THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508030232
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 38 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
Not long ago, Elizabeth City artist Valerie Carpenter opened the Lavender Loft and started making batiks.
Soon she outgrew the space and began a search for a larger studio. Not too far away, on Water Street, she and her mother found an old run-down building - so old, in fact, that old-timers remember the days when liquor moved through the structure during Prohibition.
At 8,000 square feet, the space was a bit overwhelming. And to say it needed work would be an understatement.
The interior showed all the signs of having been well-used as a ``greasy'' machine shop. But the price was right, and Carpenter needed to expand.
The two women talked about ways Carpenter could afford the undertaking. They figured that if Carpenter needed space, there must be others in Elizabeth City who did also.
What began as a personal quest grew into a massive project.
Twelve individuals responded to Carpenter's inquiries, and the ``Water Street Art Foundry'' came into being with Carpenter as president.
For two solid months, the artists worked to renovate the space. Orange-and-brown carpet, a relic of the 1960s, was discarded. Wall-to-wall peg board was torn down. Days were spent scrubbing and painting the floor of the 100-year-old building. To the tunes of the ``Blues Brothers,'' they rolled on gallon upon gallon of paint.
Last month, the group celebrated the Foundry's grand opening. What was once but a shell of a structure has become a hive buzzing with creativity.
The Foundry offers not only studio space to artists, but also art classes, gallery space and a Saturday-night coffeehouse where performers can share their craft with a sober audience.
``We're a work in progress,'' said Carpenter. ``Things are changing and evolving every day.''
Nancy Blass describes the Foundry experience as ``inspirational.'' Blass teaches art and math at Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City. She is an eclectic artist who creates two- and three-dimensional works.
Blass plans on using her second-story studio at the foundry to work and teach. Her papier-mache ``trash monsters' will be just some of her teaching aids. She is also creating a magical story corner, where an old couch will be transformed into a sleeping dragon.
Using art, Blass said, she can inspire vision in her students, ``teach them to reach within, rather than be passive and absorb someone else's vision.''
Airbrush artist Robert Ricobaldi calls the Foundry a godsend. The father of two young children needed both space and privacy to work.
His 2- and 4-year-olds are at just the right age to offer their oft-times unwanted services. ``They wanted to help me out - you know how they are,'' Ricobaldi said. ``And we recently acquired a cat. He was worse than the boys.''
Oneil Pulley Jr. has been teaching art in Elizabeth City schools for 20 years and also has a full-time screen printing business at home. The Foundry offers him a haven away from it all.
``This is a place that I can start doing again and just concentrate on my painting as an outlet,'' he said. ``The public is a judge. I feel comfortable showing my work here. I don't have to be a member here. I'm a part of it.''
In her studio space, Hope Malot will craft Christmas sculptures from clay.
``I'm excited about it,'' Malot said. ``There's a lot of creativity here. I'm inspired mostly from being around all the art.''
Versatility is the watchword for Foundry folk.
The differences between the artists offer food for thought, but also keep competition to a minimum. At the Foundry you'll find paintings, batiks, jewelry, sculptures, photo quilts and crafts in the gallery space.
Michelle Hatfield makes and sells stained glass and colorful baskets. Wayne Ervin showcases his painting and sculptural expertise. Michelle Negro and Valerie Van Opynen operate ``Under the Rose,'' a Victorian-oriented shop where you can purchase old prints and photographs, jellies, poetry and potpourri pies.
Carpenter's mother, Elizabeth Trouth, who is also the secretary/treasurer of the Water Street Art Foundry, takes family heirlooms and treasures and incorporates them into new works of art. Her specialty is using old fabric to make Victorian-style lampshades.
The Foundry offers a haven in which to create and share. Even Dr. Steven Faber fits in at the Foundry. The martial arts teacher holds classes on the second floor.
``I think it's great,'' said painter Phil Welker, who said he enjoys the camaraderie at the Foundry - plus the extra space.
It's nice when painting, he said, not to have to fight the bugs and wind on his back porch. MEMO: Water Street Art Foundry hours are 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Tuesday through
Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call 335-9267 for more
information.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Twelve charter members stand outside the ``Water Street Art
Foundry.''
by CNB