Spring-summer-fall hours: Tuesday -Sunday, 11 am-5 pm
Self Guided Tours.
adults- $15
seniors-$10
students- $5.
www.finstersgarden.com
What began in the early 80s as Howard Finster Day in Summerville Georgia became one of Northwest Georgia’s most popular folk art and music festivals. Through the years the event has drawn artists from over 20 states and well known musicians from throughout the region. Paradise Gardens Park is the home of Finster Fest, the 3-acre art environment of Rev. Finster and Howard entertained guests with his humor, art and banjo until his passing in 2001.
Today the tradition continues as Paradise Gardens is being restored and three generations of folk artist and art lovers inspired by Howard Finster return to Paradise to celebrate and enjoy this enduring legacy.
Located in Summerville, Georgia, the county seat of Chattooga County, there exists a place like no other… a place called Paradise Gardens.
The Gardens sit on a four acre plot of land that is now, quite simply, a work of art… a masterpiece in it’s own right. Included on the property are the Gardens, , Paradise Gardens Art Gallery, and of course, the World’s Folk Art Chapel.
Howard started the Gardens in 1961 before he received his vision telling him to create sacred art in 1976. Years of compiled art make up the maze of structures and sculptures. Everything in the Gardens has a meaning. Incorporating all kinds of recycled materials into his art,
Howard used bottles, glass, mirrors, cement, bathtubs, toilets, “garbage” such as rusted bicycle frames and cast off jewelry… you name it, it’s there. Howard had an amazing way of combining text and strong visual forms, so that you have no doubt about his evangelical purpose. His calling as a preacher comes to life here at Paradise Gardens, and by using his art, he created sermon after sermon. Of visual art, he said, “Visual art is a great thing. It draws the attention of people. That’s what peoples’ work does. It preaches for them after they’re gone.” Yes… it certainly does.
Howard Finster is the undisputed grandfather of modern American Visionary art. From his humble birth in 1915 in Valley Head Alabama to his passing in 2001 as one of the most celebrated and prolific artist of the last century, he retained a down home charm and deep devotion to a God given call to communicate the Good News. Howard was converted to the Christian faith at 13 years old and began his ministry at 16. From his early days of woodworking and "chalk talk" Bible studies Howard was a born communicator. His love for people inspired the motto for which he has become famous "I never met a person I did not LOVE"
Moving to Trion Georgia, Rev. Finster worked in the local mill, repaired bicycles for children, repaired small engines and pastured over 10 churches in 40 years. Throughout this time he engaged in evangelistic tent revivals in the Eastern U.S. and produced a weekly radio program and two newspaper columns. The remarkable range of achievements is even more profound in light of his 6th grade education as one of 13 children raised on a rural farm.
Upon his arrival in Georgia Howard had begun a recycled art garden which was later moved to nearby Pennville, Georgia .Through the Garden Howard garnered national attention and his surreal botanical world was dubbed "a Garden of Paradise" from which the name Paradise Gardens evolved. In 1976 the vision of a face in a paint smudge on his finger directed Howard to "Paint Sacred Art". Nearly 50,000 paintings later Rev. Finster’s vision has placed his artwork in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the American Folk Art Museum in NYC, the Library of Congress and major museums and collections around the world.
Through the years music groups like REM, Talking Heads U2, Blackhawk and The News Boys have utilized Howard’s art as covers on albums/CDs and some have filmed music videos in Paradise Gardens. Howard has achieved icon status among three generations of artists and art fans from the broadest spectrum of American culture any artist has ever enjoyed. His humble and honest personality, genuine charm and fascinating artwork continue to captivate a new generation. Paradise Gardens hosts visitors from around the globe and is undergoing a major restoration and preservation. Of his recycled art creation Rev. Finster boasted: "I took the pieces you threw away put them together by night and day washed by rain and dried by sun a million pieces all in one."
Paradise Garden has attained international pop icon status since its
creation. Howard Finster's outdoor art environment has been the
subject of many documentaries and articles. The site is listed by
many travel publications as a top destination. Images of the site can
be seen on cover art and is included in music videos from groups like
REM, Black Hawk and the Talking Heads. Howard Finster cultivated a
landscape that also included other artist's work at the Garden, such
as Pop Art icon Keith Haring. Howard and his garden were also
featured on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Paradise Garden
Located in Summerville, Georgia, is a maze of buildings, sculptures
and displays. The Gardens were built from found objects and recycled
materials ranging from bottles, bathtubs and toilets to bicycle frames
and cast-off jewelry. The setting is a four-acre swampland that is
drained by numerous canals.
http://www.Paradisegardenfoundation.org
