Visitors to the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library will have the opportunity to view mixed media pieces by Ocean Pines artist Sandy Glassman and a variety of paintings by West Ocean City artist Judy Benton from now until mid-May.
Pictured with some new artwork to be on display at the Worcester County Library Berlin branch are artist Sandy Glassman, WCAC Executive Director Anna Mullis and artist Judy Benton.
Submitted Photo
By Charlene Sharpe, Associate Editor
Visitors to the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library will have the opportunity to view work from two local artists from now until mid-May.
Mixed media pieces by Ocean Pines artist Sandy Glassman and a variety of paintings by West Ocean City artist Judy Benton will be on display in the second-floor gallery space at the library from now until May 14.
“The Worcester County Arts Council is proud of the partnership with the Worcester County Library Foundation and pleased to offer exhibiting opportunities to many community artists that are being featured in the Berlin Library Gallery,” Anna Mullis, the executive director of the Worcester County Arts Council, said. “The artists selected to participate in the 2024 exhibition season are remarkable in their creative expression and display a diverse array of mediums, styles, and subject matter for the visiting public. Artwork provides educational and cultural enrichment, encourages lifelong learning, and connects our communities. All artwork is available for purchase.”
Glassman, whose work includes scenes from Assateague as well as other landscapes and nature scenes, said her journey as an artist started more than a decade ago.
“I was a special needs teacher,” she said. “When I retired I wanted to learn something new.”
She met a watercolor teacher and started taking classes.
“Thirteen years later here I am,” she said.
She said she primarily worked with watercolors but also typically incorporated ink and sometimes things like pastels in her pieces.
“I decided the art police would not come to my door if I did my own thing,” Glassman said, adding that her pieces were technically mixed media.
Benton said she worked in oils as well as acrylics, mixed media and watercolors. Her love of music has influenced her artistic style as has her interest in nature.
“I like to work intuitively,” she said, adding that her subject matter was familiar to everyone but that she put her own spit on it. “I connect with my feelings.”
Benton said she’d exhibited in the area before but appreciated the opportunity through the arts council to have her work on display in the library’s gallery.
“It’s good for artists and it’s good for the community,” she said, adding that it gave people the chance to admire a variety of artwork. “It’s nice to know people are looking at artwork and checking artists out. More of that needs to be done.”
Glassman agreed. She hopes more people will become aware of the library’s gallery, which features art from various members of the Worcester County Arts Council throughout the year.
“It’s a hidden gem,” she said. “The work here is beautiful and it deserves to be seen.”
Artists interested in exhibiting opportunities can contact Mullis at anna@worcestercountyartscouncil.org. For more information about the Worcester County Arts Council’s programs, services, and available resources, visit the council’s website.