Local artists host annual Carroll County Artists’ Studio Tour

This week, past and current McDaniel students, faculty, and professors, as well as Carroll County community members and residents will all come together to celebrate the joys of art and the inspirations that come with it.

On Dec. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., local artists will open their studio doors to the public for the 11th Annual Carroll County Artists’ Studio Tour. This self-guided event is free and family friendly.

“The studio tour is a great time to meet artists in their own environment,” said Virginia Sperry, one of the participating artists. “You can see how they go through the creative process. Ask them questions, find out what tools they can’t live without, how they problem solve, what are their inspirations. [It’s also] a great place to find treasures for gifts or for yourself!”

With 13 stops, the Studio Tour is a great opportunity for people of all ages to explore their inner artist. According to Sharon Schaeffer, a McDaniel alumna and educator, the Studio Tour has had a long history, spanning back to the 1990s when the Carroll County Crafts Guild first began inviting the public into personal studios. In 2006, the tour was reborn as the Carroll County Artists’ Studio Tour.

Other McDaniel educators, such as Linda Van Hart and Ken Hankins, have also been involved with the tour since its creation. Schaeffer will be showcasing her woven baskets with Carolyn Seabolt at her studio Cat Tracks.

Trista Fedoruk, specializing in fiber art, has also participated in the tour for several years. She first became interested four years ago when fellow artist Laura Wailes of Thistledown Farm Pottery and her daughter Kelsey Wailes of The Kelsey Wailes Company asked her to be a guest artist.

“I spent two amazing days chatting with people and demonstrating my fiber art techniques, while offering them a wide variety of crocheted items to choose from,” said Fedoruk. “The experience was wonderful and I was delighted to become an official member the following year.”

Many artists mentioned that they look forward to the relaxed atmosphere and the friendly people that stop by. Lori Baker, another participating artist, is excited to join the tour for the first time this year.

“I hope that visitors, no matter what studios they visit, will gain a better understanding of what goes into the making of art,” said Baker. “Also, I hope that the tour inspires everyone to take a class or dabble in some form of art.”

Charlie Maiorana, a newcomer to Carroll County, will also be joining the tour for the first time. He plans to teach classes in his newly constructed studio in Manchester and hopes that the tour will inspire visitors to come back in the future to take a class.

The various stops on the tour will give visitors the chance to meet artists, view live demonstrations, purchase artwork, and even make some art of their own – all at their own pace.

For more information on the tour, go to www.ccartists.com or stop by Off Track Art Studio, located just off of West Main Street, across from O’Lordan’s Pub. You can also learn more on their Facebook page.