Erin O'Toole | O'Terra Designs

Erin O’Toole founded Oterra Designs with a vision of creating unique, expressive, and high performing gear for the climbing community. Erin worked for many years as a product designer and developer in the outdoor industry where she honed her technical skills and fed her creativity on the side by making personalized chalk bags and buckets for friends. As these gifts started to be seen around crags, gyms and over social media, she was overwhelmed with responses of ‘why don’t you sell these?!’ And as time went on, Erin felt more and more drawn to the craft of making gear that went beyond its function and into the realm of a usable piece of art. In the start of 2020 (pre-covid shutdown as luck would have it), she took the leap, left her ‘real’ job, and Oterra was born.

What people are saying about Engine...

Partnering with UNE, Engine has offered professional level gallery and classroom experiences for undergraduate and local students enrolled in arts classes as well as a venue to see art by both regionally and nationally recognized artists.

Stephen Burt

University of New England

Engine is and has been a focal point of downtown Biddeford for many years for so many artists and creative spirits. It is a go-to for me: a retreat, a destination, a source for connection and ideas and community.

Laura Dunn

Artist

Engine is a wonderful place to work surrounded by wonderful people who have infused so much love and light into the downtown of Biddeford. I cannot imagine a bright future in the town without this wonderful organization.

Savanna Pettengill

Artist & Arts Teacher

Engine fuels the creativity of our city, making it the hub for youth and adults alike to feed their spirits, expand their skills, and create a better future for all of us.

Stephanie Edwards

Community Action Committee

Erin O’Toole | O’Terra Designs

What people are saying about Engine...