New art installation at Renaissance Park

To be or not to be is the question and Rhyme and Chatt are looking to answer that question at Renaissance Park as a partner with the city of Chattanooga Department of Arts to open up the first Democracy Speaks Civic Poetry Pathway.

“So this is in celebration of America 250 and this is a partnership between Rhyme and Chatt Poetry Organization and the city of Chattanooga, office of arts culture and creative economy.” says Marsha Mills, Project Manager for Democracy Speaks.

Poets and poetry lovers came together to experience the first ever Poetry pathway, offering a unique experience that Chattanooga has never seen before. 

“This is a public poetry display, so people have an opportunity to come to the park. There’s a total of 16 different placards along the walkway where they can scan, and they will have access to poetry written by local poets, who were commissioned by the city as a part of this project.” says Marsha Mills.

This will allow people at any time to be able to hear from the poets and what they have written. With this first installation being around America’s 250th anniversary, the poems involved themes of democracy, identity, and civic responsibility. While also reflecting Tennessee’s role in shaping the American story.

“So this is a great place for people who wanna learn more about history to come out people who have love for poetry, but also for like school groups and civic groups to come out and walk through the park.” says Marsha Mills. 

Marsha also made it clear that not one of these poets are the same. The poets range in age, background, and experience. 

“I will tell you that there was a call for poets, a citywide car for poets, that happened like October November of last year and in December of last year we selected the top 16 poets and they range in age from the youngest being about 10 years old to the eldest being in their mid 70s, and we just run the gambit when it comes to the age groups, the backgrounds of the people that are a part of it and that’s really exciting because we’re getting to be able hear the poetic voice of  a good subset of our community.” says, Marsha Mills

Everything that Rhyme and Chatt do is interactive. So, when you head down to Renaissance Park and scan the QR codes on the plaque to read the poems, you can also summit your own poetry for a chance to be featured in the park. 

“Rhyme and Chatt is always doing something so putting poetry where it isn’t, is one of the things that we do and this is an example of that but we also do open mics all around the city. We do workshops all around the city so you can follow those social media at Rhyme and Chatt on our Instagram and also on Facebook and we’re also found on Rhyme and Chatt. org” says Marsha Mills. 

Make sure to head down to Renaissance Park to check out the new addition and maybe even become part of the project yourself!