An Artist Takes Flight
Meet Zoe Rye, a Chattanooga-based artist bringing fresh life, color, and storytelling to Reflection Riding’s Welcome Center mural. Through ArtsBuild’s Opportunity Fellowship, Zoe has spent the spring and summer creating nature-inspired artwork that helps visitors connect with the plants, wildlife, and conservation stories found across our campus.
If you’ve visited recently, you’ve likely noticed exciting changes happening around our Welcome Center—new walkways, new gardens, and a mural in progress that builds on the original Reflection Flyway artwork. The mural visitors see today is not yet finished, and we are excited to share more as the final piece comes together.
This project builds upon the original Reflection Flyway mural, created in 2022 by local artists Gus Gaston, Derek Witucki, and Allen Tyus to help tell the story of bird migration, the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, and Reflection Riding’s place within the Mississippi Flyway. We remain deeply grateful to the artists who first brought this wall to life and helped transform a scientific tool into an opportunity for curiosity, learning, and connection.
As our Welcome Center continues to evolve, so too does the artwork that welcomes visitors into this space. Zoe’s work honors the spirit of the original mural while expanding the story to include more of the native plants, wildlife, and conservation efforts that shape the full ecosystem of Reflection Riding.
During her time with us, Zoe has worked closely with Syd Conklin, our Facilities and Grounds Steward, to bring the species that call this region home to life through conservation-led artistic expression. In addition to her work on the mural, Zoe has also created digital designs for branded merchandise, with more details on that to come soon.
Photo by Zoe Jeffords of The Angle Chattanooga
“This fellowship not only rejuvenated my creativity but also proved that I can actually have a career in the art world. It has significantly helped me grow as an artist. This is the first time I’ve ever designed and created a mural, let alone one that wraps around an entire building! It has been an exciting challenge to bring the organization’s goals and branding to life, in a way that’s both educational and aesthetically appealing,” Zoe emphasizes.
Zoe’s artistic journey began many years ago in childhood. Even as a four-year-old, her dad knew art would be in her future when he found an anatomically correct butterfly drawn on her pre-K graduation program. From there, it took time for her to fully accept the role of an artist as she entered young adulthood. “I didn’t declare a major for the entire first year of college because of it! When I went through the Painting and Drawing program at UTC, it fully solidified my identity, passion, and technique as an artist,” Zoe explains.
After graduation, Zoe entered the food service industry. “Before finding this fellowship, I was working the same restaurant job I had since my graduation in 2024. Not only did I become extremely burnt out on the service industry, I hadn’t painted in almost two years. I was the furthest from my art and studio process than I had ever been, which made me apathetic in many ways,” Zoe explains. Then, with no backup plan other than to get back into art, Zoe quit her job! She applied for the fellowship and was thrilled to embark on an adventure of bridging nature and art.
Her on-site mural, the Reflection Flyway, highlights the MOTUS Wildlife Tracking Station and several native species. Zoe explains her intentions with the large-scale project: “My main goal with this mural was to engage visitors with science education and storytelling through art, while also representing the vast ecosystem at Reflection Riding. The main mural wall highlights the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, an international scientific tool used to track migratory bird activity. The mural particularly highlights the Yellow-billed Cuckoo species and helps represent Chattanooga’s place within the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory bird corridor. I also wanted to expand the mural to represent the full ecosystem of Reflection Riding. I aimed to highlight native plants, insects, and animals found right here on campus. Specifically, I want to educate visitors about exciting conservation efforts being made on our campus—like our Monarch Butterfly Waystations and our participation in the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) American Turtle program.”
“This fellowship not only reignited my passion for art, but gave me the opportunity to engage with the community through my art. It’s so important to make art, education, and nature accessible to everyone—and I hope this mural does just that. ”
Zoe’s return to Reflection Riding is nothing short of a full-circle moment. Years ago, she used to visit here on field trips in elementary school, and they were always some of her favorite trips. The calm, scenic environment called to her once again as she sought to escape the fast-paced stress of the service industry. “There really is nothing more healing than taking a walk in nature. If I ever had moments of frustration, I would take a walk around campus to clear my head. Surrounding yourself in a beautiful, natural environment is grounding in ways I can’t emphasize enough,” she explains. This deep solace has radiated into her artistic expression. While Zoe’s personal studio work often follows heavy subject matter, she’s been inspired to incorporate natural elements, such as flowers and insects, into her future studio work—specifically through a series about finding the joy in painting again.
A lifelong lover of art, this fellowship has been a springboard into the career she’s always dreamed of: “This fellowship has honestly been one of the biggest blessings of my life because it reignited my passion for community-engaging art. I would love to continue working with nonprofit organizations and businesses to bring their creative goals to life. It’s so fulfilling to bring my creative expertise and ideas to a beautiful place like Reflection Riding. I would also love to do more murals!”
For emerging artists looking to pursue their passion, Zoe would like to offer some advice: “Take the leap! Quit the job that’s holding you back. Apply for the opportunity, even if you don’t think you will get it. Most importantly, never stop creating. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but the possibilities on the other side can be even more beautiful than you imagined. Also, it is possible to make money through art!”
We’re excited to have Zoe with us through July to complete the final touches on her projects. The mural is still in progress, and we invite you to stop by to see the work as it continues to unfold. We’re also planning to announce more details soon about the mural’s official unveiling and RR-branded merchandise that’s in the works. Stay tuned for the finished piece!
We are deeply grateful to Zoe Rye and Syd Conklin for interpreting the natural world through their creative eyes, and to ArtsBuild for making this opportunity possible. Their support has helped bring together art, science, conservation, and community in a way that reflects the heart of Reflection Riding.
To learn more about Zoe Rye or inquire about an art project, visit her website.
To learn more about the original Reflection Flyway mural, unveiled in 2022, check out this blog. We remain grateful to Gus Gaston, Derek Witucki, Allen Tyus, and the many partners who helped bring that first mural to life. Zoe’s current work builds upon that foundation with an expanded, ecosystem-focused approach, and the mural is still in progress.
Stay tuned for the finished piece and more details about its official unveiling.
Thank you, Zoe Rye and Syd Conklin, for interpreting the natural world through your creative eyes!
To learn more about the Reflection Flyway and previous mural erected in 2022, check out this blog. The new mural builds upon the original design to encompass an ecosystem-focused approach and stay on track with Welcome Center renovations.
