|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This season's featured artist is Shelby C. Applegate.
Shelby C. Applegate
P.O. Box 514, 203 Valley Road
Studio:203 Valley Road
Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
717-964-2342
or email SCApplegate@tratfrat.com
Nature has always inspired me and intellectual curiosity challenges me to experiment. I get bored always working with one medium so I am constantly trying new ways of expressing myself. Since 1994 when I began my journey as a full time artist, I have been going to Penland School of Crafts in the North Carolina Mountains each summer for two to four weeks studying painting, printmaking and papermaking. I am very much a process person and love having many different tools and processes that I can use to suit my mood, inspiration or to experiment a mix together. Since I have been working with handmade paper collages and doing monotypes I find that as of my work has become more abstract. Hand stitching has also become part of my work.
In 2002 a large new studio was added to my house where I have plenty of room to work. I enjoy teaching as I have time and have been a guest artist at Lebanon Valley College where I received my second degree in 1996. My first degree was from Drew University in 1957. I have volunteered at local schools and art associations doing papermaking and printmaking demonstrations occasionally. It gives me pleasure to share with other artists what I have learned at Penland and often invite artists to come play in my studio with new materials, processes and equipment. It is fun to encourage others to work spontaneously and intuitively with whatever materials they have at hand.
Four years ago I helped start our local Art Studio Tour to showcase artists and their studios. When weather permits I have demonstrated papermaking during the tour. I have exhibited locally since 1994 and have been juried into shows at Elizabethtown College, Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery at Lebanon Valley College, the Art association of Harrisburg, the Doshi Gallery of Contemporary Art at the Susquehanna Art Museum, the York Art Association and the Lancaster County Art Association. In 2003 and 2004 my work was on exhibit at the Bishop Library of Lebanon Valley College, Lancaster Art Museum, Hershey Museum, Lancaster Galleries West, the Whitaker Center, M & T Bank in Harrisburg, Women's Center for Creative Expression, the Morrison Gallery at Penn State Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Lebanon, Lebanon Fine Art Gallery, Lynden Gallery in Elizabethtown, Doshi Gallery, Whitaker Center, Lancaster County Art Association and Morrison Gallery.
My life proves that it is never too late to start a career. It's important to know what makes your happy, to set a goal and to commit yourself to achieving it. Once the path opens it becomes a matter of choices and people. Synchronicity, convergence, chance - whatever it is that happens - it's wonderful to experience. I try to give back some of what I’ve received along the way.
