Havre de Grace A&E has set-back, Big Plans

Mary Paramore
HBL Associate Editor
7/03/09

Photo courtesy www.galleryroca.com and Robert Cappelletti

Havre de Grace is losing one of its core art galleries little more than a year after the downtown area was designated as a Maryland Arts & Entertainment district. The Havre de Grace Main Street organization, which spear-headed efforts to bring the A&E designation to Harford County, is already at work to establish a new gallery to take its place.

In an email to clients and friends, Robert Cappelletti announced June 26 that, as of July 31, he is closing Gallery RoCa, a fine arts gallery at 220 North Washington Street.

When asked about the gallery’s closing, Main Street’s A&E committee chairman and Havre de Grace City Councilman Mitch Shank said, “It’s a shame. Robert was one of the first to put a gallery of that quality in this area. He drew customers from New York to Rochester. He spent money on advertising and had quality work. I’m sorry to see him go.”

For the past four years, Gallery RoCa has attracted customers from throughout the northeast to Harford County. An artist himself, Cappelletti assembled an informal jury of his peers and clients to review artists’ portfolios and select those whose paintings and sculpture he featured in the gallery as well as online. He received portfolios from throughout the world.

“I’m not closing the business, I’m growing the business,” Cappelletti said, noting he accelerated plans to close due to his mother’s personal care needs. “We will re-emerge in early 2010 under the same name, but a new concept. I’m very excited about it.”

Cappelletti said his new location has yet to be decided, but will be along the I-95 corridor and bring him closer to his core customer base, which he said includes Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wilmington. About a possible return to Havre de Grace, he said, “Never say never. Right now, however, the town isn’t able to provide what I thought would come four years ago. I will keep my eyes open over the next couple of years and maybe I’ll be back.”

Shank said members of the A&E committee are working with the owner of Cappelletti’s present location, Robert Buden, to establish a new gallery at that location.

“We want a shop where eight, ten, 12 Harford County artists could set up business there. If they are Harford County residents and create or produce their art within the A&E district and sell the art there, they will get a full tax credit,” Shank said.