The Trippe Gallery will be opening a particularly unique exhibition on July 11.  This year marks the 4th iteration of this popular show. “Variations 4.0: 1 Photograph, 14 Paintings” will feature the work of 14 gallery artists-Olena Babak, Jill Basham, Beth Bathe, David Diaz, Vlad Duchev, Stephen Haynes, Charlie Hunter, Christine Lashley, Len Mizerek, Elise Phillips, Crista Pisano, Cynthia Rosen, John Brandon Sills and Mary Veiga.

The subject of inspiration for this year’s exhibition of variations is a black and white image reflective of Trippe’s photographs of the natural beauty of the eastern shore. The resulting 14 paintings show an incredible diversity of interpretation, style and vision. Some are quite realistic, some impressionistic, abstract, several have other features added, or are simply a variation on the theme of a serene and pastoral landscape. No guidance, no rules-paint as you will.

Opening reception is Friday July 11 from 5-8pm.  Many of the artists will be on hand to meet collectors and discuss their other paintings in the gallery. During the reception, visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite painting as well as test their knowledge of Plein Air Easton artists by matching the artist to the correct painting! The reveal will occur at 7:30pm.

The Trippe Gallery is located at 23 N Harrison St. For more information, please call 410-310-8727.

The Oxford Museum is proud to announce two special June programs in addition to its current antique quilt exhibit, The Fabric of History. Quilts are among America’s most traditional forms of creative expression. Once viewed merely as a decorative craft and even dismissed as merely “women’s work,” historic quilts are now appreciated as a highly sophisticated artform, combining intricate patterns, bright colors and extraordinary needlework. These works reveal very personal stories of celebration, community, and identity. Although the makers of many quilts remain unknown to us, their passion and creativity are unforgettable. The museum exhibit is a stunning collection of 30 antique and traditional American quilts, featuring Maryland quilts including local examples from Talbot County Historical Society and the Oxford Museum’s own collection

If you own a quilt and would like to know more about it, you can schedule a 30-minute Documentation Day appointment at the museum with guest curators Kay Butler and Catherine Spence from The Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore. They can give you an approximate age of the quilt, its pattern and other details. This is not an appraisal. Documentation appointments are $25 per quilt and will be available between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday, June 7. Appointments can be schedule on the museum’s website,  

https://oxfordmuseummd.org/

On the weekend of June 21/22 additional quilts will be on display at St. Paul’s Church, 225 S. Morris St., Oxford. On Saturday, June 21 from 10 am – Noon, Kay Butler and Catherine Spence will conduct a quilt-turning program, also known as a bed-turning. Bed-turning is a way to display quilts while telling their story. It originated long ago as a social event. A married woman might hold a bed-turning in her home among family members and friends. Quilts would be piled on top of each other on a bed. The hostess would then turn back each quilt, one by one, as she talked about each quilt. We won’t have a bed, but we will have a full stack of quilts, and Kay and Catherine will explain each one as they are turned. This event is free to Oxford Museum members, and $25 for non-members, attendance is limited to 40 people. Following the turning on Saturday, the St. Paul’s exhibit will be open to the public from Noon-4 pm with free admission. Sunday the exhibit hours will be 10am – 4 pm with free admission.

The Oxford Museum and Shop, 101 S. Morris St, is open to visitors from 10 to 4 PM, Friday through Monday. Admission is free. The Fabric of History exhibit will run through July. For more information on the museum and membership please visit the website at https://oxfordmuseummd.org/

“Square Within a Square”
Annapolis, Maryland, ca. 1875
Courtesy Fabric Arts Center of the Eastern Shore

This Annapolis quilt features a center medallion pieced with early green, yellow and pink fabric.  The succession of borders surrounding the center are made of squares, triangles and stars.