The 109 Gallery is a woman-founded contemporary art space dedicated to fostering accessibility, experimentation, and meaningful dialogue through art. Located in the historic downtown of Chickamauga, Georgia—just blocks from the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the first and largest federal battlefield preserved by the National Park Service, our gallery is rooted in a place rich with history and complexity.

Our mission is to create an immersive environment that celebrates free expression, intimacy, and collaboration while connecting local, national, and international artists. Through solo and group exhibitions, we amplify the voices of artists from the Thrive Regional Partnership’s tri-state watershed region, spanning Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, alongside those from across the country and around the world. This emphasis on our shared ecological and cultural terrain encourages cross-pollination of ideas, aesthetics, and community.

With a strong commitment to environmental conservation and eco-art, we support works that integrate diverse perspectives, histories, and experimental methodologies. Our programming includes a special focus on veteran artists and expanding access to the arts for veteran communities.

Founder and director Leah Dalton collaborates actively with Women Eco Artists Dialog (WEAD) in Oakland, California, serving on both the board and curatorial committee. She also contributes as a board and planning committee member for Sculpture Fields at Montague Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee. These connections enrich The 109 Gallery beyond its local geography. Dalton’s own art practice is based in the gallery’s on-site studio, where she serves as artist-in-residence, painting, sculpting, teaching, designing, and experimenting with materials as part of her ongoing inquiry into art, ecology, and care.

Our Gallery Ethos: Curiosity, Expression, and Care

Yes, it is art, and with that comes a range of ideas, perspectives, and styles. You may encounter pieces that spark joy, curiosity, or even challenge. You may see a nude figure, a bold question, or a quiet moment captured in paint or clay. All of it is offered with care, respect, and the intention to honor artistic integrity.

While we understand not everything will speak to every visitor, we invite all responses rooted in kindness and openness. Our commitment is to showcase meaningful, imaginative, and sometimes provocative work that reflects the richness of our region, honors Appalachian and Indigenous traditions, and engages with contemporary voices from across the globe.

At The 109, we believe creativity is not something to dilute or narrow, but something to celebrate in its full, vibrant range. Whether playful or profound, the art we present is here to spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and honor artistic expression, whether it is beautiful, complex, uncomfortable, meaningful, or thought-provoking, all in contribution to our shared world.

All are welcome, in care, kindness, and community.

Gallery Layout