Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) is excited to present innovative approaches to art making by two young, contemporary artists. From recycled and reclaimed materials to images from popular news media, Altered Meanings explores Cat Chow and Jesse McLean’s complex and compelling styles of repurposing.

While their choice of media differ greatly, both artists’ processes rely heavily on arranging and appropriating so that viewers have to set aside their previous notions and reflect on what the artist has presented them. On display at MCG’s North Shore gallery from October 20 – January 9, 2009, Altered Meanings is sure to change your perspective!

For the full press release:
http://www.manchesterguild.org/Va/08-AltMean_KerrGal-pr004_0929.pdf

By Jill King Greenwood, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

…Mentoring programs that involve children in positive activities and provide role models beginning with grade schoolers are a critical component to keeping kids from going down a path toward gangs, guns and violence, said Bill Strickland, founder of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center.

For the full Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_594048.html

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) is excited to announce residencies with two innovative and young, contemporary artists. From recycled and reclaimed materials to images from popular news media, Cat Chow and Jesse McLean engage complex and compelling styles of art making.

McLean’s work involves images and video while Chow creates with found materials, but both artists’ processes are heavily rooted in repurposing. Arranging, manipulating and displaying various media, their works force the viewer has to set aside their previous notions and reflect on what the artist has presented them. The artist’s residencies are scheduled to coincide with an exhibition of their work, Altered Meanings, on display at MCG’s North Shore gallery from October 20 through January 9, 2009.

For the full press release:
http://www.manchesterguild.org/Va/08-800PennChowMcLean_pr004_1013.pdf

“The Fabric of Our Community: 40 Years of Changing Lives” was celebrated Sept. 24 at the Bidwell Training Center with a reception and program attended by 400.

For the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette clipping:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08278/916871-461.stm?cmpid=news.xml