Sherwood artists open studios for county-wide tour
Artists abound right here in Sherwood.
Numerous local artists participated in the Washington County Open Studios Tour in Sherwood, at two different locations.
The free event featured more than 60 artists at 50 locations throughout the county, inviting everyone to visit artists’ studios on October 18 and 19 to promote their growth and visibility. The event is produced by the Washington County Art Alliance nonprofit, which upholds its mission to support and elevate local artists to help them thrive.
D. K. Boljat is an acrylics and oils painter since 2004, and has been a Sherwoodian since 1993. She has participated in Washington County Open Studios since 2013.
“It’s a once-a-year event that you can spend the whole year getting ready for, if you choose to, and get your tags all ready, get your art up on the walls, and I love it,” Boljat said. “I love being able to just open the door … you can just show your art, talk to people, and hear their stories.”
Brenna Matthews is a life-long Sherwoodian, and has been a professional artist for seven years.
“I mostly work in watercolor, but I also do like making my own art supplies,” Matthews said. “I have my little art supply store, where I've got handmade watercolor paints. I do ceramics too, which is where I make my palettes and everything.”
Charlotte Cunningham is an art teacher at Mosaic Arts Loft in Old Town, and has been in Sherwood for 10 years. Her work is also exhibited in the Center for the Arts Four Eights Gallery, open through December 8.
“Lately, my favorite medium is ink. I take ink and treat it like watercolor,” Cunningham said. “I just love how you don’t really know what to expect from it. A little bit of color in there, then you can take your ink and inject it in there, and when it dries, it has this interesting chroma to it — that one color of ink will break down into these different colors, different shades. It’s an exercise in letting go, because you don’t really know what the outcome is going to be. You can guide it, but it can go completely awry.”
