Rise Up Chattanooga

Can a public art project reach people beyond the traditional “art world”? Rise Up Chattanooga is a public art project by Virginia-based artist Charlie Brouwer. 452 ladders borrowed from families, schools, businesses, churches, and organizations from all over the Chattanooga community were joined together with heavy-duty cable ties to form a temporary sculpture on the grounds of Glass House Collective. Each ladder represents the hopes and dreams of its lender. Connected, the ladders represent the community supporting each other as they rise together. Artist Brouwer says that a “community exists when each member realizes that their own hopes and dreams depend on, and are tied to everyone else’s.”

In 2002, Brouwer began these ‘Rise Up’ projects as a way to engage a broader audience in a contemporary art experience that involves them in its making. This is his 9th installation made from borrowed ladders.

Outcomes:
452 ladders borrowed
244 ladder lenders engaged
1,200 visitors
3 school field trip visits

Media:
Times Free Press, Glass Street group celebrates its Rise Up Chattanooga sculpture
The Pulse Weekly, Glass Street Scales Ladders to Rise Up
The Wall Breakers, Rise Up Chattanooga!
WRCB Channel 3, Rise Up Chattanooga:a man’s dream to use art to unify Chattanooga
WUTC Public Radio, Transforming Glass Street from the outside in
Nooga.com, The beautiful uprising on Glass Street
Times Free Press, Sculpture expected to inspire Glass Street improvement
Times Free Press, Glass Street’s streetscape improvements seen as key step in Chattanooga area’s revitalization
WUTC Public Radio, A Rung Up on Art
Pulse Weekly, Loan Your Ladder
St. Andrews Center Project Video
Rise Up Chattanooga Video