For Cambridge artist, Tammy Vitale, things that seem worn, torn or broken to most people are her treasures. She takes these cast offs and dreams up a new life for them by refashioning them into something different and altogether new! Colorful collages and engaging mixed media art pieces come to life under her skilled and creative hands.
For March and April Tammy will be showing her collages and mixed media work along with pieces of her beadwork jewelry at the Main Street Gallery where she will be a guest artist. Her pieces will be shown alongside the work of the gallery’s nine member artists. When asked about the creative spelling of wylde in the title of her show, Tammy explained it’s something of a trademark for her. While living and working in Southern Md. she was a part of a coop gallery where the women artists called themselves “wylde women” to express their open and experimental approach to their art. Wild became wylde to differentiate the word from meanings that might come up in a google search.
Tammy’s art journey began when she was a child in Arlington, Va. and discovered she loved drawing horses. For a period of her early career paint was her preferred medium, however in the 1990s she discovered clay sculpture and was hooked. She loved making sculptures adorned with her found objects and eventually started making large outdoor pieces both for herself and for commissions. If you’ve been to the Visitor’s Center on the boardwalk in North Beach in Calvert Co., Md. you’ve seen her 7.5ft. by 11ft. architectural tile installation called “Chesapeake”.
Lately Tammy finds herself creating in a smaller studio space and has focused her attention on her collages and mixed media pieces as well as making art books and gelli prints. She also loves creating and sharing tiny totems from her treasure trove of beads and clay shards. Lucky visitors to Main Street Gallery’s Little Free Gallery often find one or more of these small gems on its shelves.
Since moving to town in March of 2023 Tammy has become well known in the community as a passionate promoter and defender of the visual arts in Cambridge. “I want to get the word out that the arts are truly alive here in Cambridge,” she says. “I want Cambridge to be the center of the art world on the Eastern Shore!” To that end the artist, who is working on a MFA in nonfiction writing, has been spreading the word by writing articles featuring Cambridge artists and art events for the Cambridge Spy. She also interviews Cambridge artists on her weekly radio spot called “The Arts Are Alive in Cambridge”. The spot airs on WHCP every Wednesday during the Midshore Midday program. In addition Tammy maintains a FB page with the same name.
When Wylde Women Dream will open on February 29 and run through April 28. Gallery hours are Thursdays through Sundays from 11-4pm through March and 11-5 starting in April. Two Second Saturday artist receptions are planned for March 9 and April13 from 5-8pm. Tammy will be giving a brief artist talk at 6 pm at the April reception. Both receptions are free and all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. The gallery asks that children under 18 be accompanied by an adult.
Tammy will also be giving a fun, family friendly workshop on making tiny totems, on Saturday, March 2 from noon to 3 pm at the gallery. All are invited to attend.
Main Street Gallery is located at 518 Poplar St. in Cambridge, and is part of the vibrant Arts and Entertainment District. The gallery is currently reviewing work from prospective members and guest artists. Please contact MSG through its website @mainstgallery.net or by phoning 410-330-4659 if interested.