MARC CASTELLI
Working Portraits / watermen.2

June 16 – July 8, 2023
113 South Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620

Open House – Saturday, June 17, 10-5 pm
Artist Talk – Saturday, June 17, 12 noon

Marc Castelli has been painting the workboats, watermen, and log canoes of the Chesapeake region for over thirty years.  He is considered by many to be a master of his watercolor medium and a renowned artist of the Chesapeake.  The MassoniArt gallery has represented Castelli for over twenty-five years with an annual one-man show.  Encompassing only three weeks, Castelli’s special exhibition, Working Portraits / watermen.2,  features the second in a series of Castelli’s portraits of watermen. These are not generic images or archetypes but portrayals of real people Castelli feels privileged to know.

This exhibition will be in addition to Castelli’s Annual One Man Exhibition – Laying Down the Sun – scheduled October 21-November 26, 2023.

When discussing the genesis of the project Castelli shared, “painting such personal images of them is unnerving. In some instances, the focus is solely on the face with the weathered lines of their lives streaming from the eyes. Some call those lines ‘crow’s feet’ I liken them to a map of every creek, river, gut, thurfer, cove, and bay these men have worked as they harvest crabs, fish, eels, oysters and turtles.”

Also included in the exhibit are focused images of the watermen on their workboats.  For Castelli these watermen are not just figures to populate a painting.  “There is no such thing as a generic waterman.  The men in the paintings are knowable to themselves, their families, and to their compatriots.”

Both the High Street Gallery and Cross Street Gallery are open Thursday, Friday – 11-4 and Saturday 10-5. The Cross Street Gallery is open Sunday 12-3 and the High Street Gallery by appointment. Private appointments may be scheduled at any time by contacting Carla Massoni. 410-708-4512.

For additional information please visit www.massoniart.com.

Paralian – someone who lives by the sea.

Carla Massoni, the owner of MassoniArt Gallery, is pleased to announce the opening of Marc Castelli’s one-man exhibition – Paralian.  For over thirty years, Castelli’s annual show has become a Chesapeake tradition. Expect to see unmatched renderings of watermen, workboats, and log canoes from a painter recognized as one of the finest marine artists in the country.

This year’s exhibition dates coincide with the Chestertown RiverArts Studio Tour OCTOBER 22-23 & 29-30 10am-5pm and the Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Festival.

From the very beginning, Castelli’s annual show has been synonymous with the Downrigging.  Now in its 22nd year, the festival is one of the largest annual tall ship gatherings in North America. The festival features a long-weekend of Tall Ship sails, tours, incredible live bluegrass music, lectures, exhibits, family activities, regional food and more. www.downrigging.org

During the Downrigging festival we are extending our Exhibition Hours at the High Street location:
Friday, October 28 | 5:00-7:30pm
Saturday, October 29 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 30 | 11:00am -3:00pm

ARTIST TALK:  This year due to popular demand there will be two scheduled on Saturday, October 29,10-11 am and 1-2pm.

For those with Covid concerns, we are creating a series of “virtual” experiences to showcase Marc’s 2022 exhibition – Paralian. Once the exhibit is installed, a video tour will be posted online and Marc has prepared in-depth descriptions of each watercolor featured in the exhibition to enhance your experience. Paralian will be featured in the online shop, however, ALL sales must be handled directly through the gallery.

Visit www.massoniart.com for a listing of our High Street and Cross Street galleries public hours.  Private appointments may be arranged to suit your schedule, simply contact us prior to your visit to set-up a date and time. Call Carla Massoniat 410-778-7330 Gallery, 410-708-4512 Cell, or email [email protected].

All CDC guidelines will be followed.

WATER / WAYS 2022

MARCY DUNN RAMSEY / SURFACING
ANNUAL EXHIBITION
May 12 – June 12, 2022

Also featuring recent photographs by MICHAEL KAHN

Opening Reception
Friday, May 13th, 5-7 pm

Marcy Dunn Ramsey/Artist Talk – Saturday, May 14th, 12 noon

Collector’s Preview – beginning May 10th by appointment.

June First Friday Reception
June 3rd, 5-7 pm

Marcy Dunn Ramsey’s annual exhibition Surfacing represents the work created over the late fall and winter months and will be featured in the High Street gallery from May 12 – June 12.  This exhibition is the second in our year-long theme – Water/Ways 2022.

Ramsey is no stranger to the environmental concerns of water.  For over twenty-five years the river has been her muse.  The rivers of the Eastern Shore are the true treasures of the Chesapeake and Marcy is their fierce advocate.

This has been a challenging time for artists and the recent Covid variant surge proved for many a bridge too far.  Materials were unavailable. Venues were limited and although Covid infections may have been less severe, due to vaccination and masking, more people were infected.

Strongly motivated and determined, artists are uniquely aware that there may be more than a single response or solution to a problem.  Their innate curiosity and flexibility enable them to meet roadblocks with surprising success.  But even a seasoned artist like Ramsey recognizes that there are moments in one’s life when the reality of the times must be acknowledge.

Inspired by the gentle wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh: “allow yourself to be like a pebble at rest. The pebble is resting at the bottom of the river and the pebble does not have to do anything.” Ramsey dove in.

“I’ve spent time at the bottom of the river. The new work completed over the winter months was driven by an effort to break the surface and come up for air,” Ramsey offered.  “The paintings are large, spare, and distilled.  The surface of the water is shimmering and full of light.  The river is always flowing, changing from moment to moment.  Each time we surface the perspective is different.  The same river – but new eyes.”

There are thirteen large works.  Ramsey wanted the freedom to work on a large scale.  However, long time collectors of her small gouaches will not be disappointed.  There will be over fifteen in the exhibition.

Also featured in the exhibit are the photographs of Michael Kahn.  Kahn has been a gallery artist for twenty-five years and is often paired with Ramsey.  This year Marcy was instrumental in the selection of photographs. She focused on those that had a similar graphic appeal and energy.  Michael has produced three new books of photography – The Healing Power of Water, Martha’s Vineyard, and East Coast Atlantic Beaches. These and his previous books will be available in the gallery.

Surfacing will be on exhibit in the 203 High Street gallery.  Hours during the show are Thursday – Friday, 11am – 4pm,

Saturday, 10am – 5 pm.  Private appointments may be scheduled at any time by contacting Carla Massoni.

Last fall MassoniArt opened a new gallery in the arts and entertainment district on 113 South Cross Street.  MassoniArt’s Cross Street gallery will be open on Sunday from 12-3pm in addition to the High Street schedule.

For additional information please visit www.massoniart.com.