Paying It Forward: A full circle moment with Strand staff

Did you know that most artists can recall a moment in which they first felt their spark? Creating is personal and messy, and can mean something wildly different for each individual who takes part in the process. However, a lot of us creatives can reflect on these specific moments in time, on these physical locations, and remember how we got started.

For Strand staff, Elsa and Sommerleigh, The Strand Center for the Arts itself acted as a backdrop to their budding careers as artists. 

“We hadn’t realized we both showed our work here during our high school careers, which is quite funny when you think about it.” said Elsa, Gallery and Events Manager.

“Right? I mean what are the chances of that? I like to think that little us would be impressed with where we are now.” shared Sommerleigh, Community Engagement Manager.

Elsa looking at her artwork in the Strand Gallery, approx. 2015

Sommerleigh with her early ceramic work at the Strand Gallery, approx. 2019

“I can say with certainty that little me would be very proud that she followed her passion for art”, Elsa says. “I went from spending hours and hours drawing in my room growing up, to many more of those hours in the studio at college well into the night, to my own studio now. Not only do I still get to create and pursue my own art career but I get to help others as well. Whether that’s providing opportunities through the gallery, through the Artisan Markets, or by teaching, it’s a great privilege to be able to do what I love and hopefully extend that passion to the community.”

You may have seen Elsa Koop-Angelicola at one of the Strand’s many Artisan Markets, or perhaps even a Gallery Opening. Elsa uses her knowledge of painting and the arts to curate a variety of gallery exhibitions, some featuring themes and thought provoking prompts. 

“Since I started at the Strand back in 2023, I’ve installed 17 exhibitions and they all hold a special place in my heart. Each one came with lessons about being a gallery manager/curator, but there’s a few that definitely stand out.” says Elsa.

“My personal favorite exhibition has hands down been The World is Her Canvas, curated and installed by yours truly. This was the first exhibition I curated on my own as a special personal project with an important message. Perhaps I am biased that this is my favorite show, but the sheer talent and passion displayed in the artwork of the 8 ladies that were part of this exhibition is what made everything truly come together so seamlessly and so powerfully. They helped me establish a very important step in my career.”

Elsa and several of the artists who participated in The World is Her Canvas

“Another one of my favorite exhibitions was the 25th Annual Members Exhibition, which directly followed The World is Her Canvas! It was incredibly special to install and host the opening reception for an exhibition that has been a part of the Strand’s gallery long before my time here. This is perhaps one of the most anticipated shows we have because of its longstanding history with the artists and the community. This year was definitely one of the biggest member shows we’ve had and hanging such a diverse variety of work is always interesting. Being able to see many of the artists grow over the years is also very rewarding. Some of the members that participated in the exhibition have been around since year one, and others are brand new members with this being their very first members show! The opening reception was a wonderful time; it was a beautiful sunny day, we had good food and tunes at the reception, and everyone was meaningfully engaged with the artwork and each other. And we had balloons!"

Elsa and Megan at the 25th Annual Members Exhibition opening reception

25th Annual Members Exhibition opening reception

“Group shows are my favorite exhibitions to install or curate because it gives me the creative challenge of hanging or positioning the work in such a way that makes everything flow together harmoniously but also keeps the viewers entertained and engaged as they navigate the gallery. This is simultaneously stressful and exhilarating, and it only furthers my drive and passion to enhance my skills and knowledge of the gallery world.”

For Elsa, engaging in the arts is second nature as she reports she has been drawing since she could hold a pencil. She had begun to dabble in painting before attending college, which is where things really began to click for her.

“For fun, I would loosely dabble in painting with acrylic and watercolor in my illustrations, some of which I exhibited here at the Strand for high school shows. Exhibiting at the Strand was my first introduction to having my artwork in a real gallery, and then once I started oil painting in college everything really clicked, and painting is now my main practice as an artist.”

Watch the World Burn, Elsa Koop-Angelicola, Oil Painting, 2024

Sommerleigh on the other hand can often be found running around the Arts Center ensuring studio spaces are stocked with much needed supplies, or collaborating with her team of teaching artists to create and curate the Strand’s diverse educational programming. 

For Sommerleigh, her first experience in the arts was drawing inside of her father’s sketchbooks, as she could often be found coloring in the drawings he had filled the pages with. It wasn’t until a particularly brutal art block in her senior year of high school did she decide to try the medium of ceramics. Traces of her early work can be seen scattered throughout her current portfolio, as sculptures of found objects and specimens in nature were what originally piqued her interest. Sommerleigh studied ceramics throughout her undergraduate career, a path that eventually led her to pursuing teaching at the Strand.

Driftwood, Sommerleigh D’Elia, Ceramic, 2023

“Teaching has become one of my favorite aspects of the work I do at the Strand. It is a privilege to exist in a room with other individuals and to have them get just as excited as I do over things like clay or painting. The enthusiasm is contagious!” laughed Sommerleigh.

For Sommerleigh, her experience as a teaching artist has given her insight on how to best navigate educational programming with the Strand’s diverse team of teaching artists, who share their expertise and skill with the community through teaching a variety of art classes. 

“Knowing what my needs are as a teaching artist allows me to empathize with the experiences of the teaching artists I work with. Taking the time to actually walk them through our studio spaces helps them feel more welcome and confident, and also helps ease the first day of teaching jitters.”

“I also view the teaching artists I work with as the experts on themselves and their craft. I have learned more about the arts and other related crafts than I ever anticipated in this role, as each of the teaching artists I work with has their own distinct set of skills and knowledge on their mediums. If you had told me a few years ago that I would be assisting with setting up an outdoor metalsmithing classroom space, I am not sure I would have believed you!” said Sommerleigh. 

Rain or Shine! Metalsmithing, May 2025

Sommerleigh’s early memories of the Strand are ones of an anxious sort of excitement, as showing her work in a real gallery as a high school student was both intimidating and thrilling. It wasn’t until later in her high school career did she show her early ceramic work, which featured an assortment of coral sculptures and pinch pots.

“I think it is helpful to have these experiences under our belts, especially when it comes to programming and creating experiences for kiddos in the community. Being able to remember how special and exciting it was to show art in a real gallery as a kid makes it easier to understand the magic and wonder present in the imaginations of the kids and teens we work with. It truly is remarkable, and informs my own approach to the creative process.” shared Sommerleigh.

Sommerleigh’s process: creating maquettes (a preliminary design).

Sommerleigh’s toolkit, which she hand stitched as a young teen.

As teaching artists, Elsa and Sommerleigh aim to give community members the opportunity to experience art in a safe and engaging environment. Whether it be individuals seeking a relaxing activity or even artists looking to hone their craft, there is a little something for everyone to try. Elsa opts to do this by teaching oil painting, while Sommerleigh teaches both watercolor and ceramics.

“I like to structure my classes as generally beginner friendly so it’s more accessible to people who don’t have much painting experience,” says Elsa. “I put on some good music for the class to set the vibe, and I paint along with the class and go through everything from how to mix paint to how to use all the tools to create something amazing at the end! Whether we’re painting a volcano or a pretty sunset, my main goal as a teaching artist is to give people a worthwhile and fun art experience in a safe environment.”

“ I really enjoy the interpersonal connection that exists in the teaching space,” shares Sommerleigh. “I do believe that anyone can engage in the creative process in meaningful ways with the right support, and I actively try to foster that support within the classroom. It creates a space where students feel comfortable being their most authentic selves, which is so incredibly valuable.”

For Elsa and Sommerleigh, the positions they are in right now within the Strand Center for the Arts are more than just day jobs. For them, it is a chance to pay it forward and help a new wave of artists find places for themselves in the community. Through their work they hope to create a pillar in the community where artists, art appreciators, or folks who are simply curious about the arts, can come together and create a vibrant culture filled with authenticity and support.