Connecting with the Arts – October 2021

Welcome back to the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s monthly blog series, Connecting with the Arts,  where we feature news and updates from the arts community in Anne Arundel County. Tune in the last Friday of each month to connect and learn more about the arts organizations that are making an impact locally.

Here’s a look into this months post:

• Captain Avery Museum held its 24th Annual Oyster Festival on the shores of the West River on October 16.
• Celebrate International Education month with World Artists Experiences and don’t miss their fall virtual Symposium.
• This is the final weekend to see Classis Theatre of Maryland’s production of Romeo and Juliet.
• Catch up with Maryland Hall and their recent event-filled month!
• The Colonial Players to present By The Way, Meet Vera Stark.
• Chesapeake Arts Center shares exciting news happening soon.
• Take a look at some upcoming events coming up at the Hammond-Harwood House.
• Encore Creativity for Older Adults Announces New Chief Executive Officer.
• The Maryland Cultural & Conference Center is HIRING!
• Plan a visit to see the new exhibitions at Historic Annapolis.

You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!

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Captain Avery Museum held its 24th Annual Oyster Festival on the shores of the West River on October 16.

It was a memorable day! After having to cancel last year due to covid, those of us at the Captain’s were thrilled with the turn-out this year! Over 850 people enjoyed fried oysters, steamed oysters, stewed oysters, raw oysters, hamburgers, and hotdogs from our friends at the Anne Arundel Waterman’s Association, Skippers Pier and Chesapeake Grille. For dessert, folks enjoyed a selection of yummy baked goods from the Captain’s culinary volunteers! The music and storytelling of the Oyster Boys started us off with their unique brand of entertainment. Next came the incredible sounds of the Eastman String Band, with the clear tones of singers Savannah and Tim Finch. In our boathouse, Hat Trix kept the 60’s and 70’s alive with their renderings of classic rock tunes.

Threats of bad weather didn’t dampen our Oyster Festival goers. Our thanks go to our musicians, restaurants, Rob Howes and the Anne Arundel watermen and shuckers, Forward Brewing, Chesapeake Bay Roasters, George’s Mixes, Artist Kate FitzGerald, Project Oyster West River, and the Community Alliance of South County.

To all our sponsors, grantors, and especially our Board of Directors and all our wonderful volunteers – thank you for a fabulous Oyster Festival!

World Artists Experiences (WAE) believes that the arts are an international language.

Annually, International Education month is declared in Maryland in November. This is encouraged in schools, colleges, and communities. We hope that you will celebrate the month and find new ways to bridge the people and cultures of our world. WAE welcomes ideas to include on the website International Education. The Website is located under International Education on worldartists.org or sites.google.com/view/world-artists-experiences

We hope that people will join World Artists Experiences to learn both the value of storytelling and hear stories from people in Maryland and around the world.

Three storytelling sessions, presented virtually in November, will be available to the public at 7 p.m. Nov.1, 8 and 15 through the efforts of World Artists Experiences.

This three-session symposium will be opened at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 by the president of the International Institute of Storytelling and world leader in storytelling, Kiran Sing Sirah. The meeting will focus on the importance of storytelling and culture and feature rapper-beat boxer Shodekah along with Mari-Ann and Tunne Kellam presenting from Estonia the story of the singing revolution.

The second session, at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 will explore how location impacts stories and storytelling and how land influences stories of identity, kinship, economics, cooperation, and peace.

The concluding session at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 will examine how cultural heritage connects into the future. Guest artists will share stories ranging from health and well-being to artistic practices, to political unrest, social justice, climate change and racial and gender equity.

The symposium is designed to show how storytelling both establishes and challenges a culture. The following link HERE is good for all three sessions. More information can be found at worldartists.org

The final weekend to see Classis Theatre of Maryland’s production of ROMEO AND JULIET

Friday, Oct. 29th at 8pm
Saturday, Oct. 30th at 2pm
Saturday, Oct. 30th at 8pm
Sunday, Oct. 31st at 2pm

Come experience Shakespeare’s most famous tale of “star-crossed lovers” who defy the feud that divides their families and are driven toward tragedy. We are excited to reimagine a masterwork that has long captured the souls of artists and the hearts of audiences around the world. Purchase your tickets HERE.

An event-filled month at Maryland Hall!

On October 26, Maryland Hall was the very proud host of the 21st Annual Annie Awards! With so many of this year’s honorees being a part of the fabric of the Maryland Hall community and its history, the event was the perfect fit for the main stage and a lovely evening to gather in recognition of the arts. Attendees capped off the affair with a celebratory reception in the Bowen Theatre. Also gracing the Main Stage in October was the exciting return of two Resident Companies: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Theatre of Maryland. MD Theatre Guide called the Ballet’s performance of Giselle “sublime.”

Maryland Hall’s partnership with the Annapolis Film Society was reignited with monthly film screenings once again taking place in the Bowen. Patrons have enjoyed two special screenings so far this Fall with many more chances to watch pre-release films to come! Closing out an event-filled month is the City of Annapolis’ Dia De Los Muertos/Day of the Dead Festival on Saturday, October 30th. The public is invited to come out for the outdoor festival organized by the City’s Hispanic Community Services office.

To come in November is the launch of the Winter/Spring Class Catalog and preparation for a new group exhibition, “The Art of Criticism.” Opening in the Openshaw Balcony Gallery, the show is presented in partnership with artist and youth mentor Dee Ward’s B.L.A.C.K. Excel program.

The Colonial Players to present By The Way, Meet Vera Stark

The Colonial Players, Inc. of Annapolis, Maryland is pleased to announce their upcoming fall production of Lynn Nottage’s By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, directed by Eleanore Tapscott.

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark takes us to the Golden Age of Hollywood and shines the spotlight on Vera Stark, a headstrong African American maid and aspiring starlet. Vera’s life is transformed when she’s cast in a trailblazing role… in a movie starring her boss. Decades later scholars and historians grapple with Vera’s legacy in Hollywood and the impact race had on her controversial career. This spritely, sly satire is a journey through Vera’s seventy-year life and a sharp take on race and culture — both in the past and today.

Performances will run October 22 – November 13, 2021, and are held Thursdays through Sundays at our historic theater-in-the-round in the heart of downtown Annapolis. Tickets for By The Way, Meet Vera Stark are $23 for Adults, $18.00 for Senior Citizens 65 and older, full-time students with ID, and Active Military with ID.

Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.thecolonialplayers.org, or by calling the Box Office at 410-268-7373, and selecting option 2. Season Subscriptions and Flex Tickets are also available for a limited time.

We wanted to take this month to talk about something awesome coming to Chesapeake Arts Center.

Not only is it our 20th anniversary of Building Community Through Creativity in Anne Arundel County, but we are also in the midst of installing a new mural on the side of CAC. This mural was generously funded by grants from the Greater Bay Brook Alliance as well as the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County and was constructed by the artistic team at Future History Now, alongside CAC’s Teen Art Club. Come check out this community mural come late November, 2021 at Chesapeake Arts Center at 194 Hammonds Ln., Brooklyn Park, MD, or check us out on social media to be kept up to date on all of our exciting events & news.

Keep up with the Chesapeake Arts Center: Website|Facebook|Instagram

Holiday Greens Sale at the Hammond-Harwood House
Final date to pre-order November 24.

Brighten your holiday décor with festive, fresh boxwood centerpieces and wreaths made to last through the holiday season. All orders will be made from boxwood grown in the historic Hammond-Harwood House garden.

This event will benefit the Hammond-Harwood House.

Completed centerpieces can be picked up at Hammond-Harwood House between Monday, December 6 through Friday, December 10.

Collectors’ Day
George Washington Remembered: An Enduring Legacy in American Decorative Arts
Saturday, November 13 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Admission: $75

The fifth annual Hammond-Harwood House Collectors’ Day will focus on how the reverence for George Washington influenced American decorative arts in the early nineteenth century. Since the creation of the United States, George Washington has been an iconic figure. Revered during his lifetime for his bravery leading the Continental Army and helping shape American democracy, his popularity has endured to this day.  After his death, commemorative objects helped his countrymen and women to mourn. Prints, jugs, clocks, and other pieces produced with his image adorned the homes of early Americans and several items, like a French-made clock and a porcelain punch bowl, can be found in the Hammond-Harwood House collection.

Collectors’ Day will feature two expert scholars, an optional themed Washington tour, and a curated wine and appetizer reception in the garden.

Lectures by Brian Scott Miller, Associate Curator, Historic Odessa Foundation, Delaware and Catherine E. Kelly, Editor of Books at the Omohundro Institute for Early American History and Culture and Affiliate Professor of History of William & Mary.

Jane Austen Tour
Wednesday, November 17 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Admission: $12 | HHH Members: Free

Tour of the Hammond-Harwood House that compares the customs and social graces of the Loockerman family, who lived in the Hammond-Harwood House in the early 19th century, with those of characters in Jane Austen novels.

Architecture Tour
Saturday, November 20 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Admission: $20

The Hammond-Harwood House offers a two-hour in-depth tour of the architecture of the house. The house located at 19 Maryland Avenue was begun in 1774 by the gentleman planter Matthias Hammond. Ardently favoring the cause for freedom, Hammond was elected to the Maryland government in 1773. At the same time, he had begun working with renowned architect William Buckland on plans for a new, elegant townhouse in the most fashionable area of Annapolis. Hammond-Harwood House was the only one of his many commissions that Buckland designed and executed in its entirety.

Encore Creativity Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Annapolis, MD— September 23, 2021 — Encore Creativity Corporation has named Vickery as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the organization. Vickery began his tenure as leader on October 18, 2021.

“The Board of Directors of Encore is very pleased to present Joshua Vickery as the new CEO of Encore,” said Anthony Tambasco, President, Encore Board of Directors. “Joshua is the right person at the right time to take over the reins and move Encore from its founders to the next generation. He was himself a founder of a very diverse arts community, so he comes with vast experience and a passion for continuing, growing, and leading Encore. His conversations with the Board reveal that he wants to hit the ground running. We welcome him and relish the promise he brings for the future.” READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.

The Maryland Cultural & Conference Center is HIRING!

MC3 is looking to bring on an Administrative Assistant that is enthusiastic and passionate about the arts community in Anne Arundel County.

Job Description
Under the general supervision of the Executive Director, this position provides a variety of support services, manages office, art gallery and venue operations, volunteers, and assists with program development and delivery. Requires excellent customer relations skills, knowledge of office systems, procedures, computers and facility management.

For a full description of the job position email Mattie Fenton at: [email protected]

Exhibitions at Historic Annapolis

“Why did Paca Chase Carroll with a Stone?” The answer doesn’t matter, but the question does, because it’s an easy way to remember the names of the four Maryland men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776: William Paca, Samuel Chase, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Thomas Stone. Each of them lived in Annapolis at one time or another, and Annapolis is the only city in the nation that still has surviving houses of all of its state’s signers. But that’s only scratching the surface of their story. We Hold These Truths: Maryland’s Signers and the Declaration of Independence is a new exhibition now on display at the William Paca House and Garden in downtown Annapolis that explores the stories of these men. Visitors can view historic objects associated with each signer and learn the surprising “truths” about the personal and political lives of these four patriots. We Hold These Truths is included with admission to the William Paca House and Garden, which is open daily.

In addition to this new exhibit, be sure to visit HA’s special exhibition on display at the Maryland State House, Founding Freedoms: The Essential American Documents before it closes. This is a rare opportunity to see four of the most important founding documents in American history. Founding Freedoms consists of 18th- and 19th-century printings of the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights alongside the State House’s permanent display of George Washington’s hand-written 1783 Resignation Speech. The exhibition, presented in partnership with the Maryland State Archives and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, ends on November 14, 2021, so be sure to visit soon!

Visit annapolis.org/other/founding-freedoms-the-essential-american-documents to learn more about visiting, guided tours, and group tours for Founding Freedoms.