Art Inspired by Place: Inside the Tides Inn Maker Space
July 10, 2026
Meet Resident Artist and Art Program Manager Carter Helmandollar
The Chesapeake Bay region has long inspired artists. Its changing light, quiet coves, and winding waterways invite you to slow down and truly observe. At the Tides Inn, that spirit of discovery comes to life in the Maker Space, where creativity offers another way to experience the best of Virginia.
At the heart of the program is Resident Artist and Art Program Manager Carter Helmandollar, whose work is rooted in the landscapes and traditions of the Chesapeake Bay. After earning her Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the Rome University of Fine Arts and exhibiting work internationally, Carter returned to the region that first inspired her to create experiences that celebrate its natual beauty.
Every class in the Maker Space reflects the character of Carter’s Creek. Shells from the shoreline, flowers from the Tides Inn Farm, sea glass, and botanicals become both inspiration and materials, creating experiences that are distinctly connected to place.
The Maker Space welcomes artists of every age and skill level. Whether you’re trying something new or returning to a favorite creative hobby, Carter’s approachable instruction encourages guests to slow down and create with confidence.
Guests can sketch the waterfront during En Plein Air Drawing, paint botanical-inspired Watercolor Still Life, or craft meaningful keepsakes through Postcard Collage and Clay Mosaics.
More than an art studio, the Maker Space is an invitation to experience the destination through a creative lens. Long after your stay has ended, you’ll leave with more than a handmade keepsake – you’ll take home a lasting reminder of time spent exploring the beauty of Carter’s Creek.
Learn more about the Maker Space and reserve an experience today at: https://tidesinn.com/irvington-va-hotel-experiences/maker-space/.