Located in Summerville, Georgia, the county seat of Chattooga County, there exists a place like no other… a place called Paradise Gardens.
The Gardens sit on a four acre plot of land that is now, quite simply, a work of art… a masterpiece in it’s own right. Included on the property are the Gardens, , Paradise Gardens Art Gallery, and of course, the World’s Folk Art Chapel.
Howard started the Gardens in 1961 before he received his vision telling him to create sacred art in 1976. Years of compiled art make up the maze of structures and sculptures. Everything in the Gardens has a meaning. Incorporating all kinds of recycled materials into his art,
Howard used bottles, glass, mirrors, cement, bathtubs, toilets, “garbage” such as rusted bicycle frames and cast off jewelry… you name it, it’s there. Howard had an amazing way of combining text and strong visual forms, so that you have no doubt about his evangelical purpose. His calling as a preacher comes to life here at Paradise Gardens, and by using his art, he created sermon after sermon. Of visual art, he said, “Visual art is a great thing. It draws the attention of people. That’s what peoples’ work does. It preaches for them after they’re gone.” Yes… it certainly does.
Announcing the Paradise Redemption Project!
The Board of Paradise Gardens strongly believes in the project to restore and preserve Howard Finster’s wonderful Art environment. It has been enjoyed by multitudes of people throughout out the years, and it remains of great interest to thousands. We are committed to its long term operation as a place to celebrate the life and work of Howard and as a public space for the arts, festivals, music, plant and animal life, children and education… all of which were close to Rev. Finster’s heart.
Perhaps the most important thing going on today in the restoration of Paradise Gardens is the preservation of the World’s Folk Art Chapel. Because of Paradise Gardens’ damp environment, and the fact that the Chapel was constructed out of cast-off and recycled materials, the World’s Folk Art Chapel is in extreme need of restoration.
We, the Board of Directors, are presently seeking donations from businesses and private donors to help us restore the Chapel back to its former state. If you have a desire to donate to the Chapel Restoration Fund or to the restoration of Paradise Gardens, please contact us.
The last thing Howard Finster put up in the Garden was this request.
A sign was hung on the chapel doors, both front and rear, reading: