Discover Delmarva Arts: Attic Artists

QUANTICO, Md. — Every Tuesday — creativity fills the walls of Saint Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Quantico — where a group of local artists come together
to paint, share a meal, and enjoy each other’s company.

Known as the attic artists, the group has been a tradition since 1984 — bringing people from all stages of life together with the collective goal of tapping into their creative sides.

“We have people here at so many different levels, and if you want help, you can have it, if you don’t want help, that’s okay, too,” attic artist Elaine Wallingford said.

Attic Artist Betty Latourney mostly works with oils — and she says her favorite part of the group is being in good company while painting. “I love painting with people. When I paint alone, I feel like I’m in time out. So, painting with people — it’s just an encouragement.”

Betty says the attic artists’ varying degrees of experience give everyone an opportunity to learn. “Over the years, you pick up things at this class or that class, and now we pick them up off each other.”

And the no rules, no experience needed attitude gives the attic artists the freedom to experiment.

“Some people, like Dave, he does a painting every single day, and some people will work on a painting for a much longer time. People will change mediums — maybe they’ll start with watercolor but then they’ll go to something else,” Wallingford said.

Elaine has been a member since 2010 — she says coming every week has helped unlock her creative side while making new friends in the process. “That’s part of the fun –of what you realize is really far more creative than what you thought to start with, so that’s kind of a joy I think.”

To learn more about the attic artists, visit https://stphilipschurch.net/attic-artists