First Friday Reception

On Friday, February 4, 2017 the Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia in partnership with the Creative Arts Guild will present Through the Lens of War: One Marine’s Odyssey in World War II. This photographic exhibit chronicles the experience of Lieutenant Andrew Waskey during the battle of Iwo Jima and post-war occupation duty in Japan. Andrew Waskey, father of Dalton State College Professor of Social Sciences, Jack Waskey, Ph.D., served in the 13th Regiment, the artillery arm of the Fifth Marine Division, during the battle that produced some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific campaign of the Second World War. Artillery support provided by the 13th Regiment’s 75mm and 105mm howitzers was a crucial factor in the neutralization of Japanese forces entrenched on the slopes of Mount Suribachi and the elimination of Japanese resistance in the hills, ridges, and caves at Iwo’s northern end. After the Japanese surrender, Lieutenant Waskey and the 13th Regiment were assigned to occupation duty at the port city of Sasebo on the Japanese island of Kyushu. 

This collection of never-before published photographs provides a graphic view of the battle’s aftermath and the destruction wrought during the month-long struggle for control of this crucial Pacific outpost. Viewers will also gain a candid look into the lives of American servicemen and Japanese civilians as these two former antagonists tried to work together to rebuild a land shattered by war. 

In addition our celebration of 100 years of Hollywood with a special collection of artwork, vintage movie posters and advertistments, and cultural icons out of local private collections at the Creative Art Guild's exhibit, The Art Of The Cinema, will continue to run from January 6th to February 24th, 2017. During the month of February, the exhibit will be focused on Horror, Spy & Exploitation films.

As always, our First Friday Exhibits are free and open to the public.

Please contact Gallery Manager, Savannah Thomas, at savannaht@creativeartsguild.org or (706) 279-3129 if you have any questions.