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Welcome to Artist Alley,
Washington County Arts Council's electronic newsletter.
We hope this publication will engage you with the arts in your community.
WCAC welcomes your ideas and support as it continues to take the lead in bringing together the community's art organizations to strengthen our region's arts culture.
For artist information, arts events, calls for art, and more visit WCAC's web page...
www.washingtoncountyarts.com.
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The Washington County
Arts Council
is pleased to welcome
its new
Executive Director,
Nicole Abuhamada!
Effective September 6, 2024,
you can reach her at nicolea@washingtoncountyarts.com
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New Exhibit Opens
Reception—Thursday, September 5, 2024
from 5pm until 7pm
“Happiness by Choice - ReStory Your Life - Exploring themes of recovery from substance use and mental health challenges through the transformative power of art. The journey of recovery is deeply personal, often marked by moments of struggle, resilience, and ultimately, triumph. Through "Happiness by Choice," we aim to celebrate the courage and resilience of individuals who have embarked on this journey, as well as to challenge stigma and promote understanding surrounding these important issues.”
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Awards sponsored by Nora Roberts Foundation | |
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“Storytelling is the biggest impetus behind my art but specifically creating art with the goal of inspiring the viewer to become a Storyteller. All of my work is built with narrative elements, some are more structured, and others are much looser in their approach but ultimately, I want the viewer to be able to create their own story based on my work. As a private person I am naturally less inclined to speak to any specific meanings of my work, I never want to give specific meanings as I believe it will only work against any deeper meaning the viewer sees within the wok; ultimately, I aim for the work to be expansive rather than finite in its "understanding."
Carl Yonder
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The Cold Springs of Hagers Fancy by Donna Mason | |
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The Mansion House North Gallery members’ show titled “Plein Air Artists”, opens on Friday August 30, 2024. All VAA members are invited to participate in the show, as well as non-member artists who painted at the 8/10/24 Hager House Plein Air Festival.
There will be an opening reception for the “Plein Air Artists Exhibit” at the Mansion House on August 31, 2024 from 1-3pm. Refreshments will be paid for by VAA. This reception will be free and open to the public.
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Barry Ratcliffe Night @ Meinelschmidt Distillery
The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown and Meinelschmidt Distillery welcome Hollywood star Barry Ratcliffe! Come to Meinelschmidt Distillery on Barry Ratcliffe Night, Saturday August 31, 2024, from 5:30pm-7:30pm! Photos, autographs, and a special Barry Whiskey Sour! Enjoy a Straw"Barry" Whiskey Sour, made with Meinelschmidt Distillery's famous Rye Whiskey, the Official Rye Whiskey of the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown!
Entry is free into this fun event. Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Meet an award-winning Hollywood star!
Meinelschmidt Distillery will be sharing some of the Barry Whiskey Sour's proceeds with the film festival.
About Barry Ratcliffe:
Barry Ratcliffe is an award-winning actor best known as "Hollywood's Auctioneer," most recently on NBC's "Night Court" and Marvel's "Hawkeye". He will be appearing in the 4th season of "Outer Banks" on Netflix as well as joining the cast of Mindy Kaling's new series "Running Point" opposite Oscar nominee Kate Hudson. He just completed filming the Apple TV series "Government Cheese" alongside BAFTA award winner David Ayelowo.
Barry Ratcliffe is a Mendez Award recipient, and a longtime favorite of the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown. www.marylandiff.org.
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In partnership with Valley Art Association, Amanda Taylor, Founder/Director of Creative Chance is offering 4 workshops at The Mansion House Art Center, 480 Highland Avenue, Hagerstown, MD. Art workshops are open to individuals of all abilities. Whether you are an artist or aspiring artist, we welcome you to join us!
Participants will learn about finding your place in the art world, marketing yourself as an artist, how to draw your own comic, and how to complete your own DIY craft.
Fee to participate: $75 per participant
Caregivers/supporters are welcome, free of charge. Please provide identification.
Min. # of participants: 5, Max. # of participants: 20. All supplies will be provided, just bring yourself!
Instructors will include Amanda Taylor, Founder/Director of Creative Chance, along with Guest Artists from Creative Chance.
Creative Chance is an organization that serves individuals with and without
disabilities and encourages art of all forms. For more information and
to register, contact Amanda Taylor at 240-338-8099 or amanda.creativechancebaltimore@gmail.com.
Visit creativechance.org or go to Facebook: @CreativeChanceBaltimore for more artist info.
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U.S. Army Blues concert at HCC
MOVED to September 6
Due to the weather forecast, the United States Army Blues concert scheduled for tomorrow at Hagerstown Community College has been moved to Friday, September 6, at 6:15 p.m. The free concert is sponsored by the HCC Alumni Association and will be held in the HCC Alumni Amphitheater on the HCC campus.
The U.S. Army Blues, part of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” is the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 19-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. The Army Blues strive to fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of the tradition of America’s unique art form: jazz.
Concerts are subject to change by the U.S. Military. Concessions will be available for purchase. Please note that no outside food is permitted on the amphitheater grounds. Personal lawn chairs and blankets are permitted for lawn seating. For more information and weather updates, email lsstewart@hagerstowncc.edu or call 240-500-2346.
Amanda Taylor
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It's that time of year again! We are raising money for the Humane Society of Washington County again this year. Last year we were able to raise $5200 thanks to all the artists willing to donate their time and the art lovers who bid on their works!
Artists (professional and amateur) it's time to stop in and pick up your 5x7 art boards for your entries. It's $5 per entry and the subject or medium can be anything you want! Our only requirement is that once we receive your artwork, it can fit into a 5x7 frame.
All artwork will be framed by Howard's and hung in our gallery area from Sept. 21 - Oct. 12 for the Silent Auction. There will be an opening and closing reception as well!
ENTRY DEADLINE: September 7th
For more information about
Art for the Animals, please click below!
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FRIENDS OF MUSIC SPONSORING EARLY MUSIC CONCERT SEPT. 14, 2024 | |
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Gut, Wind, and Wire ensemble -- left to right,
Ronn McFarlane, Mark Cudek, and Mindy Rosenfeld.
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Friends of Music will open its 2024-2025 concert season with a Saturday, September 14 concert by an acclaimed early music trio called Gut, Wind, and Wire.
The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Shepherdstown's Trinity Episcopal Church. Entitled "Ancient Airs and Dances," it will offer a rich variety of rousing and lyrical music from 16th to 18th century Europe, including Celtic lands, as well as some original compositions.
Featured composers will include England's John Playford (1623-1686) and Germany's Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). The concert will also explore some of the Renaissance airs and dances that inspired the modern Italian composer Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936).
The Gut, Wind, and Wire trio takes its name from the elements that bring its members' instruments to life: gut strings, human breath (wind), and wire strings. The trio's members, shown in the accompanying photo, are, from left to right: Ronn McFarlane (who plays the lute); Mark Cudek (bass viol, cittern, and percussion); and Mindy Rosenfeld (flutes, fifes, and bagpipes). All are longtime members of the famed Baltimore Consort early music ensemble.
Admission to the concert will be free for Friends of Music members. The ticket price for others will be $35 per person.
Tickets and memberships can be purchased on the Friends' website at www.friendswv.org or by mail (FOM, PO Box 220, Shepherdstown, WV 25443). Visa and Master Card will be accepted. For more information, contact the Friends' office at info@friendswv.org
The Friends of Music organization is a non-profit that was founded in 1999 to support and promote musical excellence in the region. It receives generous support from the WV Department of Arts, Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts. It is also generously supported by the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation's Deltev and Mary Ellen Preissler Fund for the Arts, Music, Design and Nature; Ecloab; the Nora Roberts Foundation; and the Marion Park Lewis Foundation for the Arts.
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Registration now under way for free
Saturday art classes for children
Applications are now available for the popular Saturday Morning Youth Program and Explore and Express Your Style for Fall 2024 classes.
Saturday Morning Youth Program, or SMYP, is open to young artists in grades 1-5, SMYP allows students to explore a wide variety of media and art styles to creatively express themselves. Students are exposed to the museum’s exhibitions and draw inspiration from the works of art in our collection, as well as from our rotating exhibitions.
Explore and Express Your Style is open to young artists in grades 6-8, Classes focus on a variety of art media, design exploration, artistic experimentation, and looking and learning from the museum‘s art collections and exhibitions, and portfolio development.
Classes for both programs run Saturdays, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 27, Nov. 2, 9, 16. SMYP times are 10 a.m. to noon and Express and Explore classes are 1 to 3 p.m.
Parents/guardians must fill out an application online for SMYP and Explore and Express
Because of the popularity of the classes and limited space, registration is first-come, first-serve. Deadline is Sept. 13, or until classes are filled. Acceptance notifications will be sent to guardians/parents by Sept. 10,
Submitting an application for SMYP does NOT guarantee registration. Contact Director of Education Kellie Mele at educator@wcmfa.org.
These programs are generously funded by the Mary K. Bowman Historical and Fine Arts Fund.
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TATTOOS AS ART
Art, Fashion, Symbol, Statement: Tattooing in America, 1960s to Today, continues through–Oct. 13, 2024. The exhibition explores the evolution of the tattoo, particularly in the Northeastern United States, from a mark of counter-cultural rebellion to one of the most popular forms of personal creative expression. While it is estimated that about 21% of Americans have tattoos, that number rises to over 40% for millennials, or those currently aged 27 to 42. Tattoos can be powerful signifiers of identity, holders of personal memory, and emblems of accomplishment, inspiration, or protection. Tattoos also embody a variety of aesthetic sensibilities, and their creation is often an intimate collaboration between the artist and the subject—a form of contemporary patronage. This exhibition seeks to illuminate and elevate the voices and experiences of under-recognized artists in the mid-Atlantic region and provide a broader understanding of tattoos and their history. Organized by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.
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Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
301-739-5727
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Coming Up in September and Beyond
From comedy to camp,
we’ve got it all!!
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October 25, 2024
5:30 to 7:30pm
Event by Downtown Hagerstown
S Potomac Street, Hagerstown MD 21740
Duration: 2 hr.
Public ·
Kick off Spooky Season by joining us for the Downtown Hagerstown Halloween Block Party on South Potomac Street!
This wicked evening will include the following FREE activities:
5:30PM - 7:00PM ~ Trick-or-Treat on S. Potomac Street
6:30PM ~ Kids Costume Contest
7:00PM ~ Adult Costume Contest
5:30PM - 7:30PM ~ Bounce Houses
Local Businesses interested in tabling or participating in Trick-or-Treat can sign up HERE: https://www.mainstreethagerstown.org/halloweenblockparty
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Opportunities for Artists
Explore MSAC grants and opportunities available to independent artists.
Click here for details.
Maryland Arts Directory
A free online platform that showcases the high-caliber, diverse,
and relevant work of Maryland’s artists and arts organizations.
Click here for details.
Arts Across Maryland
Use our map to find public art, arts venues,
and Arts & Entertainment Districts to explore.
Click here for details.
Resource Bulletin
The MSAC online Resource Bulletin is maintained by the Maryland Art Place,
and includes local, regional, and national opportunities, calls for artists,
grants, and vendor opportunities.
Click here for details.
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The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development. | |
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The Washington County Arts Council is a proud member of
County Arts Agencies of Maryland,
Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts
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The WCAC facility is wheelchair accessible! | |
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Thank you for providing your email address to the
Washington County Arts Council. Your information was obtained from
at least one of the following methods: signing our guest book,
becoming a member, donating, entering a contest, or exhibiting with us.
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