Kick off your Saturday night by celebrating the visual and performing arts in downtown Chestertown as the community officially launches its newly designated Maryland Arts and Entertainment District. During the “A&E Stroll,” happening from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on October 17, the streets and shops of the historic district will be alive with musicians, artists, poets and actors. Chalk art will decorate sidewalks, and the public will be invited to share their thoughts about Chestertown’s future on several Idea Boards placed along the way.
On hand to help Mayor Chris Cerino with a 4:30 p.m. ribbon cutting at the end of High Street will be John Schratweiser, executive director of Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Leslie Raimond, executive director of the Kent County Arts Council.
Musicians will include a Kent County High School jazz quartet led by Keith Wharton and featuring guest artist Sam Scalzo on saxophone. Also slated to play are Pres Harding, the Chestertown Ukelele Band, Jigs and Reels, and Barbara Parker.
Many of downtown’s shops will extend their hours until 7:00 p.m. Restaurants and cafes (The Kitchen at the Imperial, the Blue Heron, J.R.’s Pub, and Lemon Leaf Café) are planning special menu items for the evening.
“Our local businesses are proud to celebrate Chestertown’s Arts & Entertainment District Designation and look forward to the opportunity to introduce new visitors to the unique shopping, dining and professional service experiences offered within the District,” says Kristen Owen, President of the Downtown Chestertown Association. “We value our partnership with the local arts community and look forward to further collaborations to help make Chestertown an even better place to live, work and play.”
The artists at Pam Foss Gallery, Clay Studio, Hegland Glass, and Bob Ortiz Studio will be offering demonstrations. Other cultural and arts venues open that evening will be Garfield Center for the Arts, RiverArts, SANDBOX, Artists’ Gallery, KidSPOT, Marj Morani Studio, Sue Wright Knitting Studio, and Melinda Carl Studio. In addition, the Kent County Historical Society will host a chalk- stenciling activity centered on Chestertown’s historic buildings.
Maryland’s Arts & Entertainment (A&E) Districts were designed to develop, promote, and support diverse artistic and cultural centers in communities as a way to preserve a sense of place and spur economic revitalization and neighborhood pride. A&E District Tax Incentives include a Maryland State income tax subtraction for artistic works produced and sold in any A&E District, and a 10-year exemption from the increase in county and town property taxes resulting from renovations for an arts-related purpose.
Mayor Cerino has noted how the downtown arts scene “has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade, thanks in large part to local institutions such as RiverArts and the Garfield Center for the Arts,” and has described the A&E District designation as “a major step in the planned revitalization of Chestertown’s downtown and waterfront.”
“This A&E designation recognizes how much we already have to offer, and it will help us grow our reputation as an arts destination,” adds Lani Seikaly, the past president of RiverArts who spearheaded the application process for the A&E designation. “Ultimately, it’s about growing our economy and boosting local businesses.”
The October 17 A&E District Stroll is sponsored by the Town of Chestertown, the Greater Chestertown Initiative and the Downtown Chestertown Association. For updates, visit the Facebook pages for each: Chestertown Arts and Entertainment, Downtown Chestertown Association, Greater Chestertown Initiative.
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