Classical Guitarist Jeffrey Bianchi featured at Creative Arts Guild 

Thursday, January 19th, 7:00 p.m. $5.00 Donation at the Door

Classical guitarist Jeffrey Bianchi will be the featured artist at the next Creative Arts Guild IN CONCERT Series program. The 55 minute concert will feature music by Sylvius Leopold Weiss, Isaac Albeniz and Jose Luis Merlin.

A native of Williamson, New York, Jeffrey began performing at weddings and cafes while still in his teens. He continued further studies with James Piorkowski at the State University of New York at Fredonia. During this time, his hard work earned him performances at the Rantucci International Guitar Festival as well as the nationally recognized Ithaca Guitar Festival. His concerts continued with his move to Atlanta in the summer of 2002. 

From 2005-2007, Jeffrey took a hiatus to tour nationally with Country acts Young Guns (Nashville, TN) and Chace Roberts (St. Paul, Minnesota). As an electric guitarist, Jeffrey toured much of North America; playing clubs and dance halls as far away as Wyoming and North Dakota.

On his return home, Jeffrey resumed his solo performances. By 2009, he was touring throughout Georgia, playing in places such as Savannah, Tybee Island, Toccoa, Richmond, Duluth, and Hartwell. Large, enthusiastic crowds were the norm at these events. These positive reactions together with his desire to travel gave him a goal to take his music to a much wider audience. In February 2010, Jeffrey undertook his first solo tour which brought him to places such as Vicksburg, Mississippi, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Dallas, Texas. Due to the overwhelming success of this venture, he continues a regular touring schedule with the classical guitar.

First Friday welcomes The Carpet Capital Camera Club in Gallery 111

During the month of January the Carpet Capital Camera Club will hold their annual member exhibition in Gallery 111. This exhibit features landscape, floral, architectural and other subjects photographed using a variety of processes throughout the year. This year's photographers include Mary Marler, Ron Arnold, susan Franklin, Lana Sweenie, George Spence, Gary Keeble, Robert Burns, Marilyn Helms, Charlotte Robinette and Aurelie Steve.

Pictured is "Garden Bouquet" by George Spence

Creative Arts Guild features Spiral Bird Studios

The Creative Arts Guild welcomes Chattanooga artists Brad and Mandy Wilson in the Guild's Main Gallery with concurrent exhibits opening this First Friday. The husband and wife team (Spiral Bird Studios) will be featured in an exhibition in the main gallery during January and February, 2012. Mandy Wilson's show entitled “A Handmade World” will feature her works which include: quilts, paintings, altered books, and sculptures. Highlights of the show include a mixed media “Treasure Box”, which was awarded Best in Show at the Creative Arts Guild 2011 Festival show. This piece also won the Patrons Choice Award. Pictured is "Parcheesi" made with embroidered fabric, polymner clay and other media.

Featured in an installation type 'space-winthin-a-space' is Creative Arts Guild Visual Arts Director, Bradley Wilson. Mr. Wilson’s installation is entitled "The Chimerical Migration".

Guild Executive Director Terry Tomasello states, "It is a delightful surprise when we are able to showcase the works of artist couple such and Bradley and Mandy. Their works are rich in content and skill and I feel more than certain that our patrons will enjoy exploring the nuances in both artists exhibits. I believe our patrons will come away with an appreciation for artist that have worked in a variety of mediums with great success."

The Opening Reception for “A Handmade World” and "The Chimerical Migration" will be Friday January 6th from 5:30 - 7:30 and will share the gallery with The Carpet Capital Camera Club's annual exhibit in the Gallery 111. First Fridays are free and open to the public.

The Creative Arts Guild welcomes The Rome Area Flute Ensemble as the December artists of the IN CONCERT Series featuring Christmas selections. A $5.00 ticket gains you entrance to the concert and all the desserts you can eat and coffee you can drink. The Guild will also offer other beverages.