LEO Supports Sculpture Fields’ Fire Up the Fields Event
Sometimes, the most meaningful work starts in our own corner of the world. For LEO Events’ Chattanooga team, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is both a local landmark and a cause close to home. Through our ongoing LEO Gives initiative, the team has stepped up to provide hands-on support for the nonprofit’s mission, taking the lead on operations for its annual fundraising event, Fire Up the Fields.
Sculpture Fields is a one-of-a-kind outdoor sculpture park that builds community through art, creativity, and connection. As a cultural gem on Chattanooga’s southside – and mere steps from LEO’s local office – supporting Sculpture Fields is a natural fit for our team.
Their annual event, Fire Up the Fields, serves as a fundraiser, lifting up the park’s mission of keeping world-class sculpture accessible in our community with all proceeds directly benefiting park maintenance and expansion. The festival brings together Chattanooga residents – and visitors – through live DJ sets, local food trucks, and family-friendly activities under the stars. Then it all culminates in a dramatic celebration of art and the power of shared experiences when a monumental wooden sculpture by local artist Andrew Nigh is ceremonially set ablaze just after sundown.
LEO’s connection to this effort goes deeper than physical proximity to the park. Our Co-CEO Kent Underwood serves as president of Sculpture Fields’ board of directors, reflecting a commitment to the organization that extends far beyond event day. For Kent and the broader Chattanooga team, supporting Sculpture Fields is an opportunity to invest in a local resource that actively enriches our neighborhood and city at large, bringing people together and making Chattanooga a more culturally vibrant place through public art for all.
“Fire Up the Fields is such a unique entertainment offering for Chattanooga, and our intent is to grow it into a regional destination event for the Southeast,” Underwood said. “With large-scale art on display, music, and fire as a signature component to a ticketed event – it’s like having our own mini Coachella meets Burning Man, right in our backyard.”
The park’s future depends on philanthropic donations and fundraising, which is why Fire Up the Fields is a critical effort.
“Every dollar raised through Fire Up the Fields – from ticket sales to beverage proceeds – directly supports Sculpture Fields’ mission to preserve and share large-scale public art for everyone to enjoy, free of charge,” Underwood said. “Community support makes this mission possible.”
The LEO team lends its expertise to help ensure the success of the event, spreading local awareness surrounding Sculpture Fields’ mission, driving ticket sales, and managing operational details and onsite execution. Beyond operations, this year our team is supporting all marketing and social media management surrounding the event, procurement, vendor logistics, permitting, and event photography.
Jordan Bowen, LEO’s manager of event operations, has led the charge for the past three years and said she loves seeing the community come together for this unique event. “With LEO’s clear ties to Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, this event holds a special place in our hearts,” she said. “It’s a reminder of the power of art and people coming together to make our community a little brighter.”
