September 19, 2008 05:57 pm
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Submitted by the Creative Arts Guild
As summer prepares to yield to autumn, the Creative Arts Guild’s 45th annual Festival of fine arts and fine crafts provides the region with a wide variety of arts and activities designed to provide a perfect day out.
“Dalton is a great community,” said Leanne Lawson, Festival director. “We see Festival as a gift to the community, a gift made possible by generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers and dozens of talented artists, musicians and dancers.”
The gift will be opened today (Friday) at the annual Patron Party, sponsored by Shaw Industries, at the Guild’s 520 W. Waugh St. facility. The Patron Party highlights the juried exhibit that features work by artists in a variety of traditional and contemporary styles. The exhibit continues through the weekend.
On Saturday, Festival weekend begins with the annual Art Dart, a one-mile walk/run sponsored by the Cowan Law Firm and Dalton Animal Care.
Saturday also offers visitors their first chance to review the Outdoor Artist Market, sponsored by Mohawk Industries, on the Guild’s grounds. The artist market will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Artists will offer a selection of unique, handmade works of art ranging from oil and acrylic paintings to jewelry, ceramics to woodwork, furniture to photography and watercolors to metal sculpture.
“We are delighted to welcome back familiar friends and to introduce new artists to the community. Some of these artists and artisans have shown at national shows like Asheville Arts and Crafts and the American Artisan Festival in Nashville. We work very hard to attract the best to Dalton,” said Lawson.
“We have a terrific mix of local, regional and national artists,” she said. “There are so many choices at all price points, which is one of our goals: to provide work that is artistically excellent and that is a good value, as well.”
In addition to the artist market, music will fill the air at Festival. Performers include:
Saturday:
10 a.m. — Earl Brackin. Brackin performs a variety of acoustic vocal and guitar music, most of which are original compositions. He performs with bluegrass group Spatial Effects and serves as worship director at Evangelical Methodist Church in Dalton.
11 a.m. — Rome Area Flute Ensemble. This recently formed group features veteran flute and piccolo players Terry Brandin, Vicky Drnek, Shellie Keit and Allison Lemke, all of Rome, Tammy McDonald of Summerville, and Creative Arts Guild music director Lisa Elders of Dalton. Selections will feature light classical and beautiful hymn music.
Noon — Paul Byrum and Marty Parmer. Paul is versed on many instruments including autoharp, bass fiddle, bass guitar, hammered dulcimer and mountain dulcimer. Paul performs with various bluegrass bands and is a member of the Southeastern Bluegrass Association. In 2004 he was crowned Mid-Eastern Regional Dulcimer Champion and has won numerous awards at fiddler’s conventions. Paul will be joined by guitarist Marty Parmer. He enjoys many styles of acoustic music, but bluegrass and gospel are his favorites. Marty began playing guitar in church some 34 years ago. His greatest inspiration came from Doc Watson.
1p.m. — Jonathan Black Jonathan is a Tunnel Hill resident who is becoming a rising star in the music world. As a young child, he started singing at church and on radio stations. His many talents include guitar, piano and vocals. He has performed at the Nashville Palace, Grand Ole Opry and the Gibson Blue Grass Stage. He has produced at least eight CDs.
2 p.m. — The Brass Quintet. The Chattanooga area group features Scott Keith and Chuck Shue on trumpet, Creative Arts Guild instructor Christine Pope on horn, Lee Yates on trombone and Hans Rose on tuba. Selections will feature light classical and light jazz selections.
3 p.m. — Noah Collins, Noah has been composing music since 2000 and has sung and played guitar, harmonica and drums with several bands. He currently performs rock 'n' roll at area venues with The Stateline Project.
4 p.m. — Andy Cohen, performing in the 4 to 5 p.m. hour. Andy sings and plays a variety of instruments including guitar, mandolin and steel guitar. His musical influences include Frank Sinatra, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Lawrence Welk and SpongeBob Squarepants. He is currently a public defender in Dalton.
Sunday
11 a.m. — David Aft, keyboard. David will perform jazz inspired piano selections.
Noon — The Brookwoods. The group started playing together in 1963, performing predominately folk music from that time period. They also perform some Irish and a little bluegrass music, and have been featured performers at the Guild’s Beat The Winter Blues Series. Musicians include Hillard Jolly, George Davies, Bill Sims and Jim and Jayne Todd.
1 p.m. — The Dalton First Baptist Men’s Ensemble
2 p.m. — The Guild’s Ballet Dalton and Gymnastics Team Dalton Senior Company and Ballet Dalton Junior Company will perform a variety of works. Junior Company will present a lively ballet piece called “Barn Dance” as well as a jazz dance to the song “Stuck On You” that is guaranteed to get your toes tapping. Senior Company dancers will be presenting three pieces. The first is a ballet work to the famous "Phantom of the Opera" song “Masquerade.” The second dance is a hip hop piece to “Pump It.” The final dance is a fun and entertaining dance to the song “Money” from Cabaret.
The Guild’s Gymnastics Department will perform an all encompassing routine. The performance will include various levels of gymnasts that will unite together to produce a beam, floor and tumbling routine. CAG gymnastics follows AAU and USA gymnastics disciplines.
3 p.m. — David Pierce, guitar and vocals. David will perform American standards.
The perennially popular children’s activities this year include painting with Colleen Laliberte and the “Royal Reading Room,” a special environment where children can enjoy the magic of reading. Festival offers local students a chance to showcase their creativity in the 3D Student Exhibit. Works will be displayed in the Guild’s Studios I and II. Rock Hill School will also be on hand with children’s activities.
“We are more than an arts festival,” Lawson said. “We strive to be a true community festival. We try to offer something that appeals to everyone. The Guild is a community resource and we want everyone to participate in and enjoy its programming.”
Lawson emphasized that Festival would not be possible without the efforts of many volunteers.
“Mary Beth and Tom Pool have been simply outstanding Festival chairs,” Lawson said. “They have really pressed their committee chairs to do more and to make the event better than ever."
“I wish I could list every volunteer we have at Festival, but it runs into the hundreds,” said Lawson. "They are the heart and soul of the event, and we are so grateful for all of them. I just smile every time I see a Festival volunteer T-shirt being worn.”
Cohutta Banking Co. continues its long-term tradition of providing T-shirts for all volunteers.
For more information about Festival exhibitions and activities, visit the Guild’s Web site at www.creativeartsguild.org or call (706) 278-0168.
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