Click on each Studio Tour Stop number to link to individual Google Maps
Doug's Turnings
Animal Faire
3300 Whippoorwill Dr., Taneytown
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Stop 1a: Doug’s Turnings
Doug Heck, 410-259-6406,
I am a self-taught Carroll County wood turner, enjoying the beautiful wood that God has given us. He puts the beauty in – I get to show it off. I began turning wood in 2004, finding that wood-turning was to become my new passion. Most of the wood I turn is from the Maryland area and from trees that must come down or have already fallen. It’s hard for me to see a fallen tree on the side of the road and not imagine what could be created from that wood. I cut and haul most of the wood that I use. I also turn most of it green, meaning while the wood is still wet, which is a whole process in itself.
I find relaxation in the craft. I also enjoy reading books on the topic and researching techniques others have used that help tackle the many challenges involved in turning wood.
I reside in Carroll County, Maryland, with my wife Susie. When I am not wood-turning, I enjoy beekeeping.
Photo credit: Kelly Heck Photography
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Stop #1b: Animal Faire
Gayle Mathues, 803-645-3964, gemathues@yahoo.com
It gives me great pleasure to bring little creatures to “life” using just wire, wool and some needles. All my life I have wanted to have some creative outlet for the would-be artist within and I found it in the world of needle-felting sculptures of animals, and other figures. I have been needle felting for several years off and on and now consider it my business and my calling.
NOTE: Due to COVID, Tom's Cabin will NOT be participating this year.
Studio Tour Stop #2
Tom's Cabin
916 Silver Run Valley Road, Westminster, MD
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Tom’s Cabin
Tom Berry, 443-789-1775
I was born in Salisbury, Maryland to parents who were both creative and artistic. My father’s love of water-foul-carving was the inspiration for my passion of wood-working.
After graduating from Millersville State College, I located to Carroll county in the fall of 1981 to teach Industrial Arts.
In the summer of 1990, I built my home in Silver Run. I have always enjoyed building, restoring and repurposing. Searching for old lumber, hardware and glass, I enjoy creating a variety of objects that are unique and functional.
My store, Tom’s Cabin, is where I display and sell my creations as well as antiques, vintage items, and recycle Americana.
Thomas Sterner's Art Factory
235-R Leppo Road, Westminster, MD
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Thomas Sterner’s Art Factory
Thomas Sterner, 443-201-6126
Thomas Sterner is a full-time artist living near Union Mills MD, where he built his ‘Art Factory’ studio, a large woodshop, with a welding area, and a painting loft, nestled in the forest on the edge of farmland. He works in various materials including steel, wood, paint and ink. The new outdoor welding area with hoist and trolley assists in the fabrication of large public work commissions. He has produced 4 large public sculptures in 2019 and 2020. Thomas teaches workshops. He is a member of NOMA Gallery and Baltimore Sculptors, and exhibits regionally and internationally. The goal of his art is to make people think and smile.
Shiloh Pottery
1027 Brodbeck Road, Hampstead, MD
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Shiloh Pottery
Ken and Marty Hankins, 410-239-8888
I am Ken Hankins, owner of Shiloh Pottery, Inc., located on our family farm in Carroll County, Maryland. I would like to introduce you to what is happening at the pottery. Please visit our web site and see the many pictures, projects and classes we offer. Shiloh Pottery was created in 1972 when my wife, Marty, and I returned to Maryland from graduate school at Alfred University in New York State.
Over the years we have made stoneware pots, run a potters’ supply business, made and sold kick wheels, and fired salt-glazed pots with gas or wood. We have attended many craft fairs and shows, taught classes of all kinds in our studio, schools and colleges, and run workshops with famous and talented potters, all the time raising 2 children, Matt and Meg. On our web site you will see the classes we offer for kids and adults.
Ashby's Agates
524 Bear Branch Road, Westminster, MD
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Ashby’s Agates
Brian and Denise Ashby, 410-549-7461,
Preserving an Ashby tradition of three generations, we are rockhounds. We maintain a lapidary and design shop where we transform precious stones and minerals into jewelry. Many of the stones we like to work with are found in our annual travels to well documented collecting areas through the western US. Because camping in the desert is as much a part of the process as is running a rock saw or playing with wire, we have built a collection of material primarily based on where we like to go, so you’ll see a lot of things from Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Idaho. At our house, every rock has a story.
NOTE: Due to COVID, Girardini Fine Art and Design will NOT be participating this year.
Studio Tour Stop #6
Girardini Fine Art and Design
927 Buckhorn Rd., Sykesville, MD
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Girardini Fine Art and Design
Julie and Ken Girardini, 410-549-3499
We specialize in Design for the Home made primarily of cold rolled steel and other amazing materials. All of our work is designed and handmade by us and one part time helper. As you can see, we are very prolific. Together we collaborate on all the functional and furniture design and construction. We love all things useful and beautiful, and are often inspired by both nature and architecture.
What you should know about us:
We are mostly self-taught.
We make our full time living by making the things we dream up and execute.
Ken has been a four-time recipient of the Maryland Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council – in 3 different categories, craft, photography and sculpture! (yes, he is that good, and yes that is your tax dollars at work!)
Ken’s work has been collected by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for their permanent collection in 2016.
Julie was awarded her first public art commission in 2015 for the Canton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore.
We are also in the permanent collection of the US Embassy in Ottawa, Canada – eh.?..
Ken is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Craft Council
We strive for perfection; hopefully get better over time and love getting to do this for a living!
Mud Pi Studios
1596 Daisy Rd., Woodbine, MD
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MudPi Studios
Lori Baker, 410-499-8156
MudPi Studios was born from the creative passions of Lori Baker and is currently located at Heron’s Meadow Farm in Woodbine, MD. Heron’s Meadow Farm is Maryland’s first (and only) tea farm and is host to many inspirational views, wildlife, and MudPi teapots. Visitors to the farm can sample some of our teas, shop for their new favorite mug from the mug tree, walk through herb gardens, or simply relax on the patio. Whether it’s a new tea to try or a new stoneware creation on display in the pottery studio, there is always something exciting happening at Heron’s Meadow Farm.
You can find work by the following artists at Off Track Art or Carroll Arts Center this year:
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Toll House Studio
Linda Van Hart, 443-340-0955
Linda Van Hart sculpts botanical portraits. Rather than gems, surface texture and form are the focus. The scale of the work is dramatic but the fluidity of diminished diameter forging and undulating surfaces lend a rhythmic grace to the body adornment. In business and teaching metalsmithing for over 30 years, Linda’s nature inspired work is easily recognizable.
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Cat Tracks Studio
Carolyn Seabolt, 410-848-1452
My name is Carolyn Seabolt and I create my art work at Cat Tracks Studio. I am a native of Carroll County and hold a BFA and MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. I have illustrated several children’s books and written articles for art education journals. I enjoy teaching and sharing a variety of different art techniques with students of all ages. If you are interested in classes please let me know. I work in a variety of media, my favorites being handmade paper, ceramics, silk painting and batik. I also work with watercolor and create 1800’s style tinsel paintings My silk paintings and batiks can be found framed and also in wearable works of art. Most of my work has a feline theme, and because of the many gardens that surround the studio you will also find a lot of flora in my work.
NOTE: During the studio tour you can meet the characters of my books in person and take a photo using our selfie frame to remember the visit!
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Sharon Schaeffer Basketry
Sharon Schaeffer, 410-967-4482
swschaeffer-baskets.blogspot.com
Sharon Schaeffer is a Westminster artist, teacher, and basketmaker. Her baskets reflect a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, techniques, and materials. Reed, ash, oak, pine needles, gourds, seagrass, beads, and found objects are used in Schaeffer’s handmade vessels.
The following artists are very sad that they won’t see you this year. But, they have committed to being a part of the tour next year so here’s a preview of their beautiful work!
Click on thumbnails for slide show.
Alesia Art Studio
Charlie Maiorana, 202-679-7042
I am a self-taught multi-media artist creating a wide variety of artworks and sculptures which I mainly sell at nearby art fairs. During the past year I created and installed two large Barn Quilt sculptures for the city of Westminster, one sited outside the Farm Museum and the other sited in front of the County Office Building. In June I will be publishing a book “Puttering Around The Art Studio” in which I share some of the techniques, art explorations, and insights gathered over my varied art career. The topics in this wide-ranging book run the gamut from simple instructions for making an umbrella ball and home-brewed gallery bags to practical topics such as how I create and decorate ceramic tiles and how to use an AirPen for acrylic painting. The book also includes a number of uncommon topics such as how to develop geometric sculptural ideas using SketchUp, and advice on how to take a creative walk around IKEA, home improvement stores, and craft stores. In addition to making art and writing, I also teach periodic art classes in my studio including MIG Welding, Acrylic Pouring, and Tile Making.
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Donna McCullough Studio
Donna McCullough, 410-871-2675
McCullough works mostly in steel and various metals and uses fashion as her creative springboard in exploring life. She like the duplicitous nature of steel which can be manipulated to appear feminine and soft while actually maintaining its strength and rigidity—an expression in contrasts and complements.
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Bent, Wrapped and Hammered
Max Groft, 410-861-1629,
www.bentwrappedandhammered.com
The original core intent of Bent Wrapped and Hammered was as an outlet for students of Linda Van Hart (Tollhouse Studio) to expand beyond the classroom studio to present their work for exhibition and sale. A few of the founding artists have moved on to start their own businesses and Bent Wrapped and Hammered continues under the ownership of Max Groft, one of the founding artists.
Working with Linda and her students in the classroom facilitated the exploration of a wide range of tools, techniques, media and genres. Max not only had the privilege of learning under artist Linda Van Hart, but after completing her courses, remained as one of her teaching assistants as well. Working in Linda’s classes for many semesters has taught her that she will always be a student.
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Angel Locks Fiberworks
Angela Muller, 443-536-3480
https://angellocksfiber.square.site
Angela’s love of knitting and yarn led her to start raising sheep and spinning her own yarn. Angela loves creating unique yarns from her small flock. All of the wool used in her products are from her sheep or other small local farms.
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Hill Farm
Gwen Handler and Larry Fisher, 410-596-6096
Hill Farm is home to Norwegian Fjord Ponies, Leicester Longwool sheep, various birds, dogs, cats, and chickens. Products of the farm include yarn, fleece, roving, sheep skins, lambs, hand-woven blankets. Raising lambs, foals, puppies, chicks, ducks, and kittens are all wonderful experiences to be a part of. We find this lifestyle, not necessarily easy but always rewarding. I can’t think of a better place to raise a child. Being in touch with the land, the animals, and the seasons give life a true sense of purpose.
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Elizabeth Shaw Woodworking
Elizabeth Shaw, 410-340-6254
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Virginia Sperry Studio
Virginia Sperry, 443-474-4714
Imagine walking among several life-sized steel animals set in the landscape of a six-acre property in Carroll County. Stick your tongue out at a kangaroo or drink with a giraffe. Walk to the bottom of the hill and hang out with a musk ox.
Then come in the studio where you can see the most recent sculptures that Virginia is working on including pieces made from paper, yarn, steel and wood! Virginia’s work can regularly be seen at NOMA Gallery in Frederick, MD.
You can see Virginia’s sculpture “Great Blue Heron” at Piney Run Park in Sykesville, MD.
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Rosebud Studios
Teri Koenig, 410-549-6317
http://www.rosebudstudioschina.com,
With over 40 years of painting and ceramic experience, Teri has become a talented artist and teacher.
She has been certified through the International Porcelain Arists and Teachers Association as both a certified Master Artist and Master Teacher.
Teri offers classes in and out of the studio. She has taught classes for home schooled children, scouts, and at the County Parks and Recreation Department. She also offers in-house classes at local retirement communities.
“Painting is a passion I can’t stop, its a quest to keep trying something new.”