Introducing Our Newest Artist-in-Residence: Dan Oils
We are thrilled to welcome Dan Oils as our latest Artist-in-Residence at the YMCA of Frederick County! Dan’s journey from novice to accomplished artist in just two years is inspiring. His dedication, passion, and transformative artwork have left a lasting impression on the art community locally and beyond.
What sets Dan apart is not just his artistic talent, but his deep connection to his surroundings and his desire to give back to his community. His collections, “Sugarloaf Mountain” and “Trippin’ Down Memory Lane,” are not just reflections of his artistic vision; they are love letters to his roots, his experiences, and the places that have shaped him.
Dan’s decision to apply for the Artist-in-Residence program at the YMCA of Frederick County was driven by a desire to further his artistic journey, expand his creative horizons, and reconnect with his local community. With his intimate knowledge of downtown Frederick and his commitment to sharing his knowledge and passion for art, Dan is not just seeking a space to create; he’s seeking an opportunity to inspire, teach, and foster connections.
As our Artist-in-Residence, Dan will bring his unique perspective, talent, and passion for community engagement to our YMCA family. We are excited to see how his presence will enrich our community and inspire all who encounter his work.
Join us in welcoming Dan Oils to the YMCA of Frederick County! Together, let’s celebrate his artistic journey and the positive impact he will undoubtedly make on our community.
It’s Alive is the first piece of my latest collection, Phonolithic, a reference to our current era of time that has been heavily influenced by technology and, more specifically, the prolific use of cellular devices. It’s Alive depicts a cell phone as Frankenstein and speaks to the growing capabilities of our phones, the risks they pose to our privacy, their tendency to dilute our human connectedness, and limit face-to-face communication. The cell phone is strapped to the table, similar to Frankenstein, to symbolically express the importance of balancing these devices and having the discipline and restraint in using them in moderation. Hence, we continue to use them as beneficial tools, avoid their deleterious effects, continue to engage in face-to-face conversation and be more mindful of the present.
Dying to Escape the Stone Age is a dramatic and exaggerated representation of my current experience. Medusa, the Greek Goddess, is symbolically featured to communicate a parallel between the Greek mythology of how she turned people who looked at her to stone and the observable response when people are addicted and preoccupied with their devices. The phones feature emojis and a hypnotic background to illustrate the addictive and seductive powers of cell phones and the synthetic identity of their being. The way that our society is entranced by our devices reminds me of how people reacted to Medusa -according to Greek mythology -but also speaks to how it has a tendency to reverse our ability to communicate effectively in person unless we start becoming more mindful of its effects.
