Carla Massoni, owner of MassoniArt Gallery, is delighted to announce the opening of Marc Castelli | It’s Never the Same, the celebrated artist’s annual solo exhibition, on view October 24 through November 30, 2026, at MassoniArt’s gallery at 113 South Cross Street in Chestertown.
For more than three decades, Marc Castelli’s annual exhibition has been a cherished Chesapeake tradition, offering an intimate portrait of life on the water through his remarkable watercolors of Chesapeake Bay watermen, working boats, and traditional sailing log canoes. His work reflects not only the beauty of the region’s waterways but also the skill, resilience, and enduring traditions of the people whose livelihoods depend on them.
This year’s exhibition features watercolors created between April 2025 and April 2026. In his statement about the collection, Castelli reflects on more than 35 years spent working alongside Chesapeake watermen as they harvest seafood under ever-changing circumstances and conditions.
“While the daily work is almost mind-numbing in its repetition, its efficiency, and the fact that little has changed for well over a hundred years, it still leaves no room for complacency,” Castelli writes. “Hence the title, ‘It’s Never the Same.’”
For Castelli, the title speaks to the constant variations in life on the water, where changing conditions and the demands of the work make each day distinct. His paintings capture these moments, preserving the experiences of watermen and the enduring traditions of the Chesapeake.
A longstanding tradition of Marc Castelli’s annual exhibition is the collectors sneak peek, offering collectors the first opportunity to experience the new work before the excitement of Downrigging Weekend begins. On Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors are invited to enjoy an early look at this year’s collection of watercolors. It is a special opportunity to spend time with the paintings, discover the stories behind them, and appreciate the latest work from one of the Chesapeake’s most celebrated artists.
Throughout the exhibition, Castelli’s paintings are accompanied by personal essays drawn from his decades alongside Chesapeake watermen, offering insight into the people, experiences, and moments that inspire his work. In his essay for Headed In, Castelli reflects on a longtime friendship with waterman Jeff Baker, writing, “His face is a map of waterways, creeks, coves, rivers and streams, hard lean years and seasons of plenty.” The words capture Castelli’s intimate understanding of the people behind the work and the lives shaped by the Chesapeake.
During Downrigging Weekend, visitors will also have two opportunities to hear directly from Castelli during artist talks on Saturday, October 31, from 10–11 a.m. and 1–2 p.m. These conversations offer a rare chance to hear the artist share his perspective on life on the water, the stories behind his paintings, and the traditions he has spent more than 35 years documenting. MassoniArt will maintain extended gallery hours throughout the weekend.
October 24, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. — Collectors’ Preview and Reception
Friday, October 30, 5–7:30 p.m. — Artist Reception
Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. — Gallery Open
Saturday, October 31, 10–11 a.m. and 1–2 p.m. — Artist Talks
Sunday, November 1, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. — Gallery Open
November First Friday – Friday, November 6, 5-7 pm
The exhibition continues through November 30.
For those wishing to schedule a private appointment, please contact Carla Massoni at info@massoniart.com or 410-708-4512.
For more information about the exhibition, visit massoniart.com. For the full Downrigging Weekend schedule and festival details, visit downrigging.org.
