Artomatic@Frederick 2013

By Meg DePanise

September 4 marked the beginning of Artomatic @Frederick 2013, a remarkable five week event showcasing more than 40,000 square feet of art. Located at 115 and 117 Church Street in downtown Frederick, this fantastic display of local talent will continue through October 5.

This is the second Artomatic event held in Frederick which features both returning and new artists as well as live music and other special events.

HoodCollege student Melissa Cutts said, “I liked the vast variety of styles there, I’m happy I went!”

Aeren Waters, an artist featured at Artomatic@ Frederick said, “I appreciate that Artomatic provides a platform for visual and performance artists to express themselves, and there is no judgment.” She continued, “Simply a release of expression to bring attention to the fact that art is everywhere!”

Executive Directors of Artomatic @Frederick, Jennifer Finley and Steve Dobbin, said in a note featured in the event’s program that Artomatic’s mission is to “strengthen the community both economically and socially by providing an artistic playground to showcase local and regional artists in the areas of visual art, performing art, music, written and spoken word, dance and film.”

Waters visited Artomatic @Frederick in 2011 which she said led her to be a part of Artomatic in Crystal City, Va. in 2012 and this year at Frederick.

Water’s exhibit this year features handmade clutches and men’s wallets which she designs and sews herself. Her pieces can be found in Building 115, Room 62, and they are for sale.

Waters said ten percent of sales will go to OneStepAway, a Philadelphia street newspaper whose content is produced mostly by residents of Philadelphia’s shelter system which helps raise awareness for homelessness and provide employment to those in need.

HoodCollege student Britanny Napier said, “Artomatic was awesome —three floors of amazing art ranging from furniture to photography to children’s artwork.” She continued, “but what I liked most about Artomatic was making a mosaic to be a part of the mosaic tree that they were making outside.”

With over 350 artists at Artomatic, it definitely requires more than one visit.  “There is so much to take in and it’s a beautiful thing!” Waters said.

Waters said she will also share her work at the upcoming Artomatic@ Jefferson in Charlestown, W. Va. in October.

For more information about what else is to come at Artomatic @Frederick visit www.artomaticfrederick.org.