ArtOmatic

By Natalie Elder | Photography by Bill Millios

Art in Frederick—it’s part of what makes our town unique, vibrant; and its importance here is, without a doubt, a big reason why American Style magazine recently ranked Frederick eighth in the country in its small city, “top 25 arts destinations” competition. But when you boil it down, what we’re lacking in the local art community is a key part of the word community—unity. Sure, you can go to the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center to see the work of professional artists; you can head to the Blue Elephant for some local hipster flavor and you can even go to a bar downtown to see your favorite band play on Friday night. But what you can’t do is go to one place and see it all.

Until now.

Coming this fall, to the old Frederick Board of Education building in the heart of downtown Frederick, is a five-week, artists-first, all-in-one-place, mother-of-all-art-parties called Artomatic of Frederick.

You want visual arts? You got it. Music? It’s here. How about performance art? Poetry readings? Or better yet, do you want to see your kid’s creative artwork covering more than just your refrigerator door? That’s here, too. because Artomatic of Frederick plans to have a huge student art show during this exciting event.

Originally established in Washington, DC 11 years ago, the Artomatic concept is coming to Frederick. Artomatic of Frederick is a non-profit organization headed by a volunteer board of directors. Funded through artist and audience participation, Artomatic of Frederick is designed to create community, generate interest, and expand local economic development. By temporarily spicing up an otherwise empty, downtown space, Artomatic of Frederick gives artists the opportunity to strut their stuff in a judge-free, first-come-first-serve venue. The diversity of this event works to attract all kinds of artistic expression, outside interest and event foot traffic.

Two enthusiastic Fredericktonians, Jennifer Finley and Steven Dobbin, are the workhorses behind this exciting, Frederick debut and they’ve already begun reaching out to the community for support. With over 60 volunteers, numerous sponsors, and 100 artists already eager to stir the groundswell, Artomatic of Frederick is bound to be a tidal wave of success. And they want you to be a part of it.

“Artomatic of Frederick is a program that is driven by artists, businesses, and community working together… It’s a collective… and we want everyone.” Finley says when asked who would be participating in this project.

With over 350 exhibit and demonstration spaces, a stage, and multiple floors of offerings, this event is designed to be a playground for artists from all walks of life and in all areas of expertise. And because Artomatic of Frederick is an non-juried program, all art—no matter how risqué, loud, elementary, or downright dirty it may be—is exactly what Artomatic of Frederick is looking for.

Inside, art exhibits will be arranged exquisitely, as exhibitors devote almost as much talent and energy staging their work as they did in creating it—all in an effort to entice and entertain audiences. Another irresistible enticement: this five-week show is completely free to the public!

Beginning Wednesday, September 28th and ending Sunday, November 7th, Artomatic of Frederick will be open from 11am until 9pm Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10am till 11pm Fridays and Saturdays; and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. And on Friday and Saturday nights, the public is invited to have some adult beverages for the small price of….whatever you want to give.

With unlimited creative range and public participation, this event is destined to be a watershed event for up-and-coming Frederick.

To learn more, volunteer, and/or participate, please contact Jennifer Finley and Steven Dobbin at AOM21701@gmail.com.