Ken Hankins of Shiloh Pottery in Hampstead
by Phil Grout
There will be lots of Christmas gift ideas available during the upcoming 10th Annual Carroll County Artists’ Studio Tour on the weekend of December 3 and 4.
Ten local studios, plus one gallery, will feature the art and fine craft of nearly three dozen artists from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A wide range of art will be offered from handmade pottery and baskets to wall sculptures, ceramic cottages, sterling silver jewelry, abstract paintings and fine art photographs.
A map of the various studios and artists is presented here along with a QR code which can be scanned with a smartphone to reveal GPS directions to each studio. Ken Hankins of Shiloh Pottery, Hampstead, and one of the founders of the tour said, “People will be able to see the environment in which a work of art has been created as well as talk with the artists creating the work. It’s a great opportunity to see art and craft up close.”
Thomas Sterner
Thomas Sterner is longtime artist but new this year to the tour. His unique studio, which he built, is perched on a hilltop overlooking the picturesque farm country near Silver Run. Wood is a favorite material Sterner uses for his art, which can be a large relief sculpture from hard maple or a mask from a carved out hunk of walnut to a carved seed pod ready to sprout from a slab of maple.
Kelsey Wailes
Other artists include Kelsey Wailes, fine art portraiture and toys; Trista Fedoruk, fiber arts; Elisa Dasher, decorative and wheel-thrown pottery; Joyce Schaum, basketry; Linda Van Hart, sterling and gold jewelry; Carolyn Seabolt, batik, silk and tinsel painting; Sharon Schaeffer, traditional and contemporary baskets; Gwen Handler, hand-dyed yarn, knitted items and weavings; Larry Handler, dove-tailed boxes and cutting boards; Teri Koenig, hand painted glass and ceramics; Melinda Byrd, hand-printed tee shirts, woodcut prints and handmade rugs. Off Track Art in Westminster features the work of nearly 20 artists.
STOP 1: 3225 Roop Rd., Taneytown
Thistledown Farm Pottery Hand-built architectural stoneware clay houses, birdhouses and garden accessories.
Kelsey Wailes Co. Portraiture, illustration, toys and sculpture.
Wella Crafts – Trista Fedoruk Mostly fiber arts including toys and wearable accessories, as well as some unique jewelry.
STOP 2: 2300 F.S.K. Hwy., Keymar
Honeysuckle Pottery & Friends – Elisa Dasher Decorative and functional wheel-thrown pottery to be used and abused.
STOP 3: 2943 Stone Rd., Westminster
Joyce Schaum Basketry Traditionally crafted baskets and woven seats with modern flair.
Toll House Studio – Linda Van Hart Sterling and gold jewelry reticulated, fabricated, granulated, pierced and forged repoussé in stunning botanical portraits.
STOP 4: 235-R Leppo Rd., Westminster
Thomas Sterner’s Art Factory Thought provoking, humorous art in wood paint and ink, larger and small, about life and nature.
STOP 5: 1027 Brodbeck Rd., Hampstead
Shiloh Pottery, Inc. – Ken & Marty Hankins Functional stoneware pottery.
STOP 6: 11 Liberty St., Westminster
Off Track Art Fine Art and Gift Cooperative offering the diverse work of over 20 local artists across all styles and mediums.
STOP 7: 811 Rolling Ridge Dr., Westminster
Cat Tracks Studio – Carolyn Seabolt Batik, silk and tinsel painting, handmade paper journals, watercolor and more.
Sharon Schaeffer Traditional and contemporary baskets, stylish woven vessels and more.
STOP 8: 935 Bloom Rd., Westminster
Hill Farm – Gwen Handler & Larry Fisher Hand-dyed yarn from the farm, knitted items, weaving, dovetailed boxes, cutting boards and wood turning.
STOP 9: 1328 Gold Ct., Sykesville
Rosebud Studios – Teri Koenig Hand painted works in glass, clay, porcelain, low and high fire ceramics. A teaching studio with emphasis on student artist development.
STOP 10: 1103 Hoods Mill Rd., Woodbine
Byrdcall Studio – Melinda Byrd A studio of diverse arts featuring hand-printed art shirts from woodcuts and Scandinavian rya rug supplies and designs.
