 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Studio
It took awhile to handle my natural resistance to change, but now that I am firmly ensconced in my new studio, it was worth the anxiety! The Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts (VisArts) in Rockville, Maryland, has completed a brand new $7 million state-of-the-art center dedicated to fostering the visual arts in our community. They announced the jury process for resident artist studios about a year ago, and, after submitting my proposal and crossing my fingers, I was accepted as a resident artist. My studio is one of eight, all with lots of natural light, big stainless sinks, poured concrete floors, and towering ceilings. Since it is about half the square footage of my basement studio, I had to come up with some real space-saving strategies for fitting everything in, and, overall, it works beautifully. It is a pleasure to be part of a community of artists. There is such talent in the group! And while everyone can understand the allure of working in such an environment, the question I’m asked again and again is how I could have given up constant access to my sewing studio by moving it out of the house. “What happens if you want to sew at 10 o’clock at night?” As a person who doesn’t function at full capacity after six in the evening, this arrangement has worked out wonderfully well. Having a dedicated and separate location for my quilting art allows me to focus on a project without distraction, and just as easily leave it behind at the end of the day. No more running down to my machine between listening to piano practice and helping with homework. When I’m at the studio, I’m there, and when I’m home, I’m home. I like that! VisArts is open to the public, so a number of people wander through during each day. Chatting with them is a good opportunity to take a break and answer questions about whatever project I’m working on, and to share the concept of fine art quilting with those who may not be familiar with the medium. My studio hours vary depending upon the schedules of my kids, but I usually work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Weekend hours are totally dependant on family activities.
VisArts hosts “Arts After Hours” the first Friday of every month from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. Visitors can tour gallery exhibits and artists’ studios, and refreshments are served.
Check out what’s happening at www.visartscenter.org
Studio Photographs
