I Found Artistic Inspiration at Sculpture Fields in Tennessee

I have always admired art, especially in unexpected places. Having murals in cities, sculptures, and other artistic expressions dotting the streets is a great indicator that you have a community that cares about where they live. I have noticed that from small towns to bigger metropolitan areas when you have a whole park dedicated to art, it can really be special. Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is located in the heart of Chattanooga and houses dozens of towering art pieces. We visited on a beautiful day, and trust me, it was way cooler than you could ever imagine. 

As a family, we took a trip to experience some of the best local hikes in the South. As we planned our trip, we would be in the vicinity of Chattanooga, so I knew we had to add this amazing Chattanooga sculpture garden to our itinerary. The day came, and we rolled up to the parking lot and were instantly greeted by a lush green field filled with glorious sculptures. 

More than 50 pieces dot the landscape of Montague Park in Chattanooga. It felt otherworldly in one sense and perfectly at home in this artistic city. I was hooked from the minute I saw the massive sculpture known as “Anchors.” This towering piece stands in the middle of the park and reminds me of the arches found in Utah. The earth tones and sheer size of this sculpture were incredibly impressive. We were on to a great start at this open-air art museum. 

We walked around the perfectly manicured green space on the path to see dozens of sculptures. Each one had a distinct look and feel to it, using different materials and taking on imaginative shapes. We started to come up with names for them ourselves and my kids thought it was a blast to depict what each one meant to them. My oldest daughter is especially interested in art and had a lot of fun seeing the different designs. 

Some of them really sparked my imagination and immersed me in a whole new world. The one title “Red Alert” to me looked like a chair you would find in a Dr.Suess book. Following the curvy legs up to the chair immediately reminded me of my favorite children's books I read as a kid. 

Others took me to a more sinister place. The one called “Renegade” looked like the wings of a Mothman. So naturally, I couldn’t help but think about the red-eyed monster lurking in the shadows of the night as an omen of disaster. 

Another favorite of mine was “Some Waves Spark Stones.” This one transported me to the shores of the Neil River in ancient Egypt. I was fascinated at how a simple abstract sculpture could have such a profound impact on my creativity. I could honestly write a story about every single sculpture. 

So, if you are a creative person looking for inspiration, I urge you to go to Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. It is a worthy detour if you don’t live near the city, and if you find yourself close by, then this is simply a must-see within the city. If you find that this park inspires you, too, you can even book this cozy artist cottage to stay in Chattanooga a while longer. The next day you can take a trip up Lookout Mountain to see some of the best attractions in the area, as well as the incredible views. 

If you want to see more of Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, please check out my Adventuring in the Moment video we made to showcase this amazing spot in Chattanooga.