Current Shows:
Beginnings
Our exhibition, “Beginnings,” is held at Christ Church from April 9 – May 11. The show was judged by Cynthia Howard, President of the Matthews Art Guild and a private art instructor. This exhibition is open to 2D artwork only, with a maximum size of 36” × 36”.
Important Dates:
Call for Entries: March 6–13 (members may enter up to two pieces)
Artwork Drop-Off: April 8, 9:30–11:30 AM
Opening Reception: April 9, 6:00–7:30 PM
First, Second, and Third Place awards, plus three Honorable Mentions, will be announced
Pick-Up: May 11, 9:30–11:30 AM
Congratulations to the Winners!
First Place
Linda Cowles
Construction
Second Place
Kathy Weiss
And They're Off
Third Place
Amy Winnicki
Where Spring Begins
Honorable Mention
Janet Dyer
New Hope
Honorable Mention
Pirrie Bingham
Following the Light
Honorable Mention
Patricia Raible
Almost There
Featured Artists CSA - April 2026
Guild member CHELSEA DEMAREST WEBSITE ---- INSTAGRAM and GEORGE MARTIN INSTAGRAM are the GCA/CSA featured wall artists for April. Congratulations to Chelsea and George! You can see their art on display @charlottestudioartists during open hours. Both artists’ works are available for purchase.
CHELSEA DEMAREST
I'm inspired by the joy, color, and movement found in life in North Carolina. I draw inspiration from the vivid pinks and yellows of wildflowers, the tranquil blues and greens of our coastlines, and the warm oranges and reds of Carolina clay. My work is known for its bold palettes, playful patterns, and richly textured layers.
As a stay-at-home mom to three little ones (ages 2, 3, and 5), creativity has become a part of my family’s daily rhythm. I can be found sitting around the kitchen table with my children painting together in chaos. Other times, I paint after bedtime, when the house is quiet and I can lose myself in the slow, meditative process. Those contrasting moments—messy and calm, wild and peaceful—deeply influence the balance and rhythm in my work.
My art celebrates color, connection, and joy. Each piece is a reflection of the life I’m living—busy, bright, full of love—and my hope is that it brings a bit of that same energy and happiness into the homes it finds.
GEORGE MARTIN
Born: July 21, 1953 in Scottsboro, AL
I graduated from Decatur High School in 1971, where I started to learn photography composition and also began shooting motion picture film. I went two years to University of Alabama, then three years at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, graduated in 1976 with a BS in Motion Picture Production, then moved to San Francisco, CA.
I moved to Los Angeles, CA area in late 1977 and started working as an apprentice music editor on feature films, after two years I changed to assistant film editor and worked my way up to second film editor, then became music editor until 2000. Meanwhile, I met and married Cindy LeBlanc and adopted her two-year-old son, Paul.
In 1995 Cindy started an herb growing business and sold them at farmers markets in the LA area. By 1998 she wasselling live herbs online and shipping all over the country. By 2000 her business had grown so much that we decided that I would quit my job and help her. We moved back to Alabama and expanded "The Tasteful Garden into a nationally known and respected online organic garden supplier. We loved to travel and was able to visit most of the United States and much of Europe. In 2007, Cindy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and began years of treatment, by 2019 she was not physically able to run the company anymore so we sold it and moved to Charlotte, NC to be near our son, Paul.
Cindy passed away in March, 2020 and I continue to live in Charlotte.