The Garfield Center for the Arts has opened its annual call for play and musical titles for production consideration. Suggestions and proposals can be made by Directors who would like to present a play or musical in the 2025 season as well as by interested community members, patrons of the Garfield Center and arts participants. All proposals must be received by the Garfield Center by midnight on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

For submissions from directors, the Garfield Center Programming Committee asks for specific information. Directors should submit a list containing multiple titles (at least 3, no more than 7), giving title, playwright, casting requirements and a synopsis for each proposed title. For each title, directors should estimate the number of rehearsal weeks the title would require prior to opening (including dress rehearsal week). If the royalty company that owns the rights for a title is known, directors should include that information. Directors should also explain, per title, why a specific title would make for a successful production at the Garfield Center and for the Eastern Shore community. Proposing multiple titles will give each director more opportunity for consideration in the process than a single title may provide.

Accompanying their list of title submissions, directors must submit their bio and a resume of past theatrical experience along with their 2025 calendar year availability.

The GCA Programming Committee is also developing an institutional list of titles that do not have current directorial interest but would be considered good titles for future production. Any community members, patrons and participants who would like to suggest titles for the institutional list are encouraged to do so. For institutional list submissions, multiple title suggestions are welcome, but there is no requirement to give more than a single suggestion. Also, addressing why a title would be a good fit for the GCA and how it would engage the Eastern Shore community is helpful.

Detailed information on submitting a proposal is also available on the GCA web site at http://garfieldcenter.org/directors/.

Anyone wishing to submit titles should compile their proposals into a single list and email it to [email protected]. Once received, submissions will be acknowledged with a response email. Directors will be informed of the final selections once the Programming Committee has chosen the season.

With a tiny painting of a pair of buzzards comically perched on a dead tree, a ceramic pitcher encrusted with honey bees, and a serene photo of winter trees and a farmhouse silhouetted against the blush of a dawn sky, Adkins Arboretum’s 24^th annual Juried Art Show, Discovering the Native Landscapes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, is lively, varied and full of surprises. On view through April 26, the show was juried by Mehves Lelic, who will speak about her choices at a reception on Saturday, March 9, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Lelic is the Director of Mosely Gallery at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and was formerly the Curator at the Academy Art Museum in Easton. From the 171 entries that were submitted, she chose 31 works by artists from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, DC. It’s an energetic and fascinatingly diverse show in a variety of mediums, including watercolor, oils, acrylics, pastel, watercolor, sumi ink drawings, photographs, found object sculpture, ceramics, and even pyrography (drawing with a wood burning tool).

Lelic explained, “I was looking for artists who interpreted what is essentially a shared experience of space through their unique visual languages, took risks, and alluded to not just the commonly depicted, calming associations with nature but its more complex, cyclical facets.”

While the show includes many beautiful and inspiring landscapes and waterscapes created at different seasons of the year, several of the works are quite unusual. Lelic chose two of these to receive the annual Leon Andrus Awards.

First prize went to a large sumi ink and colored pencil drawing by Irene Pantelis, of Bethesda, called “Of Water Too Are the Grasses” in which ink and color flow in swift, watery brushstrokes that describe grasses with roots reaching deep into water-saturated earth. A close look reveals a myriad of tiny concentric rings that bloom within the brushstrokes where Pantelis added pigment to the still wet ink.

“I love how the ink is traveling on the paper and telling us about the intentions of the artist,” Lelic said, “but there are parts of it that are so controlled. I also like the undercurrents of decay, which to me is such an important part of our relationship with nature. I think this piece touches on that while carrying a sense of exuberance.”

She awarded second prize to Alexandria artist Ceci Cole McInturff’s “Animalis” a sculptural installation with two pale, curving branches, one dangling long strands of white horsehair, the other sporting a bird’s wing, as if it is flying.

“I selected this as the second-place award winner because the piece displays a consideration of how living cells can take all these different forms from feather to hair to branch,” she explained. “I also loved that it was suspended as if you were actually experiencing it out in its natural environment. From found object to contemporary sculpture is a really winding path and I felt the artist navigated that path very successfully.”

Lelic also gave Honorable Mention awards to “Dunes of Maryland,” a bold oil painting by Michael Dean of Fredericksburg, VA, “Creek with Trees,” a whimsical and colorful painting by Easton artist Sheryl Southwick, and an exquisite toned cyanotype print hand-colored with watercolor and gold ground called “Persimmon” by Paige Billin-Frye of Washington, DC.

“The Arboretum holds such an important place in our community,” Lelic said, “and it was exciting to see artistic responses to the natural respite and inspiration it provides. It was a privilege to spend time with all the incredibly strong pieces everyone submitted as we slowly but surely leave winter behind and see the first signs of spring reawakening.”

This show is part of Adkins Arboretum’s ongoing exhibition series of work on natural themes by regional artists. It is on view through April 26 at the Arboretum Visitor’s Center located at 12610 Eveland Road near Tuckahoe State Park in Ridgely. Contact the Arboretum at 410-634-2847, ext. 100 or [email protected] for gallery hours.

 

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will kick off its festival season by hosting the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival on April 20–21.

The popular celebration of all things sea glass will run 10am–5pm on Saturday and 10am–4pm on Sunday, with all tickets valid for admission on both days. Tickets are on sale now at cbmm.org/seaglassfestival, with discounted pricing for CBMM members.

Now held twice annually on CBMM’s waterfront campus, the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival offers fun for the whole family with fantastic shopping, great food and drinks, live music on two stages, and more.

This edition will highlight more than 90 exhibitors from around the country. These artisans and craftspeople will be selling an array of unique coastal and sea-glass related goods, including jewelry, home décor, art, and more. A full listing of vendors and more information can be found at seaglassfestival.com.

In addition, sea glass expert Mary McCarthy will be on hand both days to share her expertise with a series of sea-glass focused lectures in the Van Lennep Auditorium and shard identification before and after the talks.

“I’m excited to bring back educational lectures during the upcoming festival,” Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival Founder and Organizer Kim Hannon said. “We have returning and new artisans and musicians who are bringing their unique talents and creations, so if you’re new to the festival or have been coming for years, the festival will have something for everyone to hear, see, and do!”

While enjoying all the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival vendors and offerings, guests are invited to explore the exhibitions and historic structures spread across CBMM’s campus and experience the new storytelling and amenities in its new Welcome Center. Food and beverages will be available for purchase both days, including craft beer and specialty cocktails.

On Navy Point, the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand will feature live music from local acts throughout the weekend. Chris Sacks Band (10am–1pm) and The Boh’s Band (1:30-5pm) are set to take the stage on Saturday, while Jeff Washington (10am–1pm) and Anna Burgess (1:30–4pm) will provide Sunday’s entertainment there.

The Fogg’s Landing Stage on the opposite side of campus will spotlight Dave Hawkins (10am-1pm) and Burgess (1:30-5pm) on Saturday and Bobby Reed (10am-1pm) and Jayme D (1:30-4pm) on Sunday.

Both days at 11am, McCarthy will lead programming in the Van Lennep Auditorium. Saturday’s session will cover strategies for protecting and appreciating sea glass as a diminishing resource, while Sunday’s talk will tackle spotting the difference between real and artificial sea glass.

The cruise boat PATRIOT will also be opening its season that weekend. Guests can save on Narrated Historical Cruises at 12:30pm and 2:30pm both days by using code SEAGLASS2024 during checkout at patriotcruises.com to save $10 off adult and senior tickets. (Note: This discount is available online only and cannot be redeemed at the ticket booth.)

The two-day festival ticket is $10 for CBMM member adults and active members of the military; $22 for non-member adults; $19 for seniors (age 65 and up) and college students; $18 for retired military; $7 for non-member children ages 6–17; and free for member children 6–17, and all children 5-and-under. CBMM members at the Family & Friends level and above can also receive the $10 discounted admission for two adult guests.

Guests who purchase their tickets in advance will have a special opportunity to enter the festival 30 minutes early at 9:30am. Ticket sales at the door begin at 10am. No single-day tickets will be sold to this rain-or-shine event.

In addition to discounted special event pricing, CBMM members enjoy free general admission as well as access to exclusive discounts, perks, programming, and CBMM’s virtual portal. For more information on becoming a member, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

During the festival, additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM running both days.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is prohibited.

The 40th annual three-day Oxford Fine Arts Show is set for May 17-19, 2024. The prestigious juried exhibition and sales show is well known throughout the area and celebrated as the season’s “kick-off” for art lovers.  All submissions were sent anonymously to the juror who selected the much-anticipated list of artists for the year. The juror also selected Howard Lapp as our “Featured Artist” along with a “Featured image” entitled “Winters End” to be the subject of the poster.  The competition was steep this year with many submissions for the small show of 30 artists.  The juror, Barrie Barnett explains, “There are four criteria I use when selecting artists for a show (and they all happen to start with “c”): competence, confidence, consistency and courage. The artists that made my list showed enough evidence of these plus keen observation skills. Extra points went to those who chose and filtered their subjects through imagination and creativity.”

Please join us in congratulating the talented exhibition artists selected for 2024 show:

Sandy Alanko, Joel Boches, Carole Böggemann-Peirson, Natalie Calloway, MC Carey, Naomi Clark-Turner, Mike Cruz, Freeman Dodsworth, Lois Engberg, Scott Foster, Tamara Hutchinson, Pat Lang, Howard Lapp, Kate Leibrand, Laura McGowan, Karen Merkin, David Pellegrini, Julia Purinton, Diane Rappisi, Steve Rogers, Kathie Rogers, Kenneth Rose, Susan Schauer John, Anne Singer, Sheryl Southwick, Sharon Stockley, Mary Sue Traynelis, Stephen Walker, C. Keith Whitelock, Barbara Zuehlke.

The featured artist is Howard Lapp and the featured work of art is entitled “Winters End”.

“No one nailed the four criteria like Howard Lapp. It’s no accident he’s a local legend; he very much deserves our recognition and appreciation. Cheers, Howard!” continues Barnett.

Known for his iconic scenes from Oxford and other Eastern Shore locales, long time Oxford resident, Howard Lapp, uses shadows, strong color contrasts, and light to create his signature works. His pieces are compelling. The viewer has a sense of being or experiencing the view in real time. Howard has a unique perspective and boldly integrates structure into his pieces while painting in a contemporary style.

With this exhibition and sale being the 40^th anniversary, added activities and interaction are being planned. The awards are new and exciting and a student exhibit has been added. Saturday offers a BBQ that invites the community to enjoy the gallery and mix with other art enthusiasts alongside some of the artists as well. Lunch is served both days including the famous strawberry shortcake!

Starting in April, there is an online raffle of beautiful artwork donated by the artists. You can buy raffle tickets online prior to the show and then over the weekend, the raffle continues in the physical exhibit. Both online and physical tickets are combined for the drawing. The raffle drawing happens at the end of the show on Sunday. You don’t need to be present to win.

Karen Walbridge, Co-Chair of Oxford Fine Arts says, “Similar to Cindy Reed’s introduction to Fine Arts, who chaired the event for eight years, I started out cutting strawberries and volunteering for the weekend. And we can’t forget Jennifer Stanley who started the first show forty years ago!  The show has gone through some tough times – Covid year 2020 was definitely hard – but with Jody Ware at the helm and the artists’ willingness to adapt to an on-line show we managed to keep the show alive – something that Jody and the committee were bound and determined to do.  In 2021, we produced a hybrid show and since 2022 we’ve been back as a fully live, in-person event. With this show we are a bit smaller but stronger and we think this show is going to showcase, once again, a diverse and talented group of artists.”

The schedule of events for the weekend begins with the Friday Preview Party Gala. It provides attendees the only guaranteed chance to “Meet the Artists”, view the full exhibit and the first chance to buy the amazing art! This is a fun evening where attendees mingle with the artists and enjoy live music, cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres.  The award ceremony happens at the preview party gala. Tickets sell fast, so save-the-date for May 17^th, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. There are no tickets offered at the door for Friday’s Preview Gala. On Saturday and Sunday, the exhibit is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The juried exhibition and sale has supported the work of Oxford Community Center (a non-profit 501(C)(3) for over 40 years supporting OCC’s mission to provide the region with a year-round schedule of free or reduced educational, cultural and recreational programs and events. For more information, please visit www.oxfordcc.org, or call 410-226-5904.

The Oxford Community Center (OCC) is pleased to announce a special event celebrating the enduring legacy of author Hulbert Footner’s 1944 classic “Rivers of the Eastern Shore.” This beloved narrative offers readers an immersive look at life along Maryland’s rivers in the early 1940s.

To commemorate the recent release of the book’s second edition, the Oxford Community Center will host a tribute on March 19th at 5:30 PM. Granddaughter of the author Karen Footner will provide a personal touch to the event, offering insight into Footner’s life and writing. Dennis Forney, publisher emeritus of the Cape Gazette in Lewes, Delaware, will also be on hand to read excerpts from the book and discuss its lasting impact.

Born in 1879 in Ontario, Canada, Footner built an acclaimed literary career as both a mystery novelist and travel writer before releasing “Rivers of the Eastern Shore” in 1944. The book was an instant regional bestseller, offering readers an insight into the rivers, towns, and people along the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore. First published by Farrar & Rinehart, the book’s recent second edition was released by Footner’s granddaughter Karen, keeping this beloved title alive for modern audiences.

“We are thrilled to host this event in honor of such an iconic regional book,” said Liza Ledford, Executive Director of the OCC. “‘Rivers of the Eastern Shore’ has transported generations of readers through its rich depiction of local history and culture. We look forward to celebrating the continued significance of Footner’s literary masterpiece.”

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The event is free and open to the public. It is presented in partnership with the Oxford Library who celebrates local authors and Mystery Loves Company who will be selling the books onsite.

Doors will open at 5:30 pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Donations to support the Oxford Community Center’s ongoing programs and events will be gratefully accepted.

For more information and to reserve your space, please visit the Oxford Community Center’s website at www.oxfordcc.org or contact the center at 410-226-5904.

The Working Artists Forum is pleased to sponsor painting demonstrations at their monthly meetings which are free and open to the public. The demo artist for the March meeting is Stacey Sass, a well-regarded local watercolor artist. The demo will take place on Tuesday March 12th at 10:30am at the Academy Art Museum in Easton.

Stacey Sass will demonstrate the process of creating watercolor monotypes using a simple plexiglass plate. This one-off printing process is a hybrid medium that can produce delightful randomness that is hard to achieve with traditional watercolor techniques. A seafood still life will be used for the subject matter.

Stacey earned an MFA degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1988. After a career as an art teacher, she is now taking time to paint for herself. She is a plein air addict and often paints from her boat. Her subject matter includes not only water and boat themes but also landscape and still life. She is involved in local art organizations and continues to be engaged in private and group watercolor lessons.

For more information visit www.workingartistsforum,com.