Kinley Hotel Mural: “Communal Kaleidoscope” in Chattanooga
A colorful Southside mural about diversity, belonging and community—and the unexpected discovery that put the Kinley Hotel on my future Chattanooga list.
Where Can You See the Kinley Hotel Mural in Chattanooga?
“Communal Kaleidoscope” is painted on the exterior of the Kinley Chattanooga Southside Hotel at 1409 Market Street.
It is easy to see from across Market Street near the Chattanooga Choo Choo, making it a quick public-art stop for travelers already exploring the Southside.
The Kinley Chattanooga Southside Hotel wasn’t on my itinerary when its colorful exterior mural caught my attention.
I was across Market Street at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, one of our scheduled stops for the day, when I spotted it.
My stop was brief and completely spontaneous.
I spent less than five minutes photographing the mural with my iPhone from the Choo Choo side of Market Street after waiting briefly for traffic to clear.
The midday light illuminated the mural evenly without harsh shadows.
What Is the Kinley Hotel Mural?
“Communal Kaleidoscope” is a large-scale exterior mural by Chattanooga artists Alecia Buckles and Briah Gober.
The artwork explores diversity, belonging and community through layers of color, shape and pattern.
According to Kinley Chattanooga, the artists were inspired by the idea of stitching different fabrics together to create something unique.
That concept mirrors the way different people, stories and perspectives come together to form a community.
The mural’s abstract shapes and layered colors create the visual effect of pieces being joined together rather than existing separately.
You can learn more about the artists and the hotel’s broader collection on the official Kinley Chattanooga art page.
Who Created “Communal Kaleidoscope”?
Chattanooga artists Alecia Buckles and Briah Gober created the mural as a collaboration.
Kinley describes the work as a colorful exploration of diversity and belonging.
The artists used the idea of quilt-making and stitched fabrics as inspiration, creating a piece that reflects Chattanooga’s broader sense of community.
Where Is the Kinley Chattanooga Mural?
The mural covers an exterior wall of the Kinley Chattanooga Southside Hotel at 1409 Market Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
You do not need to be a hotel guest to see the mural.
It is visible from across Market Street near the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which makes it easy to add to a Southside walking or photography route.
Kinley Chattanooga Southside, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
1409 Market Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
How Long Do You Need to Photograph the Kinley Mural?
Allow about five minutes for a quick photograph if you are already visiting the Chattanooga Choo Choo or exploring the Southside.
My own stop took less than five minutes because I photographed the mural from across Market Street with my iPhone rather than walking around the hotel property.
If you want multiple compositions or closer detail shots, allow a little more time and photograph from different public viewpoints around Market Street.
What Is the Best Way to Photograph the Kinley Hotel Mural?
The Chattanooga Choo Choo side of Market Street gives you enough distance to capture a broad view of the mural.
I photographed it with my iPhone around midday, when the mural was evenly lit and free of harsh shadows.
The only challenge was passing traffic, so I waited briefly for a clear moment before taking the photograph.
Kinley Hotel Mural Quick Planning Guide
Why Does the Kinley Hotel Feature So Much Local Art?
Kinley Chattanooga intentionally built its hotel art collection around local female artists.
The hotel describes its property as a canvas for artwork by Chattanooga women, with pieces extending from the lobby and guest rooms to large exterior murals.
That connection between hotel design and local creativity is what made me want to learn more about Kinley after I saw “Communal Kaleidoscope.”
Why the Kinley Hotel Is Now on My Bucket List
I have not stayed at the Kinley or explored its interior yet.
My experience with the property was limited to seeing and photographing the exterior mural from across Market Street.
Afterward, I researched the hotel and learned that the mural is part of a much larger collection of artwork by local female artists displayed throughout the property.
That locally curated art collection and the hotel’s distinctive design are what moved the Kinley onto my Chattanooga bucket list.
On a future visit, I would like to spend more time photographing “Communal Kaleidoscope” from different perspectives and stay at the hotel so I can experience the art and design beyond its exterior.
What Else Can You See Near the Kinley Hotel Mural?
The Chattanooga Choo Choo is directly across Market Street, making the Kinley mural especially easy to combine with other public-art stops.
Kinley Chattanooga Mural FAQ
What is the mural on the Kinley Hotel called?
The mural is called “Communal Kaleidoscope.”
Who painted the Kinley Chattanooga mural?
Chattanooga artists Alecia Buckles and Briah Gober created the mural as a collaboration.
Do you have to stay at the Kinley to see the mural?
No. The mural is on the hotel exterior and is visible from public areas around Market Street.
How long should you allow for the mural?
About five minutes is enough for a quick photograph, although photographers may want longer for multiple angles and detail shots.
Is the Kinley mural near the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Yes. The Kinley Chattanooga Southside Hotel sits across Market Street from the Chattanooga Choo Choo, making the two stops easy to combine.
Is the Kinley Hotel Mural Worth Seeing?
Yes, especially if you are already visiting the Chattanooga Choo Choo or exploring the Southside.
I would not plan an entire Chattanooga trip around this mural by itself, but it is an easy and visually interesting bonus stop that adds only a few minutes to a Southside itinerary.
For me, the mural also accomplished something more: it made me curious about the hotel behind it.
Discovering that “Communal Kaleidoscope” is part of a broader collection celebrating local female artists turned a quick iPhone photograph into a future Chattanooga bucket-list stop.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
