Our Spotlight on the Arts for June 2025 shines brightly on local artist, Mary Ida Rolape!
What types of artwork do you create?
I work in multiple media. I am currently focusing on fused glass but also love to create mosaics which include glass and ceramic elements that I create, as well as found objects, traditional glass, and tile tesserae.
How long have you been involved in your artwork?
I sold my first art piece when I was 16. I have been involved with art my whole life, taking classes at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, the Smithsonian, local colleges, adult education classes, and from many individual artists. I started using ceramic and glass in my artwork about 16 years ago and find that this mix of media keeps me challenged and absorbed in finding new ways to use it.
What drives your artistic expression?
There have been professional artists and musicians in my family since at least my great-grandfather. I have been surrounded by creative people my whole life and I always took this for granted. It feels natural to create beautiful things. Each new creation inspires another new idea.
Is your artwork available for purchase locally?
I primarily sell my artwork though the North End Gallery, a cooperative with 32 members located in Leonardtown, Maryland. It has been a thriving gallery for 39 years. Many of its members have been recognized for excellence in national art magazines, national art competitions, and major art shows up and down the east coast.
What are your other interests outside of your art?
I have a garden. Gardeners know what this means. My garden is not the pristine place shown in magazines. It is weedy and a bit unkempt. To me, it is beautiful and wild.
Because of my garden I have orchard orioles, bluebirds, cardinals, hummingbirds, osprey, great white and great blue herons, eagles, owls, a variety of hawks, and even indigo buntings on my land and surrounding it. I also have lots of butterflies, bees, bunnies, voles, and moles to support the local habitat. Yes, I have a garden!
Thank you, Mary Ida, for sharing your story with us and being a valuable part of our artistic community!
A special note from St. Mary’s County Arts Council: We thank Mary Ida for her generous donation of two fused glass art pieces, Goldfinch and Poppies, for the Silent Auction at our upcoming fundraiser!
Meet Mary Ida in person, as well as North End Gallery artists Bea Poulin, Sarah Houde, and Toni Wolf (Toni will be performing a live painting demonstration), at the Port of Leonardtown Winery on June 5th. Find event details at: www.smcart.org.
Media Links
- Mary Ida Rolape’s website – www.mirolape.com
- North End Gallery – www.northendgallery.com. North End Gallery’s new show “Geometry” will run from June 3rd thru June 29th, 2025.
- Visit Leonardtown – North End Gallery Learn & Share Series (a series of online art classes) – www.visitleonardtownmd.com/northendgallery