Dragonfly mosaic by Pam Watroba
MSG is excited to feature one of its own member artists for the September/October exhibit. Titled “No Limits” this show is all about the rich, colorful and imaginative mosaic pieces that Pam Watroba makes in her studio on the Eastern Shore. Some are zany and whimsical, others are inspired by the diverse ecosystems from the ocean to the mountains of Maryland and many of her most recent pieces favor an abstract or contemporary style. “I absolutely love mosaics,” she says. “I love to use repurposed items and make them into things of beauty. I also love to combine the beauty of glass with the hardness of metal”. Pam’s fascination with mosaics may have come, she says, from doing puzzles with her parents who were avid puzzle enthusiasts. “We would spend hours looking for the perfect piece to fit in a space in large, complex puzzles. I still get that thrill when I find a piece of tesserae that fits perfectly in a piece of art.”
Tesserae, or the small blocks of tiles, stones, glass or other materials that make up a mosaic, come in so many forms and colors, Pam says. When she combines them with found objects, a story, often an unexpected one, is allowed to unfold. “Sometimes I start with a thought of what I am trying to create and end up with something entirely different” she declares.
A Maryland native who grew up in Baltimore County and moved to the Eastern Shore in 1990, Pam is a self-taught artist. She has spent countless hours, she says, studying the art of mosaics and learning through trial and error. After a career in education and healthcare and raising a family, Pam is finally able to pursue her true passion of creating mosaic art on a full-time basis. Besides being a member of Main Street Gallery, she is a member of several local arts councils and has participated in many member shows. Main Street Gallery’s other member artists will be showing their work alongside Pam’s for this show.
“No Limits” will open on Thursday, August 31 and run through Sunday, October 29. The public is invited to two artist receptions which will take place on Second Saturdays, September 9 and October 14 from 5-8 pm. The receptions are free and light refreshments will be served. Pam will give a brief artist talk on the September 7 opening at 7 pm. Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11-5. Online shopping is always available on the gallery’s website at mainstgallery.net.
Main Street Gallery is Cambridge’s only artist owned and operated gallery and is part of the vibrant Arts and Entertainment District. Located at 518 Poplar St. in Cambridge, the gallery is currently reviewing work from prospective members and guest artists. Please contact the gallery through its website or by phoning 410-330-4659 if you are interested in being a part of this vibrant artist community.
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