Mark Making About Us

Mark Making empowers nonprofessional artists by teaching them
21st century problem solving skills
with the goal of a more fulfilling life.
Though our participants have a wide
range of life experiences, Mark
Making provides an economic and
cognitive edge in this current
Age of Creativity.
About Us
History
A non-profit organization, Mark Making was founded by Frances
McDonald in 2008. Mark Making grew out of Francesʼ many
years of facilitating the creation of art in highly visible sites by
students and non-working adults such as the homeless, and
those with physical or mental challenges. Mark Making is
funded by grants from local foundations, art and civic agencies,
and the generosity of private donors.
Board of Directors
Frances McDonald, Chair • Brenda Bill-McAdams
Missy Crutchfield • Carla Donina • Lavinia Johnston
Candy Kruesi • Jack McDonald • Andre McGary
Stroud Watson
Some of our Teaching Artists
Julie Clark • Kathryn Franklin • Jessica Grogan
Carla Guerra • Tina Hawks • Frances McDonald
John McLeod • Lawrence Mathis • Jas Milam
Dennis Palmer • Elizabeth Rogers • Mei Li Zuber
“We See You” 1999
Calvin Donaldson Elementary Students
By creating an environment
conducive to art making as well as
Contact Information
302 Noll St. • Chattanooga, TN 37405 • (423)266-3041
www.markmaking.org
www.myspace.com/markmaking
http://twitter.com/markmaking
coaching these emergent artists on
the basics of line, shape, color, and
texture, Mark Making provides a safe
space for the expression of the
participantsʼ inherent creativity. The
end result is a public art project that
benefits the participants and
beautifies the local community.
On the cover: “My City ʻtis of Thee” 2008
Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Students
Mark Making
.
Artist John McLeod
teaching a tile workshop at the Salvation Army
Enhancing our Community through the
Creation of Public Art
Mark Making
Individual Empowerment
Visual Art Education
Invokes pride and self-esteem,
creating a sense of ownership
and citizenship.
Teaches art as a problem
solving skill: arranging lines,
shapes, colors and textures until
the desired outcome emerges.
“The future belongs to a very different
kind of person with a very different
kind of mind —creators and
empathizers, pattern recognizers, and
meaning makers. These people—
artists, inventors, designers,
storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big
picture thinkers—will now reap
societyʼs richest rewards and share its
greatest joys.”
Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind
Serves to improve less
attractive areas, stimulate
community interaction, and
promote tourism.
Teaching Opportunities
Provides area artists with
opportunities to teach and
experience public art
collaborations.
Detail from
“My City ʻtis of Thee” 1999
50 x 18 ft Mural
on Barton Ave
“I Respect” Marvin W. 2009
One of a collection of 52
paintings on the Ross Hotel
Building, Georgia Avenue and
Patten Parkway
Teens from the Partnership of
Families, Children and Adults,
the Chambliss Shelter, and
CADAS chose a word that
empowered them and then
painted their mouths articulating
that word. Their answers reflect
their confidence, individuality,
and desire to be heard.
Cheri England
Coat of Arms Project, AIM Center 2004
Beautifying Visual
Landscapes
“The afternoon I spent painting
my mouth, I didnʼt say ʻI canʼtʼ
one single time. At the end, I
said ʻI canʼ.”
Earl, Chambliss Shelter
“Everlasting Flow” 2009
20 x 4 ft. abstract cloth tapestry
in the Chattanooga-Hamilton
County Bicentennial Library
The Teen Advisory Board of the
Library and Chattanooga Teen
Scene created a large abstract
depicting a “river” of change
from youth to adulthood, from
confusion to clarity.
“My experience working on the
tapestry was really mind
opening, and I learned so many
new things. I love art but the
tapestry gave me another
perspective about it.”
Mei Li Zuber
“Homes” to be installed 2009
13 ft. high, steel and ceramic
tile, Main Street
Fifty-five third graders from
Chattanooga School for the
Arts and Sciences painted their
singing self portraits, creating
one huge choir welcoming
people to
North Chattanooga.
“It is apparent by the many
positive comments and strong
public support we have received
here at City Hall and the
comments posted at the website,
the residents of Chattanooga
love this mural.”
Mayor Ron Littlefield
Three hundred homeless
persons served by the
Chattanooga Community
Kitchen and other agencies
wrote and drew on ceramic tiles
their ideas about “home” and
their experience being
homeless.
“This was the most amazing
teaching experience Iʼve ever
had and a rare opportunity to
give back to my community.
The tiles were a poignant
testament of what I have to
offer to other artists.”
John McLeod