“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
-Vincent Van Gogh
The sight of the sky stirs within us a sense of wonder and a desire to dream. From one moment to the next, our perception of the sky is changing. In the course of a day, the shifting sky can transform from severe to serene. Vicious storms become vibrant vistas in mere minutes. Blushing sunsets give way to tranquil starlight and the mysterious moon. Spectacular Skies celebrates artwork that captures the vast expanses of the celestial sphere. Works explore the sky, stars, clouds and atmospheric phenomena that evoke a thoughtful, expressive, and visually monumental presence.
Exhibit Juror: Allie Snyder Dattilio, Amaryllis Truth Studio, Hagerstown, Maryland
Juror's Statement: It was an honor (and quite the challenge) to be tasked with selecting such a small fraction of works out of the hundreds of incredibly talented entries. Throughout the selection process, I kept returning to two words from the show’s prospectus: wonder and mystery. Along with the overall technique each artist demonstrated, I focused on the piece’s overall mood and success in conveying those crucial emotions -- works that contained a dichotomy between pure power and awesomeness against the subtlety and quietness that surrounds us. This delicate push and pull of forces anchors each piece selected, and ties this show together as a whole.
Congratulations to our Spectacular Skies Juror's Award Winners!
Caitlin Clifford Sky Crumple
Stephen Delaney Sky Reflection
Bernard Mangiracina Vibration V
Art Blooms Floral Design Exhibit
Saturday & Sunday, July 15 & 16, 2017, 10am-5pm both days; free admission
Art Blooms is a weekend exhibit featuring the work of more than 35 floral designers from across the region. Each floral designer is assigned a work of art in the Main Gallery or the Mezzanine Gallery and asked to create an arrangement inspired by that work of art. The results are surprising, beautiful, and provocative - and not to be missed. 2017 will mark the 8th year for Art Blooms, an exhibit co-hosted by the Calvert Garden Club and Ann's Circle of Annmarie Garden. Admission is FREE!
Love Art Blooms?
Join us for the Art Blooms Gala Reception, Friday, July 14, 2017, 7-10pm. Purchase Tickets
Children's Fairy Garden Outdoor Exhibit
April 7 - May 29, 2017 in the Fairy Lolly
Come frolic in the Fairy Lolly and explore our magical village of fairy houses and gnome homes, each lovingly created by children.
Find your wings at Annmarie!
A talented team of Annmarie staff and friends have created ten sets of wings to send your imagination soaring.
Choose the perfect winged backdrop for your photo op and share it with others #wingedthings #annmariearts.
Winged Things include:
Luna Moth
Monarch Butterfly
Crow
Dragon
Blue Fairy
Pink Fairy
Hummingbird
Dragonfly
Peacock
Blue Jay
Join us as we host the Southern Maryland Carousel Group for The Merry Menagerie!
The Southern Maryland Carousel Group's focus is to construct a full scale working carousel in Southern Maryland. The facility will house a carousel, woodcarving museum with artifacts and pictures of Marshall Hall, a gift shop, and a woodcarving learning center for both children and adults alike.
The Southern Maryland Carousel Group, Inc. consists of volunteers who have donated their time and talents to bringing the vast array of animals to life. Without them, this art project would not be possible.
Annmarie After Hours will be held in conjunction with Fairies in the Garden: April 7, 2017
for more information on the Southern Maryland Carousel Group, visit www.somdcarousel.com
Join us March 10-26, 2017 as we host Color & Light Society for a Show and Sale!
Annmarie After Hours - Opening Reception: Friday, March 10, 2017 5-8pm
The Color & Light Society began as an informal group of artists taking an advanced oil painting classes with Elizabeth Bygler of Leonardtown, Maryland. The group developed a passion for painting fueled by the belief that exhibiting one's art encouraged learning, development, and pride of original work. They began exhibiting their work in the Annmarie Garden Community Gallery in the early 2000's. After formalizing their organization in 2004, many more art students and other local artists joined the group. Today, there are 24 active artist members. The group has exploded into an artists' haven, showing an impressive variety of oils, watercolors, sculpture, photography and more multi-media. They have exhibited their work at a variety of venues across the region and can often be found volunteering at Artsfest, Annmarie’s annual fine arts festival held every September.
Artist In Action Temporary Studio, Show & Sale : January 20-March 1, 2017
A few months each year, Annmarie’s spectacular Main Gallery is transformed from exhibition space into artist studios, allowing visitors the opportunity to appreciate the artistic process as well as the product. Annmarie seeks artists working in any media to submit proposals to set up a working studio space in the Main Gallery for 1-2 week periods. These studios utilize the artist’s own supplies and equipment. Artists work in their studios demonstrating their processes and techniques to curious visitors. Artists are also afforded space to hang artwork for sale within the gallery for the duration of their studio time. It is our goal to expose visitors to the working process of artists—from concept to finished product. As such, this show is ideal for artists working on a large project or series. Artists must be willing to speak with visitors informally about their work and their process. Overnight accommodations for out-of-town artists are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Through this exhibition, artists gain exposure, sell artwork, and work in a free studio space in a beautiful setting. This is a nice occasion for a serene retreat to immerse yourself in your artwork. Future group or solo show opportunities may also be awarded.
#WDUS4 What Do You Stand For?
A community art project inspired by the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
From January 14-16, 2017, the public is invited to work with artists Jeffery Weatherford and Carlisha Waktins to create a giant mural that explores the question, what do you stand for?
Led by Jeffery Weatherford and Carlisha Watkins, this project uses the metaphor of feet and shoes to allow visitors the opportunity to creatively and thoughtfully reflect on what they themselves value, stand for, and deem most important. Visitors will work with the artists to create a mural of footprints to be displayed through February, alongside the artists' Foot Soldiers mixed media shoe exhibit.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Jeffery B. Weatherford, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Born in High Point, North Carolina, Weatherford has been a creative spirit from a very young age. A multi-faceted artist, Weatherford received his Master Of Fine Arts from Howard University in May of 2016. Since graduation, he has been picked up by Simon & Schuster as an illustrator, with his debut title, "You Can Fly: Tuskegee Airmen," which has been making notable waves in the children's book realm. His work as an illustrator recently got him invited to Ghana and Senegal on an international tour where he taught youth about being an illustrator and performed his poetry for various the communities. Weatherford is a diverse spoken word artist, MC, social media expert, as well as the founder and chief of the global hip hop collective, TRiiiBE Worldwide.
Carlisha Watkins, St. Leonard, Maryland
Watkins is an award-winning photographer with a BA is Visual Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. During college, she participated in five student exhibitions held by the UMBC Photography and Visual Arts Department. Watkins was also selected to be part of UMBC's Art Week that celebrated artwork from UMBC students, The Visual Arts Department awarded Watkins with an Outstanding Artwork in Photography Award for The House of Roots photography collection that she produced for The Senior Exit Exhibition.
Watkins has had her work published in Prince George's Suite Magazine for Harold T. Fisher's stage play, "Two Weeks Until the Rest of My Life." She was also selected as an exhibiting artist for the Starry Night Artist Exposure Program for Art Basel Miami in 2013 and 2014 at the Select Fair. As an exposure artist, she showcased The House of Roots and Black Beauty: Unbleached at the Select Fair.
In July of 2014, Watkins exhibited her artwork at the Cox Art Center for Calvert's Best Photography Show and the Bombay Sapphire's Artisan Series help by Russell Simmons's RUSH Arts Gallery. Currently, Watkins works as a freelance photographer under her photogrophy business and continues to spread her Black Beauty: Unbleached camaign on a global scale.
Annmarie After Hours Opening - Friday, October 7, 2016, 6-9pm
Archaeologists estimate that humans domesticated dogs approximately 30,000 to 40,000 years ago, but it is likely that our fascination with animals began long before then. Most of us have tried to touch a beautiful bird or hold that furry squirrel. Why do we seek out the companionship of animals? Why do we need to be close to them? What needs to they fulfill? Surveys report that about 62% of American households include a pet. What makes us crave the companionship of furry friends? This exhibit explores the wide world of pets, the role that our faithful companions play in our lives, and the impact that they have on our health and well-being.
Jurors:
Susan Fletcher, Former Owner of S. Fletcher-Skeens Gallery, Art Lover & Collector
Jane Rowe, B.A. Fine Arts, St. Mary's College of Maryland; Artist and Co-owner of Opal Fine Art Gallery, Leonardtown, Maryland
Contributing Artists:
Christina Allen, Alina Bachman, EJ Barnes, Gayle Berens, Mary Blumberg,Susan Brady, Heatherleigh Braun, Gloria Chadowick, Jeanette Chupack, Lisa Cohen, Ann Crain, Kelly Dawson, Stephen Delaney, Amelia De Silva, Robert Fiacco, Patricia Franklin, Ally Glowacki, Sylvia Hill, Donna Hixson, Hana Horstkamp, Becky Hunter, Stephen Lally, Melissa LaMaster, Liz LeServiget, Addison Likins, Polly Little, Aline Lotter, Barrie Maguire, Jessica Manelis, Eric Mantle, Nicholas Mariano, Kimberlee Maselli, Sharon Pierce McCullough, Minda Merinski, Mary Morris, Patricia O’Brien, Quinn O’Connell, Amber Palecek, Nancy Pallowick, Pokey Park, Ron Porter, Arturo Rosales, Mihaela Savu, Suzanne Shelden, Samantha Shelton, Jill Smithson, Liz Thoresen, Anne Fox, Diana Manchak, Joan Wheeler, Laura Yager, Chuck Von Schmidt, Chris Wong
A Tent of Many Colors: communal coloring tent
Step inside our tent of many colors and enjoy the therapeutic qualities of coloring. Choose a design, find a set, make a friend, relax and enjoy the atmopshere. A great space for all to enjoy.