49th annual Festival kickoff party and community concert this Friday

— The Creative Arts Guild will celebrate its 49th anniversary of a “Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts” this year with a Kickoff First Friday event Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Guild’s main gallery.

Following First Friday, as part of the Spigel Concert Series, will be a free concert featuring Dalton’s native sons, The Brookwoods.

This year’s exhibit features 100-plus works of art and includes a number of mediums such as jewelry, painting, drawing, pastels, watercolor, photography, wood carving, sculpture and assemblages.

The First Friday Kickoff party gives the public the first view of the exhibit and is also a time when volunteers gather to pick up their Festival T-shirts, sign up for volunteer duties for Festival weekend, enjoy viewing the show and gathering with fellow volunteers.

Rhenda Spence, this year’s Kickoff party chair, has put together an evening filled with culinary delights.

“Festival First Friday is a favorite with our community as it represents a homecoming for a lot of folks who have been involved with Festival as both volunteers, attendees and artists for years,” Leanne Lawson, Guild events director, said.

“We are so appreciative of the hard work Rhenda has put into the event.”

Friday evening’s concert featuring The Brookwoods begins a 7 p.m. and attendees are invited to bring picnics and beverages as they enjoy the concert.

The Brookwoods began playing together in 1963, performing predominately folk music from that time period. The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, Tom Paxton and Gordon Lightfoot are the groups that influence their music the most.

Hilliared Jolly and George Davies were the founders of the group, adding Bill Sims a couple of years later. After nearly a 40-year hiatus, they re-formed for the opening of the Wink Theatre, adding Jim Todd on bass and Jayne Todd on female vocals and have been performing for the past several years.

“We are excited to continue the tradition of two free concerts during Festival season as we welcome The Brookwoods and The Etowah Jazz Society for Festival 2012,” said Guild Executive Director Terry Tomasello.”

“And we are so appreciative to our lead sponsors Mohawk Industries, Shaw Industries, The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and Wells Fargo. Festival 2012 and all its activities are possible because of these sponsors and so many more.”

This year’s Festival Chairs, Rob and Kris Stanfield, have risen to the occasion and have been working with Festival Coordinator Lawson to line up committee chairs and volunteers for several months.

“Festival is volunteer-driven and simply would not happen without our volunteers generous gift of time,” Lawson said. “We are so appreciative of Rob and Kris’ willingness to take time from their busy schedules to serve as chairs.”

The Stanfields will be at the Kickoff party and encourage the community to come out for a great time and to consider volunteering for Festival.

The first opportunity for area patron’s to purchase Festival artwork from the indoor exhibit happens on Festival weekend at the Patron’s Party and Taste of Dalton which has become a highlight of Festival and is on Friday, Sept. 14. The Patron’s Party and Taste of Dalton is a ticketed event offering patrons the opportunity to meet many of the indoor exhibiting artists while sampling Dalton’s finest culinary offerings.

“We promise folks won’t go away hungry.” Patron Party chair Angela Gordy said.

“Each year our local restaurants and caterers set out a feast for our patrons and we are so grateful to them for their willingness to be a part of Festival. The Taste of Dalton has become one of our community’s favorites.”

The Taste of Dalton Patron Party begins at 7 p.m. with individual tickets priced at $55 each.

This year’s Festival judge is professional mixed media artist, teacher and international exhibitor Sandy Webster from North Carolina.

As judge, Webster will award qualified artists $2,400 in prizes for the categories in Best of Show, Works on paper and/or canvas, Jewelry/Fine Craft, and Best of Photography. The Guild offers two additional awards for Director’s and Patron’s Choice.

The outdoor open-air air artists market will be on the Bernice Spigel Pavilion under the Waugh Street Facility. Fifty-plus artists will show their wares without the worries of inclement weather. Festival 2012 also includes “Children’s Hill” where children are engaged in arts activities, food court featuring traditional Festival favorites, local writer’s showcase, a 3D student art show, competitive team gymnastics performance and lawn activities.

This year’s Saturday evening free concert features the Etowah Jazz Society for a relaxing evening following a full day of Festival. The concert is part of the Guild’s Spigel Summer Concert Series which is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and Wells Fargo.

The concert will be at the close of Festival on Saturday, Sept. 15. The band will perform on the Mohawk Stage on the grounds of the Guild beginning at 6 p.m.

Festival 2012 is free and open to the public and is a rain or shine event. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.

The Guild is still taking applications for outdoor artists based on space availability and welcomes volunteers. For additional information visit www.creativeartsguild.org or call (706) 278-0168.

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49th annual Festival kickoff party and community concert this Friday

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