Howard Finster is the creator of Paradise Gardens Park & Museum, a product of all his folk art and Chattooga County's largest tourist attraction. He began this Paradise Gardens around 1961 before he had a vision to do sacred art. In 1976 he was rubbing paint on a bicycle with his fingers and saw the image of a face on the end of his finger. He had a vision. A voice told Howard to do sacred art. He replied that he could not do art because he was not a professional. The voice asked him repeatedly, "How do you know?" The Reverend Howard Finster has followed his vision and the image of the face on his finger has become known as his "Resting Souls" figures in his art. Hundreds of visitors come each week to wonder through the park and Howard is still there in heart and in spirit. Paradise Gardens is a image of abstract, symbolic sculptures and structures. The presence of the sculptures, their lessons and The Reverend Howard's messages from God pervades throughout the Gardens and Chapel. The Garden Chapel that he built, now awaits to be refurbished with old magazines, and books on Howard and his art. Up the winding staircase are drawings, paintings, sculptures and many of his unusual collections. Howard Finster was truly a visionary man who shared his unique gift freely with anyone who took the time to care. He seems a simple man, yet his wisdom cannot be measured, he was a warm, compassionate man with a story to tell. He is loved by people of all ages and little children were special in his heart.
The Reverend Howard Finster had art showings across the world, including the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institute. He has taught many students in college workshops across the nation. He has been on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and featured in many magazines and newspapers including Time, Life, Southern Living, NY and Chicago Times. He was on the Johnny Carson Show, Good Morning America and has been interviewed by several TV broadcasts including Canada, England, and Japan.
December 1995, the Reverend Howard Finster was presented with an art exhibit and birthday party at the High Museum in Atlanta. The art exhibit proved to be the museum's largest nation wide exhibition. Spring of 1996 he attended the dedication and opening of the Paradise Gardens sculpture exhibit at the High Museum. Don't miss the real three acre Paradise Gardens and the Finster Folk Art Gallery in Summerville, Georgia.
Signature
