Some passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..
Some passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
The Loft Shop has now been in business for 35 years.
Sue and Alan Arnson have independent studios where they can work and produce their art for The Loft Shop.
The studio at The Loft Shop in the Bittinger area.
“June Foxgloves” by artist Sue Arnson.
ACCIDENT — The Loft Shop began its 35th season in the Bittinger area this summer.
Artist Sue Arnson was a public school teacher in special education in Montgomery County when she and her husband, Alan, decided to move to their “weekend house” in Garrett County in 1986.
The Loft Shop has now been in business for 35 years.
“The property is an old farm in the Bittinger area,” Arnson said. “He went to work at the Health Department while I was hoping to teach in Garrett County.”
However, teaching in the public schools did not work out as she expected, and although she taught speech at Garrett College for four years, she was at a loss as to what to do next.
“It occurred to me that visitors to Garrett County like to take a ‘piece’ of their vacation home with them,” Arnson said. “I knew some local crafts people who made rag rugs, quilts, etc. We had a wonderful space in the loft of our barn, which was built in 1890. I modified it and opened a ‘local craft shop.’ As time went by, I learned how to make things like baskets, carved Santas, painted glass, etc., to create inventory.”
“June Foxgloves” by artist Sue Arnson.
Arnson said she realized that she didn’t know much about color or design and decided she should take a painting class. Her friend, Alexis Lavine, was teaching watercolor classes in Cumberland, and she signed up.
“In January 1995, I picked up my first brush, dipped it in paint and put it on paper,” she said. “I was hooked immediately. I took classes from Alexis and Jim McNeal for several years.”
During that first summer, McNeal advised Arnson that if she wanted to be a watercolor painter, she should paint every day.
“So I did,” Arnson said.
The studio at The Loft Shop in the Bittinger area.
Over the years as the tourists changed, The Loft Shop went from being a craft shop to carrying art and fine crafts.
“We still have some rag rugs and pottery, but the bulk of our inventory is fine art and wood products,” Arnson said.
As watercolor became her passion, Arnson said she was led to become involved in the arts community of Garrett County, which has continued.
“I am an avid promoter of Artist Studio Tours because I have found that if people can talk to artists in their studio and see how art it made, the folks have a greater appreciation of art and how it is created,” Arnson said.
She noted that she has also dipped her creative self into other medium: collage, mono prints from a gel plate and, recently, alcohol ink.
“I love to learn new medium,” Arnson said. “However, watercolor is still my first love.”
As she was getting involved with painting, her husband was learning woodworking.
“He had started making little log boxes when we were living in Bethesda,” Arnson said. “When I opened The Loft Shop, he became an active contributor. He learned new skills by going to woodworking workshops all over the country. Functional natural edge turned bowls have become his specialty. We are very fortunate that we have independent studios where we can work and produce our art.”
The Arnsons were married on their dock in June 1983.
Sue and Alan Arnson have independent studios where they can work and produce their art for The Loft Shop.
“We love this place we live,” Arnson said. “Maintaining and caring for this property gives us joy. It is so beautiful and special, and we enjoy sharing it with friends and family. To be able to follow our artistic passion in this environment is a gift.”
Arnson enjoys all four seasons in Garrett County.
“Each is special,” she said.
In addition, she loves the arts community in the area and finds it a privilege to be able to participate in it.
“I’m on the board of GLAF, and the soon-to-be-open Performing Arts Center has been a dream for two decades,” Arnson said.
She is thankful that her journey has led her to this place.
“I feel so fortunate to have been on a path from Seattle to NYC to Bethesda to Bittinger,” Arnson said.
The Loft Shop is located at 9415 Rock Lodge Road, which has an Accident address.
It will be a part of the 14th annual Artist Studio Tour hosted by the Garrett County Arts Council on July 23 and July 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
This year’s tour will feature at least 20 different creatives, many of whom will be demonstrating their art while the tour is in progress.
Maps can be obtained at The Gallery Shop in Oakland, located at 108 S. Second Street, in the heart of the Oakland A&E District. They also may be downloaded at the GCAC website, located at garrettarts.org.
Staff writer Brenda Ruggiero can be reached at 301-501-8393 or by email at bruggiero@therepublicannews.com.
Your comment has been submitted.
There was a problem reporting this.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Daily News, Sports and Events for Garrett County and surrounding areas.
Find out what's happening in Garrett County with this weekly email alert!
Weekly email alert sent every Tuesday and Friday afternoon for Preston County!
Morgantown News Delivered to Your Inbox Each Week!
Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription
News from around the State and World. What you need to know for today! Don't Miss it!
Find out what's happening around the state with this weekly email alert sent every Thursday evening!
Sign up to get our statewide obits delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign up to receive our daily newsletter about all things business and politics in West Virginia.
Morgantown News Delivered Each Day!
Morgantown News Delivered to Your Inbox Each Week!
Special offers from businesses around your area.
Get the latest headlines on local WVU, College and High School sports!
Get latest breaking news from around the state when it happens.
Daily News, Sports and Events from The ET.
Sign up for the only WV Government and Business newsletter delivered each week!
This week's most popular news from around the State. Don't Miss it!
Daily News, Sports and Events for Marion County.
Weekly Fairmont news emailed every Thursday evening!
Daily News, Sports and Events for Garrett County and surrounding areas.
Find out what's happening in Garrett County with this weekly email alert!
Get the Jackson Star & Herald Delivered to your email everyday!
Get the Jackson News Weekly delivered to your inbox!
Daily news from the Mineral News & Tribune delivered to your email!
Get the news for Mineral County, Keyser and Frankfort delivered to your email on Tuesdays and Fridays!
Daily News, Sports and Events for Preston County.
Weekly email alert sent every Tuesday and Friday afternoon for Preston County!
Get the River Cities Tribune & Register Delivered to your email everyday!
Get the River Cities Tribune and Register Delivered to your email less frequently!
Daily News, Sports and Events for Weston and Surrounding areas.
Sign up for local job offers sent to your inbox.
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.