Meet the Makers - September 2022

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”, we are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing!

Our Maker of the Month for September 2022 is Melanie Dyson of Apple Mill!

Our featured maker is best known for her laser engraved giftware, custom etched cutting boards, unique glassware, bottle openers, engraved wooden spoons, and so much more!

Melanie holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) where she majored in Illustration and concentrated in Graphic Design and Book Arts.

It was there that she was first introduced to laser engraver technology and completely fell in love it with it!

Melanie even centered her senior thesis around the laser machine with a focus on creating wearable art.

After graduation and with support from her family, Dyson found a way to purchase her own professional-grade laser in 2014 and has been working with it ever since.

After experimenting with a wide variety of different materials, our featured artist found that she liked the creation of functional art (cutting boards, glassware, etc.) the best.

A large goal from the beginning was to make sure that her items were affordable for everyone. Most pieces range from $3-$30. Everything is engraved by Melanie herself at her local studio and most of her designs are inspired by her longtime home in St. Mary's County.

When not busy engraving Melanie can be found working at her family’s hardware store, Dyson Building Center.

Thank you Melanie for being an important part of our artistic community, we love your creativity and dedication to paying tribute to landmarks and favorite items of our local area!

Fun fact from Melanie: “The Shepherd's Old Field Market, where I have a large display, used to be Leonardtown Building and Supply Company which was owned by my Grandfather, Jim Miedzinski and his brother, Bob Miedzinski. It's awesome that it has been transformed into something new and I am excited to be there!”

Learn more about Melanie Dyson and her artwork at links below:

Website: Apple Mill

Facebook: Apple Mill (@applemill2)

Find Melanie’s work at larger local displays:

Cecil’s Country Store in California, MD

Shepherd’s Old Field Market in Leonardtown, MD

And also at smaller local displays:

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum

St. Clements Island Museum

Next Craft Shows:

The U.S. Oyster Festival at Leonardtown Fairgrounds, October 15-16, 2022

 

Congratulations to the 2022 St. Mary's County Arts Council Scholarship Winners!

 

 The St. Mary’s County Arts Council presented three $1,000 awards to recently graduated high school seniors who are pursuing the arts in higher education. The Arts Council has established these awards to recognize, encourage, and support individuals who demonstrate excellence and a high level of interest in the Performing, Theater, or Visual Arts. This year’s recipients include:

Performing Arts (music/ vocal): Layla James of Leonardtown High School

 Layla is an amazingly talented self-taught vocalist who has been singing “ever since I can remember”. Miss James has shared her talents at numerous fundraisers, community events, holiday gatherings, church events, and at many other opportunities.

Layla very much enjoys sharing her gift with others and hopes to serve as an inspiration to those who have enjoyed her music and aspire to reach goals of their own.

She has often been accompanied by her younger sister Lacey to sing the national anthem at Leonardtown High School sporting events. Layla will continue her education at Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia.

 

Film/ Audio-visual: Grady O’Neill of Chopticon High School

 As a student enrolled at Chopticon High School and also at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, Grady learned many valuable skills that have helped him in the future of production work such as camera operation, video editing, and working in teams on numerous projects.

O’Neill has won several awards through his participation in SkillsUSA at both state and national levels. As well as an exceptional academic student, Grady is also known for being a student who will help others out at any time. Grady will continue his studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Performing Arts (music/ instrumental): Nolen Willey of Great Mills High School

Nolen has played an important part of the drumline section of the marching band for Great Mills High School for many years, often serving as a mentor for younger students and readily taking on leadership roles. Not only a talented musician, Nolen is known for his dedication to his art form by ways of many hours practicing and preparing, performing volunteer work, and always seeking ways to improve his skill set.

Through much determination and devotion, Willey earned the coveted title of Drumline Captain for the Great Mills High School Marching Hornets. Nolen will continue his education at Towson University in Maryland.

Congratulations to all three amazing student artists! These scholarships are offered on an annual basis, visit www.stmarysartscouncil.com for info and details about future opportunities for St. Mary’s County students.

(Photos provided by students.)

 

Meet the Makers - May 2022

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing!

Our Maker of the Month for May 2022 is Holly Dilatush of Tonglen Art!

Holly’s love for flowers has grown substantially over the years. As a prior owner of retail floral shops she has very much enjoyed learning about “all things flower”, growing her own plants, and designing beautiful flower arrangements.

Her latest works have been based on pressed flowers, a process in which she hand-selects the desired flora, carefully collects them for drying and pressing, and then transforms them into works of art!

Holly has created colorful greeting cards w/ matching envelopes, multi-media art pieces, and sometimes sells her pressed flowers for others to place their own creative touches on them.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Holly has since lived 20+ years in upstate New York, spent some time in Maine, resided for a year-and-a- half in South Korea, and 19+ years in the Charlottesville, Virginia area. Holly now lives in Southern Maryland where she continues to grow, maintaining several gardens at her home.

Find Holly’s artwork for sale at:

Tonglen Art on Etsy

Tonglen Art on Facebook

St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop in Downtown Leonardtown

By special order via contacting Holly via her Facebook page.

Watch for an upcoming summer 'make and take' offering here at SMC Arts Council - Gallery & Gift Shop when you can come meet Holly, learn more about pressing flowers, and create your own pressed flower note card and frame-able pressed flower artwork!

 

Meet the Makers - April 2022

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Maker of the Month for April 2022 is Lorie Burch of Crescent Moon!

Lorie specializes in fun and functional handcrafted pottery items, each one is different and unique! Her style includes a wide variety of creations from traditional wares to cute and quirky characters and creatures.

Mrs. Burch moved to St. Mary’s County from the DC area 50 years ago. After working in the medical field most of her adult life she was diagnosed with lupus, which presented many challenges for her to keep working at her job at that time.

With the support and encouragement of her husband, Lorie made a big decision to leave her medical career and pursue her creative side full time. After purchasing a used pottery wheel and kiln, she quickly found herself hooked with making amazing works of art!

As her health declined our featured artist found herself unable to keep up her presence at local craft shows and markets. She connected with Gerrie L’Heureux, the owner of Shepherd’s Old Field Market, and was able to make her dream come true of having her own small scale art studio!

Lorie crafts mugs and bowls, jewelry holders, toothbrush and soap storage pieces, seasonal snowmen, and many other pottery pieces.

Crescent Moon mugs and dishes are fired with food-safe glaze and are also oven, dishwasher, and microwave safe.

Recently introduced are a beautiful line of ramen bowls, conveniently completed with cut-outs to hold a pair of chopsticks!

Find The Crescent Moon’s shop at:

Shepherd’s Old Field Market in Leonardtown.

Click here to visit the Crescent Moon Facebook page to contact Lorie and to see more of her wonderful products!

 

Meet the Makers - March 2022

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Maker of the Month for March 2022 is Maddie Burch of Luna Love Candle Company!

Madison “Maddie” Burch is the owner and of a small scale candle company based out of Southern Maryland. Each piece is uniquely different, meticulously hand-poured and hand-crafted from 100% soy wax. As a student at the College of Southern Maryland, Maddie balances her studies with thinking of her next projects and creating new candle scents.

Maddie and her mother make regular trips to Pennsylvania where she purchases some of the best wax available in order to maintain a high standard of her products. Despite the 8-hour round trip, Maddie says that it is worth it to make sure that her candles burn well, retain their scents, and to be able to offer quality items.

Luna Love Candles often appear almost good enough to eat! From Fruit Loops inspired creations to Iced Lemon Biscotti, Orange Creamsicle, Blueberry Cobbler, Lemon Pound Cake, and Warm Vanilla Sugar there are so many different (and nearly delicious) options to choose from!

Maddie’s spa-themed line includes Lemongrass, Midnight Orchid, Sea Salt & Orchid, Beach Day, and White Linen scents.

During the holidays our artist expands her selections to Christmas Eve, Christmas Tree, Blue Spruce, Flannel, Frosted Juniper, and other specialty themes.

Maddie creates both candles and melts and may be contacted for special orders. Her candles are often adorned w/ semi-precious stones, seashells, shiny glitter, and a variety of other toppings.

Way to go Maddie! Thank you for being part of our creative community, we are very much looking forward to seeing your future creations!

Find Luna Love Candle Co. at the following shops:

Keepin’ It Local in Morganza

St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop in Leonardtown

Various Craft Shows, click here to visit Luna Love Candle Co. on Facebook for announcements about upcoming events.

Maddie may also be contacted via Facebook for direct purchases.

 

Meet Merideth Taylor - Virtual Artist's Talk

 
 

Meet Merideth Taylor - writer, photographer and author at a very special virtual presentation!

Merideth is the author of Listening In: Echoes and Artifacts from Maryland’s Mother County and will give a fascinating informal talk about her work on Thursday, February 24th from 4 to 5:30 PM via Zoom. The talk will also be accompanied by a slideshow and will be hosted by the Lexington Park Library.

An exhibit of Taylor’s artwork and stories is currently on display at the Lexington Park Library Art Gallery located at 21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park, MD, The display runs from January 18th to February 28th, 2022 and is open during all regular library hours. Please visit the library’s website for their current hours.

Reviewers have called Listening In “a stunning portrayal of a remarkable landscape and culture fast disappearing”, “a true treasure, especially for those from St. Mary’s County,” and “a must read.” 

Washington Post writer Adrienne Higgins praised the book: “For more than 20 years, Merideth Taylor has been bearing witness to old, fading buildings in St. Mary’s County, Md., where she lives. Most are small homes or farmsteads, empty and cloaked in a mantle of abandonment and decay. Contained in their flaking paint, sagging roofs and enveloping vines are the traces of lives that have been lived and the joys and sorrows of the people who once occupied them."

This program will include a Q & A session.

For additional details and to register to receive the link to the Zoom meeting visit the St. Mary’s County Public Library website . This talk is free to view and participate in but attendees must register in advance.

This event is presented in collaboration with Merideth Taylor, the Lexington Park Library, and St. Mary’s County Arts Council.

Meet the Makers - February 2022

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Maker of the Month for February 2022 is Anita Evans of Sandjewells!

Anita is a self-described “Mixed Media Maniac” with a passion for all things nautical and “sea shore-ish”, with a fair share of treasures found during her walks and searches for cool stuff!

A majority of Anita’s life has been spent on St. George Island in St. Mary’s County, Maryland in where she grew up and still resides today. Connected to the mainland by a single steel bridge, this island is well known for picturesque water views and excellent fishing spots.

Evans has had a life long love of beach glass, old bottles, oyster shells and driftwood found from the shores of St. Georges Island of which she has collected ever since she can remember.

She has used her found treasures along with an array of gems and shells to adorn old windows and give them a new life. Anita also creates wire wrapped beach glass jewelry including colorful pendants, earrings, and whimsical sets.

“ I love giving items of the past a new life and a second go around.” Anita takes pride in preventing items with a past ending up in the landfill - her motto is Repurpose, Re-invent, and Re-Fabulous!!

Our featured artist also creates alcohol ink wine tumblers, mugs, and hand draws designs with acrylics on an assortment of tumblers, canvas bags, and purses. Her sun catchers are uniquely works of art often integrating items not traditionally found in such pieces such as parts of old and new chandeliers!

Anita also offers a Beach Glass Kit which includes all of the supplies for DIY artists to make their own creations such as key rings, necklaces, magnets, and more.

Find Sandjewells at two local spots: Shepherds Old Field Market in Downtown Leonardtown and also at Keepin’ It Local in Morganza. Anita’s larger items such as the window pieces are located at Keepin’ It Local and she also offers the sale of her items via her Facebook page.

Check out the links below to see our featured artist’s amazing work!

 

Colorful Mural Opens Exhibit Series

 

SMCAC In-house Art Exhibit - January 2022

(Update 2/4/2022! This beautiful painting has moved next door to us at the Town of Leonardtown office at 22670 Washington Street. The mural is available for purchase for $2,500 with a portion of the sales to go towards St. Mary’s County Arts Council in support of our arts-related programs and community events. Please visit the Town’s website for their current hours of operation.)

St. Mary’s County Arts Council has announced a series of new and exciting In-house Art Exhibits scheduled for this year. Featured will be a variety of works of different media created by guest artists from the local Southern Maryland region.

January launches with a fabulous 8 feet long x 2 feet high acrylic painting, From Agriculture to Art - Wool, Cotton, and Flax by artist Nicole Stewart in collaboration with mural artist Deb McClure, on display now through January 29th at the St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop.

A call for artists to create a mural for the side of a building housing the New View FiberWorks shop served as the inspiration for this project. The theme for this wall was From Agriculture to Art. This painting was created to scale as it was designed as a demo piece for this installation. Although Nicole’s painting did not advance to the next level it did place as one of two finalists. You may view the chosen design by artist Jamie Naluai under construction in the alley off of the Town Square.

From a noble-faced Suffolk ewe, standing in a field of flax and cotton boles against green hills that transform into fantasy fabric swaths of polka dots, stripes, paisley and tartans, the mural design highlights bold and bright colors meticulously interwoven to reflect the personality of the building as well as the nature of the location in the heart of the Arts & Entertainment District in downtown Leonardtown. As an homage to fiber artist and owner of New View FiberWorks, Misti Dayton, a replica of her spinning wheel with skeins of yarn are depicted in the alcove of the building.

Artist Nicole Stewart (who works primarily with oils) described the experience of working with acrylic paints as a challenge, “but collaborating with Deb McClure and creating something amazing for Leonardtown was a joy. I cannot express how grateful I am to the town and the Arts Council for all of the support and opportunities they give artists.”

To view this piece in person visit the St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop located at 22660 Washington St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The current open hours are 11 AM to 4 PM Wednesday thru Saturday.

To learn more about Nicole Stewart’s art visit her website at: nstwartstudio.com and/or view her artwork on display at The North End Gallery located in Leonardtown, MD. Due to HVAC work, the North End Gallery is currently closed with plans to re-open for regular hours on February 1st.

Click here to learn more about the Arts & Entertainment District in Leonardtown, upcoming events including development of the mural projects, and more arts-related news!

Be sure to check back soon at the Arts Council website to check for announcements about future In-House Art Exhibits!

 

Meet the Makers - January 2022

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Maker of the Month for January 2022 is Ev Andrianos of Ev’s Glass Creations!

Ev has been inspired to create unique jewelry and gifts that are personal to each individual. She specializes in designing and fabricating holiday ornaments, jewelry pieces and sets (earrings and necklaces), sun catchers, home decor, and more.

One of her most popular items have also been custom “Nested Crosses” which she has designed for weddings, memorial services, and other special ceremonies and events.

Our featured artist gives back to the American Cancer Society with each ribbon glass item purchased.

Ev is very proud to be a U.S. Navy Veteran and often incorporates themes within her work connected to her past military service and related travels and duty stations.

Thank you Ev for being a valued member of our artistic community, we are very much looking forward to seeing more of your future projects!

Also on her Facebook page will be news about any upcoming special events. In 2021 Ev was a guest artist at the Kris Kringle Christmas Market in La Plata, The Fall Craft Show at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, the Annual Christmas Bazaar at St. Francis Xavier Church, as well as at other venues and craft fairs.

 

Meet the Makers - December 2021

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Maker of the Month for December 2021 is Theresa (Terri) Hunt of Terri’s Touch of SOMD!

Terri is a self-taught artist who has had a great love for art since elementary school, where adding drawings to her assignments helped to keep her interested in schoolwork at hand.

As she grew older, Terri started painting on her father’s homemade wood furniture and her mother’s hand-sewn fabric art pieces which were in turn sold at local craft shows.

“Terri has to touch everything!” was how James described his daughter’s keen interest in adding flair to anything and everything destined for the shows.

Years down the road, Terri’s mother presented her with a simple dried gourd.

“What do I do with this?” was the pressing question in Terri’s mind, whilst not very impressed with the very plain-looking plant material.

“Paint a Santa on it!” her mother Carolyn replied, resulting in the first of many holiday creations!

As she was first introduced to gourd art at a very busy period of her life, Terri found her free time to be limited as she was married and simultaneously working and raising children, including Morgan, a special-needs daughter .

When Morgan passed away all too soon, Terri found painting to have a therapeutic and calming effect which evolved into her “happy place” amidst the sorrow and grief of losing her daughter.

Through support of friends, family, and her faith Terri applied to rent a small shop area in the newly opening Shepherd’s Old Field Market.

As one of the first tenants in 2017, Terri entered a new chapter in her life and has since found much joy in creating and sharing her crafts with others.

Terri’s specialty to this day is - you guessed it - hand painted and dyed dried gourds, with her favorite decorated in Christmas themes!

Since no two gourds are alike, each has its own personality and meticulously designed style. Other items featured in her shop are painted vintage pieces such as old wooden sleds as well as cutting boards and utensils decorated using wood burning techniques.

In honor of her late father’s memory, our featured artist fittingly named her new business “Terri’s Touch of SOMD”.

Be sure to visit Terri’s page on Facebook to see a preview of items headed to Shepherd’s Old Field Market for weekly deliveries.

Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, if you see one you love Terri welcomes you to contact her via sending a Facebook message, email: theresabhunt@yahoo.com, or by phone at 240-925-5773.

Thank you Terri for being a valued member of our artistic community, we are very much looking forward to visiting your shop at SOFM and seeing your future projects!

*Shepherd’s Old Field Market: https://shepherdsoldfield.com/ (Located at 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650, see website above for current open days and hours (including special event and holiday hours).

*Facebook: Terri’s Touch of SOMD (https://www.facebook.com/Terris-Touch-of-SOMD-580130772485956)

 

Meet the Makers - November 2021

 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Makers of the Month for November 2021 are local artists and entrepreneurs Donald “Murph” Murphy and Margaret Oliver (and family)!

Murph and Margaret, along with their blended family of five children, have found a calling and common bond in both their business interests and artistic pursuits.

With a degree in Business Development & Accounting, Murph has long been the “numbers guy”. His past passions have included running a small business of 20+ years (Murph’s Lawncare). Despite a difficult time where personal issues necessitated the closing of those operations, he met Margaret who encouraged him to consider restarting his services.

In March of 2019 “Murphy Enterprises” was established, a new name and a new start to the next lawncare venture! With support from Margaret as well as the children being involved in various aspects of this new endeavor, Murph found his life to be moving in positive directions and his clientele steadily rebuilding.

Although this type of work had always been of much enjoyment to Murph, Margaret keenly envisioned other opportunities, mainly in the artistic realm. Following Murphy Enterprise’s second anniversary, Margaret organized her ideas and interests into a plan for incorporating hand-crafted and custom-made, yet still affordable, locally sourced goods into the umbrella of their business model.

Having a passion for art and creativity since her own youth, Margaret always enjoyed thinking about how to bring her children’s artwork, as well as other people’s ideas, to life while creating cherished memories in the process.

A short time later, a laser engraver was purchased and a whole new branch of their business was born! All of the family members take part in different aspects of design, implementation, and marketing as well as sales at local festivals and craft shows. Each person, regardless of age and skills, has contributed in their own unique way.

ILLUMINATE ME offers the customization and creation of images on various types of materials including wood, acrylic, marble, tile, leather, glass, paper and more! Their services include engraving, etching, cutting, and printing. Types of wood incorporated into their designs have been birch, cedar, cherry, hickory, mahogany, maple, and walnut. Free estimates are provided for custom projects.

Creating custom photos has been one of their newest endeavors and highly popular for the holiday season. Find all of these and other amazing items in person at these locations:

*Port of Leonardtown Winery in Leonardtown (www.polwinery.com)

*The Gathered Roots Boutique in Leonardtown, behind Kevin’s Corner Kafe (https://www.facebook.com/Gathered-Roots-Boutique-105615191368779)

Upcoming vendor events:

November 11, 2021 from 1 to 5 PM at Port of Leonardtown Winery.

November 21, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Fall Craft Fair - Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, info here.

November 27, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Briar Branch Alpaca Boutique & Farm, details here.

December 10, 11, and 12th, 2021 at the Charles County Fairground/ Kris Kringle Event, details and hours here.

View their work on Facebook and reach our featured artists by email at: murphy_enterprises@yahoo.com. Phone numbers: 240-925-6925/301-672-7554

 

Meet the Makers - October 2021

 
Meet the Makers Ed & Angie-page-001.jpg
 

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our local artists have been, and always will be, important facets of our community and valuable contributors to the rich artistic heritage of our county.

Our Makers of the Month for October 2021 are husband-and-wife team Edward and Angie of IV River Tables!

The big question asked of these two amazing artists has frequently been - how did they get to where they are now?!

Both Edward and Angie are US Navy Veterans who have found a common bond of creating.

Each of their items - be it custom crafted tables, bar tops, shelving, home decor, or an array of many other unique pieces - have been envisioned, designed, and hand-manufactured in-house at their new studio located in Callaway, Maryland.

Originally working from their home garage, business has been busy and demand high for our featured artists’ stunning work. A move to a larger space to better accommodate their growing projects and machinery had been in order for quite awhile as their initial hobby quickly flourished via word-of-mouth and referrals from past customers.

When the opportunity presented itself to expand to a commercial space at the 5 South it was a quick “Yes!” which opened new opportunities to expand and grow their inventory and working space. Through much diligence and oftentimes trial-and-error with different mediums and materials, combined with a valued mentorship from a close friend in Colorado, our featured artists have become masters of the Live Edge Epoxy River Table trend.

​Through feedback from their customers, Edward and Angie found that people were wanting unique, custom conversational pieces either for their homes, businesses, and/or as gifts for someone special.

Always open to ideas presented by their growing fan base, our artists have both been challenged and inspired by the many custom order requests which they have filled over the past two years. A recent acquisition has been a special 5 x 10’ 3D router which enables designs to be engraved into wood, for example if someone would like a table with the Bay and crabs.

Due to COVID-19 their studio is open by appointment only at this time, be sure to reach out to them with any ideas or questions you may have!

Email: ivrivertables@gmail.com

Phone: 240-466-1303

Learn more about our featured artists and see their beautiful past, present and future projects at links below:

Our artists will also be featured in the October 2021 online issue of Discover Southern Maryland!

Meet the Makers - September 2021

 
Photo of artist by Brandy Blackstone.

Photo of artist by Brandy Blackstone.

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our local artists have been, and always will be, important facets of our community and valuable contributors to the rich artistic heritage of our county.

Our Maker of the Month for September 2021 is Pamela Callen!

Following an extended career in foreign service, Pamela has enjoyed capturing the beauty of the mid-east coast of the United States, particularly the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Other favorite subjects to paint have been the surrounding rural areas with their simple structures and diverse wildlife populations.

Between overseas assignments, these spots had always been some of the most peaceful places Pamela frequently visited, ideal areas for resting and re-energizing for a few weeks before her next job.

Mrs. Callen has found that by taking extra time to view the subjects of her work, amazing opportunities are created to see them in different aspects and a true appreciation is thus developed.

By learning how to paint, our featured artist states that slowing down to gaze more completely at the subjects serves to develop a special bond with the colors, lights, and shadings as well as the subject itself.

Pamela enjoys painting landscapes, still lives, flowers, and the scenes and people she has met in her many years of travel, both overseas and in the United States. She finds herself particularly drawn to water given its restful and restorative qualities.

Our featured artist has studied painting at various overseas locations, in classes and workshops at the Torpedo Factory in Virginia, as well as with an experienced instructor in Arlington. In Southern Maryland, she has learned a variety of drawing and painting techniques with various instructors in both Calvert and Saint Mary's Counties.

On Monday, August 30th, 2021, at 11 AM Pamela will teach her first in a series of virtual classes for the North End Gallery Learn & Share Series in partnership with the Town of Leonardtown and the North End Gallery. In this session she will provide instruction about the delightful medium of pastels. View this FREE virtual art class at: https://www.visitleonardtownmd.com/northendgallery

Learn more about our featured artist-

Pamela will also be featured in the September edition of Discover Southern Maryland!

 

Meet the Makers - August 2021

 
Meet the Makers Barbara Hak 3-page-001.jpg

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing. Our local artists have been and always will be important facets of our community and valuable contributors to the rich artistic heritage of our county.

Our Maker of the Month for August 2021 is Barbara Hak of Occasionally Round Pottery!

Barbara started creating much of her hand built and wheel thrown pottery pieces following her retirement in 2010 from an extended career at a local hospital. Her husband Larry was worried that she would be “very bored” after switching from a full-time job to full-time retirement, so he encouraged her to explore her interests before the upcoming big transition.  

Mrs. Hak had held a longtime curiosity about working with clay but with time constraints due to work obligations her interests were more just thoughts than actual endeavors.

Shortly before retiring, she had enrolled in a few pottery classes and found herself hooked! It was but soon after that she dove in and started experimenting with different designs and glazes and started to create a unique style all of her own.

By 2013, three years into her retirement, Larry had helped to design and transform their home basement into a full studio complete with a potter’s wheel, kiln, and plentiful storage space, a potter’s dream workshop!

Barbara has since created a wide variety of mugs, cups, “Mommy & Grandma Vases”, bowls and platters, plus much more! What started out as simply a joyful hobby evolved into gifts for family and friends, special requests, and for the past few years a growing business given the popularity of “Occasionally Round” handcrafted items.

 One of Barbara’s most recent exhibits was at “The Cat’s Meow”, a kitty themed art show and fundraiser in May of 2021 hosted by the St. Mary’s County Arts Council and Feral Cat Rescue of SoMD. Barbara generously donated a large variety of pottery pieces of which all proceeds from sales were given to the rescue group to help purchase food, medicine, and offset medical costs for the kitties.  Pictured below is one of the kittens helped by the pottery sales! (kitty photo by Jenn Dorsey)

Barbara Hak is an active member of the Color & Light Society and an artist at the St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop. Her beautiful pottery pieces can be found at several upcoming events and locations including:

·       The Coastal Arts Market (select months, email barbhak@gmail.com for dates booked at the Market or visit https://www.coastalartsmarket.com/ to view current list of vendors per event). 

 ·       The Riverside Winefest at Historic Sotterley (Hollywood, Maryland) on Oct. 2nd and 3rd, 2021 – details to be announced at: https://www.sotterley.org/

 ·       Various exhibits and shows sponsored by The Color & Light Society (http://www.colorandlightsociety.org/)

 ·       St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop located at 22660 Washington St. in the Arts & Entertainment District of Downtown Leonardtown. (www.stmarysartscouncil.com/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/smcacgallery

 Barbara will also be featured in the August edition of Discover Southern Maryland!

 

Meet the Makers - July 2021

 
Meet the Makers Hannah Wichrowski-page-001.jpg

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing. Our artists have been and always will be important facets of our community and valuable contributors to the rich artistic heritage of our county.

Our Maker of the Month for July 2021 is Hannah Wichrowski!

Hannah is a graphic designer who specializes in digital and print design as well as branding, package design, and web designing.

While in high school she completed a two year Graphic Communications Program at the Dr. James A. Forrest Technology Center and also earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts / Graphic Design degree at Salisbury University in 2020.

Hannah’s artistic interests included linocut printing and creating handmade paper. She has designed a variety of different prints, greeting cards, framed artwork, and also a line of clothing with her unique trademark style.

Hannah will be a featured guest at the St. Mary’s County Arts Council on First Friday, July 2, 2021 from 5 to 8 PM where she will be demonstrating linocut printing without a press using oil-based inks to print from carved linoleum blocks, details available here.

To learn more about our Featured Maker of the Month see links below:

Hannah is also featured in the July 2021 edition of Discover Southern Maryland!

 
 

Meet the Makers - June 2021

 
Meet the Makers Andi Cullins

Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing. Our artists have been and always will be important facets of our community and valuable contributors to the rich artistic heritage of our county.

Our Maker of the Month for June 2021 is Andi Cullins! Andi started her “2nd Life Quilters Collection” as a growing group of art quilts created from African and other ethnic fabrics intermixed with non-traditional and recycled fabrics as well as western materials. Each of her pieces is an original, one of a kind, work of art.

Mrs. Cullins has waited 60 years to do what she has always wanted to do! Now with more time to dedicate to her craft, Andi has been busy stitching and sewing larger-than-life quilts, each with its own story and history. Her methods include traditional quilting, raw-edge appliqué, and various forms of fabric mosaics and collage. Fabrications include textiles, strings, ribbons, buttons, cheesecloth, beads, tulle, lace, suede and leather along with other recycled materials.

Andi’s current series is "The Devine and the Celestial" of which these and other select pieces will be featured at a solo show at the Lexington Park Library opening on June 7th. She has also been chosen as the Visual Artist for Prince George’s County Juneteenth Celebration for 2021.

To view our featured artist’s work find her via links below or email: andicullins@icloud.com for info about upcoming events and exhibits.

* Facebook: 2nd Life Quilters Collection

* Lexington Park Library – Solo Exhibit at the Candy Cummings Community Gallery

This special exhibit will be opening June 7th and closing on June 30th, 2021.

Artist and exhibit info:

www.stmarysartscouncil.com

General library info:

21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park, MD 20653/ (301) 863-8188/ www.stmalib.org

* Prince George’s County Juneteenth Celebration 2021 (virtual), info is scheduled to be posted at: www.mncppc.org by June 14th, 2021. The event is scheduled for June 19, 2021 online.