans Bridge off-ramp on the downtown side of the river. It seems Chattanooga’s art scene is about to bloom big time!

The Walnut Street Bridge Renovation Project is due to kick off on March 17, 2025. If you want to keep up with the latest on this project, just hop over to www.walnutstreetbridge.com. With all this happening, it’s a fantastic time to be in Chattanooga!