In honor of Maryland Hall’s 40-year anniversary celebration, Maryland Hall co-founder Joanne S. Scott returns to the community arts center she helped start to exhibit a retrospective of her career as an artist and poet. Maryland Hall will celebrate the opening of “Artwork by Joanne S. Scott: 60 Year Retrospective” and two other new exhibitions: “Trybe-All (Tribal) Celebration Series: Paintings by Tony Spencer” and “BIG INK” with a free Gallery Reception on Thursday, March 7 from 5:30-7 pm. Maryland Hall presents exhibits that engage audiences on many levels, from community exhibits to curated group and solo exhibits in several galleries.
Joanne S. Scott says, “As a co-founder, Maryland Hall is an achievement that I am very proud of due to the efforts of many. I had no idea 40 years ago that it would become as successful as it is as a community center for the arts, dancing, music, theatre, and public forum.” The public is invited to attend the Gallery Reception to meet Scott and Spencer and celebrate their work with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and a chance to spend time with the community. Maryland Hall Artists in Residence will also host Open Studios during the reception.
About the Exhibitions:
Artwork by Joanne S. Scott: 60 Year Retrospective
March 7 – April 26, Chaney Gallery, 2nd Floor
Joanne S. Scott was one of the co-founders of Maryland Hall in 1978. Her career as an artist and poet spans 60 years and includes mediums from acrylic and watercolor to lithography, etching, and various other printmaking techniques. This retrospective reflects Scott’s love of the outdoors. Her poetry, which will be showcased in the exhibition, was inspired by her time spent in Annapolis raising her family and sailing its’ waters. The book was illustrated by her late husband David.
“Balancing the joy and trauma of life, I have been able to paint, and really at times needed to paint. Exploring vistas on paper with brush in hand, creating worlds that were sustainable,” says Scott.
BIG INK
Open March 7 – April 26, Martino Gallery, 2nd Floor
Never has the saying “Print Isn’t Dead” been more poignant than in the case of an ongoing partnership between Maryland Hall and BIG INK. BIG INK founded by Lyell Castonguay in 2012 is a New Hampshire based woodblock printing advocacy and education organization that travels the country for large-scale woodblock printing events. “It’s very unusual to have a press this size that artists can come and use,” says Castonguay whose press, dubbed “Big Tuna,” produces prints nearly 4 x 8 feet in dimension. The exhibition will feature prints from BIG INK’s archive. BIG INK will spend two days of the exhibition, March 30 and 31 (11 am – 4pm), hosting a new group of artists for the second BIG INK printing event at Maryland Hall. The two-day event features artists based across the Mid-Atlantic and is free and open to the public.
Trybe-All (Tribal) Celebration Series: Paintings by Tony Spencer
Open Now Through May 10, Openshaw Balcony Gallery, 3rd Floor
TRYBE-All echoes a triumphant declaration of success, enduring life’s storms, disappointments, or just an unfortunate experience. The encounter requires the warrior to engage in a self-determined resistance until the conflict is won. The TRYBE is fictional; however, its meaning is understood and celebrated universally. “The members of any individual’s ‘tribe’ are ever present to support one another in good times and times of challenge and distress.”
The galleries at Maryland Hall are free and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. Maryland Hall is located at 801 Chase Street, Annapolis MD 21401. Learn more about the galleries and gallery events at MarylandHall.org or call 410-263-5544.
