Explore Your Creativity at the Y Art Center in Frederick, MD
Frederick recording artist and longtime YMCA BASE Site Director to help lead Y Art Center
At a recent community town hall, newly appointed Y Art Center Site Director Ricole Barnes joined a discussion about how the city can help nurture area artists. “Most of them were talking about a lack of space,” he said. After the meeting, Ricole approached fellow artists to let them know about the Y Arts Center operated by the YMCA of Frederick County. “A lot of them were surprised,” he said. “They weren’t aware that we have space for them to be creative.”
Ricole himself is well-established in the Frederick arts scene. In 2003, he began working for the YMCA Before and After-School program to fund his own studio time and music production. He became a celebrated local hip-hop recording artist, joined the rock band daMOOD, and most recently co-founded the trip-hop duo Bikes.
Throughout all his artistic endeavors, Ricole has remained an enduring presence at the YMCA of Frederick County. “Being here 20 years,” he said, “there are a lot of coworkers that I consider family.” Ricole is beloved among YMCA youth, who look to him as a role model in the arts. “I enjoy building relationships with the youth,” he said, “and providing a source of inspiration and direction.”
Ricole stepped into the role of Y Art Center Site Director this past June. “It felt like a no-brainer,” he said, “with all my experience working with youth in the Before and After-School department as well as being in the art scene. I’m excited to expand on the mission of the Y Arts Center, to champion the arts, and open doors for other artists.”
The Y Arts Center: a place for everyone to explore the arts
Established in 2017 with a grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation, the Y Art Center offers a safe, clean space for adults and youth alike to explore the arts and humanities, including visual arts, music, dance, film, theater, podcasting, fashion, and even cooking. In addition to ongoing and drop-in courses, the site offers a range of creative facilities, including a gallery, a maker space, a dance rehearsal space, and a recording studio. Space is available for reservation by the public when not in use by YMCA programs, and artists can bring their own materials, or use what’s available at the center.
Ricole looks forward to expanding the Y Art Center’s ability to support aspiring and established artists of all ages. “I’m always trying to motivate and empower people to be great at whatever they do,” he said. “Or just give the best effort you can.”
