The East End has historically been a place that’s drawn, and created, artists. Its inspiring natural beauty an endless source of ideas and influence, not to mention the kind of peace and quiet that helps to animate the imagination and artistic spirit. Liliandra Vivolo and Pauline Fink not only found that on Shelter Island — they want to inspire it in others, too, at their new studio, Ore + Earth.
Proprietors, artists and friends Liliandra Vivolo and Pauline Fink quietly opened their little space of creativity last July 1, offering both classes and subscription studio space for local artists who need a place to create.
Their first subscriber, Lisa Dallos, seized the opportunity to use the space to work on her series of upcycled vases, and take some classes as well along the way.
“As part of my memberships, I get space to keep my acrylic paints and a shelf for my vases, keys to come and go, and a place to work. Sometimes [Vivolo and Fink] are here and I get some nice time to interface with them, and sometimes they’re not and I get private studio time,” says Dallos. “If I was bored and couldn’t go to sleep, I could even come in at 2 a.m.!”
Indeed, Vivolo and Fink wanted the space to be something they’ve craved themselves, and as art is certainly not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, neither is the studio.
“We have a trial period of one month where we see how you fit in the space how you’re using it, making sure everything is all right,” says Fink, “From there, we give you a key so you have access to the studio whenever you want it. We just ask in return that you just respect the space.”
The two friends met about eight years ago through Fink’s boyfriend, and with so much in common became fast friends.
“We joined a ceramics studio together and every time we hung out we’d be like, ‘Let’s craft, let’s make art.'” says Vivolo. “We built our relationship off of our love of making ceramics.” Which is, in turn, part of the name of their business — while both women are adept at multiple artistic formats, Fink often engages in ceramics and Vivolo is a skilled metal and jewelry artisan: earth and ore.
Finding the space in Shelter Island seemed like kismet. Fink, who grew up in East Hampton, had been living here full-time for the last four years.
“I wanted somewhere that was peaceful; that lacked the pretension that the south shore has gained since I’ve grown up,” she says, “and still close be enough to my mom that I could just take a boat ride home and have a little separation and peace.”
After graduating college, Vivolo took a summer job at her cousin’s Sag Harbor shop, InHome. She loved the area so much, she never left.
“I’ve been living out on the East End for about a decade now,” she says. “Pauline and I have always talked about opening an art studio together.”
Last April, Vivolo moved to Shelter Island full-time; within a couple of months they found their dream studio space in the Center of town, and have been inspiring Islanders ever since. Initially, they had both a smaller gallery space on the corner that opened in July and, in August, they launched the larger studio space a few doors down. Recently, they decided to shutter the smaller gallery space and concentrate on the art-lab model.
Through time spent working at LongHouse in East. Hampton, Vivolo has met many working artists on the East End. With Fink being a native artist herself, the two are building a robust roster of teachers offering general art classes to the public.
“I’ve taken a few classes. They bring in great artists to teach from both on and off the island,” says Dallos. “I wouldn’t have even known these artists existed without this.”
Currently, pricing is $420 per month with a six-month minimum. Otherwise, a single month of studio space is $500, and affords you your own cubby storage space, the use of the main work space for your art and a key to come and go as you please.
Pricing might change, though, as the duo observe and see how the studio space is used and defined over time.
The classes on offer change every month. Upcoming offerings include:
- Monday, Dec. 8, 4 to 6 p.m. — Terra pak printing with Catherine Brigham
- Thursday, Dec. 11, 3 to 6 p.m. — Figure drawing workshop with a live model
- Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Holiday ornament felting with Rebecca Kusa
- Saturday, Dec. 20, 3 to 6 p.m. — Holiday card making with Pauline Fink
Plus, for the month of January Vilandro and Fink will be holding a month of after-school activities for local kids.
“We’re throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks. It’s less than six months old — we have an infant here! We’re figuring out what she likes. We’re new business owners and we’re just really happy to be here.”
Ore + Earth Studios is located at 21 North Ferry Road. For more information or sign up for classes, click here.
