The Chestertown RiverArts 14th Annual Studio Tour, October 26-27 and November 2-3, has grown and diversified. The first tour was held in 2000; there were twelve artists in their studios. This year we are thrilled that there are fifty-eight artists and artisans on the tour spread out among some forty studios. Here is the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes, and see their varied surroundings.
The studios can be divided into four categories. There are several storefront studios that include the working area and a gallery showing off the latest creations. There are two small studio complexes: Cannon Street Studios and Arts At Still Pond Station. And finally, there are studios that are at the artist’s home; some are detached from the house and others are in the home itself.
Below are descriptions of some of the studios, many in the words of the artists themselves:
Dave and Patti Hegland
Dave and Patti Hegland began moving their kiln glass studio to downtown Chestertown about a year ago. “We love being in the heart of Chestertown with RiverArts as a neighbor”, says Patti, who with her husband, Dave, are partners in Hegland Glass. “There is a lot of energy in this location. Visitors enjoy seeing first-hand the process of creating kiln glass art, gain an understanding of the complexities of our craft and have the opportunity to purchase Hegland Glass directly from the studio.” Their new location, in the breezeway of 315 High Street, provides the space needed for the design and construction of their pieces, storage of their raw materials, room for their kilns, a separate sound-suppressed “cold-shop” where the glass is ground and polished, as well as a gallery area for display of finished work.
Marjorie Morani – “I work in oils with a palette or painting knife and in pastel. Much of my work is figurative or landscape but lately I have been exploring more abstract painting. Up until 2012 I worked in a studio in my basement. The light was artificial but adequate. In October 2012 I rented a space in the Cannon Street complex…I go in five days a week and generally work 5-6 hours. I’m getting a lot more painting time as I am not doing the zillion things that need to be done at home. I also love the fact that there are other artists in the building. There is a lot of support and camaraderie. The studio is one large room with windows on the western wall…The skylights have northern exposure. I do my own framing so I have a framing table on one side of the studio. I love my studio; it is my home away from home.”
Rick Bisgyer- “As a porcelain artist creating wheel thrown vessels inspired by the graceful curves of sails and hulls, and the ever-changing character of wind driven water, it is my very good fortune to create my work amongst the beauty that surrounds my studio. Studio #3 at Arts at Still Pond Station is in one of the old bunk rooms with a view of the docks from a repurposed Coast Guard Station on Still Pond Creek. Window sills hold collections of beach glass and found objects. The shower is used as my storage locker for windsurfers and sails, waiting for the right wind conditions. During Studio Tour you will find my studio a combination of working ceramics studio and brightly lit gallery for my work. The pottery wheel sits at an angle to take in the sunlight and allows me to daydream about boats and sailing…My drying racks are arranged with bowls, vases, and my signature ‘Sailing Vessels’ with their sail shaped lids. This is a place where I play as well as work, and strive to stay centered through clay.”
Nora Carey
John and Nora Carey (Davis Creek Studio) are husband and wife who share a building which is adjacent to their house and contains their workspaces. One of their goals when moving to the Eastern Shore was to pursue their individual creative work.
Nora’s studio is upstairs. According to Nora, “I paint in pastel and watercolor. My space includes a large table where I can spread my pastels and choose a color palette for my paintings. At the north end of my studio, French doors lead out to a deck which overlooks Davis Creek. Here I can paint the clouds and water in their swiftly changing moods. My studio includes many unique features designed by John including arched doors with driftwood handles.
John Carey has a workshop below Nora’s art studio. John says, “I was encouraged to join in the Studio Tour since I built the studio and house and have made most of the furniture and fittings in the house. I enjoy making things from found and local wood. One can expect to see a variety of items mainly made of wood. I’m retired and now spend most of my time in my workshop or mending my wooden boats.”
Robert Fox – “I build furniture in the Shaker style made from cherry, walnut, mahogany and poplar. My studio consists of a small garage crowded with woodworking machines. I cannot even walk around in there. But, when I open the garage door there is a brick pad outside. That is my true studio. All the machines are on wheels. It takes just minutes to bring out whatever I need for the day – sander, planer, table saw, joiner, drill press and the rest. The blowing wind is part of my dust disposal system. I have the birds, fresh air, and extensive gardens to enjoy. Our house on the Chester River is isolated. My solitude is thus complete and I can focus…on my passion, striving to make each piece better than the last.”
Linda Hall
Linda Hall – “My studio is in the sunroom of my kitchen. I love it because it’s so light but adjustable with blinds and ceiling track lighting. I always wanted a separate studio with north light but now realize if it were separate from my house, I might not go out to it as often to paint. I enjoy being able to peek at a piece in progress, sort of sneak up on it to get a removed view of the work and find that’s good for self-critiquing. Also if a piece is not working out for me, I can always cook, stir a pot of soup to be creative. I work primarily in watercolors and oils. Because of having my studio in the kitchen I switched to water-soluble oils that don’t use a toxic solvent. They can be cleaned up with water.”
For more information on the tour and to download the brochure with descriptions of all the artists’ work and directions to their studios, go to chestertownriverarts.org.
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