Gallery Openings and Artist Receptions
July Gallery Opening and Artist Reception — July 7th, 5:30-7:30
“The Creative Arts Guild is thrilled to continue our strong summer line-up of artists from throughout the region with this month’s gallery opening,” says Ms. Thomas. “Both Russell Cook and Hollie Berry are experimenting with art in new and challenging ways, and we feel that this month’s opening will be an exciting one for all audiences.”
On Friday, July 7th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, the Creative Arts Guild will present its First Friday Gallery Opening and Artists’ Reception, featuring two new exhibits, a chance to meet the artists, and light refreshments. Then at 7:30 pm AmeriCalypso Band will provide a mix of Caribbean-flavored music on the Spigel Pavilion. The Guild's First Friday series is always free and open to the public and offers exciting opportunities for all ages to experience new and inspiring works of art.
This month’s gallery opening will feature two new artists: Russell Cook with his work Disarrangement of Form and Hollie Berry’s fire painting series Playing with Fire in our Gallery FIVE20 and Gallery ONE11, respectively. Also, the ongoing exhibit by Chattanooga-based illustrator Nicole Song of her environmental-focused series Over The River and Through the Woods will continue on display in our Jonas Hall. Nicole describes the exhibit as a “… body of work that explores the whimsy and wonderful design of our local ecosystem.”
Russell Cook is a multi-disciplinary artist from North Georgia, who combines his broad-ranging skills as a painter, a carpenter, a writer, a musician, and a sculptor. His work includes drawing and painting, collage, sculpture, kinetic art, musical composition and performance, art criticism, and collaborations in film and theater.
Hollie Berry recounts: “I started drawing as soon as I could grip a pencil and was painting in oils by the age of nine.” She continued studying art through college, graduating in 2009 with a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin. A few years after graduation Berry moved to Chattanooga, TN and found a fresh artistic start, first with monumental land art drawings at Coolidge Park, and then with more permanent public art in the form of murals. Her current work is with a technique called “Fire Painting.” Not sure what that is? No problem…Ms. Berry will be demonstrating her unique art form during the reception.
Ms. Thomas says “The Creative Arts Guild’s First Friday series is the perfect date night, family outing, or girl’s (or guy’s!) night out. Grab a drink and hors d’oeuvre while viewing the rotating exhibits at the Creative Arts Guild and meeting new artists from our area! Then stay and enjoy AmeriCalypso! We hope our community will continue to come out to support and engage with each of our new artists and their work.”
The Guild is located at 520 W. Waugh St. in Dalton. Questions about the exhibits or the reception? Contact Savannah Thomas, Gallery Director at Savannaht@creativeartsguild.org or 706-279-3129.
| Upcoming Gallery Openings and Receptions for 2017 | |
| July 7th 5:30 - 7:30 | Russell Cook Nicole Song Hollie Berry |
| August 4th 5:30 - 7:30 | Russell Cook Keith McFarland Mary Hamby |
| September 15th 7:30 - 9:30 FESTIVAL Preview Party |
Juried FESTIVAL Exhibit |
| October 6th 5:30 - 7:30 | Juried FESTIVAL Exhibit |
| November 3rd 5:30 - 7:30 | Paula Gregg Alexa Lett |
| December 1st 5:30 - 7:30 | Paula Gregg Alexa Lett |