February brings love, art and chocolate
Sunday, Feb. 5 is National Chocolate Fondue Day. I’m pretty sure I could turn that into an art form of colossal proportion, but sanity reigns and my wardrobe is relieved. There are other days of note this month, and chocolate is a big part of one of them.
We observe Presidents Day on Feb. 20, mostly with shopping. But in Annapolis, we can remind ourselves that George Washington was actually here in the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House, which you can visit and see exactly where he was standing when he resigned. In the Stairwell Room on the George Washington Wall is an Edwin White painting, “Washington Resigning His Commission.” This art brings history to life. If you haven’t been, it’s worth a visit.
The lesser-known American Painters Day, Friday, Feb. 3, highlights some of the great American painters of the past and today, and movements they’ve inspired. Norman Rockwell is the most celebrated on this day, but the timeline goes back to who many believe is the first American fine art painter, Benjamin West, best known for his painting “The Death of General Wolfe” in 1770.
This day actually honors all American painters, which is perfect for Annapolis since we have so many. How fitting that is, especially for Valentine’s Day, as the gallery offerings are stellar and provide opportunities to find work by artists we love and to find gifts for those we cherish. You can dine with loved ones surrounded by art, and even participate in creating art at the newly reopened Mitchell Art Museum. Wishing you love in all its forms this February.
Gallery 57 West celebrates the arrival of several new Annapolis Arts Alliance artists with its Winter Art Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. today. Light refreshments will be served. Gallery artists will be on hand to demonstrate their techniques and to sign artwork for your Valentine.
MFA at 49 West presents works by Megan Whitfield and Amy Holt Cline through March 28.
Both artists grew up along shorelines and are inspired by marine landscapes. Whitfield is a self-taught representational tonalist painter whose work aims to communicate the beauty and richness of the Mid-Atlantic region through carefully thought-out focal points, illuminating values and compelling textures. California native and marine biology educator Holt Cline’s mixed media paintings are inspired by sea floor mapping data and explore the connection between art and science. Join them in the back room for a reception celebrating the art and artists from 5 to 7 p.m. today.
Maryland Hall presents “Aftermath,” through April 3. The exhibit focuses on the healing power of art and community rising up after gun violence. Spearheading this exhibit is a collection of work in the Martino Gallery entitled ‘The Capital Five: Honoring Our Heroes of the Press.” In the Chaney Gallery is a collection of artwork and creative installations by regional artists representative of healing after gun violence. Through a non-political lens, this work explores an overall community response and how it affects our everyday lives.
Maryland Hall welcomes its newest Artist in Residence (AIR), Sheldon Pindell. His exhibit, “#ArtGang2” is open through April in the Openshaw Balcony Gallery, with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. #ArtGang2 is a project that explores the concept of taking an object typically paired with negative connotation (gas masks), and creating a beautifully bold, eye-catching, thought-provoking work of art.
Jo Fleming Contemporary Art presents “Balancing Act — Women’s Voices, Women’s Stories,” open through March 4 with works by regional artists. Having the common thread of transformation, “Balancing Act” showcases a variety of media and styles. They include whimsical fabric sculpture and paintings from abstract to representational that create rich diversity of work that moves the senses and provides a spirited dialogue around the female human experience.
Juliette Manolie’s abstract paintings contain representational elements that invite you to enter closed visual space where unconscious forces entice you to free-associate the recognizable figurative and creature forms. They begin to unlock the possibility of a conversation about shared experiences and relationships. Cindy Winnick’s colorful fabric sculptures address issues such as aging, identity and gender roles with sensitivity and humor. Maureen Farrell’s female subjects have a presence of self-acceptance and hope. Isabelle Robinson’s paintings explore ideas of body image, the passing seasons of time and transformation into the spiritual realm. The exhibition closes March 4, the first week of Women’s History Month celebrating women’s contributions to society. Join them for a Meet-the-Artist reception and Artist Talk from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The Mitchell Art Museum at John’s College, formerly the Mitchell Art Gallery, reopens its doors after three years with “The Open Museum,” an exhibition that invites community participation. Over five weeks, visitors will be encouraged to write or draw directly on the gallery walls. On inaugural weekend, the museum will be open for 50 hours straight, without interruption, from 4 p.m. Feb.r 17 through 6 p.m. Feb. 19. During closing weekend, March 25 and 26, videos will play stop-motion documentation of the previous five weeks. The exhibition concept stems from Umberto Eco’s writings and the work of museum pioneer Pontus Hulten. Public programs include talks by Philadelphia Contemporary’s co-director of curatorial programs, Robert Blackson, at 6:30 p.m. March 1, and ICA Richmond’s senior director and director of programs, Sarah Rifky, at 3 p.m. March 19.
Annapolis Marine Art Gallery introduces watercolor artwork new to the gallery by local artists, William Sutton and the late Leonard Weaver. Sutton, an architect by trade and winner of Hospice Cup’s 2022 “Artist of the Year,” was introduced to the gallery in 2022. Weaver was a local watercolorist who passed away more than 20 years ago. His son has taken over his legacy and continues to show Weaver’s work of land and seascapes and local scenes in Annapolis and Ocean City.
The Galleries of Quiet Waters Park continues “Second Wind,” a multi-media exhibit featuring the Retired Art Teachers of Anne Arundel County, through Feb. 12. Opening Feb. 15 is “Visionaries,” a group exhibit showing the work of the artists of the Open Eye Gallery at Arundel Lodge Inc. It is an integrated treatment center for those with mental health and substance abuse disorders, where they are offered the opportunity to engage in social interaction, community involvement and creative expression. Running through March 26, you can join them for an opening reception from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Visitor Center.
MFA Circle Gallery presents “Digital Directions,” open through Feb. 25. Computer software and technology have expanded the ways artists capture and produce their work. This show is a celebration of the futuristic road we are driving down (handsfree, of course). The work in this show was created and/or processed digitally, and was selected by juror Jeff Murphy, associate professor of art at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Catch a glimpse of the future of art and join them for a closing reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 25.
McBride Gallery continues hosting annual “Small Gems” show through Feb. 28. Participating artists have shared a bounty of creative studio and plein air paintings. Small gems shows are a gallery tradition in December. This exhibit is an exception, featuring new paintings the artists completed over the holidays. Cooler weather chased some to their studios; a few intrepid artists braved brisk temperatures to capture the beauty of the new season. Featured artists: David Diaz, Matthew Hillier, Julia Rogers, John Ebersberger, Abigail McBride, Michael Godfrey, Paula Waterman and many more.
Since 2015, MFA has been invited to exhibit artwork representative of Anne Arundel County at the Lowe House of Delegates Office Building during the legislative session. The work in the 2023 exhibit was selected by Laura Pasquini, artist, museum educatorand visual arts success coach, and the visual arts program navigator at Anne Arundel Community College. On display on the first floor of the Lowe House office building, the exhibit is open to the public on weekdays during regular business hours through April 10. Visitors must have a driver’s license or another form of government-issued ID to enter the building.
MFA People’s Choice Voting Gallery presents “Black Art Matters,” open through Feb. 28. Black art is American art. Black issues are American issues. The Black Lives Matter protests have resulted in powerful artwork derived from passion, grief, persistence and the pursuit of justice. But it’s not just about the protests; black artists have always created art that reflects the many facets of their lives — their joy and sorrow, their community and culture and more. View all works in this exhibit in MFA’s online People’s Choice Voting Gallery here mdfedart.com/portfolio/281 and vote for your favorite artwork by Feb. 28.
MFA at Paul’s Homewood Café presents work by MFA members Patrick Clagett and Kimmary I. MacLean. Both artists are inspired by nature. Clagett , a retired vascular surgeon, explores the scenic landscapes found navigating the back roads and highways of rural Michigan. MacLean is a lifelong artist, as well as a dancer, teacher, and founder of The Creative and Performing Arts of South County. This emotional body of work displays her love for the colors, shapes, textures, and contrasts of our planet. View their work while dining through the end of April.