Library showcases paintings by local artist Amelia Carroll

Susan Allen

(5/17) Visitors to the Emmitsburg Library certainly go there expecting to find books of all types and even a used-book shop. They might not notice that the library walls serve as a small art gallery space, currently displaying seventeen paintings by Amelia Carroll. Librarian Sue Cardella organized this exhibit, and four others which preceded it.

“We have a wonderful hanging system purchased by the Friends of the Library,” Cardella said, which gives the library a chance to showcase local artists and make their work available to the community to enjoy and purchase.

Carroll grew up in Emmitsburg (she is the daughter of Dr. Alan Carroll and his wife Rita) and attended Mother Seton School and St. John’s High School at Prospect Hall in Frederick. She graduated from Goucher College in 2002, and her art studies included summer courses at the Pratt University and the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has been accepted at the renowned Art Institute in Chicago, and will begin graduate work there in fall 2007.

Carroll describes her current work as “experiments with different media,” mixing acrylic paints with oils, for example, or black and white line drawings with splashes of color. “I’m exploring color a lot,” she says, which shows in some of the paintings displayed at the library, “and some are more abstract.” She is very pleased to have this opportunity for her second one-woman show. Her first area exhibit was at Frederick Community College in 2004.

The show will continue through May 31 and will end with a closing reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m.