4 minute read
Making Community Through Art
The artists creating together at Ophelia’s Making Agency in the WeCo district
BY BRONLEY MARTIN | URBAN REVITALIZATION MANAGER
What do a retired school art teacher, a grandmother, and a small business owner have in common? They are all part of a new community of artists in Downtown York’s WeCo District brought together by a love of art and the desire to pursue their passion in a supportive, collaborative environment at Ophelia’s Making Agency.
Since opening her doors a little over a year ago, Ophelia Chambliss of Ophelia’s Making Agency activated and reenergized the continued interest in the WeCo District by bringing attention to our community's robust arts scene, providing working studio space to further enrich our cultural offerings, and assisting small and minority-owned businesses to position them for success. Now, Ophelia has doubled her footprint in WeCo by opening additional artist spaces just two doors down from her original space at 253 W Market St.
“The goal of Making Agency was always to provide services that combine creativity, culture, and career development to enable artists to become business professionals and serve as an economic driver to the downtown area,” said Ophelia of her purpose in developing this space. “Having agency allows creatives to realize the possibilities of what once was a side hustle into a viable and sustainable source of income.”
FEATURED ARTISTS
Melissa Rosario-McGarry
Melissa co-owns Cornerstone Barbershop and Shave Parlor with her husband Jason, in addition to a full-time job but has found an outlet for her artistic calling at Ophelia's Making Agency. “I appreciate having a space to myself that I don’t have to worry about my kids getting into, while also being a part of a community of artists.”
Janet Zayatz
Janet, who has had a lifelong interest in art, including a BFA from Edinboro University, decided to return to art after raising children and grandchildren and found the perfect environment for her renewed work at OMA. “Everyone here is so friendly and we all get along so well and learn from each other in unexpected ways.”
Kayode Malomo
Kayode is a widely respected artist who currently has several exhibitions running including one at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg but chose to have a space at OMA because it would help him stay connected to the community that continues to inspire and embrace him. “Everyone here has their own unique gifts, and it inspires me to continue in my work to bring joy through art.”
Lauren Stine
Lauren has always had art as a hobby but decided to take a chance at making something more of it by renting a space at OMA. “Ophelia has created such a safe and supportive space that I knew right away when first visiting that I would be able to grow here.”
Darrell Dewitt
Darrell has worked in and around the arts his entire life, including time as a school art teacher. He is in the midst of setting up his space at OMA to create pottery. “I had a space in my garage where I was working, but here I have a much nicer (and warmer) place to work that also offers a social component that you don’t have at home.”
