The Paradise Garden Foundation's mission is to preserve, maintain and showcase Rev. Howard Finster's visionary artistic site, Paradise Garden. The Foundation's primary goal is to serve as a social, cultural, educational and artistic nexus for the benefit of Chattooga County and the Northwest Georgia region. As such, Paradise Garden Foundation will foster regional economic development via tourism, public service and creative enterprise, each of which adheres to Finster's vision for his garden. Paradise Garden Foundation will report directly to the Commissioner of Chattooga County under an operating agreement between the county and the Foundation.
The Board brings a wide array of talents to this project.
Susan Connelly, Gena Briley Agnew and Janet Farrar Byington have many years of experience working with a wide variety of non profit organizations.
Grey Winstead is a former bank executive who will serve as Treasurer of the Foundation. Local folk art collector, Larry Schlachter opened a fabulous new gallery in Summerville over the weekend called Folk Art America where many original works of Howard Finster's can be found.
Local artist Fran Myers has also opened the outstanding Vision Gallery in downtown Summerville showcasing the work of more than 20 local artists.
Art Instructor, John Turner, made new signs for the Garden in true Finsteresque style and is also involved in a Howard Finster Friendship Flag project for Rotary International.
Atteka Abdou is an art professor at Shorter College.
Sylvia Lee Kiziah works with the Better Hometown Project and serves as a liaison with the County Commissioner's office.
Chattanooga artist Whitney Nave Jones is the newest member of the Board and she has worked in the Garden with the previous owners for many years. She also brings her experience of organizing successful Finster Fests over the last five years to the Board.
The Paradise Garden Foundation is actively working to restore Paradise Garden and to promote tourism to visit the site. If you would like to learn more or schedule an interview with Paradise Garden Foundation Executive Director, Jordan H. Poole, call (678) 641-8700 or emailjpoole@paradisegardenfoundation.orgor visitwww.Paradisegardenfoundation.orgto download high resolution photographs of Paradise Garden.