Aah, spring at last! My favorite time of year, when we get to see artistic beauty both indoors and out. The bright buds push up to breathe in warm, dewy air at such a rate it can feel like time-lapse photography. What’s in the galleries is equally as exciting and refreshing. With so much going on this spring, there are plenty of ways to explore Annapolis’ art galleries this month:
Lisa Mitchell, "Three Stacks" oil, at McBride Gallery
Paul’s Homewood Café and MFA present the artwork of MFA members Kathy Gardiner and Yuriy Zador. On display through June 4, the combination of Kathy’s work, which is an array of distinguished landscapes, seascapes, and reflections, accompanied by Yuriy’s found object, mixed media paintings is quite stunning.
Frances Benjamin Johnson, “Strawberry Huckster” photograph, circa 1893 at Annapolis Collection Gallery
The Gallerie at Quiet Waters Park presents “Under the Same Sky.” Inspired by the book, “Soil, Soul, and Society, A New Trinity for our Time” by Satish Kumar, Maureen S. Farrell and Kellee Wynne Conrad seek to express the deeper meaning of how we are all connected by these three intrinsic elements. Both artists are signature members of the International Society of Acrylic Painters and both have been collected nationally and internationally. The exhibit will be on display in the Galleries through May 20, with a reception from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 8.
Lisa Mitchell, "Finding Unity" pastel, at McBride Gallery
Join the Annapolis Collection Gallery for an evening event showcasing its robust collection of old black and white images, circa 1880-1950. Known for housing one of the largest collections of black and white photographs of local scenes, gallery guests will enjoy stepping back into times that date from the late 1800’s to the early 1950’s. Located on Gallery Row and just seven doors from Rams Head in Annapolis’ Arts District, experience Annapolis history at a lively event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 20.
Charles Emery, “Ice Delivery” photograph, circa 1950 at Annapolis Collection Gallery
The Mitchell Gallery continues the exhibition, “Robert Indiana: Love and Hope” through April 22. This retrospective exhibition features the iconic works HOPE, LOVE, and ART, as well as alphabet letters and selected works from his newest masterpiece based on Bob Dylan’s lyrics, “Like a Rolling Stone.” The 40 works on view bring together Indiana’s designs and poetry — works that remain relevant to American identity and the power of language as seen through his silkscreens, paintings, and sculptures.
Annapolis City Hall Art Gallery presents “New Homeland” by three-time State Department “Art in Embassy” winner, Sunhee Kim. A Korean-born American artist, Kim’s new series of oil paintings feature Jack the Mouse (a stand-in for the artist) as he strolls through changing landscapes and colors and experiences the healing emotions and memories provided by nature. Her work has appeared in numerous embassies and galleries in Europe and Asia. Running through May 31, the exhibit opens April 23, with a meet-the-artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Judy Folkenburg, "Sliced Paper with Blue Dots" paper and driftwood for Art on Paper at MFA Circle Gallery
West Annapolis Art Works hosts Zeh Palito and Rimon Guimarāes, known as Cosmic Boys, from April 16 through April 30. In March, these two Brazilian artists participated on a series of Art Talks in Anne Arundel County public schools sponsored by Urban Walls Brazil. Talking about their experiences traveling the world and some of their social projects, the highlight was their late trip to Lebanon and Syria, where they painted the temporary school at a refugee camp in Beqaa and a large mural at a refugee residence complex in Damascus with the help of the local community. Photographs of their travels and their artwork Urban Walls Brazil will host a Meet the Artists reception at 5:30 p.m. April 27.
Nancy McKittrick Stark, “Yard Work”, water media for Working for a Living at MFA Curve Gallery
Jo Fleming Contemporary Art presents “H2O - Contemplations on Water”, on display now through April 22. The environmentally oriented art exhibition includes contemplative three-dimensional works with an interactive component by Takoma Park artist Nicole Salimbene. These works incorporate the idea of restoration, mending and healing. Paintings by Jo Fleming represent abstract visual imagery of water and concerns such as global warming, and rising sea level.
Kirk McBride, "Homeward Bound" oil on canvas, Main St. Gallery
McBride Gallery continues its solo show, "Texture and Light" for Lisa Mitchell, an accomplished Maryland classic landscape painter, increasingly recognized by national art publications and art organizations. Lisa Mitchell is a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters (WSLP). She is past President and Signature Member of the Maryland Pastel Society, a Signature member of the Maryland Society of Portrait Painters, and a member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Assoc. In 2017 Mitchell was the featured artist for an article in the national publication, Plein Air Magazine. Working in both pastel and oil, Mitchell paints both en plein air and in studio. Exhibition runs through April 15.
These are just a few of the galleries showing spectacular art throughout the month of April. For more information, addresses, and contact information, visit the Annapolis Gallery Association website.
