Carol Mickett & Robert Stackhouse

News Channel 9
Kavin Sims

There is more construction going on in North Chattanooga but it's not on the latest condos or coffee shop. Instead it's the latest art project. And it's a big one.

Buried back in the blue skies and branches above Renaissance Park is Chattanooga's newest sculpture. What looks like a bunch of two-by-fours was actually inspired by the nearby Tennessee River. "It's meant to be like the river," says artist Carol Mickett. "It's directional. You walk through. It flows."

Once installed, 'A Place in the Woods' will have the wood frame stripped away. Welders are working on the bronze and brass body that will be left behind. At 28-feet long, 14-feet wide and 14-feet high, it certainly is an attention-getter. "One of the jobs an artist has is to keep trying to find new ways to make art," says artist Robert Stackhouse.

Stackhouse and Mickett are the minds behind the sculpture. They're from south Florida but hear people talk about Chattanooga all around the art world. "They remark about how remarkable Chattanooga is," says Mickett. "And what they're talking about is how Chattanooga has committed to the arts."

That is welcome news to the Hunter Museum, who is putting on this outdoor effort. Art doesn't have to be indoors to draw crowds. "They'll see this and they'll see that it's part of the Hunter collection," says Chief Curator Ellen Simak, "and maybe they'll think about coming up to see the Hunter."

So when this place in the woods is finally finished it will also take it's place in art lovers' hearts. "People can be in it and think 'huh, I'm here in Renaissance Park."

'Place in the Woods' won't won't be the only piece of art you'll see in Renaissance Park. Another one named 'Tennessee Leaf' is coming soon. It will be the fourth and final piece in the Art in Public Places project. The Benwood Foundation is paying about one million dollars for the collection.

Way to go Chattanooga!