UNSPOKEN

Some stories are told with words. Others are told through music. Jeremiah tells his through color.

In 2026, an unexpected connection between the Hart Gallery in downtown Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera led to a remarkable collaboration. What began with the purchase of two paintings by Executive Director Susan Caminez, grew into an invitation for Jeremiah to create artwork that would become part of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s 2026-2027 season, Moments—the second chapter of Unspoken: Our Story Through Sound.

This is the story of that journey.

A Chance Discovery

Before there was a commission, there was a connection.

While visiting The Hart Gallery in downtown Chattanooga, the Executive Director for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, Susan Caminez, purchased two of Jeremiah’s original paintings. She displayed them in her office, where they became a daily reminder of the joy and energy that Jeremiah’s art brought to her office. Those two paintings would eventually lead to a conversation, an invitation for Jeremiah to create five original paintings for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN season, and the beginning of an extraordinary collaboration.

The Invitation

What began with two paintings hanging in an office soon became something more. After spending time with Jeremiah’s artwork every day, Susan Caminez reached out with an invitation to meet Jeremiah and his parents.

Susan Caminez invited Jeremiah and his parents to meet in person at a small coffee shop close to the CSO office. Over hot chocolate for Jeremiah and coffee for Mom and Dad, a partnership began. Jeremiah had about a month to complete the commission: five original canvases inspired by music.

Rather than giving Jeremiah specific instructions, he was encouraged to listen to music that made him happy and paint what he felt. Knowing his bold use of color and expressive shapes, she trusted him to create artwork that would capture the spirit of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s 2026-2027 UNSPOKEN season. His art would appear in brochures, their website and other promotional materials.

Creating the UNSPOKEN Collection

With only about a month to complete five original paintings, Jeremiah settled into a creative rhythm that was uniquely his own.

Much of that journey took place at Small Town Ceramics in Dunlap, Tennessee, where owner and artist and friend, Angie Harris welcomed Jeremiah into her studio almost everyday. She provided more than a place to paint. She created a peaceful, encouraging environment filled with happy music, where Jeremiah could think, listen and create at his own pace.

Jeremiah rarely worked on just one painting at a time. Instead, he moved naturally from canvas to canvas, adding a few brushstrokes here, stepping away, then returning when another idea came to him. Some days he painted at Small Town Ceramics. Then other days he worked in his home studio or at the Hart Gallery. Every painting developed in its own time until Jeremiah—and Jeremiah alone— decided it was finished. He would actually declare, “I’m done”!

Only after Jeremiah declared “I’m done!” was a final protective clear coat applied. Most were finished with Angie’s help at Small Town Ceramics, while others received their final protective coat at home.

This photo was taken at Jeremiah’s first art exhibition at the Hart Gallery in Chattanooga in October 2025. Pictured with Jeremiah is our family friend, Angie Harris. At the time, none of us could have imagined the important role Angie would soon play in Jeremiah’s artistic journey. Just months later, she welcomed him into Small Town Ceramics, where much of the artwork for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN was created. Today, Angie continues to support Jeremiah’s artistic journey. She looks forward to hosting an exhibition of his artwork in the future.

This photo is Jeremiah being Jeremiah. Paint on his glasses, a paintbrush in his hand, and his lunchbox never far away. This is one of our favorite glimpses of a typical, fun day at Small Town Ceramics. You can bet there was happy music playing and probably spontaneous dancing too!

From Studio to Symphony

After weeks of painting, the day finally arrived to share Jeremiah’s completed artwork with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Each painting reflected not only the music that inspired it, but also the joy, encouragement, and creativity that shaped every step of the journey. Soon, five of those paintings would be selected to represent the Symphony’s 2026–2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

Where The Journey Began

For Jeremiah, his love of art began at an early age just as it does with many children— with crayons, colored pencils and markers. As he grew older, both his talent and his passion for painting continued to flourish. Today, whether he’s creating in his home studio, the Hart Gallery or Small Town Ceramics, Jeremiah surrounds himself with color, music and the people who encourage his creativity.

Creating art is who Jeremiah is. Now as an adult, Jeremiah often visits art museums all over Tennessee. He observes and studies all forms of art. Through this, Jeremiah has developed his own personal style of painting. He is a self described, “Modern Artist”.

Jeremiah enjoys sharing his love of art with his nephew, Roman. Judging by Roman’s smile, there may be just another artist in the family!

An Unexpected Invitation

Sometimes life has a way of opening doors we could never imagine. When the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera expressed an interest in Jeremiah’s artwork, a new chapter began. What started with a shared appreciation for creativity soon grew into an extraordinary collaboration—one that would connect Jeremiah’s paintings with the power of live symphonic music.

Finally - The Big Reveal

The invitation led to the most remarkable chapter in Jeremiah’s artistic journey. It culminated in a meeting with Ilya Ram, Music Director of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and Executive Director Susan Caminez to present his paintings. It was such an exciting day! The invitation was for Jeremiah to create original artwork for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera asked Jeremiah to create five paintings. Like any proud family, we hoped he would complete all five within the requested time frame. But Jeremiah had other plans.

Before revealing Jeremiah’s work, we asked everyone to turn around while we arranged the paintings on the tables. The photograph below captures the moment they turned back to view the paintings. Jeremiah had actually painted—not five paintings, but thirteen!

Jeremiah Understood The Assignment!

The excitement was contagious.

Every painting revealed another surprise.

Their reaction was:

UNSPOKEN!

Choosing only five from thirteen original paintings was no easy task. Each member of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera team voted for their favorites before the final five were chosen.

The conversation didn’t end with the selection of five paintings. Together the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera team thoughtfully determined the order in which the five selected paintings would be featured throughout the 2026-2027 season of Unspoken.

The Symphony team thoughtfully reviewed each painting before selecting the five that would represent the 2026-2027 season. In this photograph, the five selected paintings are displayed on the wall above the remaining eight, which are arranged on the tables below.

After making their selections, they asked if they could keep all thirteen paintings while they explored additional ways the remaining works might be used. That conversation continues today—a testament to how deeply Jeremiah’s artwork resonated with them.

The five come alive!

Can You Spot Jeremiah’s artwork hidden within this concert graphic?

Look closely. Elements of Jeremiah Brill’s original painting have been woven into this concert graphic. See if you can spot them before scrolling down to reveal the complete original painting.

Concert graphics courtesy of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Used with permission as part of Jeremiah Brill’s collaboration with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera for the 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

Featured Performance

West Side Story & The American Groove

Portions of Jeremiah Brill’s painting, Pastel Rhythms in Motion, were incorporated into the visual identity for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s presentation of West Side Story & The American Groove. This pairing became part of the 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

Did you find it?

Now compare the concert graphic with Jeremiah’s original painting and discover how the Symphony’s design team incorporated elements of his artwork into the concert’s visual identity.

Pastel Rhythms in Motion

Acrylic on Canvas • 11 × 17 • 2026

Concert graphics courtesy of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Used with permission as part of Jeremiah Brill’s collaboration with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera for the 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

Dancing Notes on Yellow

Acrylic on Canvas • 11 × 17 • 2026

Painting #3 — Symphonic Tropics

How about this one? Can you determine which of Jeremiah Brill’s paintings inspired this concert graphic? We may have given you a clue in the heading! Can you see how the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera wove this painting into their visual design?

Concert graphics courtesy of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Used with permission as part of Jeremiah Brill’s collaboration with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera for the 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

Featured Performance

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera incorporated elements of Symphonic Tropics into the visual identity for this performance creating a visual connection between Jeremiah’s artwork and one of Tchaikovsky’s most expressive symphonies.

What began as paint on canvas became part of the audience’s first impression of the concert—an invitation to experience music through color before the first note was ever played.

Symphonic Tropics

Acrylic on Canvas • 11 × 17 • 2026

Featured Performance:

Mozart & Mahler: A World of Wonder

Ready for another challenge?

This concert graphic contains elements from one of Jeremiah Brill’s original paintings.

Look closely before you scroll. Can you discover which painting inspired this concert graphic?

Concert graphics courtesy of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Used with permission as part of Jeremiah Brill’s collaboration with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera for the 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera incorporated elements of Night Sky Cadance into the visual identity for this performance, creating a visual connection between Jeremiah’s artwork and a program that celebrates both both Mozart’s brilliance and Mahler’s emotional depth.

Night Sky Cadance

Acrylic on Canvas • 11 × 17 • 2026

One Final Surprise…

This painting is currently featured on the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s home page for the 2026-2027 season, welcoming visitors to a season shaped by Jeremiah Brill’s artwork.

Concert graphics courtesy of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Used with permission as part of Jeremiah Brill’s collaboration with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera for the 2026-2027 season, UNSPOKEN.

Music in Color

Acrylic on Canvas • 11 × 17 • 2026