Chestertown exists in the eye of the beholder. A history enthusiast can touch the spine of America’s colonial legacy. A naturist, enthralled with our river life has been known to return and pack up for a move to join us. Someone with a taste for art will always be surprised at the level of fine arts available, from our International Music Festival and Garfield Theatre shows to the Artists’ Gallery, SANDBOX Studio and River Arts and the many festivals the town has to offer.
Chestertown’s reputation as an arts community was enhanced recently with the opening of Create, a gallery for fine arts and crafts. But it’s not just for the caliber of the art that’s noteworthy—it’s how they are operating their space. It’s a unified effort undertaken by each artist, and they are on-premises daily to offer visitors a glimpse into the artistic process and even discuss custom designs with clients.
Carla Massoni, owner of Carla Massoni Gallery, and long-time advocate for a strong arts presence in Chestertown recognized an opportunity to change how art was presented to the public. Already, there were internationally known artists working in the community, each with their own studios and who have banded together in the past to advertise and attend prestigious art show like last year’s American Craft Council in Baltimore.
Why not showcase them together and have the gallery run by the artists themselves and let them talk one-on-one to visitors about the process of art?
While core partners are Rob Glebe, Patti and Dave Hegland, Bob Ortiz, Marilee Schumann and Faith Wilson display and work the shop, other highly respected “guest artists” have also been invited to show their work in the gallery. The aesthetic bar is high, but Create would quickly show well in Georgetown and Manhattan.
Here, Carla Massoni talks about Create’s inception and how the project came together.
This video is approximately five minutes in length. Find out more about Create here
113 South Cross Street
Chestertown
Kay MacIntosh says
Well said, Carla! Chestertown is so fortunate to have these talented artists and this remarkable new shop in the community. You all make us proud!