WauMaus strives to inspire awe and wonder by creating experiences that captivate the senses, spark imagination, and invite individuals to explore the boundless beauty of creative expression

ABOUT WAUMAUS

WauMaus, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, believes in the transformative power of the arts to connect people, shift perspectives, and ignite meaningful change. Our work is rooted in a vision of community and shared experience, where every performance becomes a catalyst for connection and every project an opportunity to celebrate the limitless potential of human expression. WauMaus is more than an artistic collective — it’s a movement toward a more inspired and imaginative world.

WauMaus was created to highlight the artistic spark of Chattanooga through unique and quirky exhibitions, performances, events, and installations. You never know where WauMaus might pop up next—maybe on the river? In the wild? Lurking in a dark alley? Who knows? Stay tuned to find out more!

Image of board member, Reed Caldwell. A black and white photo of a man with styled hair, a beard, and a mustache. He is wearing a T-shirt that says "Don't Jell Me" and is standing indoors with shelves and a window in the background.

Board of Directors

  • Reed Caldwell is the owner of Wind Up. Go! Consulting and the author of the LOOKOUT! Trilogy. With over 25 years of nonprofit experience, he has helped found arts and education organizations including Songbirds Foundation, WauMaus, and Bardoli Global. He has also worked on conservation projects across the South and co-founded the Piney Knob Biking & Hiking Trail System in Murphy, NC. Reed holds a Master’s degree in Management from S.I.T. A Mississippi native, he enjoys writing, playing guitar, woodworking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. He and his wife, Kathleen Nolte, co-own 12 Crows Artist Collective.

Image of board member, Carl Cadwell. Smiling man with glasses and beard in front of red background

  • Summer Dregs is music producer Carl Cadwell bringing unique music to life. From scoring ballets and films, to producing and mixing pop artists, Summer Dregs works with collaborators to make art only they together could make.

    Carl started off touring with jazz-fusion and old soul outfits. When Carl‘s drive to blend pop and experimentalism could no longer be contained in a single band, he started producing and writing songs under the name Summer Dregs. His penchant for reckless ecstasy, neon synths and collaboration has led him to work with many musicians, choreographers, and film makers across the country. These include Nick Lutsko, Bbymutha, Ballet Counterpointe, Ben Crump (How to Sue The Klan), Mon Rovia, and Sunny War.

Image of board member, Jules Downum. A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling, wearing a loose mustard yellow button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves, posing against a plain gray background.

  • Jules is the co-founder and was the long time Director of the Pop-up Project and the founder and Creative Director for Understory. She is an anthropologist, ethnographer, and artist. Her work spans multiple media including qualitative research and analysis, immersive experiences, dance theatre, community activations, and film.  She works collaboratively with communities and artists to achieve outcomes in placemaking, community resilience, and economic and cultural development. 

    Jules' ability to convey meaning through a variety of mediums has had a range of applications across industries including  marketing, real estate development, museums, performing art organizations, government entities, schools, foundations, and non-profits.

  • Shawanda Mason is an entrepreneur and food writer who studied Government & International Politics at George Mason University. Since 2014, she has served as the Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Chattery - a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that advocates for enjoyable lifelong learning. In 2010, she created the food-inspired lifestyle site, Eat.Drink.Frolic., where she develops recipes and travel guides for some of her favorite cities. Shawanda has landed local and national coverage in publications including Food52 and USA Today. She currently serves on the board of the Chattanooga Ballet. 

    When she’s not working or testing recipes, you can usually find her watching reruns of The Office and hanging out with her husband, John, and daughter, Mason.

WHERE WILL WE POP UP NEXT??

Our current project is entitled Search Party. Click here to find out more or scroll down to purchase tickets!

  • WauMaus is proud to present our first event series— Search Party. Search Party is a one-of-a-kind event series that weaves art into the fabric of Chattanooga’s most iconic and unexpected natural settings. Imagine taking a nighttime boat ride to Maclellan Island for an intimate concert under the stars, hiking to a hidden aerialist performance at Glenn Falls, contributing to a living art installation in Forest Hills Cemetery, or watching an avant-garde film deep in cavern beneath Lookout. Each experience is designed to spark awe and wonder, connecting people to nature, creativity, and each other. With exclusive access to some of the city's most beautiful and lesser-known places, Search Party transforms Chattanooga into a living gallery of unforgettable moments.

  • Search Party: Maclellan Island SOLD OUT

    September 27, 2025

    7:00-10:00PM

    SOLD OUT

  • Search Party: Raccoon Mountain Cavern

    TBD

    We will be announcing this event in the coming weeks!

    Coming Soon

  • Other Events

    We will be adding other Search Party events in the coming weeks. Please check back with us soon for more information and to purchase tickets.

    Coming Soon