ArtsBuild proudly celebrates the recipients of its 2026-2027 Artists Work grants, awarding a total of $135,000 in funding to 30 local artists throughout Hamilton County, TN.

Designed to directly impact local communities and infuse the local creative economy, the Artists Work Grant program provides grants of up to $5,000 to artists creating impactful art throughout Hamilton County. These projects aim to animate community environments, increase access to artistic experiences, and foster connection across diverse neighborhoods.

“ArtsBuild understands that art should be accessible to everyone, everywhere,” said Melissa Astin, Director of Grants and Community Engagement at ArtsBuild. “Our Artists Work Grant recipients represent an incredible range of talent and vision. Through their projects, our public spaces will be animated with art that reflects the unique culture and shared experiences of Hamilton County.”

2026-2027 Artists Work Grant Recipients

• Liza Blair, Brainerd Community Photo Essay: developing an analog photography essay to capture the Brainerd community, running through February 2027 and culminating in public exhibitions.
• Jake Brown and Abby Lusk, Chattanooga Music Video Game: producing a retro-style video game centered around a day exploring Chattanooga’s music scene, putting a spotlight on local music.
• Jon Brumit, SHREDDERROR: leading an interactive sound installation that invites the public to play a custom multi-neck guitar while exploring music, creativity, and community dialogue. 
• Courtenay Cholovich (Lookout Comedy), Monthly Comedy Showcase: producing a monthly comedy showcase at JJ’s Bohemia, July 2026 - February 2027.
• LeBron Clay (Ashe Core Youth Foundation), Freedom Park Youth Art Exhibition: facilitating a community youth art showcase at Freedom Park on August 1, 2026.
• Brandi Donan, The Art of Spirits: presenting an exhibition and artist talk celebrating her forthcoming book, The Art of Spirits, on October 2, 2026, at Townsend Atelier.
• Jerigray Eduave, Filipino-American Dance Performance: producing a 45-minute dance performance exploring Filipino American history and identity, with performances on October 3 and 4, 2026.
• Aaron Ellison “Coach Cherokee”, Capoeira Cultural Celebration: leading a three-part arts-infused project that celebrates the Afro-Brazilian art form of Capoeira.
• Matt Eslinger, Skeleton Key Animation Workshops: offering free to low-cost stop motion animation workshops in August 2026, October 2026, and February 2027.
• Jessi Faircloth (collectively/here), Immersive Movement Experience: creating an immersive movement arts experience featuring more than 12 local dancers and culminating in three performances at Studio Ours September 25-26, 2026.
• Regina Gee, Musician Mental Health Initiative: facilitating a project in partnership with Be the Change Youth Initiative that culminates in two concerts, September - October 2026.
• Chase Guajardo, Troll Project: creating 10 pottery trolls that will highlight the work of Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga.
• Grace Haley, Where Will I Spend Eternity: presenting a solo exhibition at Townsend Atelier from September 11-13, 2026.
• Julius Johnson, CARTA Arts Performances: producing lights and sound for immersive movement arts performances highlighting CARTA in October 2026.
• N’nako Kande’, Micro-Documentary: producing a 15-minute micro-documentary filmed on the grounds of the Chattanooga Audubon Society, with a screening planned for early 2027.
• Ryan Laskowski (Scenic City Shakespeare), The Tempest: leading a local crew of artists to offer a public performance of The Tempest.
• Jered Martin, Kota Riemer, and Tessa Voccola, Hearsay Press, Issue 2: documenting Chattanooga's music culture, culminating in a launch exhibition in February 2027.
• Melissa Meade, Creative Arts Therapy and Exhibition: offering creative arts therapy for trauma survivors in partnership with the Family Justice Center and culminating in a public exhibition at the Healing Through Art event on October 10, 2026.
• Kevin McCurdy (Misfit Metal), Folk Sculptures: creating and installing whimsical forest folk sculptures for the Food Forest Coalition of Chattanooga’s community garden.
• Lucius Nelson, Rock and Smock: producing a free, one-day event pairing live painters and rock climbers at Bouldering Park in Fall 2026.
• Kashun Parks, Holly Morse-Ellington, and Jason Tinney (Next Exit Productions), Anywhere, Suddenly: presenting a new multidisciplinary stage production that combines theater, storytelling, music, and film, with performances at The Woodshop Listening Room and The Plant Bar.
• Jaime Peterson, Weather Station Installations: creating ceramic and folk-art installations inspired by weather stations throughout Chattanooga, in partnership with the Food Forest Coalition of Chattanooga and REconnect Nature School.
• Dominique Pruitt, Wearable Art: expanding her wearable art practice into a forthcoming public runway event.
• Shateria Smith (brown girls can), THE FESTIVAL: partnering with local artists Karla Bivens, Jordan Gustus, Evan Diaz, Brittany Crutcher, and Keeta Jones to present a community festival October 1-6, 2026, at Beni Event Room.
• Jason Tinney (Next Exit Productions), Oak Grove Storytelling Project: facilitating a community event in partnership with Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise on August 31, 2026.
• Alex Volz, Chattanooga Music Oral History Series: producing up to four oral history documentaries highlighting Chattanooga’s local music heritage, airing on WUTC 88.1.
• Josh Wheeler, Veterans Songwriting Project: working with five local songwriters in partnership with Freedom Sings USA to honor local veterans by creating original and performing original songs in October 2026.
• Tron Wilder (Southern Adventist University), Djembe Drumming Workshop and Program: offering a djembe drum-building workshop and a 10-month therapeutic drumming program with visiting artist Tom Harris, culminating in a free public performance in February 2027.
• Sarah Yvonne (Ballet Esprit), 2026 Plumbline Project: leading students from Skillern Elementary at Ivy Academy in a collaborate dance project culminating in a free performance during the Magic of Literacy Festival on October 24, 2026.
• Andrea Zoppo, Giganti Elemental puppets: leading a team of artists to present four large-scale puppets at three community events, United We Dance (October 17, 2026), Wylde Christmas Market (November 17, 2026), and the MainX24 Parade (December 5, 2026).

Those interested in attending the Artists Work grant-funded projects this year can keep up with announcements by subscribing to ArtsBuild’s newsletter, ArtsWire. Visit artsbuild.com to sign-up. Artists and organizations interested in learning more about ArtsBuild are encouraged to attend a monthly open house event, upcoming dates can be found at artsbuild.com/events.

The Artists Work Grant program is made possible through the support of key community partners, including Mark Making, The Robert Finley Stone Foundation, The Lyndhurst Foundation, The Benwood Foundation, and individual ArtsBuild donors. To learn more about supporting ArtsBuild’s grants and programs, visit artsbuild.com/donate-form.