IF YOU GOWhat: Faux Bridges.When: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday.Where: Parking lot at the end of the Walnut Street Bridge beside Frazier Avenue.Admission: Free.Phone: 413-8999.SCHEDULEWhere: Winder Binder Gallery, 40 Frazier Ave.Today: Book launch, reading and signing of "Confederate Streets" by Erin Tocknell, McCallie School English teacher, 7 p.m.Saturday: Selected readings by Robert Morgan, member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, professor of English at Cornell University and whose novel "Gap Creek" was an Oprah Book Club selection, 6 p.m.Sunday: Book launch of "Southern Light, Twelve Contemporary Southern Poets," with readings by contributors, 2 p.m.
Its name pokes a little fun at the nationally renowned festival in the Southside, but Faux Bridges is just as serious about promoting the work of regional artists.
David Smotherman, owner of sponsoring Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore, explains that the name was derived four years ago when the gallery's Art 'til Dark show was held the same weekend as 4 Bridges.
"We kept having people ask if this was 'the big art show' and one of our artists joked, 'No, this is Faux Bridges.' Michael Jenkins made a cardboard sign, and we put it on a sawhorse. People thought it was hilarious, so the name stuck," said Smotherman.
Faux Bridges features visual art along with literary readings in the gallery. Smotherman said readings have been expanded to three days this weekend.
Eighteen artists are coming from around the Southeast to exhibit. They'll be showing folk art, found object sculpture, handmade kaleidoscopes, jewelry, copperwork and painting.
Chattanoogans participating are Debbie Pancake, metalwork; Christina Glidden, jewelry; Dave Allison, functional home accessories from reclaimed materials; and Nicole Thurman and Deb Prater of Tangerina's.
Smotherman said Kim Dawn of Myrtle Beach, S.C., will create a painting that will be given away in a drawing at the conclusion of Faux Bridges.