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| Cooperative artistry: Area artists join forces to open Off Track Art |
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| By Brandon Oland, Times Staff Writer |
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 |
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DYLAN SLAGLE/STAFF PHOTO
Bob Sapora and Gordon Wickes position a sign for the Off Track Artists' Cooperative outside their Liberty Street gallery in downtown Westminster as Melinda Byrd, left, and Becki Maurio lend a hand Tuesday. Byrd designed and created the sign for the cooperative.
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Several area artists gathered in Westminster Tuesday and took part in tasks they were not accustomed to.
While wearing protective blue coveralls, sculptor Bob Sapora operated a power saw and cut support beams for a business sign.
Photographer Becki Maurio discussed a work schedule and promised she would make sure all shifts were covered.
Photographer Gordon Wickes warned visitors that a display table was covered in wet paint.
It’s been a busy week for 20 area artists who have been putting the finishing touches on Off Track Art, a cooperative located just off the railroad tracks in downtown Westminster that is having its grand opening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today.
The gallery will be filled from floor to ceiling with sculptures, jewelry, photography, paintings and more.
Westminster painter Sarah Abel Deluca said artists are, generally, independent thinkers and creators.
But the co-op’s artists have come together for this project, splitting the rent and agreeing to staff the co-op located inside Roger Lewis’ Carousel Stained Glass at 11 Liberty Street.
“It’s been exciting to watch the group come together,” Maurio said. “Everyone is bringing their own strengths.”
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The artists began meeting in December over breakfast to discuss plans.
Each of the co-op members gets their own space in one of the two rooms in the gallery.
The artists drew numbers out of a hat to decide where each would display their works.
Artists dropped by this week to start installing their works, stopping to admire and compliment the projects of their peers.
The co-op will always be staffed by an artist during business hours. A schedule is being finalized but shift-swapping is already taking place.
“If you can’t make it at a certain time,” Abel-DeLuca said, “there are there people that say they can fill in. I’ve been amazed by that.”
Just after noon Tuesday, Woodbine artist Melinda Byrd dropped by to deliver the co-op’s sign.
Byrd said it’s been a busy and exciting week. She also installed her first solo exhibit at Carroll Community College, which opens Sunday.
When she arrived at Off Track Art with the yellow and purple sign she designed and painted, several artists offered to help her.
Maurio helped her carry it to the building.
Wickes and Sapora climbed a ladder and hoisted it to make sure it would be erected straight.
“This is so exciting,” Sapora said. “It looks great.”
Reach staff writer Brandon Oland at 410-857-7862 or brandon.oland@carrollcountytimes.com.
If you go
What: Grand opening for Off Track Art
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. today. Normal hours will be noon-6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, noon-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Off Track Art, 11 Liberty St., Westminster
Artists featured: Vestal Abbott, Sarah Abel DeLuca, Melinda Byrd, Christina Collins-Smith, Kevin Dayhoff, Mary Decker, Gail Elwell, Judy Goodyear, Charlotte Lasio, Becki Maurio, Wasyl Palijczuk, Howard Riopelle, Cathy Sawdey, Bob Sapora, Gordon Wickes, Vladimir Tzenov, Linda Van Hart, Robert Waddell, Susan Williamson and Pamela Zappardino.
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