Howard Finster, the grandfather of the Southern Folk Art movement was a pioneer that showed the world that Art can thrive outside of museums and galleries in ordinary places and in everyday objects. He took what others might deem trash or obsolete and turned it into something contemplative. He opened Paradise Garden for the world to enjoy, a true testament that Art comes to life, when people are able to interact with it. Howard Finster showed the world that objects surrounding us can take on a new life, in a sometimes-magical way, and communicate messages that can lead to transformation.
Charton Christopher Frantz is an American musician, producer and author. Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Frantz attended the Rhode Island School of Design in the early 1970s, where he met musicians David Byrne and Tina Weymouth. Byrne and Frantz formed a band called the Artistics, which eventually transformed into the acclaimed new wave band Talking Heads. Weymouth, then Frantz's girlfriend, joined the band in 1975, and the two married in 1977. In 1981, Frantz and Weymouth formed Tom Tom Club, who achieved chart success with the influential single Genius of Love. Frantz was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Talking Heads in 2002. Frantz's memoir, Remain in Love, was published in 2020.