This exhibition inspires environmentally sustainable artmaking through found objects, creative reuse, and upcycled art. By repurposing by-products, waste materials, or unwanted objects and transforming them into something with more perceived and artistic value, artists explore environmental themes, engage in social commentary, implore a call to action, or infuse realism, emotion, or humor in their work.
The artwork in this show is eye-opening, engaging, thought-provoking, inspiring, poetic, and even sometimes playful and optimistic. This exhibit answers the question- How are contemporary artists engaging with objects in a world overrun with too much stuff?
About the Juror:
Siobhan Starrs is a Senior Exhibition Developer at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History where she develops and manages permanent and temporary exhibitions and works on pan-Smithsonian initiatives. Siobhan led the Deep Time: Fossil Hall renovation and exhibition project along with many other climate and environmental science exhibitions over her 24-year tenure at the Museum engaging audiences in the wonders of the natural world and our place in it. She holds BAs in History and English from Virginia Tech and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Siobhan also volunteers as an interpreter and Bluebird Trail Coordinator at Gunston Hall Historic Site, and spends any moment of spare time discovering nearby nature in and around Washington, D.C.
Juror's Statement:
"As an exhibition developer at a natural history museum and a frequent art museum goer, I am an enthusiastic advocate for the power of creativity and all forms of creative expression. Art feeds my personal and professional hunger to discover new ways of being human on a changing planet. Art helps us appreciate diverse, new perspectives and with new eyes come new ways of seeing and being the world. I accepted the invitation to jury Metamorphosis: Recycled, Repurposed, Reimagined because art museums including the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Art Center have been inspiring trailblazers in engaging diverse audiences to critically reflect, discuss, and respond to challenging contemporary issues including climate change and our relationship with the environment.
The depth of impressive submissions made selecting the artworks for Metamorphosis both a difficult and wonderful opportunity. Pieces reflected the broad, complex emotional landscape evoked when we consider our individual and communal relationships to the material world, the natural world, and the climate crisis. From humor and love to grief and anger, the materiality, execution, and vision of the final selected pieces best exemplified the Metamorphosis call to act – to see this current moment of change as an opportunity and an invitation to live lighter and more sustainably. Like the call and response of birds, the selected pieces powerfully document artists responses to the question – how can we live better in a world overrun with too much stuff? I am grateful for their reminder that nature and art remain a constant source of possibility and hope even in times of profound change."
-Siobhan Starrs
Exhibition Developer and Sustainability Champion
National Museum of Natural History, The Smithsonian Institution
Annmarie After Hours Reception: Friday, February 9th, 5-7pm
JUROR AWARD WINNERS
Laura Quattrocchi
Hope Wreath #2
Scratched Lottery Tickets, Wire, Canvas
48"x 48"
2021
Marty Koelsch
Conduit A/Corrected Oxbow
Rusted Steel Pipe, Charcoal, Pine Lumber
48" x 60" x 30"
2023
Ernesto Ruiz Bry
Strong & Beautiful
Collage on Plywood
48" x 48"
2018
View the vivid watercolor work of well-loved southern Maryland artist and former Annmarie faculty member, Mary Blumberg. From brilliant floral scenes, to serene still lifes, to classic southern Maryland landscapes, Mary's work often amplified and celebrated the beauty in the world around us. Don't miss this chance to take one of her wonderful works home with you from this show and sale.
Join us for an Annmarie After Hours reception on Saturday, March 2, from 5-7pm.
Explore the work of visiting MLK DAYS artist resident, Claudette Taylor, in this gallery show consisting of a selection of clay busts and figurative sculpture of prominent leaders, thinkers, dreamers, and other important people in the artist's life. Known for portrait sculpture, Claudette employs gentle shapes with an emphasis on bold lines to bring her artistic vision to life.Influenced by everyday people who positively impact society, Claudette draws inspiration from sculptors like Rodin, infusing her work with a thought-provoking modern look into sculpture.
Annmarie After Hours Reception: Friday, February 9th, 5-7pm
Learn More about MLK DAYS: A 3-Day Community Arts Event
Artist Statement
My journey as a sculptor is a voyage into the realms of form, space, and emotion. Through the tactile artistry of sculpting, I seek to breathe life into my works, transforming them into a narrative that transcend the tangible. At the heart of my work lies a profound exploration of human expression and form, where each sculpture becomes a vessel for the expression of emotion and story.
In the alchemy of creation, I engage with water-based clay to give form to my artistic vision. The act of sculpting is, for me, a dialogue between intuition and deliberate craftsmanship.
As my artistic journey unfolds, each sculpture becomes a stepping stone in my evolution as an artist. I aspire to recreate 3 dimensional images from clay pushing the boundaries of my own creativity and contributing to the rich tapestry of sculptural expression.
- Claudette Taylor
All living things need food for energy. Their diets can be quite unique! Their food choices have to do with how the animals are built and what's available to eat. Their teeth, mouths, and stomachs are all designed to obtain the nutrients they need to survive. What they think is delicious has everything to do with how they have adapted to their environment. In this exhibit, learn what animals like to eat and how nothing is wasted. Not even the waste! Play games, get a closer look, and have a laugh!
On display March 2023 - January 2024
Warm and Cozy: art that comforts
Get ready for some great holiday shopping! During November and December, the Main Gallery is transformed into a shopper's wonderful! You will find a wide selection of handmade works of art for everyone on your list. From affordable gifts perfect for a co-worker to exquiste works of art for a loved one, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photogrpahy, sculpture and more. All artwork will be on display in conjunction with our annual Ornament Show & Sale.
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center is now accepting entries for our 1st annual indoor exhibit of Lego structures built by our community - from festive houses and architecture to winter trees, caves, and other natural elements, let your imagination run wild as you help us create a winter wonderland in Lego! All creations will be placed on decorated tables inside the gallery during our magical Annmarie Garden In Lights event, providing an extra indoor experience for guests of all ages. This is a free, non-juried show. Anyone is welcome to participate!
2023 Contributing Master Builders:
“Magical Aviation Amusement Park at Christmas” - Evan and Nathan Wallace, Liam Ward, and Clara, Henry, and Eva Gabriel-Anderson
“Igloo House” - Colton Andrews
“TARDIS” - Oliver, Justin, and Ashley Alt
“Christmas in the Park” - Evan, Afton, Grayson, Pierson, and Lincoln
“Minnie Mouse House” - Rosie Barrowclough
“Magical Winter” - Lilly Barrowclough
“Winter Wonderland Castle” - Bolte Family
“Aqua Elf Adventure” - Wyatt Bowman and Nichole Doub
“A Cozy Christmas” - Evan and Lori Brewer
“Winter Wonderland” - Nathan and Noah Bussard
“Opening Presents Day” & “Santa Claus Visit” - Mikey and Ashley Campbell
“Snowball Star Wars” - Ethan Carter
“Elora’s Gingerbread house” - Elora Carter
“Luray Caverns Christmas” - Auguste Clark
“North Pole Rainbow House” - Jesse Crews and Sandy Caldwell
“Drum Point Lighthouse” - Christopher Crunkleton
"Snow Day" - Cub Scout Pack 561 AOL Den - Jason Mascia, Aaron Cudd, Jack Taylor, Alexian Luna, & Henry, Burton, Sarah, and Edgar Naiva
“Art Studio” - Joe Davis, Linda Bracey, Dale Godwin, Victor Bonilla
“Rock Party House” - Ian, Ben and Lynn Ennis
“Reindeer Pen” - Aiden and Sophie Escobar
“Police Station/Donut Shop” - Noah Foxworthy
“Winter Cottage” - Paul Fowler
“Candy Cane Lane” - Vera and June Greg
“Gingerbread House” - Chris Grosso of Charm City LUG
“Battle at the North Pole” - Liam and Gavin Gutierrez
“Christmas Castle” - Luke and Marc Harrington
“Mixed Holiday” - Mariah and Lenee Harris of Charm City LUG
“A Cozy Christmas House” - Matthew Haubert
“The Toy Store” - Hadley and Rhea Ihnacik
“The Ice Pit Coffee House” - Ethan Johnson
“The Log Cabin” - Zac Brown and Danny Jones
"Small House" - Danny an Solomon Jones
“Gingerbread House” - Kristie Kelly of Charm City LUG
“Ice Skating Wonderland” - Hannah and Blake Kennedy
“Choo-Choo” - Liam Kitchen
“Santa’s Inflatable Store” - Evey Kitchen
“Coffee Shop” - Catalina Kron
“Christmas Tree” - Welles Lee
“The Cookie Shop” - Ledger Lee
“Santa’s Workshop, Cottage, Barn, and Fountain” - Matthew Lee
“Holiday Axolotl” - Gavin Lindsey
“The Real Santa” - Owen Lindsey
“Two Worlds: One Adventure” - Alice and Sophie Lorek
“Rock and Roll Christmas” - Simon Macek
“Home Alone” - Jo Jo Malenab
“Ice Skating at the Park” - Jim Manack of Charm City LUG
“Merry Life Day” - Nathan Marcella
“Kid’s Xmas Village” - Amelia Menello
“Astronomer’s House” - Colton, Sawyer, Remington, and Windham Miller
“The Lighthouse” - Brandie Mister
“McDonald’s” & “Bridge” - Evan Mister
“Top of a Christmas Present” - Colton Moffett
“A Winter Wonderland” - Chloe Faith Moffett
“Nissan GTR” - Nathan and Remi Morgan
“Park with Gazebo” - John, Lilly, and Charlie Mueller
“Police Station” - Lilly Mueller
“Skyscraper” - John Mueller
“Ski Slope” - O’Toole Family
“Cozy Cabin” - Grace Oursler
“Winter Ice Palace” - Kayleigh Oursler
“Toy Store” - Lawrence Pace
“Church” - Dominic and Jericho Pace
“Christmas with the Gingerbreads” - Amanda and Jon Parry
“Gingerbread Building” - Daniel Pikora of Charm City LUG
“3 Little Pigs” - Linda Pleim of Charm City LUG
“National Christmas Tree Center” - Lucas Rabell
“Shops at Christmas” - Lucas, Nichole, and Hansel Rabell
“Family Winter Log Cabin” - Kevin and Brooklyn Ross
“Gingerbread House and Tree Farm” - Tyler and Mason Rowe
“Yeti Mountain” - Jayden and Nick Scheck
"Santa House/Elf Workshop/Wishing Well" - Logan Schmidt
“Botanical Gardens” - Abigail Seay
“Minecraft Winter Wonderland” - Julian, Alina, and Amanda Shores
“Gingerbread Wonderland” - Isaac Smith
“Wizards Mountaintop Winter Wonderland” - Solomon Smith
“Striezelmarkt: German Christmas Market” - Jax and Elisa Speer
“Stroudville” - Maci, Heather, and Mike Stroud
“Christmas Tree” - Emmett and Braeden Tiralla
“Marvel Wonderland” - Elijah and Justin Waldorf
“Spider-Man: Holiday Home” - Jameson and Quinn Weems
“Gingerbread House” - Sandy Weisc
“Ice Castle” - Logan Weiss
"Holiday Harbor" - Jack West
"Wildhead" - Luke West
"Winter Castle" - Elizabeth West
“The Snow World” - Charlie and Liz Willhide
“Avengers Getting Ready for Christmas” - Alyson and Landon Wright
“Gingerbread House” - Whiteford Family
“Gingerbread House” - Wren and River Williams
“Snow Castle” - Wren and River Williams
“The Plaza Penthouse” - Yates Cousins
“Gingerbread Castle” - Joseph Zawata of Charm City LUG
Presented by the Annmarie Gift Shop, the Ornament Show & Sale is a juried show that features hand-crafted ornaments by more than 25 regional artists. This is the perfect place to find unique and affordable gifts for friends and family. The ornaments are beautifully hung on trees displayed in the Main Gallery of the Arts Building. Visitors shop off the trees and take their purchases to the Gift Shop. The show kicks off before Thanksgiving and runs through early January. During Garden In Lights, the show is open late!
TENTATIVE DATES! November 29 - December 13, 2023
5:00-8:45 pm each night (closed some evening)
Guests of all ages will delight in this beautiful train display brought to us by our friend George Leah, Jr., and his holiday helpers. Every year, George creates new elements and expands the display. It truly is a magical experience perfect or the holiday season at Annmarie!
We can't wait to see what George has in store for 2023!
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center is pleased to present 'Wild Muse: Animals in Art'. This exhibition will be open to the public in the Kay Daugherty Gallery from May 5 to September 17, 2023.
Lions and tigers and … griffins? Oh, my! Ever since humans first started drawing on cave walls, the animal world served as an endless source of fascination. Incorporating animal motifs into their decorative vocabulary, artists today use various commonplace creatures and mythic beasts to imbue their artwork with majesty, familiarity, or even humor. This exhibition showcases a selection of artwork depicting animals, both real and imagined.
JUROR: Maureen Leary, Youth & Family Programs Manager, National Postal Museum
Juror's Statement
As an educator at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and an art enthusiast who frequently visits museums and galleries, art has long affected me both professionally and personally. I accepted the invitation to jury this show with great enthusiasm, and I was immediately intrigued by the exhibit's name. Wild Muse is incredibly apt because it suggests both mystery and intimacy. The animal world surrounds us constantly in ways both exotic and familiar, often unseen but affecting us profoundly. We are deeply intertwined with animal life yet it remains to some degree unknowable to humankind.
Selecting the artworks for this exhibit was a rare and delightful challenge. The variety of submissions reflected the breadth and complexity of the ways humans and animals interact with and affect each other. Companionship, predation, protection, vulnerability, beauty, and power were among the wide range of themes that emerged. Reading the artists' statements provided valuable insight into both subject selection and artistic process, but ultimately the choices came down to which pieces most sparked strong and lingering feelings. Animals have the capacity to evoke the full array of human emotions and these artworks did the same.
Throughout the review process I was reminded many times that despite the immediacy and depth of our connection with the animal world, so much remains unknown and unknowable. We can wonder and speculate. We can observe and assume. We can study and research. But ultimately, we can never discover all the mysteries of the animals with our minds – we can only aspire to do so with our imagination. The animal world will always be a wild muse for artists.
AWARDS
Jonathan Bowling, Vega, 2023, repurposed steel. | |
|
|
Elissa Glassgold, The Constellation of the Animals, 2022,
gouache
Madeleine Greenwald, Catch Me If You Can, 2023, acrylic
Jen Starwalt, The Way of the Mother, 2022, soft pastel
Sam Zimmerman, Waabooz/ Rabbit, 2023, acrylic