Percussion and painting might be more similar than most would expect. ‘ ‘ ‘ Beginning this… Percussion and painting might be more similar than most would expect. ‘ ‘ ‘ Beginning this week, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) presents ‘Seeing Jazz: A Tribute to the Masters and Pittsburgh Jazz Legends.’ The exhibition displays subtle parallels between music and other art media. ‘ ‘ ‘ MCG was founded in 1968 by Bill Strickland, a Pittsburgh native looking to start an art program to help minority students in the area. ‘ ‘ ‘ Renee Govanucci, associate producer at MCG, said that the ‘nonprofit arts and learning center’s mission is to educate and inspire inner-city youth and preserve, present and promote jazz and visual arts to stimulate intercultural understanding.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Through a blend of art classes at the center, ranging from ceramics to digital arts, and an integrated arts curriculum at local schools, the MCG Youth program impacts over 3,000 students per week, explained Govanucci. Students, mostly in middle and high school, can attend classes tuition-free. ‘ ‘ ‘ The MCG Jazz division puts on concerts throughout the year and organizes classes with musicians. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Seeing Jazz’ will likely be just as valuable to attendees. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘The goal of the exhibit is to provoke awareness of crossover between jazz music and visual arts. It’s an educational experience that’s beneficial for all age groups. A lot of people can relate to it,’ said Heather Powell, MCG’s coordinator of exhibitions and visiting artists. ‘ ‘ ‘ Pittsburgh native Gwendolyn Black collaborated with MCG to curate and produce the exhibition. Powell explained that Black worked on the show for 10 years in New York City before approaching MCG about hosting. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We happen to be in an ideal situation here at MCG since we have both parts [art and jazz] under one roof,’ said Powell. Black hopes that this will be the start of ‘Seeing Jazz’ as a traveling exhibition. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘There’s such a deep history of jazz in Pittsburgh. This exhibit will get people to talk about that history. I think that’s something she kept at the forefront of her mind,’ said Powell. ‘ ‘ ‘ The gallery will showcase a wide range of forms, including ceramics, sculpture, paintings and photographs. The exhibit features both nationally known artists with works on loan from various locations as well as local artists. ‘ ‘ ‘ One such local artist is Tina Brewer, who works in a less traditional medium ‘mdash; quilts. ‘ ‘ ‘ Brewer uses a unique collage technique to create story quilts. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I started 30 years ago. I was an interior decorator and had all these scraps, so I decided to explore quilt making. I didn’t like the traditional process, so I tried the collage technique,’ said Brewer. ‘ ‘ ‘ Her fabrics come from a dizzying array of sources ‘mdash; everywhere from Ghana to local artists who hand-dye fabric. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Sometimes I use mementos from the past ‘mdash; a handkerchief or skirt ‘mdash; as a backdrop. Then I superimpose shapes on top with transparent fabrics,’ she said. ‘ ‘ ‘ Brewer explained her relationship between jazz music and art: ‘I’m influenced by many art forms ‘mdash; poetry, music, dance. The improvisation in jazz is how I construct my quilts. Each quilt is like a dance.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Music, if you listen to it long and hard, you see visions,’ continued Brewer. ‘But you have to really focus. You have to become immersed in the sound, the voices, the words.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Brewer started quilting after learning about African history and how it’s interpreted in the United States. ‘ ‘ ‘ She recalled thinking to herself, ‘I’m 35 years old, and I’m just starting to learn about African history, I need to teach it to other people. So I’ll use my quilts as a teaching tool.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Brewer, a member of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, also teaches students the quilting trade and has worked with MCG’s after school program. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘They’ve been a major supporter of me. They have given me a platform. They gave me a one-person show in the ’90s, so I’m always willing to help out at MCG.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Those who would like a closer look at how jazz and art intertwine can attend the Feb. 5 artist reception. Free of charge, from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m., visitors can enjoy demonstrations, food and a concert. Author of Pittsburgh Jazz, John Brewer will have a book signing and MCG’s honored 2008 Pittsburgh Jazz Legends (including Roger Humphries and Joe Negri) will perform. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘This is a chance to mingle with the artists, learn how they create their work and use jazz as their medium,’ said Govanucci.