Nature and art have always been deeply connected. The colors, patterns, and relationships found in the natural world inspire creativity, while art helps us notice
and understand nature in new ways.
Through an ArtsBuild Opportunity Fellowship, Chattanooga artist Zoe Rye spent the spring and summer reimagining our Reflection Flyway mural. Her work builds on the original 2022 mural, which used bird migration and our Motus Wildlife Tracking Station to tell the story of Reflection Riding’s place within the Mississippi Flyway.
Zoe expanded that story to reflect the larger ecosystem. Alongside migratory birds, visitors can now discover native plants, a Monarch Butterfly, an Eastern Box Turtle, and other species that illustrate the connections between plants, wildlife, habitat, and people.
We also extended that visual storytelling with updated interpretation in our herpetology exhibit. New signage helps visitors learn more about the native reptiles and amphibians of our region and the ecosystems they depend on.
Creativity shows up throughout Reflection Riding, from art made by children at Summer Camp to music under the stars, hands-on workshops, murals, and exhibits that help tell the story of this place. We are grateful to ArtsBuild for supporting Zoe’s fellowship, to the Tennessee Arts Commission for supporting arts experiences at Reflection Riding, and to partners like The Chattery, who continue to find creative ways to bring art and nature together.
This year reminded us that conservation can begin with something that makes us stop, look more closely, and see the natural world in a new way.
