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 The 2011 Mountain Maryland Art Sale and Tour, with fifty-seven participating artists, begins October 22nd and 23rd and continues the following weekend, October 29th and 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Coordinated by the Allegany Arts Council on behalf of the many talented visual artists in the Western Maryland and Northern West Virginia region, it has grown for more than a decade to become a “not-to-be-missed” highly anticipated annual event.
As you travel around during the Mountain Maryland Art Sale and Tour this year, be sure to enter the drawing for your chance to win $100 in cash that will be given away after each weekend. Visitors may enter the drawing at each location where they stop to visit artists on the tour.
Some of the artists have written descriptions of their art and surroundings, so visitors can get a taste of potential travels through the tri-state area to enjoy local art. We begin in Eastern Allegany County and continue westward.
Penny Knobel-Besa’s invitation is this, “Just walking down the woodland path through the forest to my gallery in Sanctuary Studios evokes a sense of relaxation and anticipation of a pleasant visit browsing fine art photos, canvas giclees, and mono-prints with dappled light from a circular stained glass window overhead.”
Her husband shares the space. “Inside and outside Sanctuary Studios you will find not only watercolors and oil paintings but unusual sculptures by artist Hilmar Gottesthal, like ‘Unique’ created from mahogany wood and glass, or the white marble ‘Bach in a Block’ or the 17 foot, ‘By George’ that once stood next to George’s Washington’s Headquarters in downtown Cumberland.”
Lisa Mundy’s studio is nearby. "Enjoy beautiful mountain views at my ridge-top studio, while admiring colorful paintings created during my travels through Europe and Asia."
In a few miles, everyone will have fun peeking at Larry Imes recently finished kiln to discover what free spirited shapes of pottery are emerging.
When you stop at Lisa Peterson's studio at Crape Cottage, you can experiment with her new technique of painting with scissors.
Jakkie Lease continues, “Having been a member of many international quilting groups for 10 years, I've had the opportunity to trade ideas, fabrics, embellishments and works with other needlework artists from all over the world. These associations have influenced my painting style.”
If this sampling intrigues you, let’s continue to see what artists are offering in the Cumberland area.
Amy and John Shuman invite you to The Shuman Life Center, where Amy, a fiber artist, has been experimenting with colorful and practical jewelry and handmade baskets with silk embellishments while John continues to commune with nature and the local wildlife to photograph special moments.
Aspiring nature and landscape photographer Linda Thompson explains, “In 1901, there were two churches, nine saloons, one bakery and a cigar maker on Virginia Avenue. One hundred years later the ‘Avenue’ is thriving once again, where I will be sharing my ‘Wonders of God's Creation’ exhibition.”
Pat Hilton’s invitation: “See the velvety, vibrant, pure color of pastel drawn in the open air to interpret my view of our magnificent landscapes and unique historical structures.”
Merrill Smith’s studio is in an old stone-built row house that he is turning into an art studio/residence. “I enjoy using different styles or approaches in painting and usually gravitate to a venue of color with dramatic light in still lifes or landscapes.”
Working in the fashion industry, Salvador enjoys painting with beautiful bold colors for the human form and using larger scale canvases to express his unique style.
Regarded as an “avant garde” artist, Deborah Hicks Odgers paints large-scale oil and mixed media paintings in brilliant color. Her work has achieved popular acclaim for her bold style and diverse subject matter exhibiting a range of emotion and statement.
Christina Collins Smith explains, "Discover the fluidity of photography as I share my digital painting which takes the ordinary into layered scenes of dreamy color. I will be demonstrating ‘painting with photography’ at the eclectic, fine art filled Wild Goose Gallery."
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