RiverArts - Chestertown Spy

RiverArts wet paint show and sale April 26

April 21, 2025 by RiverArts Leave a Comment

Wet Paint Show & Sale – Saturday, April 26

The festival’s excitement builds to the Wet Paint Show & Sale on Saturday, April 26, where attendees can view and purchase freshly created, one-of-a-kind artworks. This event provides art collectors and enthusiasts with the exclusive opportunity to acquire original paintings that capture the essence of the Eastern Shore, often completed just hours before.

Quick Draw Competition – Saturday, April 26

A highlight of the festival is the Quick Draw Competition on Saturday, April 26. This fast-paced event challenges artists to complete a painting within a limited timeframe, adding an exciting dynamic to the festival. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity under time constraints, culminating in an exhibition of the finished pieces.

Esteemed plein air artist Mary Pritchard will serve as the judge for this year’s competition. With a distinguished career and deep connection to the region, Pritchard brings her expertise to evaluate the artworks and award prizes to outstanding pieces. Her involvement adds a layer of prestige to the event, offering participants valuable recognition for their work.

Join Us for a Weekend of Art and Community

Whether you’re a seasoned art collector or seeking a unique weekend experience, Paint the Town 2025 offers an immersive journey into the world of plein air painting. Engage with artists, explore the creative process, and take home a piece of Chestertown’s charm.

For more information and a detailed schedule of events, please visit www.chestertownriverarts.org.

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

RiverArts Relocates Operations to Increase Visibility, Reduce Costs

October 31, 2024 by RiverArts 1 Comment

On November 4, 2024, RiverArts will relocate part of its operations from the breezeway at 315 High Street to the Tish Gallery at 343 High Street. This move comes in response to reduced arts funding from the State of Maryland and rising rental costs. Having been at the 315 High Street location for twelve years, RiverArts will now establish a more affordable and accessible home at the new Tish Gallery location.

This transition is designed to support RiverArts’ mission and sustainability, cutting rental costs by nearly 50% and providing increased visibility for exhibitions and community programs.

KidSPOT, a dedicated community space for children, will remain near the Saturday Farmer’s Market, and the Clay Studio will continue at 204 High Street. Administrative offices will also be relocated close by at 200B High Street, next to the Clay Studio.

RiverArts Store will now operate from both the former Tish Gallery and a storefront beside the Clay Studio, keeping a presence on High Street’s main pedestrian thoroughfare. The move will allow RiverArts to reallocate resources previously used for real estate toward staffing and program development.

“This relocation represents a new era for RiverArts,” said Guy Hutchison, President of the Board. “We’re excited to welcome the community to our new location and explore ways to connect, inspire, and strengthen the local arts scene.”

RiverArts invites the public to celebrate this new chapter, with its strengthened commitment to the arts and community of Chestertown.

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

Artist Diane Rappisi ready for RiverArts Studio Tour

October 17, 2024 by RiverArts 1 Comment

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For those of you who would love the chance to chat with other artists about their inspirations and see how they actually create their amazing work choose from 60 artists on the Chestertown RiverArts self-guided studio tour October 19-20 and 26-27. It’s fun and it’s free! There’s a broad range of media and styles. See lots of different studio set-ups, some in Chestertown and Rock Hall and others out in the beautiful countryside of Kent and Queen Ann counties. Start at the RiverArts Gallery, 315 High Street, in the breezeway, for the exhibit of their works and pick up a brochure to help you plan your day or weekend.

For more information go to www.chestertownriverarts.com/studio-tour.

Some studios will be open November 2 & 3 during Downrigging Weekend. Diane will be on the tour this weekend only.

This video is approximately six minutes in length.

RiverArts KidSPOT is organized around the belief that children learn best by playing, creating, and exploring. In addition to providing activities in its classroom, KidSPOT On The Move sends this joy to the community.

Every Saturday morning, 9am-noon, KidSPOT welcomes children, ages 2-12, together with an accompanying adult to drop in for free at its classroom and stay as long as they like. Children may choose to be led in a project by the KidSPOT Coordinator or volunteer or go to areas with different creative materials that appeal to them

In 2023 KidSPOT Saturdays remained busy and energized with some 50 attendees stopping in each week. Children and adults were encouraged to create together resulting in the adults enjoying the process as much as the kids. KidSPOT strives to promote the joys and connections that develop when families create together.

This past summer KidSPOT offered “Art Adventures”, which included separate weekly programs for ages 4-6, 7-12, and 10-13. A range of media was taught including all types of painting, print-making and working in clay. In 2024 the program will be more robust by getting licensed to provide whole day camps. Registration will hopefully open sometime around March 1.

Through KidSPOT On The Move, RiverArts partners with other community organizations and events to meet families where they gather. It has the reputation of being the “people who bring the art”. This past year KidSPOT participated in such events as The Chestertown Tea Party Festival, Rock Hall Fall Fest and the Chestertown Earth Day.

Wherever possible KidSPOT On The Move provides activities that tie in with the themes of specific events. At Chestertown’s Legacy Day kids learned about the exuberant work of African American painter, Alma Thomas. Then children created colorful abstract paintings inspired by her. In collaboration with the Kent Cultural Alliance’s Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month KidSPOT assisted musician, painter, and ceramic artist, Fredy Granillo, as he taught children and families to paint Talavera designs on cardboard tiles.

Over the past years the KidSPOT team collaborated with the Garnet Elementary School Judy Center to provide creative activities for all Pre-K and Kindergarten students. The Judy Center is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Maryland families by ensuring that children are ready for kindergarten as part of a coordinated effort among parents, providers, teachers, school districts, local and state governments, non-profits and other community partners.

This year the KidSPOT team will again meet with each pre-K and Kindergarten class at Garnet Elementary School as well as host a monthly play group for children ages 1-4 who will eventually attend Garnet. In February KidSPOT will be on the move to the new Judy Center at Rock Hall Elementary School to share some creative art experiences at their first evening playgroup.

The KidSPOT classroom is located at 315 High Street, in the breezeway. To get a real feel for what happens at KidSPOT and to see just how welcoming it is go to www.facebook.com/kidspotcenter/. If you would like to be part of the fun as a volunteer, contact Anne Highfield, Coordinator, at [email protected]. If you’d like to support this community resource with a donation, go to www.chestertownriverarts.com.

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