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Corey Miller
Pam Doss, Executive Director of Bay School Community Arts Center. “The school is proud to have a fully equipped ceramics studio, complete with wheels, kilns, glazes, a slab roller and tools, open to memberships for new and experienced pottery enthusiasts.”
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Corey Miller
The Bay School “Art Speaks” gallery displays an eclectic mixture of art for sale, including the work of local and regional artists. Throughout the year, the gallery hosts a number of themed art shows as well as an “Artist of the Month” series showcasing the work of a single artist. The painting directly above is from an art show featuring Reedville artist Brenda M. Sylvia, Silver Raven Studios.
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Corey Miller
Ceramic artist Katherine Maloney’s work (above) focuses on sculpted and carved animal figures. She is one of the many skilled artists who teach at the Bay School.
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Corey Miller
Established in 1997 as The Mathews County School of Country Arts, the Bay School Community Arts Center’s mission is to provide people of all ages and abilities with opportunities to learn, experience and appreciate the arts. The center began operating at the West Mathews Civic League building and eventually settled at its current location on Main Street in 2001.
Along with offering tuition-based art and craft classes for children and adults, the Center has a gallery that features the work of local and regional artists, providing exhibition opportunities for artists at every stage of their artistic journey. Free after school art programs for children and a community arts outreach program that serves groups who lack access to mainstream programs or benefit from extra art-making experiences are available, the latter currently offered as to-go kits.
Artisan Markets happen on the third Saturday of the month from April to October, in conjunction with the Mathews Farmers Market, featuring local artisans selling directly to the public, both outside under tents and at tables in the gallery. “In 2021, we’re partnering with the Mathews Main Street Committee to host Mathews Makers Markets on Main on those Saturdays, with live music and a food truck, to create a fun community atmosphere and bring more commerce to the downtown area,” says executive director Pam Doss.
Part of the reason that the Center has become an essential part of Mathews County is because everyone is welcome, whether they choose to be inspired by the gallery’s art or want to learn or develop an artistic skill. “Our goal is to maintain and improve the very special quality of life Mathews residents experience,” says Doss.
facebook.com/BaySchoolCommunityArtsCenter
279 Main Street, Mathews
Call 804-725-1278 for more information.