MENU

Sections

More

January 8, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

6 Arts Notes

Art Exhibits by SMAL Artists at the Perkins Family YMCA in St. Michaels

by
Leave a Comment

“Striker” by George Hamilton

The St. Michaels Art League (SMAL) has recently begun a new partnership with the Perkins Family YMCA in St. Michaels.

The Y has generously agreed to show monthly exhibits of work by SMAL members on the wall opposite their classrooms. With grant support from the Talbot County Arts Council, SMAL contributed the hanging system and plaque which commemorates the partnership.

Currently an exhibit juried by Sheryl Southwick, an instructor from Easton’s Academy Art Museum, features spring flowers. This exhibit can be seen through the end of May and shows the varied stylings of SMAL members; from botanical to abstract impressionism.

In June, SMAL member George Hamilton will be exhibiting his paintings on the theme of “The Athlete in All of Us.”

George is a long-term member of SMAL and has exhibited widely throughout the Eastern Shore.  His oil paintings of boating and water scenes using a palette knife are well known, but for his exhibit at the Y, he has turned to our athletes.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council, with revenue provided by the Maryland State Arts Council.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival 2021 Kicks Off June 4 in Ebenezer Theater

by
Leave a Comment

Catherine Cho, Violin/Viola

Chesapeake Music announces the 36th annual Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival will be held June 4–12, 20201 at its new permanent home, the Ebenezer Theater, at 17 South Washington Street in Easton, Maryland. The Festival’s exciting two-week program of six concerts featuring 15 artists will be presented live, in full compliance with state and local Covid-19 regulations, as well as streamed on the web.

Week One

June 4, 7:30 p.m. – Festival Opening Extravaganza! – Mozart’s Piano Trio in G Major, Anton Webern Langsamer Satz (Slow Movement)  and Dvořák’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major

June 5, 7:30 p.m. – Bologne’s, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Sonata No. 3 in A Major for two violins, Still’s “Mother and Child” from the Suite for violin and piano, Bolcom’s Graceful Ghost Rag, Beach’s Romance for violin and piano, Opus 23, and Schumann’s Six Studies in Canon Form and Bilder aus Osten “Pictures from the East” for piano, four hands

June 6, 5:30 p.m. – Haydn’s Trio No. 30 in F Major, Hob. XV:17, Beethoven’s String Trio in C minor, Opus 9 No. 3, and Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus 47

Week One Artists

Catherine Cho, Violin/Viola

Francesca de Pasquale, Violin

Molly Carr, Viola

Marcy Rosen, Cello

Marcy Rosen, Cello

Peter Stumpf, Cello

Peggy Pearson, Oboe

Ieva Jokubaviciute, Piano

Diane Walsh, Piano

Sponsors of this year’s Festival include Talbot Arts, the Maryland State Arts Council, Paul and Joanne Prager, and our donors. Chesapeake Music now has additional tickets for sale for all six in-theater Festival concerts. Please go to chesapeakemusic.org to order tickets for the in-theater or live-streamed performances or for a complete program listing.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Academy Art Museum Hosts Studio Sale/Art Book Sale in Newly Renovated Spaces

by
Leave a Comment

The Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland is again hosting a Studio Sale/Art Book Sale on Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outdoors and in the Museum’s newly renovated spaces.

“This Studio and Art Book Sale provides an excellent venue for our art instructors to sell their work at prices affordable to the public. We will also be introducing the wide range of art classes we offer for adults year-round – everything from drawing to pottery to collage. We can’t wait to share what we are doing at the Museum and the amazing artistic talent here on the Mid Shore,” states Katie Cassidy, the Museum’s Education Consultant.

Photo: Participants at the Museum’s Studio Art Sale/Art Book Sale to be held on June 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Museum’s newly renovated spaces on South Street and Harrison Street in Easton, Maryland.

The event will feature the Museum’s instructors who are all professional artists: Paul Aspell, Bernie Dellario, Diane DuBois Mullaly, Brad Ross, Meg Walsh, Sheryl Southwick, Maggii Sarfaty, Rosemary Cooley, and Katie Cassidy.  The Studio Sale will offer unframed art, demonstrations, and studies for sale for no more than $300 each, as well as a large selection of pottery and ceramics. There will also be frames and art materials for sale at some tables. Museum students will be selling work on the Museum’s front lawn.

The Art Book Sale in the atrium will offer hundreds of art books for sale at reduced prices. Proceeds from the Art Book Sale will benefit the Museum’s adult curriculum.

“We have had donations from people’s libraries of exceptional art books – desirable classics and out-of-print books, instructional art books, biographies of artists, and books about art collections.  Many fabulous books came from the libraries of retired museum directors,” Cassidy adds.

Participants will enter through the Museum’s newly designed courtyard off Harrison Street, continue through the Museum’s atrium, and exit through the front lawn on South Street. The Art Book Sale will be held in the Museum’s atrium, while the Studio Sale will be held at tables outside.

For further information, visit academyartmuseum.org or call 410-822-2787.

The Museum is located at 106 South Street and is one of Easton’s historic landmarks – deeply tied to the educational community in Easton since 1800. Its permanent collection includes important paintings by Gene Davis and Anne Truitt among others and is especially strong on works paper by modern American and European masters. The Museum holds drawings, photographs, and prints by artists such as Pierre Bonnard, Robert Rauschenberg, and Martin Puryear. Visitors experience national and regional exhibitions, concerts, lectures, educational programs, and visual and performing arts classes for adults and children.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Avalon Theatre Adds New Jazz Wing to Repertoire

by
Leave a Comment

The Avalon Foundation expanded its reach a little further this past weekend with a jazz concert to thank members and founders of the newly formed Avalon Jazz Club.  The Avalon Jazz Club will focus its efforts year round on giving jazz music fans, jazz players and local students the opportunity to experience all that jazz music has to offer in Talbot County and on Delmarva into the future.

Al Bond, CEO of The Avalon Foundation thanked committee members Joe Fischer, Al Sikes, John Malin and Marty Sikes for planning the evening and thanked the Jazz Founders Club for their support.  “I want to thank the Avalon Jazz Foundersfor supporting Jazz in our community. Every single one of you. This event is what is going to propel our effort forward so I hope you all feel a real sense of ownership in what is going to unfold not just over the next several months but in the years to come. You are at the beginning of this so thank you.”

Joe Fischer then introduced a video from Monty Alexander announcing the line-up for none other than the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival and then the night got intop full swing with a jaw-dropping duet on trumpet and piano from jazz stars Dominick Farinacci and Aaron Diehl.  Other numbers included music form The Gypsy Kings, Cole Porter and a screaming rendition of “Screamin Jay” Hawkins “I Put A Spell On You” featuring vocalist, Shenel Johns.

By supporting the May 15 fundraiser, attendees will have the first access to tickets to the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival in September and other upcoming shows, ensuring great seats and they become members of the Avalon Jazz Founders Club. The Monty Alexander Jazz Festival, one of the most distinctive small town jazz festivals in the nation, has been enhanced by its active collaboration with the Avalon Theatre since its inception.

For more information on The Avalon Jazz Club or for upcoming jazz shows from the Avalon please email Kimberly Stevens at [email protected] or visit The Avalon online at avalonfoundation.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Studio B Art Gallery Features Hiu Lai Chong for First Friday, June 4

by
Leave a Comment

Hiu Lai won the Alden Bryan Memorial Landscape Painting Award of Excellence for her painting “Stationed in Time” at the Oil Painters of America’s 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils.

First Friday in Easton, Maryland returns June 4 and Studio B Art Gallery is hosting a special reception celebrating the gallery’s featured artist of June, Hiu Lai Chong. Come see new art and enjoy great conversation from 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Hiu Lai Chong is an oil painter who uses vivid colors and sensitive brushstrokes to express mood and feeling in her subjects. Her paintings have won numerous awards. Hiu Lai received the Grand Prize and Artist’s Choice Award at Plein Air Easton 2012. More recently, Hiu Lai won the Alden Bryan Memorial Landscape Painting Award of Excellence for her painting “Stationed in Time” at the Oil Painters of America’s 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils.

“Hiu Lai Chong’s art can be found everywhere and we are so happy to have her newest work at the gallery this June,” Studio B Art Gallery Owner Betty Huang said.

Hiu Lai’s art has been featured in articles in Plein Air Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art, Elan Magazine, HillRag, and was included in the 100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic book. Come see Hiu Lai’s work at Studio B Art Gallery, located in the heart of Easton’s historic district at 7B Goldsborough Street, and bring home exceptional art.
Visit Studio B Art Gallery at 7B Goldsborough Street in Easton, Maryland or online at www.studiobartgallery.com to view original paintings by all the gallery’s exceptional artists. You can purchase directly on the website, call to arrange a private viewing (443-988-1818), or stop into the gallery during open hours.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Oxford Community Center June Events

by
Leave a Comment

Ongoing Monthly Classes:

Mon. June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28 – 1PM – Yoga with Susie Hurley. Oxford Community Center Pre-registration required

Tues. June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22 – – 10:15 AM – Steady and Strong (In-Person) at The Oxford Community Center is a 45 minute class for adults who seek enhanced core and muscle strength as well as better balance. Class leader Janet Pfeffer. $10/class, $80/10 classes Pre-registration required

Thurs. June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24 – Oxford Community Center- 10:15 AM – Steady and Strong (In-Person) is a 45 minute class for adults who seek enhanced core and muscle strength as well as better balance. Class leader Janet Pfeffer. $10/class, $80/10 classes Pre-registration required

Recurring Event:

Mon. June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28 -6PM – Jam Session at the Oxford Community Center. Bring your instrument or voice and come jam with musical friends. Free

Sat. June 5, Oxford Community Center 8:30-11:00 AM – Cars and Coffee – sponsored by Prestige Auto Vault and Doc’s Sunset Grille.  Free

Special Events:

Sun June 6 – 3:00 PM – The Tred Avon Players at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road presents, a free, outdoor show of Musical Performances, directed by Marcia Gilliam.  Due to limited space, please RSVP. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy the free show. Masks and proper social distancing are required. We will move inside if it rains.

Wed June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30, Oxford Community Center 5:30-7:00PM- Humanity First – in person or virtual attendance. RSVP by June 7 to oxfordcc.org. Join us in a community dialogue that will provide an opportunity to hear one another, practice difficult conversations, and connect on common ground. Led by Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons.

Sat June 12- 12:00 PM – Community Art Project Dedication at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road. The Oxford Community Center partnered with diverse organizations throughout Talbot County to create a one-of-a-kind community art sculpture garden for all to enjoy. All welcome to ribbon cutting to Celebrate Community.

Sun June 13 – 3:00 PM – The Tred Avon Players at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road presents a free, outdoor reader’s theatre performance of Bill W. and Dr. Bob, directed by Rob Sanchez.  Due to limited space, please RSVP. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy the free show. Masks and proper social distancing are required. We will move inside if it rains.

Sat June 26- Music Concert with The Rosewood Band at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road, presents an outdoor concert with Rosewood Band, an acoustic band from the Eastern Shore of MD and Chester County, PA, playing covers of artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Beatles, Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, and many many more. Due to limited space, please RSVP to oxforcc.org. $15.00. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy the show. Masks and proper social distancing are required. We will move inside if it rains.

Sun June 20 – 3:00 PM – The Tred Avon Players at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road presents Readings on the Patio, a free, outdoor reader’s theatre performance. Due to limited space, please RSVP. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy the free show. Masks and proper social distancing are required. We will move inside if it rains.

Mon June 28-Wed July 30 Kid’s Camp at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road. Please RSVP.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay is 2021 One Maryland One Book Selection

by
Leave a Comment

Maryland Humanities is pleased to announce the selection of The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay for the 2021 One Maryland One Book program. The Book of Delights is a collection of lyrical essays. Gay wrote one essay per day over a year and took the time to find “delights” in his everyday life. The essays range in topic from the beauties in nature to what it is to be a black man in America. Readers can look to Gay’s collection as a guide to finding their own daily “delights.” The book was chosen by a committee of librarians, educators, authors, and bibliophiles in February from more than 160 titles suggested last fall by readers across the state for the theme, “Hope.”

“Strife on a global scale makes me people hunger for hope, which is what makes The Book of Delights a perfect selection for One Maryland One Book this year,” says Lindsey Baker, Executive Director at Maryland Humanities. “Ross Gay also doesn’t shy away from life’s hardships. It’s is the first book of essays ever chosen for the program, giving Marylanders a wide range of topics to discuss. We look forward to hearing about these conversations.”

Gay says: “I’m so grateful that The Book of Delights was chosen for One Maryland One Book. It feels lucky to get to share this collection of questions and wonderings with you all for so many reasons (one of them that my big brother was an English teacher in Frederick a couple decades ago!). And I’m really looking forward to the conversations we’ll have about the book this fall.”

About the Book

In The Book of Delights, one of today’s most literary voices offers up a genre-defying volume of lyric essays written over one tumultuous year. The first nonfiction book from award-winning poet Ross Gay is a record of the small joys we often overlook in our busy lives. Among Gay’s funny, poetic, philosophical delights: a friend’s unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an airplane, the silent nod of acknowledgement between the only two black people in a room. But Gay never dismisses the complexities, even the terrors, of living in America as a black man or the ecological and psychic violence of our consumer culture or the loss of those he loves. More than any other subject, though, Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world—his garden, the flowers peeking out of the sidewalk, the hypnotic movements of a praying mantis.

The Book of Delights is about our shared bonds, and the rewards that come from a life closely observed. These remarkable pieces serve as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.

About the Author

Ross Gay is the author of The Book of Delights, a genre-defying book of essays, and four books of poetry, including his most recent, Be Holding, a love song to legendary basketball player Julius Erving—known as Dr. J—who dominated courts in the 1970s and ‘80s as a small forward for the Philadelphia ‘76ers. Gay is a founding editor, with Karissa Chen and Patrick Rosal, of the online sports magazine “Some Call it Ballin’.” A founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project, Gay has received fellowships from Cave Canem, the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, and the Guggenheim Foundation. He teaches at Indiana University.

About One Maryland One Book

When we read a great book, we can’t wait to share the experience and talk about it with others. That’s one of the joys of reading.

In that spirit, through our Maryland Center for the Book program, Maryland Humanities created One Maryland One Book (OMOB) to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. We invite readers to participate in book-centered discussions and related programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers around the state.

OMOB programs, including an author tour, take place each year in the fall. A calendar of free public events—including the Author Tour—will be available online beginning this summer.

One Maryland One Book is presented in partnership with Enoch Pratt Free Library and is sponsored by The Institute of Museum and Library Services via the Maryland State Library as well as PNC Foundation and BGE, with additional support from M&T Bank, an anonymous donor, and the Citizens of Baltimore County.

About Maryland Center for the Book

The Maryland Center for the Book (MCFB)—an affiliate of the national Center for the Book in the Library of Congress—develops and supports literary programs and outreach activities that engage citizens across Maryland in literature and reading. As a program of Maryland Humanities, MCFB highlights our region’s literary heritage and calls attention to the importance of books, reading, literacy, and libraries.

Want to discuss the book now or get updates on upcoming events? Join the conversation on the Maryland Center for the Book page.

About Maryland Humanities

Maryland Humanities is a statewide nonprofit organization that creates and supports educational experiences in the humanities that inspire all Marylanders to embrace lifelong learning, exchange ideas openly, and enrich their communities. For more information, visit www.mdhumanities.org. Maryland Humanities is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities; the State of Maryland; the Citizens of Baltimore County; private foundations; corporations; small businesses; and individual donors. Connect with Maryland Humanities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Tidewater Singers Announces New Artistic Director

by
Leave a Comment

Ellen Whitacre Wile

John Banghart, President of the Board and member of Tidewater Singers wishes to announce the Election of Ellen Whitacre Wile as the new Artistic Director of the group, a premier a cappella singing ensemble located in Talbot County.  She replaces William Thomas.

Thomas led The Tidewater Singers since 2009. Under his direction, audiences have enjoyed beautiful a cappella singing and major works by Poulenc, Thompson, Faure, Ola Gjeilo, Morton Lauridsen, John Rutter and others.  He continues to serve as organist at Christ Church St. Michaels and is Associate Professor of Music at Chesapeake College.  William stated “Directing this first-class ensemble has been an honor, joy, and privilege. I’m thankful for the many rehearsals, concerts, and good times that we have shared.”

Mrs. Wile is highly honored to be taking over as the Artistic Director for Tidewater Singers. She has sung with the group since its inception as Bach to the Future in 2001 and humbly takes the baton, succeeding the tremendous work of William R. Thomas.

She has spent a lifetime in choral music, having started as a Cherub Choir member in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and has sung in church and school groups throughout her life. She majored in Music Education at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania and went on to teach vocal and choral music in the Talbot County Public Schools, grades 1-12, for 30 years, retiring in 2014. She has served as Director of the Chesapeake Youth Chorale and has been Director and Musical Director of several musicals presented at Easton High School.

Her studies continued by attending The Conductors’ Institutes at Westminster Choir College and singing with the Robert Shaw Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall.  She is presently the Music director at the Easton Church of the Brethren.

Ellen is married to Kevin Wile and the two of them enjoy choral and band music together, as well as traveling, kayaking, and visiting with family and friends.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Bay Country Chorus Seeks New Members

by
Leave a Comment

After meeting via ZOOM the last 15 months the Bay Country Chorus is now meeting on a regular basis in person. With all members now vaccinated we are able to meet collectively and join in the hobby we love – singing. We are the Easton Maryland chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. 

We welcome men of all ages to join us at our regular Monday evening rehearsals. We are revisiting our repertoire songs and adding a few new ones and hope to be back entertaining seniors and others on the mid-shore this fall. Now is a good time to take a look as we review songs we have done in the past and consider songs to add to our current repertoire.

Interested men can get further information by contacting John Crovo at 410-820-4761 or [email protected]. Help us “Keep the Whole World Singing.”

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Annual Spring Group Continues at Troika Gallery

by
Leave a Comment

Seine Fisherman, oil, 20 x 20, by Kirk McBride

Troika Gallery will continue to exhibit their Annual Spring Group Show through June 1, 2021, featuring new works by the gallery artists.

Presenting “The Finest of Fine Art” in historic downtown Easton since 1997, Troika Gallery is the longest operating gallery on the Eastern Shore. Whether you are an art collector, art lover or an art browser, you will enjoy your visit to Troika Gallery as the friendly ambience has cultivated loyal followers.

Original works in oil, watercolor, pastel, bronze, acrylic, porcelain and clay by these renowned artists are displayed, with new work constantly refreshing the exhibit spaces. Professional artist and owner Laura Era, and Gallery Manager Peg Fitzgerald, welcome your visit to browse the extensive collection.

Commissioned fine art portraits are displayed by Laura Era and Jennifer Heyd Wharton, members of the Portrait Society of America. Examples of their work and expert proficiency at capturing the essence of a personality are exhibited in the studio room of the gallery.

Custom framing is available with an extensive collection of high quality frame samples on display. Connections to professional specialists in the field of art restoration and fine art appraisal can be arranged through the gallery.

Troika Gallery located at 9 South Harrison Street, is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 am until 6:00 pm, and Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment. 410-770-9190 – www.troikagallery.com.

The Spring Group Show runs through June 1, 2020. Kevin Fitzgerald – New Landscapes opens June 4.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.