WAYNESBORO – Seth Holmes’ lifelong love of art led to fulfilling his dream of “having a business of my own.”
The Holmes Watercolors owner was the guest speaker at the annual Friends of the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library luncheon Oct. 17 in Waynesboro Country Club.
The Frederick-born artist and illustrator, now of Waynesboro, has been selling original paintings, prints, stickers, apparel and art supplies in his shop at 8 E. Main St. in Waynesboro since May 2024.
Holmes said he has been sketching and doodling as long as he can remember, but his passion for filmmaking forged a move to Los Angeles in 2015 to pursue the industry.
During his years in Los Angeles, Holmes was introduced to watercolors. “I never went to school for art. I studied my own art to develop a technique.”
After moving back east, Holmes said he discovered Waynesboro and became enamored of its history, small-town charm and ubiquitous Victorian buildings. That led to the creation of his architectural caricatures, which belie a style that reflects a sense of wonder and whimsy he sees in the world, according to Holmes.
Over the past few years, Holmes has had his art displayed in local galleries and won prizes in several art competitions, including the grand prize for his entry in the 2021 Holidays in Historic Frederick art competition.
Holmes explained “ways I’ve been provided for since moving to Waynesboro. I hung some art in Brio Coffeehouse and that led to house commissions, which led to (displaying art) at Market at the Park and other events.”
Homes encouraged guests to attend Waynesboro’s Art Studio Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, sponsored by The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro. Holmes, who will participate, said the tour is an opportunity to meet the artists and explore their studios. “There’s a lot going on in Waynesboro. There’s so much to do,” he added.
Holmes said it is his mission to capture the buildings downtown. “I used to take photos and then paint, but more and more I’m going out in the open air – plein air is drawing what you see. It forces you to be creative and you have time constraints.
“I capture it the way I like it, and people have told me ‘your art makes me smile … the story you’re telling and how you make people feel,” he noted. “I like to use art to bring people together and build culture and community.”
During her report, library director Julie Diaz joked that “we might have to give him (Holmes) his own office if he keeps coming into the library to help, especially during the summer reading program,” which drew 572 participants. His artwork also is featured on book bags available at the library.
Diaz also said she is “so thankful that we have such dedicated Friends of the Library who are so supportive. We couldn’t do it without you.” The programs and assistance provided to patrons “is helping to reshape Waynesboro through these opportunities,” she added.
The director introduced staffers, including new library manager Tallie Parks. She also announced the library will host its first Christmas pop up shop starting Saturday, Nov. 22, featuring staff-created shirts, candles by The Vintage Flame (of Waynesboro), ornaments and crocheted character bookmarks.
Membership chairman Cindy Forbes encouraged members to “ask others to join” the Friends group. Andrea Bowersox, who manages the book sale and Peggy McCleary book store, said sales for the book store are more than $4,000 so far this year and spring, and fall book and bag sales raised more than $3,000.
During the business meeting, the Friends elected the following officers: Leslie McEntire, president; Connie Fleagle, vice president; Jill Kessler, secretary; and Debi Duffey, treasurer. A thank you gift was presented to former president Mary Lou Misner, who served at the helm of the organization numerous times since 1990.
Friends approved the wish list for library materials that included: $1,800 each for the children’s and teen programs, $1,940 for adult programs, $2,400 for the summer reading program and $1,200 for director’s choice items.
