11/03/2007-11/04/2007
Join us for the first weekend of the 2007 Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour, which is coordinated by the Allegany Arts Council on behalf of the many talented visual artists in our area. From modest beginnings in 1999, the annual Artists Studio Tour has evolved into a highly anticipated annual event that attracts art-lovers to Western Maryland from throughout the tri-state region. With 37 participating artists from across Mountain Maryland and nearby West Virginia, this year’s Tour is sure to be just as exciting! To accommodate the growing number of visitors on the Tour, all of the studio locations will be open from 10AM-5PM over two weekends: Saturday and Sunday, November 3rd & 4th and Saturday and Sunday, November 10th & 11th. Hopefully, you’ll have plenty of time to visit most, or all, of the studios on the Tour. Click here to download a copy of the Artists Studio Tour Map.

Click Here to find out about the Artists Studio Tour Getaway Package!

We think it's fair to say that the growth of the Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour is a reflection of the overall growth of the arts in our region. A convenient day-trip from Washington, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, more and more people are discovering the artistic energy and cultural richness that exists throughout Allegany County and the surrounding areas. And, thanks to the popularity of events like the annual Artists Studio Tour, a growing number of visitors are traveling to Western Maryland specifically to experience and enjoy the arts. As a result, the Arts & Entertainment District in Historic Downtown Cumberland, Allegany County’s largest population center, is flourishing and gaining a well-deserved reputation as a vibrant, regional arts destination.

Below, you'll find a list of the artists who will be participating in this year's Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour (the artists in red have a link to our on-line Artist Registry).

Garrett County, Maryland
1) Julie Turrentine - fused glass
2) Caroline Blizzard - nature photography
3) Liz Hackney - watercolor paintings

Frostburg (Allegany County, Maryland)
4) Kenny Braitman - metal sculpture
5) Jason Stakem - ceramics
6) Nooshin Chitsaz - watercolor paintings
7) Josh Brown - porcelain and stoneware

LaVale (Allegany County, Maryland)
8) Roger Young - pottery
9) Gene Gillespie - wood sculpture
10) Karin Blizzard - pressed flowers
11) Patrick Faville - pottery
12) Steve Sullivan - pottery

Cresaptown (Allegany County, Maryland)
13) Mary A. McCunn - metal jewelry and sculpture
14) Jean Barnes Downs - monotypes, monoprints, artist books
15) Ray Downs - metal sculpture

Cumberland (Allegany County, Maryland)
16) Brian York - three-dimensional wood cutaways
17) Bill Merlavage - photography
18) Jamie Merlavage - doll making
19) Kathy Beaulieu - watercolor paintings
20) Maria Mechem - watercolor paintings
21) Jakkie Lease - watercolor paintings
22) Dalis Davidson - fiber arts and jewelry
23) Sherri Loomis - mosaics
24) Chayo de Chevez - printmaking
25) Margaret Romero - multi-media
26) Ed DeWitt - photgraphy
27) Bev Walker - oil paintings and sculpture
28) Shirley Carnahan - doll making and fiber arts
29) Allan Carnahan - paintings and portraits
30) Terry Bachman - woodworking and furniture
31) Amy Shuman - fiber art sculpture
32) John Shuman - photography
33) Jeannette Hunt - photography

West Virginia
34) Jim DeGeorge - pottery
35) Anita Rickenberg - pottery

Flintstone (Allegany County, Maryland)
36) Hilmar Gottesthal - paintings, sculpture and stained glass
37) Penny Knobel Besa - photography

If you’ve never been on the Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour before, we’re sure you’ll discover that this is truly a unique opportunity to visit with some of our area artists, to see them at work in their studios, and to engage them in conversation about their craft and their artistic motivations. From sculpture to jewelry, woodturning to photography, and ceramics to watercolors, there’s really something for everyone! And, with the holiday season just around the corner, the Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour is a great time to shop for hand-made gifts created by local artists. We appreciate your support and participation in this year’s event, and hope that you have a wonderful time enjoying the arts in and around Allegany County!

For more information about the Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour, please stop by the Allegany Arts Council (52 Baltimore Street in Downtown Cumberland) to pick up your FREE copy of the 2007 Studio Tour Guidebook. For questions, please contact Emily Thomas at the Arts Council via e-mail at ethomas@allconet.org.