Discover Delmarva: Art League of Ocean City
OCEAN CITY, Md- The Art League of Ocean City is home to an expansive collection of one-of-a-kind pieces from local artists. Digital Marketing Coordinator Megan Burak-Lowe showed us around the property. She told us there’s one big thing they do differently here: “It’s a non-profit art gallery. A lot of people do think we are a museum. But we are a full-fledged art gallery, and everything is for sale here.”
Walking into the building, the gallery was breathtaking. The art spanned multiple media and covered a variety of subject matters. The unique part? It will never be the same each time you visit! Burak-Lowe says, “We change everything out every single month. So there’s always something fresh and new here. We also have classes in this space. Anything from drawing, painting, pottery, glass, you name it, for adults and kids.” We got to sit in on one of the classes they offer in an intimate setting. Perfect to improve your art skills! Who knows – maybe some of the people we saw today in the class will end up in the gallery soon. As for myself, I’d prefer something less structured….chaotic perhaps? Burak-Lowe says they offer just that! “There’s like pour painting where all you have to do is mix some colors up and pour it on the canvas, it’s really fun. We also have more advanced workshops and multi-day workshops for people who have a better idea of what they’re doing.”
There are a few paint poured pieces going through the first floor, all themed to encapsulate the spring season! “So this month, we have some really cool spring flower paintings downstairs in our featured gallery. Upstairs we have a cool show called “Number Five” so all the artwork had to have some sort of you know, either five senses, actual five things in them.” The bright colors of the flowers draw you into each petal. I loved the vibrancy and the loud nature of these pieces. Moving upstairs, the show “Number Five” had spectacular takes on the subject matter, each piece somehow weaving its way into the theme of the exhibition in a way that I’m still wrapping my head around.
There is a competitive aspect for the artists to get into some of the select shows. Burak-Lowe told us, “So, for a juried show, you do have to enter online. And then we do get a jury, sometimes they’re from local universities. Someone very experienced in the art in that medium.” We ended off in one of the studios where a variety of artwork is on display, ready for purchase, where even Burak-Lowe had her pieces depicting the town of Ocean City!
Burak-Lowe says there are numerous benefits to membership at the art league. Anyone is welcome to take classes and learn new skills regardless of membership status. For more information on their class offerings and to plan your visit, check out their website, Art League of Ocean City for more website.
