The Working Artists Forum (WAF), a nonprofit organization of professional Eastern Shore artists, recently resumed their monthly Board and Member meetings at the Academy Art Museum in Easton. WAF continues to enjoy a close collaboration with the Academy, and is most appreciative of their generous support. Since WAF’s original founding of 13 members in 1979, this expanding group of artists has grown to 93 members from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Baltimore, Washington, DC and Delaware.
Each September, new members have an opportunity to jury into The Working Artists Forum. Prospective members must be sponsored by a WAF member in good standing and their work reviewed by jury prior to acceptance. Members of WAF show their work in various locations each year around the Eastern Shore, both separately and together. Upcoming group shows for 2015 will be held at Chesapeake College, Todd Performing Arts Center, (April), Heron Point, Chestertown, (June), Dorchester Art Museum (August), and The Selections Gallery at the Academy Art Museum (9/12-11/29).
In addition, each summer The Working Artists Forum hosts the Local Color Show at Easton’s Tidewater Inn. This show is held concurrently with and under the auspices of the annual Plein Air Easton Competition and Arts Festival. All artists living on the Delmarva Peninsula are invited to participate in this juried and judged event which attracts arts enthusiasts from across our country. Painting demonstrations and conversations with nationally recognized artists are provided to the public free of charge.
Each year, some of the proceeds from “Local Color” are used to supplement art supplies in elementary schools on the Eastern Shore. This year WAF is very pleased to increase the support by 25% and add two more schools. This year’s contributions will be distributed to: Denton Elementary and Federalsburg Elementary in Caroline County; Choptank Elementary, Hurlock Elementary and Warwick Elementary in Dorcester County; Galena Elementary and H.H. Garnett Elementary in Kent County; Chapel District and Easton Elementary in Talbot County; and Church Hill Elementary, Grasonville Elementary, and Kennard Elementary in Queen Anne’s County. The donations are made on a rotating basis and designed to foster visual arts programs and ‘keep the creative spark alive”, as members believe that teachers and students are an integral part of our vibrant art community.
For more information about The Working Artists Forum, please see their website at www.workingartistsforum.com
Attached photo: WAF’s Board for 2015 attending the Holiday Member Luncheon at the Academy Art Museum, from left: Patty Mowell, Show Chair, Joan Bennett, Membership Chair Judy Specht, Corresponding Secretary Gerry Czajkowski, Archivist Betty Huang, President Georgette Toews, Vice President Barbara Zuehlke, Treasurer Nancy Thomas, Secretary Evie Baskin, Publicity Mary Louise Kleman, Newsletter
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