Spirit of Main Street
2007 Creative Placemaking project with Chattanooga Public Art. This was the first project on West Main as part of the southside renewal initiative.
12 years later the Spirit of Main Street still retains the original vibrancy thanks to quality surface prep and Nova Color products!
We Shall Not Be Satisfied Until..
I dreamed to work under Meg Saligman for over 15 years. In 2010 I proposed a national landmark mural by Meg Saligman to Public Art. In 2015 that dream became a reality when I was selected as one of 6 local artists to contribute to the 42,000 square ft. project.
“We Shall Not Be Satisfied Unitl” covers 4 sides of the AT&T building on MLK Blvd in Chattanooga. It is the largest mural in the Southeast. Saligman studios spent months developing a design to honor the Native and African American roots of the region and make a statement that the work of conciliation is ongoing.
From One Generation to Another
In 2013 the Glass House Collective commissioned myself and Rondell Crier to design and execute a community mural as a creative placemaking project in the historic Glass Street Neighborhood.
Our design used locals for our figurative references and incorporated them into a story of hope. This young girl is taking the threads of those who came before her to create a vision for something new.
The Fruits of Labor
In 2009 I accomplished this mural project on the West side of Main St. as a Makework grant recipient. The mural design paid homage to the development of Chattanooga from a notably polluted city toward a clean progressive one which is now a southeastern gem for industry, tourism, internet speed, and outdoor enthusiasm.
The most satisfying shared human experience is being there when another’s talents and passions come to life. Participating in this experience of discovery, in a way, recaptures what you yourself experienced when you found your own creative calling.
Battle Academy Art Chairs
After taking a student trip to YAYA in New Orleans I was inspired by their art chair projects. These serve as an organizational fundraiser. In the spirit of YAYA, we created these for auction to raise funds for a local elementary art program.
Thanks to a grant from the Royal Society of the Arts, we outfitted an entire 5th grade with uniquely illustrated keds!
We matched an 8th grade student with a 5th grade student at an underserved school to create a design that would speak to that student’s interests and passions.
"Game of Life" Art Car Project
CCS and Calvin Donaldson students worked together to create their first art car.
We flew in Art Car Guru Rebecca Bass to work with our students over a weekend workshop. While two middle school classes incorporated the project into their classes, specific students rose to the occasion!
Artist
Catalyst
Teacher
Leader
I am an Artist. I care about making new things that have social and economic impact by way of craftsmanship and beauty. I am a Catalyst, passionate to launch new ideas, projects and initiatives. I am a Leader, who leads by listening first and casting vision for holistic ways to serve both individual needs and organizational mission. I am a Teacher, invested in meeting the point of growth in all students regardless of age, class or distinction and in their success in the classroom, job site or as a team member.
Shaun.larose@gmail.com
Distinctions
2019 Appointment by Mayor to Chattanooga Public Art Commission, Executive Committee Member and Chair of the Artists Services Committee
2018 Outstanding Teacher Award by Tennessee Governer’s School for the Arts
2017 Awarded for Leadership and Creativity by Bridge Innovate
2017 Winning team for the Bright Spark High School of the Future design competition
2016 Winning team for the Green Sparks East Lake Park design competition
2014 Winning team for the Art 120 Art Car Competition
2010 Young Professional Award Nominee
2009 Makework Grant Recipient
For 10 years I spent the majority of my working life as a full-time visual artist making work in cities such as, Houston, Austin and Minneapolis. I was blessed to work along-side world class muralists and painters as well as learn from successful businessmen and entrepreneurs. I come from a family of entrepreneurs. At the peak of my commercial art career in Minneapolis my wife and I decided I should finish my degree and pursue a more creative application for my skills as an artist. We found ourselves drawn to Chattanooga, a quaint, outdoor enthusiast capital of the Southeast. While finishing my business degree I continued to invest in public art and contributing to my city as a mural and studio artist. Over the years Chattanooga has also become an arts destination and I have been blessed to be a part of that transformation.
In 2010 I supported a friend by subbing for her AP Art classes. Caught completely by surprise, I discovered I had a passion for teaching and mentoring. I dedicated the next several years to do just that and invest in young lives to see them actualize their own potential as young artists. This went beyond the classroom and included a range of projects and experiences aimed at mentoring by empowering. This included community mural projects, design competitions, art car competitions, and service projects.
In 2014 I was promoted to Fine Arts Director over all aspects of the upper school arts at a k12 private school. Since then, I have been a program manager and strategic leader tasked with developing the overall arts. This has included visioning and hiring for a new design program, creating multi-disciplinary events, offering entrepreneurship in the arts, facility planning, and shaping a culture of value for the arts by greater integration and visibility.
I currently serve on the Chattanooga Public Art Commission and am an executive committee member as well as chair of the artist services committee. I am also in process of project management certification and pursuing new opportunities for further impact by way of the arts and creative industry.