duCret Open Studio Finds A Gift in Local Musician Brian Celardo

This Tuesday night's Portrait Open Studio, lately nick-named the 'Anything Goes' Open Studio for local painters and sketch artists, has been experimenting the past few months with 'NJ-Acoustic in the Park' Musicians. What began as a risky experiment has turned into a really kool new community endeavor that mixes models and artists on the floor with musicians. The artists paint and sketch a live posed model (or paint the moving musicians) to the mellow tunes of several acoustic guitarists, sax & bass players. The result of the blend is a really fun venture that not only inspires artists to their full capabilities, but also gives the local musicians a live audience, during practice time. The musicians can experiment on new songs and work out harmonies and the artists are bolstered by melodies while they work. There's alot of laughter & good humor on the floor and the mood is relaxed and mellow; a perfect soother to a hard days work. duCret instructor Paul Casale who moniters Tuesday night 'Portrait' Open Studio is a 20+ year veteran of the Open Studio experience; starting out in NYC decades ago. So it was a 'no brainer' when the idea of adding musicians to the mix was introduced. The experiment has been a hit from 'day one'. For several months now a mix of musicians has performed on the Fine Arts Floor every Tuesday evening.

Somewhere along the way, one of our Board members heard wind of 'the experiment' and suggested we give Brian Celardo, a local & solo musician with a gamut of original tunes a hollar. One can usually find Brian and his guitars hunkered down & grooving at the Fanwood Performance Art Series, for he has a performance gig there year-long. But curious as artists usually are, we called Brian and he obliged us one night a few weeks ago, with 3 hours of the most melodic originals we've heard in a long time. This guy's really, really talented. And the artists on the floor really love him. So he's back this Tuesday evening...with his guitars and all his talent. All one has to do to hear him is bring a pad, some pencils, or a paintbox, canvas and $15.00 to get on the floor by 6pm this Tuesday. Periodically, Brian will perform throughout the summer at duCret, on Tuesday evenings. If you're interested in knowning of his future scheduled appearances at duCret, just call in or email us your email address and we'll put you on the duCret events newsletter.

Brian's performing career began at small venues in and around Staten Island, NYC and NJ, playing solo and duo acoustic guitar gigs. These gigs provided him with the opportunity to develop as a bass player. During this time Brian was attending Wagner College and performed with many of the music major students in varying ensembles. Brian then auditioned and was awarded the rhythm guitar spot for NYC based rock/alternative band, "Tell". During his tenure as Tell's rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist he played many venues in NYC including The Cat Club, The Bitter End, CBGBs, The China Club, Don't Tell Mama, The Duplex and many more. Tell was signed to a local label before disbanding in the mid 90's. As the lead guitarist, co-writer and backing vocalist for the Patti Sheehan Band, Brian performed w/ Michael Walsh, Arnie Wise and Patti Sheehan at local NYC venues. later on, as a founding member of the two piece acoustic Folk/Blues duo "Angst For The Memory", Brian developed his acoustic blues, jazz and improvisational techniques working with the late, great Michael Higgins. The music of "Angst" was built around Acoustic/Electric/Fast Folk/Rhythm & Blues. All Original Compositions & Arrangements... with Mike Higgins Singer/Songwriter, Guitar; Brian Celardo, Backup Vocals/Arranger, Guitar. Today Brian continues making music and expanding his musical knowledge. He has multiple projects in the works including an original act in his hometown of Fanwood, NJ where he is the musical creator and arranger in partnership with a new lyricist. He is also the lead and rhythm guitarist for a working cover band Covr2Covr.

Tuesday's duCret 'Portrait Open Studio' runs all summer long, beginning at 6pm - 9pm. Musicians and artists share the floor with a live costumed model. Fee: $15.00 general/$10.00 duCret student & alumni.
Wednesday's 'Figure Open Studio' runs for another 7 weeks and starts at 7pm - 9:30pm. Sketch artists can work on the human anatomy in the presence of a live, nude model. Fee: $15.00 general/$10.00 duCret student & alumni.

Thursday's Takumi Open Studio is run by a Japan trained duCret faculty member. It runs from 6pm - 8pm. Fee: $20.00 (with one-time $50.00 clay & glazing fee). If you're a beginner, an intermediate or a total pro - there's no excuse to NOT TO DO ART anymore. Because it's all here....waiting for you! All you have to do is show up!