CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 16, 2025) – For the seventh year, EPB’s ArtSpark Goes to School program continues to highlight the artistic talents of local high school students while beautifying Chattanooga and Hamilton County’s public spaces. Student artwork inspired by the theme "What Energizes You?" will soon be unveiled on 10 utility boxes across the city.
With the completion of this year’s program, student artwork will be displayed on 68 utility boxes. Winners represent schools from across Hamilton County:
Runners-up were also recognized during the program, reflecting the deep talent of this year’s students:
View works by past winners and an interactive map of artwork locations at epb.com/artspark.
"Chattanooga's artistic culture is an integral part of who we are as a community, and I'm proud that EPB continues to support it with this innovative program,” said Mayor Tim Kelly. “Using student art to beautify our infrastructure in such a public way is a simple, brilliant way to promote these promising young Chattanooga artists."
The program, which engages students through a STEAM-based curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), helps students combine artistic expression with technical knowledge.
“ArtSpark Goes to School is giving opportunities to public school students to develop real-world art and design skills and put their creativity on display,” said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. “It’s inspiring to see students discover and hone their gifts in ways that will not only shape their futures but also enrich our community.”
Dr. Justin Robertson, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent, emphasized the value of the student-centered initiative, saying, "ArtSpark Goes to School provides our students with a unique opportunity to apply their creativity and innovation beyond the walls of the classroom. Seeing their artwork displayed in our communities provides a sense of connection and inspiration as they continue their education.”
River City Company’s original program to cover utility boxes in artwork inspired ArtSpark Goes to School. “ArtSpark and ArtSpark Goes to School are great examples of how art can energize a community and make it more inviting for residents and visitors alike,” said Emily Mack, President and CEO of River City Company. “The partnership beautifies our community spaces and empowers students to make their mark on our dynamic community.”
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Arts-Based Collaborative developed the curriculum schools used for the program. Angela Dittmar, Director of Teaching Artist Residencies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, reflected on the educational benefits of the program: “ArtSpark bridges the gap between education and community involvement. Being able to participate in real-world art commissions and installations allows students to take ownership of and be recognized for their creativity, which is what makes ArtSpark Goes to School so impactful.”
Elizabeth Hammitt, EPB Director of Residential Energy and Environmental Solutions, shared her excitement about the ongoing success of ArtSpark: “ArtSpark has become more than just a program. It’s a way to celebrate the creativity cultivated in our schools and transform our public spaces. We’re proud to be part of this effort that fosters both STEAM education and community engagement.”
EPB works with a third party to create and apply vinyl wraps from the winning student designs.
About EPB
EPB is a customer-focused technology company that delivers innovative power and telecommunications solutions to the Chattanooga area in pursuit of its mission to enhance the quality of life for the community it serves. In 2010, EPB completed a 100% fiber optic network accessible to all its customers as the basis for launching America’s first community-wide Gig speed internet. The company still operates the world’s fastest community-wide internet service today at speeds up to 25 Gig. EPB also utilizes Chattanooga’s fiber optic network as the communications backbone for the most advanced and highly automated power distribution system in the United States. In 2022, EPB continued its commitment to keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge by establishing our nation’s first commercially available quantum network—EPB Quantum Network℠. This effort aligns local job creation efforts with the national priority to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology.
Since switching the lights on for its first electric customer in 1939, EPB has grown to serve more than 400,000 people across a 600-square-mile service area with cutting-edge infrastructure that integrates power distribution and fiber optic connectivity. At the same time, EPB keeps customer benefit at the center of all its efforts, earning recognition from J.D. Power as the #1 Mid-Sized Utility in the South for the last nine consecutive years based on customer satisfaction ratings. Learn more at epb.com.
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