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an E-newsletter of Off Track Art , an artistsʼ cooperative gallery
June/July 2010
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11 Liberty Street (Side Entrance)
Westminster, MD
hours:
Tue-Wed " noon -6 PM
Thu-Fri " noon -7 PM
Sat " " 10 AM - 5 PM
www.offtrackart.org
Visit us on Facebook, too!
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CALENDAR, into Summer:
CLOSING: Stop by the Off Track Art gallery before the end of June to enjoy the lovely, glowing
oil paintings of Guest Artist, Jodi OʼConnell. Closing Wednesday, June 30th.
OPENING: Mark your calendar for an
opening reception at Off Track Art as we
celebrate the sculptural and
photographic works of our upcoming
Guest Artist for July-August, Virginia
Sperry. Meet the artist at the reception:
Friday, July 9th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM.
Starting July: The artists of Off Track Art
refresh the gallery with new works in new
arrangements. Coming with our mid-year
re-installation you will see a welcome to
summer with paintings of colorful day
lilies by Mary Decker; thereʼs a new
necklace series using mahjong tiles from
Susan Williamson, along with collage
paintings exploring the dilemma of a
cancer diagnosis; Gordon Wickes brings in some black and white photographs of a past
period; and more new works.
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GUEST ARTIST, May/June: Jodi OʼConnell
Off Track Artʼs current guest artist, Jodi OʼConnell, is a Carroll County painter. An art therapist
for many years, Jodi now devotes her time to decorative painting and wall murals. Her true
love is to create art. Many of her paintings are of the beautiful, ever changing landscape
around her, and how light effects subject matter found in nature. See and enjoy these quiet
and colorful paintings before the end of June.
GUEST ARTIST, July/August: Virginia Sperry
Off Track Art in July is proud to present an installation of sculpture and photography by Virginia
Sperry. Virginia is a local sculptor and photographer. A self-professed dumpster diver, she
delights in finding objects that have lived beyond their primary use and combine them to create
cool sculptures. Welding steel is the latest of her artistic passions. Virginia has been welding
since 2003 when she took a metal fabrication class at the Maryland Institute College of Art. "I
like to think that I am glueing with lightning." Her sculptures run from abstract to figurative, with
a life-sized giraffe being the largest piece she has finished.
In addition to three dimensional sculpture, Virginia is intrigued with photographing unusual
things in her life. "Computers and digital technology have turned photography into instant
gratification. Because my sculptures can take several months to finish I enjoy being able to
take and download photos in the blink of an eye."
Virginia lives in Eldersburg with her husband, two dogs and two cats.
OUT and ABOUT:
Westminsterʼs fun and popular Art-in-the-Park happens on Saturday, June 5, 10 AM - 4 PM.
Look for artists of Off Track Art who will have booths there this year. Offerings include jewelry,
paintings, prints, photography and more, by Kevin Dayhoff, Charlotte Laslo, Mary Decker,
Susan Williamson, and Melinda Byrd.
Linda Van Hart during May & June is living on a working llama farm (www.lamahof.com) in
central Switzerland, sketching and taking photos to assist in a new line of pin designs. The
renovation to her studio should be complete upon her arrival home to begin sculpting the new
works. June 11-13 Linda is wait-listed for The Mountain Heritage Show in Harper's Ferry.
Linda,the Visual Arts Coordinator for Common Ground at McDaniel College, invites you to
check out their classes at www.commongroundonthehill.com. She is teaching “Reticulation
and Hot Connections,” week II afternoons. Her article about Reticulation was published along
with pictures of her Savannah and Harriet Tubman series, and containers by her mentor, John
T. Fix, in the Spring Metals Guild of Maryland Newsletter. She is on the Board of Directors of
both Common Ground and MGM.
Linda will display her metalsmithing and jewelry at The Roots Music and Art Festival, July
12-13 at Carroll County Farm Museum.
Lindaʼs mixed media collage and metalsmithing on display at The Rice Gallery on McDaniel
Campus, July 4-16. Selections from her collection of jewelry are available at Unique Jewelry in
Westminster.
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Gail Elwell’s work can be seen at the Blue Elephant Art Center, 4A West 5th St., in Frederick,
MD. The exhibit, "Addiction and Art," features the Artists and Editors from the critically
acclaimed book and runs from June 19th to June 27.
Cathy Sawdey provides another reason to visit Frederick. Cathy shows two of her drawings
as part of the regional juried exhibit at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in
Frederick, Md., on display June 5 through July 18.
OFF TRACK ART Bids Farewell to Melinda Byrd:
Melinda will be missed by her partners and patrons, both for her wonderful artful offerings as
well as her professional and creative spirit. Best of everything to her as she continues her
work in other venues in the area.
Below is her message to everyone.
Dear Friends of OTA,
I am sad to say that as of the end of June, I will no longer be a partner of OTA. I have mixed feelings
about this decision as I have made many close friends here over the past 16 months. Yet during that
time, I have increased the number of galleries and shops who represent me as well as in the number of
commissions I receive for custom work...not to mention the list of projects I want to do when "I can find
the time." It has simply boiled down to determining how many hours there are in a day and how can I
best accomplish the goals at hand. Please know that I am still here--in the community--and available to
create art for you, and I welcome your company at Byrdcall Studio in Woodbine (by appt.
410-549-4889). Please keep in touch. Email me if you'd like me to add you to my studio email list so
we don't loose touch. Byrdcall@aol.com or www.ByrdcallStudio.com.
My last days on duty at OTA are Tuesday, June 15 from noon to 6 PM and Wednesday, June 30 from
noon to 6 PM. Please stop by to learn more if you are in the area.
I know OTA will continue to grow and thrive as creative ideas are implemented each month. I look
forward to continuing to be a #1 fan of Westminster's only artists' coop. See you around!
Sincerely,
Melinda Byrd
ARTISTS: ===================================================================
Vestal Abbott" " " " " " Cathy Sawdey
Melinda Byrd: www.byrdcallstudio.com" " " Gordon Wickes
Kevin Dayhoff: kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com" " Linda van Hart: www.tollhousestudio.com
Mary Decker: www.chartruesemoose.com" " Bobby Waddell
Gail Elwell: www.gailelwell.com"" " " Susan Williamson
Judy Goodyear" " " " " " Pamela Zappardino
Charlotte Laslo"" " " " GUEST-Virginia Sperry: www.virginiasperry.com/home.html
" " " " " " GUEST-Jodi OʼConnell: www.jodioconnell.com
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