Don't forget: Sundown in St. Elmo

For August's edition of Sundown in St. Elmo, Umbra Essence will be hosting an artist’s reception Saturday, August 7th from 6-9pm for painter and collage artist Cat Collier and original jewelry artist Sarah Hiles. Enjoy light refreshments on the garden terrace during our reception featuring these two fine Chattanooga artists.


Cat Collier uses layers of paint and paper to build her distinct mixed media artworks. Her art depicts her own personal interpretation of all kinds of things; she is especially influenced by color. It is the color reminiscent of childhood, the color vibrant in graffiti, the color of light, the color of urban stuff, the color of monochrome. While her work is not symbolic, Collier manages to create personally resonant images that seem uncannily familiar, like the memory of a dream. Her most recent works have focused on the theme of trees, collectively creating a great forest.

Sarah Hiles makes unusual jewelry from precious metals and fine gemstones. She explores many metalsmithing techniques that provide fresh artistic expression for creative design and wearability. Sarah earned a Bachelors Degree of Fine Art in Metalsmithing from Memphis College of Art. She has also studied Metals at The Appalachian Center for Craft for three years. She began her own company, Artizen Metal, in 2005. Since moving to Chattanooga in 2009 she has been inspired by the natural beauty and peaceful environment of East Tennessee.

Other Businesses Participating This Month:

Pasha Coffee and Tea

The Moccasin Bend Brewing Company

The Asher Love Studio + Gallery

Blacksmith's Bistro

Mojo Burrito

Body Wisdom

The Tennessee Bouldering Authority

Kandice Ledford Photography

Visit each business for a chance to win a prize basket filled with goodies from area merchants!

July Artist Feature- Thorn Ridge Studios

Born and raised in Bethesda Maryland, Henry Levine has designed and created vessels since he started classes at Glen Echo Pottery in 1973. At Alfred University, he got bit by the glass bug and did not make any clay pots. Instead, he attended classes in ceramic sculpture, glass blowing and neon art. After graduating Alfred, Henry worked as a neon technician at Vacuform Industries for one year before buying Quality Neon Products. As a neon manufacturer, Henry employed fifteen people and wholesaled neon lights to large sign companies who shipped his products nationwide. Henry owned and operated the neon shop for ten years before moving to southeast Ohio and opening Thorn Ridge Studios in 1999.


"Inspired by ancient roman glass, I strive to create work that is both beautiful and useful in which the color, pattern and shape are balanced. I use a rich medley of colors that glow with translucency and create a sense of depth. Recurring themes in my work are repeated patterns and applied motion. My favorite shape to work with at the moment is the candy dish; the thick bottom and flared lip allows me to create a space in the cone that is intimate and jewel like." -Henry Levine