After 19 years of offering area artists the opportunity to exhibit work in the Pennsylvania Avenue location, the Tyrone Arts Council\’s Gallery is moving to a new home.
On October 6, the first exhibit of the 20th season will open in the new Tyrone-Snyder Public Library building.
\”For the past 19 years, Mr. Daryl Bathurst and the staff of Central Distributors have been enthusiastic supporters of the Gallery, which was located at the Pennsylvania Avenue store,\” said Arts Council President Steve Stoner. \”It was a difficult decision to move our exhibit space, but the Library was looking for the opportunity to feature local artists and a combined effort was a natural fit. The new space will allow for larger and more varied exhibitions,\” Stoner added.
The official opening, including the presentation of certificates of appreciation, will be held on Thursday, October 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.
Artists\’ works may be viewed during the library\’s regular hours of operation: Monday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition, the library will serve as the contact number for artists interested in exhibiting and for residents interested in purchasing art work. The Gallery committee is currently creating the 2006 exhibition schedule. Any artists interested in having his/her works exhibited may call 684-1133 to be placed on the gallery list.
Opening the new season will be sculptor and painter Mary Lou Calderwood, renowned for her unique and magical art dolls. Constructed of polymer clay, each doll is individually sculpted with clothing and accessories hand sewn by the artist.
Mary Lou originally began creating bread dough ornaments, which then evolved into the dolls. Her mystical \”fairies\” have become the most popular creation and her signature doll.
She recalls how the fairy theme came to fruition, “I like to say that the fairies really chose me. When my children were little, we would picnic in Tyrone\’s Reservoir Park. There was a path, which curved through the woods and was lined by thick mountain laurel bushes. Only the children were small enough to play under the mountain laurel, which we always called ‘fairyland’, a place of endless possibilities.”
Mary Lou is a native of Tyrone, having taken art courses as part of her high school curriculum. Primarily self-taught, she began with painting in oil and water color. Sculpture became her focus after her children had grown and she had more time to experiment with different art forms.
The most enjoyable part of the creative process for Mary Lou is the feeling of serenity she experiences while creating new pieces.
\”It is like meditation for me and very relaxing. I also love the opportunity to teach and have found artists in this field anxious to share their talents.\”
Mary Lou’s sculptures will be available for viewing through November 20 at the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library location.
For additional information on the artist or her works, call the library at 684-1133.
