Our Maryland Hall Exhibit Really Is Special

Hi, Members - We had a great reception on Friday night for our first Open Juried Exhibit at MD Hall for the Creative Arts. I saw many of you there as well as members of the Annapolis art community. There are 43 photographs shown in the Chaney Gallery and in the adjacent hallway.

Robbie and the Exhibits Committee's efforts really showed well, and the MD Hall Exec Director, Linnell Bowen, spoke to the group of over 100 attendees. She noted our progress over the last five years and said how glad she was that we were involved there in MD Hall.

Linnell also noted that Gary Jameson, resident artist, was showing his art across the hall, and urged all to see that and then return for our presentations.

The juror, Susana Raab, came and gave a slide show of her work and commented on the prize winners. About two-thirds of the photos she accepted were from Club members. Robbie asked her to present the various awards, which she did.

There were cash awards given: First Prize went to Hunter Harris, a non-member aerial photographer; and Second and Third Prizes both went to Jay Alden, our first president and co-founder. The honorable mention awards included Joan Machinchick, Katherine Meadows, Annette Uroskie, and Laurie Brice. Several significant prizes were donated by local firms. Robbie received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the Club in gratitude for her talented work.

The reception preceded the Annapolis Opera performance of Tosca at 8 pm, so those attendees wandered through the Gallery as well. All photos are for sale, and we're hopeful that sharing with MD Hall will be mutually beneficial. The art season continues with Symphony, Chorale, and Ballet performances, and the many weekday classes bring students and parents in to see the galleries.

Our exhibit will be open until April 22, but there are other Club involvements coming up. Next Sunday March 21 MD Hall will be presenting "ArtFest" to showcase the various performing organizations in Annapolis during the day from 1-4 pm. Our Chris Edwards will be giving a talk there at 3 pm "Making Great Pictures - Tips on Composition" in the Chaney Gallery. The attending public will be coming to see our photos through the promotions of ArtFest by MD Hall.

Also, DPCA members will be taking votes from the public during this time to select from the photos "The People's Choice Award" - with a prize donated by Bella Photo Art and Framing Gallery.

I've already received comments from people in the arts community, all of whom expressed real satisfaction with the reception and the presented art, saying it really was special. And it's not over - we've got another month to show! This was a gala affair - many thanks to everyone who is participating!

DKD - Pres.