Hello all! Let me first start by introducing myself. My name is Whitney Nave Jones; I am from Chattanooga, TN. I have been an artist as long as I can remember. About 6 months ago I came upon the opportunity of a lifetime. My husband Bryan and I were going on vacation and decided to stop by Howard Finsters Paradise Gardens www.finstersparadisegardens.org while there I met a man named Tommy Littleton who is chairman of the non-profit that has owned the gardens since 2005 (given to the non-profit by the Finster family). Mr. Littleton began to tell me how he needed some help with the tours at the gardens and asked if I would be interested. Being that I live so close, and have studied Howard’s work for years, it seemed like the perfect partnership.
From there we met a few more times and I then began to open Paradise Gardens Gallery by Whitney Nave Jones. www.paradisegardensgallery.com This helps keep doors open and tours scheduled as well as generating donations through gallery earnings, most of which are used to restore Howard’s Folk Art Chapel. The chapel is the world’s largest Folk art museum and in 2005 became victim of severe water damage. Since then Paradise Gardens, a Georgia non-profit has been trying to raise enough money to fix this irreplaceable landmark.
World's folk Art Chapel
We have currently raised enough money to repair large portions of the structures exterior, but the interior walls and floors really need some help as well. We have inquired about several grants, but with the economy this past year it’s been quite difficult. We are hoping that with the love and support of the local community we will be able to make Howard Finster’s dream come true, which is to have the gardens open for people and artists of all types to come visit and create. After all, Howard always said, “I never met a man I didn’t love”. We are planning a festival in the spring and hopefully a summer camp. We have been offered some small grants for art projects and festivals.
Anything anyone could donate would be wonderful (time, money, connections, etc). Such contributions could help fulfill the wishes of many fans, artists, and family members alike. This can be done and we will not stop until the gardens are restored. I was lead there for a purpose and I will not turn my back on this project. Please come together with me and help prevent Howard Finsters life’s work from becoming a Paradise Lost.
