The Mitchell Gallery at St. John’s College is a nationally-renowned gallery that hosts exhibitions of classic and contemporary works of art.
Annapolis’ special art galleries enrich city culture and are worth visiting again and again
One of the great attributes of Annapolis is its comfortable atmosphere for walking around. Every block has something of interest to see. Visitors and residents alike are happy to amble through our streets. Over the past few months, I spent time walking and visiting several intriguing art galleries and museums. There is a surprisingly long list of galleries that are ready to welcome visitors. Each one seems to have a different personality, or should I say, niche. Some galleries follow a theme and others offer an eclectic mix of art.
For most admirers, acquiring works of art depends on individualistic tastes. In our house, I have accumulated a collection of marine art mixed in with some unusual pieces that just jumped off the wall of an art gallery. It is great fun to mix and match works of art that tell a story or are built around a theme. Of course, artwork enhances the decor of any house, office, boat, store, or public facility. Hang something of interest and people are bound to look at it. On that note, I encourage you to spend some time visiting the art galleries of Annapolis.
I find that gallery managers are happy to see you. I like to ask about specific pieces and about the artist who created it. You will receive an overview of the life of the artist and what was contemplated for a piece of art. Some works have hidden meanings, others play with the eye, and I especially like works that invite you into the scene. A famous marine artist, the late John Mecray, once told me a good work should look good from a distance and get better as you move closer to it. He painted works with accurate detail. You could easily picture yourself on one of his painted yachts. Artwork can be compared to classic music in that it can take you in many different directions. Ever notice that many art galleries will have classic music playing in the background? Music and art go hand in hand because they are created from a blank piece of canvas.
One of the most important galleries in Annapolis is the Mitchell Art Gallery on the St. John’s College campus. The gallery is currently going through a renovation. During a calendar year the Mitchell Gallery will present different exhibits featuring an artist or theme. I took our grandchildren to one exhibit focused on children’s artwork from story books and movies. I planned to visit for about 30 minutes and ended up staying for two hours.
Further down King George Street, the U.S. Naval Academy Museum on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy attracts over 100,000 visitors each year. The museum displays thousands of Naval artifacts on two floors. There is inspiring artwork throughout the museum. The mission is “to collect, preserve, and exhibit the Navy and the Academy” with the goal of inspiring current and future midshipmen to serve in the Navy.
Across town, The Michael E. Busch Center for the Arts at Maryland Hall is a center for art classes and exhibits. Maryland Hall features films, orchestra concerts, ballet, and classes for all disciplines of the arts. Galleries within Maryland Hall exhibit works of art that are often juried and for sale.
Annapolis’ Main Street is home to several galleries. The McBride Gallery has been an Annapolis staple for over 40 years. Cynthia McBride and her staff represent artists who focus on the Chesapeake Bay, period houses, maritime scenes, interesting characters, birds, animals, and sea creatures. Most of the gallery is dedicated to original works of art but they include prints by prominent artists. A skip away, Margaret Lee is an artist and owns the Main St. Gallery. The gallery sells art, sculptures, and pottery. And the newest gallery in Annapolis is the Kim Hovell Gallery, also on Main Street. Hovell opened her gallery in March of this year. She offers whimsical artwork for the home that includes oysters, crabs, sailboats, and Annapolis city scenes. The colors of her artwork provide a calming effect for the home. Adjacent to Main Street and within City Dock, the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery has been offering marine art since 1979. Owner Jeff Schaub displays a full collection of artist John Barber’s prints and some original works. Willard Bond’s work is also featured in the gallery.
Pat and Melanie Murphy run The Annapolis Pottery store on State Circle that dates to 1969. Their ceramic works likely occupy space in many cupboards around Annapolis and well beyond. Colorful birds, crabs, serpents, and seaweed imagery adorn mugs, plates, and bowls. Originally, the store was located on Cornhill Street and eventually found a high-profile location on State Circle that has been a mainstay in Annapolis. The Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) is also located on State Circle. The MFA was established in 1963. Since that time the gallery reports that 6,328 artists have exhibited works at the gallery. The nonprofit gallery receives a share of sale proceeds.
Maryland Avenue seems like a quiet part of downtown Annapolis and yet it is the vibrant home to pubs, a barbershop, antique stores, a book shop, massage studio, and Jo Fleming Contemporary Art. Jo Fleming’s own artwork is included alongside other artists with unique styles using vivid colors and happy scenes. Nearby, Maria Dawson owns Maria’s Picture Place, also located on Maryland Avenue. It has been in operation since 1981. Her specialty is selling photography and paintings of historic and contemporary images of Annapolis, the Naval Academy, and the Chesapeake Bay. She also offers a collection of nautical charts and many other works by local artists.
Top Left: The McBride Gallery on Annapolis’ Main Street has showcased local, regional, and national artists for more than 40 years.Bottom Left: The Maryland Federation of Art Circle Gallery, located on State Circle, is the nonprofit’s showcase gallery in Annapolis.Middle Right: The Annapolis Collection Gallery on the first block of West Street features historic photographic images in black and white by Marion Warren, Aubrey Bodine, and Charles Emory.Top and Middle Right: Gallery 57 West is one of the newer galleries to open in Annapolis. It houses the Annapolis Arts Alliance, a nonprofit group dedicated to all the arts in Annapolis, Maryland, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Along the first several blocks of West Street, there are notable galleries. Nancy Hammond exhibits her works at her own gallery on West Street, Nancy Hammond Editions. She paints with bright, pleasing colors featuring sea life, birds, waterfront scenes, boat yards, and sail boats. Katherine Burke runs the Annapolis Collection Gallery, which features historic photographic images in black and white by Marion Warren, Aubrey Bodine, and Charles Emory. A more contemporary photographer, Jay Fleming, adds to the collection for sale. The gallery is located in an 1865-circa building that was at, one-time, a shoe store. Burke provided a series of large 1930s images to Graul’s Market. Next time you visit Graul’s check out the photographs on the upper walls. Next door, Gallery 57 West bills itself as “a fusion of the arts” and is home to the Annapolis Arts Alliance, a nonprofit group “dedicated to all the arts in Annapolis, Maryland, and the surrounding neighborhoods.” Many of their members’ works hang in the gallery.
Throughout town, the walls of buildings have become locations for large scale photographs and paintings showcasing the history of Annapolis. When some of the works first appeared, there was a little pushback by a few residents. The noise seems to have quieted down and the artwork has blended nicely into the fabric of the Annapolis.
Last summer artists from around the United States traveled to Maryland for Annapolis Art Week. Artists and their easels were seen all over town. This fall, take time for a walk and you just might find something special.
