Chestertown RiverArts announces a variety of fun and engaging classes and events in June, with more to come during the later parts of the summer. With classes in painting, jewelry-making, quilting, photography and more, and pop-up galleries and First Friday celebrations throughout the summer, there is something to interest everyone in the community.

Loopy Hoops Earrings Workshop with popular instructor Melissa Kay-Steves will take place on June 8 from 10am – 12pm, and will introduce students to cold connections, forming, wrapping, and texturing wire as well as safe use of a butane torch to make balled headpins for crystal wrapped drops and earwires. Packed with tool technique tidbits, this class is for budding jewelry artists and more seasoned makers who want to get more creative with design. Students will have the opportunity to make two pairs of earrings, either of which can become your new “go to” for everyday wear. Let’s face it: you can never have too many pairs of earrings!

Cindy Fulton’s Funky Kitchen Painting

Baltimore area bead and jewelry artist Madonna Green Parker will offer The Art of Paper Bead Design on June 15. This class will teach a great, fun, and useful way to recycle by making beads out of newspaper, advertisements, scrap paper, and more. Students will explore the origins of the art while learning the basics of this beautiful, timeless craft. Be prepared to make and finish several beautiful beads for your personal stash!

On June 20, Christine Kamon will offer a quilting workshop, Around the World In A Day, in which students will create a machine-sewn baby or lap quilt (or summer picnic blanket!) in a single day using speed cutting and sewing techniques. A follow-up session to share projects and discuss various finishing options will provide time to wrap up this quilt.

Finally, on June 21, one of RiverArts’ favorite instructors, Cindy Fulton, returns to for a signature TGIF paint night, called A Funky Kitchen Painting. Participants can have a party while creating a work of art—choose between working like Mondrian and exploring primary and secondary colors, or expand your horizons into balancing different values within a certain range. Everyone will end up with a frame-able, funky kitchen painting. A great alternative to a night out at the bar or an expensive dinner, TGIF nights at RiverArts provide a relaxing, fun start to the weekend. No experience is necessary and all materials and instructions are provided to complete and take home a finished project. BYOB and snacks for a fun Friday night! Our friends at Chester River Wine & Cheese are happy to offer a 20% discount to TGIF class registrants for a bottle of wine and some noshes for the class. Just show them your registration confirmation.

RiverArts has lots more planned for later in the summer, including pop-up galleries, a four-week Travel Photography class, a new painting class called Cats, Big and Small taught by returning favorite Lynne Lockhart, and more!

To register or for more information visit www.chestertownriverarts.org/education-2 and click on Education, or call RiverArts at 410 778 6300.

RiverArts galleries and main office is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway). Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM. Our Education Center is 200 High St., and the Clay Studio is 204 High St.

Chestertown’s 9^th Annual Empty Bowls, sponsored by the RiverArts Clay Studio, is pleased to announce that it raised $5,000 in funds  to benefit the Kent County Food Pantry. This popular community event was held April 17 at the Christ United Methodist Church in Chestertown.

For the price of a $25 ticket, $10 for students,  guests enjoyed a meal of soup, bread, and dessert in a keepsake handmade pottery bowl. The Clay Studio potters  created the bowls, which are a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

This event was sponsored by RiverArts, Bookplate, Evergrain Bread Company, Figg’s Ordinary, Germaine’s, Carla Massoni Gallery, Mimi’s Closet, Peaceful World Enterprise, and Welcome Home.

No one should go to bed hungry.

RiverArts Galleries & Gift Shop 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway).  Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM.

Clay Studio, 204 High St

KidSPOT Creativity Center next door to the gallery.
ArtsAlive! Center 200 High St.

Artistic inspiration is an unconscious burst of creativity. The concept has origins in both Hellenism and Hebraism. The Greeks believed that inspiration or enthusiasm came from the muses as well as the gods Apollo and Dionysus.

Curators Marj Morani and Pat Thompson challenge artists to let your muse inspire you to create a new work of art.  This annual RiverArts exhibit is a non-themed judged show; representational or abstraction is the artist’s choice.

All artists may submit two works of art whether painting, drawing,  printmaking, mixed media, sculpture and fine crafts (including metal, wood, fiber, ceramics, glass and jewelry). Best in show will be awarded $500. Other monetary awards include Excellence in 2D, 3D, and Open Category as well as People’s Choice. Judge Mary McCoy is an environmental artist and writer, an Artist-in-Residence at Adkins Arboretum, former art critic for the Washington Post, among other publications.

Garden Paths, Barbara Vann, colored pencil

Exhibition Dates: June 5 – 30, 2019
Opening Reception: Friday, June 7, 5-8 pm
Awards Ceremony & Gallery Talk: Thursday, June 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Drop-off: Sunday, June 2 , 2 – 4 p.m.
Monday, June 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pick-up: Sunday, June 30, 2-4 p.m.
Monday, July 1, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For more information and to submit work visit: http://chestertownriverarts.net/call-and-registration-for-judged-painting-and-fine-craft/ or call the gallery at 410.778.6300

RiverArts Galleries & Gift Shop 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway).  Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM.

KidSPOT Creativity Center next door to the gallery. ArtsAlive Education Center 200 High St., the Clay Studio, 204 High St.

Each April, RiverArts celebrates our planet with the “Art of Stewardship” exhibit. This juried and judged show includes a broad range of 2 and 3-dimensional work as well as poetry. The exhibit was curated and juried by Alice Ritchie and Beverly Hall Smith, (2D & 3D, and Meredith Davies Hadaway, (poetry).

Internationally renowned contemporary American artist and passionate astronomer Greg Mort returned  to judge the 2 and 3D work. Best in Show, 2D  was awarded to Kathryn O’Grady for her painting, County Trees, with AD 2017, a sphere created by Joe Dickey from the Wye Oak winning Best in Show for 3D. First Place, 2D was The Run, #3, painting by Deena Ball, and 3D to Laura Ventura for her ceramic piece, Sunset on the Cliffs of Tolchester. Honorable Mention: 2D, Great Blue Heron, Christine Kamon; Benediction, Jennifer McGovern; and Water Moves, Joan Hart. 3D Honorable Mention: 3D, Wooden Turtle, Heidi Wetzel and Return of the Giant, Joe Dickey.

2D: County Trees, Kathryn O’Grady

Sue Ellen Thompson, author of five books of poetry and the editor of The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, was poetry juror and judge. The Pat Nielsen Poetry Award, and Best in Show, in honor of the late Pat Herold Nielson, founding member of the Chester River Association, accomplished poet and award-winning filmmaker, was given to Russell Reece for his poem, Rowboat.  Wendy Ingersoll received First Place for her poem, Drumbeat.

Mort’s family foundation, The Art of Stewardship Project encourages artists and their associated art groups to commit time, talent, or treasure to an environmental organization. This year, a portion of proceeds from sales of the artwork was donated to the Sassafras Environmental Educational Center, an outdoor education facility which works with the regional school system to teach students how to live compatibly with nature.

For more information on upcoming exhibits, classes and RiverArts happenings, visit www.chestertownriverarts.org, or call RiverArts at 410 778 6300.

Chestertown RiverArts is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway).  Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM, and open on First Fridays until 8 PM

An announcement went out calling for artists to participate in the Chestertown RiverArts 10th Annual “Paint the Town,”  taking place April 25-28. The fifty-five openings filled quickly. In addition to our talented local artists many other artists will be coming from throughout the mid-Atlantic  region.

It is a credit to the Kent County community that many artists and visitors return to “Paint the Town” annually because “everyone is so friendly” and the area’s scenery is so beautiful and diverse.  The artists enjoy finding new landscapes to explore or working a scene in more depth, especially when local residents share their favorite places. Sometimes artists try another technique or medium and find it helpful to see how an audience reacts to it.

For a few days these artists will be totally immersed in painting and connecting with people who are watching them paint, giving artists the opportunity to practice talking and painting at the same time. The result is a wonderful overview of paintings that capture the county including historic buildings and street scenes, gardens, rural expanses, seascapes, nautical views, and more.

The artists will paint for three days. On Thursday and Friday they will paint wherever they choose in Kent and Upper Queen Anne’s Counties. On Saturday the artists will be encouraged to paint in downtown Chestertown.

The paintings will be framed and available for sale at the free “Wet Paint Reception and Sale” on Saturday, April 27, 5:30-8:00pm at RiverArts. The artists will have their own say by voting “Best in Show” and “Best Body of Work”. Sales tend to be brisk so visitors are encouraged to make their choices during the reception. However, if more time is needed, the paintings can be viewed again the next day until 3pm.

Sunday morning is for “Quick Draw” where artists have two hours to paint a scene. Several additional artists who could not participate during the week will have the opportunity to be part of  “Quick Draw.” These paintings will also be for sale 11am-noon in Fountain Park. In case of inclement weather, the paintings will be moved to the breezeway near RiverArts.

A judge will award 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places. The public will also be invited to vote for the “People’s Choice.”

For more information on “Paint the Town” go to www.chestertownriverarts.org/events and click on Paint the Town or call 410-778-6300

RiverArts Galleries & Gift Shop 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway).  Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM.

KidSPOT Creativity Center next door to the gallery. ArtsAlive Education Center 200 High St., the Clay Studio, 204 High St.

RiverArts Galleries & Gift Shop 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway).  Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM.

KidSPOT Creativity Center next door to the gallery. ArtsAlive Education Center 200 High St., the Clay Studio, 204 High St.

All are invited to celebrate our planet and sustainability at the 9^th Annual Earth Day Festival in Downtown Chestertown’s Memorial Plaza, Saturday, April 20,  from 9 am to 1 pm.

This family friendly event, co-sponsored by the Town of Chestertown, ShoreRivers and Washington College Center for Environment and Society, features an array of eco-friendly goods, services, solar energy contractors, energy auditors, and conservation organizations. Learn about growing local foods, native plants, and living more sustainably with the environment.

Free and convenient! Recycle your batteries, CFL and fluorescent bulbs courtesy of Hanleyman Services.

Infinity Recycling returns with their popular “guess the weight” bales of crushed cans, plastic bottles and paper. Gift certificates will be awarded to those guessing the closest weight.

In addition, RiverArts and the Kent County Arts Council are sponsoring a Recycled Art Contest open to all ages as part of the annual Earth Day celebration.  Media used must be composed of a minimum of 50% recycled materials; the bulk of the material used must be material that would be discarded were it not repurposed.  Each artist may submit up to four pieces, executed in any medium. Visit chestertownriverarts,org and click on KidSPOT for more info, or call 410 778 6300.

Judging and prizes will be awarded at the festival. Applications are available at Chestertown Town Hall or at RiverArts, 215 High Street, Suite 106, in the breezeway in downtown Chestertown, or call 410 778 6300. They must be received no later than April 16.

Other family friendly activities include face painting, a bounce house and live music. The Mt. Olive Church will have fried fish, shrimp  and other festival food, or grab something to eat at the farmers’ market or one of the locally run downtown cafes and restaurants.

The fun continues at the Bluegrass Block Party, noon to 3 pm on High Street!

For information on sponsoring the event or vendor participation, please call Jon at 410 708 8951 or Andy at 443 480 1987.

RiverArts Galleries & Gift Shop 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway).  Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM.

KidSPOT Creativity Center next door to the gallery. ArtsAlive Education Center 200 High St., the Clay Studio, 204 High St.

Cat Lithography, Intro to Photography with Ben Dize

Interested in learning a new skill? Or taking yours to the next level? Chestertown RiverArts is offering a robust assortment of classes and workshops this summer, from Lithography to Plein Air Quick Draw, Metalsmithing, Watercolor Travel Journaling, and a fun TGIF series where you can come for a BYOB night out at RiverArts and go home with your own piece of art.

Upcoming classes include Fearless Quick Draw: Tips and Tricks, for seasoned Plein Air eventers and those who want practical advice on making artwork outdoors. This workshop is designed to help students paint quickly “on the spot” with an emphasis on getting set up and choosing a selecting a subject that can be completed in a short time. Popular instructor Ray Ewing will give a demonstration in the morning, including pre-mixing colors, and students will paint in the afternoon. This day-long workshop will take place on Saturday, April 13 at the RiverArts Education Center and throughout Chestertown!

Introduction to Lithography with Gunston art teacher Ben Dize will give beginners and experienced lithographers an opportunity to turn their favorite drawings into a fine art limited edition prints using a seemingly magical process based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. The six-week course runs Tuesday evenings from April 16 – May 21.

On Friday, April 26, Joan Strand will offer Introduction to Metalsmithing, a workshop on basic metalsmithing techniques used to make jewelry. Students will learn to cut, shape, saw, file, hammer texture, and stamp metal, and after some practice, design and make a pair of earrings or a pendant using copper or, for an additional fee, sterling silver.

If you are planning some travel this summer—or simply want to keep a sketch, painting, or watercolor journal of the summer scenery on the Eastern Shore—consider Jim Mahla’s Watercolor Journaling class on May 3 and 4. The class will begin with some studio time and then move out into Chestertown’s picturesque surroundings to work on location. Jim will demonstrate the step-by-step process from pen and ink stages through laying in transparent watercolor washes. Students will be encouraged to develop their own styles—whether you draw like Da Vinci or just enjoy sketching, this class is for you!

Watercolor Journaling with Jim Mahla

Finally, RiverArts is continuing their series of arts-focused TGIF evenings. A great alternative to a night out at the bar or an expensive dinner, these events provide a relaxing, fun start to the weekend. No experience is necessary and all materials and instructions are provided to complete and take home a quick project, whether it’s a painting, a piece of jewelry, or an ornament for hanging.  BYOB and snacks—and get 20% off at Chestertown Wine & Cheese with proof of registration!

Upcoming TGIFs are Altered Thrift Store Art on April 12, led by Raven Bishop. Participants will modify “bad” thrift store art by painting in fanciful creatures or anything their imaginations can conjure to bring new life to old art. On May 10, join popular local performer Jen Friedman for an evening Stitch & Bitch session. Bring your own needlework project, or complete a quick and easy Eastern Shore-themed needlepoint project using provided materials and Jen’s guidance. All TGIFs are 7-9pm at the RiverArts Education Center at 200 High St. in Chestertown.

To register or for more information visit www.chestertownriverarts.org and click on Education, or call RiverArts at 410 778 6300.

RiverArts galleries and main office is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway). Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30PM, Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, First Fridays until 8 PM. Our Education Center is 200 High St., and the Clay Studio is 204 High St.

All are invited  to attend the 9th Annual Empty Bowls on Wednesday, April 17 at the Christ United Methodist Church, 401 High Street in downtown Chestertown. This popular community event, sponsored by the RiverArts Clay Studio, raises funds for the Kent County Food Pantry.

For the price of a $25 ticket, $10 for students with ID, guests will enjoy a meal of soup, bread, and dessert in a keepsake handmade pottery bowl. RiverArts Clay Studio potters  create the bowls, which are a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. No one should go to bed hungry. The Chestertown Ukulele Club will provide entertainment.

Reservations are required, and the public is urged to purchase early, as seating is limited. There are two seatings, 5 pm and 6:30 pm. For tickets please go online at http://chestertownriverarts.net/events/empty-bowls/
or call the RiverArts gallery at 410 778 6300.

This event is sponsored by RiverArts, the Christ United Methodist Church, Bookplate, Carl’s Bake Shop, Figg’s Ordinary, Evergrain Bread Company, Germaine’s, Hegland Glass, MassoniArt, Mimi’s Closet, Peaceful World Enterprises, and Welcome Home.

Chestertown RiverArts is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD  21620 – (in the breezeway). KidSPOT 104 High St. Clay Studio at 2014 High Street.