Paradise Garden Fundraiser

Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden

Paradise Garden, a historic art environment created by the most famous 20th century
contemporary self-taught/folk artist, Rev. Howard Finster. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Paradise Garden is located in the small rural town of Summerville, Georgia, located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The 4-acre historic art
environment is filled with art structures including concrete grotto walls, 200+ ft of mosaic sidewalks, a 50+ year old mosaic garden with raised beds, a 300 ft outdoor art gallery, and 18 separate art structures and buildings, all created by Rev. Howard Finster. CNN called it, “The Souths most inspired garden.” Paradise Garden is one of the top 10 art
environments in the world and is open to the public 6 days a week, 12 months a year.

Over 43,000 patrons have visited Paradise Garden from 33 counties since the Garden was purchased by Chattooga County in 2012. Today, it serves as a nonprofit regional rural art center and one of two major economic drivers for the impoverished and
economically depressed Appalachian region of Georgia. Programming includes an art
museum and visitors center, year-round tours, children art camps and workshops, adult art classes, art exhibitions, 16 music performances, art conservation, historic restoration and a two-day NEA sponsored nationally recognized folk art festival benefiting 100+ local and regional visual artists, musicians, authors and spoken word.

Paradise Garden is operated by a nonprofit working Board of Directors, Paradise Garden Foundation, and receives no county funding. In addition to the local Board of Directors, Paradise Garden Foundation has Regional and National Advisory Boards with the top
national folk art curators, scholars, and collectors. Paradise Garden is operated by a staff of three fulltime employees and two seasonal student interns.

The designated art auction lots in the Slotin Summer Online Auction benefit Paradise
Garden Foundation for the operation and restoration of Howard Finster’s historic art
environment and enables the environment to be open for visitors year-round. Paradise Garden has three artful Airbnb overnight lodging adventures where guests will receive the key to Paradise Garden to tour privately after the Garden closes to the public. Plan your visit to Paradise Garden today and thank you for your generous support! Visit our website for more information on the Garden and our fabulous Airbnbs.
www.ParadiseGardenFoundation.org

Photo Credit:
Finster on Top of Sign: Bud Lee