Howard Finster's Paradise Garden: The Perfect Day Trip from Atlanta, Georgia
"I never met a person I didn't love." Howard Finster
Paradise Garden is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11-5 pm. $15 Adults, $10 Seniors, and $5 Students
Summerville, Georgia is an unlikely destination for most. A garden created by acclaimed visionary artist, Howard Finster however brings folk art enthusiasts and curious visitors from all over the world to see Howard Finster's Paradise Garden. The artist's property is an enormous art installation comprised of buildings, sculptures, and paintings that is open to the public. Some grad school friends and I made the trip to Summerville, Georgia for Finster Fest, an annual celebration dedicated Finster and folk art years ago. After a few hours at the fest, we continued our pilgrimage to see Howard Finster's home and art sanctuary, Paradise Garden.
Paradise Garden is a family-friendly destination and an easy road trip from Atlanta, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama.
Howard Finster at his home in Paradise Garden located in North Georgia (Photo via fieldaesthetic.com)
Howard Finster was a preacher turned visionary folk artist. In 1976, the vision of a face in a paint smudge on his finger told him to “paint sacred art." Nearly 50,000 paintings later Rev. Finster’s vision landed 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. His artwork became of interest to several nationally known bands like R.E.M. and The Talking Heads. Finster created album covers for both of these bands and several bands have filmed videos in the garden.
Paradise Garden began as an homage to the great inventions of the world and the quirky and colorful property became his life’s work. The art was inspired by visions he saw and featured historical figures, celebrities, Bible verses, and other hand-lettered messages. This 4-acre property is bursting with color and creativity. Seeing it for the first time is a complete sensory overload.
The Paradise Garden Foundation provides a handy interpretive map for visitors so you can explore the grounds on your own and has done an incredible job of stabilizing the structures and reopening the property. Thanks to the foundation, local, and state support Paradise Garden is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Howard's Studio and Workshop
This site fostered Finster's creative spirit and is where he created over 40,000 works of art. The structures on the property are works of art too, adorned with brightly colored characters, antiques, flower pots, and sculptures.
“Howard was known for his art and for his view of upcycling the most mundane items into something that inspires a vision that was to be shared then, now, and in the future,” says Jordan Poole, executive director of Paradise Garden. “With his visions, he became the internationally known grandfather of Southern Folk Art.”
According to people who knew him, he didn’t drink coffee or alcohol, but he frequently enjoyed a Coke while he was painting, and he often featured the iconic bottle shape in his artwork. - Craig Lovin, creative director of the World of Coca-Cola (via)
World's Folk Art Chapel
This piece began in 1982 when Howard Finster received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to build a folk art chapel. Finster bought and converted Rev. Billy Wright's church building and turned it into the heavenly inspired chapel that is still stands. The original roof was cut out and built it up and up adding "reflectors," other art, and inspiration. It is full of supplies now, but maybe one day it will hold weddings and other events as it once did.
Sculpture & Mosaic Walk
After the Chapel, walk down the sculpture walk designed by Finster. At the beginning of the trail is Howard's car complete with a portrait of his family, friends, and travel memories.
One of my favorite sculptures on the whole property is this one by Keith Haring. Haring was inspired by Finster and his work and was a frequent visitor to the gardens. I love this one because it appears to be a collaborative piece: notice the Coke bottles on the base and the characteristic Haring graffiti/pop illustration.
You are free to roam around and explore the grounds at your leisure. There is so much to see so take your time and enjoy it.
A visit to Paradise Garden is a must for any art lover and if you don’t get enough during your visit you can actually book a suite in Paradise Garden!
Fun stuff to do nearby:
Hiking nearby at Taylor’s Ridge and Cloudland Canyon State Park.
Explore downtown Summerville and see an authentic train turntable at Summerville Depot
Grab a bite - Crushed Tomato (pizza), Willow Tree Grill (bar & grill), Thatcher’s BBQ
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