May First Friday at Gallery 30 with Debbie Westmoreland
Posted by Linda Atiyeh - April 30, 2016
Gallery 30 will host a First Friday reception featuring Gettysburg fiber artist Debbie Westmoreland on Friday, May 6, 2016. Her work will be on display and available for sale while Westmoreland will be on hand to discuss her artwork and delve into her artistic process.
We are very excited to share Debbie's colorful and vibrant dry needle felted scarves and wall art with a larger audience. Her work stands out at Gallery 30 with it's rich textures provided by combining delicate silk with a variety of wools, including mohair and alpaca.
The richly textured fiber art crafted by Gettysburg resident Debbie Westmoreland is the culmination of a lifetime in creative arts. Raised in the Reading area, Westmoreland first gained an appreciation of textiles through her family’s Pennsylvania German heritage. She learned to sew at a young age, and her interest in fashion led her to a degree in design and merchandising from Drexel University, a career in retailing with Bergdorf Goodman, and eventually a BFA in interior design from the New York School of Interior Design.
After working at several design firms, Westmoreland combined her artistic background with her lifelong love of history, earning a MA in Museum Professions at Seton Hall University and later serving as the Curator and Collections Manager for the Morris County Historical Society in New Jersey. In 2011, Westmoreland relocated to Gettysburg, an area that she describes as “a welcoming and nurturing setting for artists.” In her new town, Debbie has been actively pursuing her love of fiber arts: during this time she taught classes at the Adams County Arts Council, set up the “Textiles by Westmoreland” design company and created imaginative wall art pieces and colorful handcrafted scarves embellished with beads, yarns, vintage laces and fabrics.
Come meet Debbie Westmoreland, explore local art, and enjoy a wine and cheese reception at Gallery 30 from 5:30-8:00 PM on May 6, 2016. Gallery 30 is located at 26 York Street in Gettysburg. For more information visit www.gallery30.com or call 717-334-0335.
Linda Atyeh: About the Author
The owner of Gallery 30 since 2007, Linda Atiyeh personally curates Gallery 30’s collection of American fine art and artisan crafts. Linda's inspired vision has empowered Gallery 30 to flourish, while remaining true to the beliefs central to its incredible longevity and success. Over the years, Linda has redefined Gallery 30's artisan craft collection to place a greater emphasis on Pennsylvania and Gettysburg related products, and she has personally selected Gallery 30's exquisite handcrafted jewelry collection - drawn from around the world. Under Linda Atiyeh's direction, Gallery 30 expanded from its original 3,000 square feet location to its new home, a 9,100-square-foot lovingly restored historic property at 26 York Street.
A native Pennsylvanian, Linda Atiyeh takes great pride in her community and is committed to giving back to the region. Linda is on the board of directors of the Adams County Arts Council and the Historic Gettysburg Adams County Preservation Society. She is also a member of Main Street Gettysburg, Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association, the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.
