On October 12, 2025, at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA), Historian and Newsletter Editor of the Kent Island Heritage Society, John Conley gave a talk on Kent Island History: William Claiborne 1631 to The Bay Bridge and Beyond.
Kent Island was settled in 1631 as part of Virginia and is the oldest settlement in today’s Maryland. Kent Island became the gateway to the Eastern Shore in 1902 when a train station was built at Love Point. The ferry boat service started in 1930 at the Matapeake terminal. This route connected Annapolis on the Western Shore to Matapeake on Kent Island. Ferry boat service ended when the first Bay Bridge opened in 1952. Stevensville sits on land called Stevens Adventure, a 1694 grant to Francis Stevens. The town developed after the 1850 sale of two farms by James and Charles Stevens. Stevensville’s historic district was placed on the National Register in 1986.
The Kent Island Heritage Society is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. The Cray House, Stevensville Train Station, Old Stevensville Post Office, Stevensville Bank, Christ Church, and Kirwan House Museum are open the first Saturdays of the month April-November, 12 noon – 4 p.m., for guided tours by Docents. John is a Docent at the Stevensville Train Station. The 400th Anniversary of Kent Island will be celebrated in 2031. We thank John for an interesting talk with discussion afterwards.
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek
In photo, left to right: Mary-Lynne Neil, Pat Spinella, Melissa Craig, and Becky Placek.
Photo by Vincent Placek
Category A, Amateur, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention – Pat Spinella for her acrylic painting “Storm’s A’ Comin”.
November 1, 2025, was KIFA’s Bake Sale Fundraiser at Historic Christ Church Parish Hall. The bake sale was one of many events happening during the 10th Historic Stevensville Car Show. The bake sale raised $208. Special thanks to Darlene Conley, Lorraine Sincavage, Pat Spinella, Judy Tucker, Mary-Lynne Neil, Margaret Tessier, Melissa Craig, and Becky Placek for their donated baked goods for the sale. Thanks to our members and the community for making the bake sale a success. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Text by Rebecca Placek
WIN: Paul Reed Smith Guitar
John recommended these books about Kent Island history.
Events
Gallery Shows
JOHN CONLEY, KENT ISLAND HERITAGE SOCIETY,
LECTURE ON KENT ISLAND HISTORY
On Saturday, November 15th from 1-4 the Kent Island Federation of Arts will have its official soft opening of the Cascio Clay Center. The clay studio space will be open to the public, and there will be a wheel throwing demonstration.
The center will open offering two 8-week introductory wheel classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and a handful of workshop and introduction clay experiences, as well as some open studio hours and clay center memberships.
If you would like to volunteer as a studio monitor, if you have further questions, or if you are interested in possibly teaching a course, please reach out to Executive Director Stephanie Zeiler at cascioclaycenter@gmail.com.
Value $1,200
PRS SE Angelus Acoustic-Electric Guitar, including: backpacker guitar case, guitar strap, and tuner.
Raffle - $5.00 each or 5 for $20.
Benefit Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Mail your check for Raffle tickets to KIFA at:
405 Main Street, Stevensville, MD 21666
DRAWING: Sunday, November 30, 2025. Need not be present to win.
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek.
Category D, Professional, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Wende Woodham for her mixed media “Twist and Shout”.
Weather: Rain, wind, storms, clouds, and snow
KENT ISLAND JEWELRY SCHOOL ANNOUNCES TRUNK SHOW TO BENEFIT NEW CLAY CENTER | CHARMTREE JEWELRY STUDIO WILL HOLD A POP-UP MEMBER SHOW AT THE KENT ISLAND FEDERATION OF ART
Stevensville – Over the last few years Charmtree Jewelry Studio has held a jewelry show to celebrate its members’ beautiful work. This year, the trunk show will be held at KIFA and proceeds will be donated to the new clay center. CJS owner, Melissa Kay-Steves, said KIFA has been so supportive of her business since day one and even helped her secure small grants from both Queen Anne’s County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council when she
was struggling during the pandemic. “The incredible volunteers at KIFA have been so encouraging and helpful,” Kay-Steves said. “They have offered me countless opportunities and connections over the years and giving back to help their clay center feels good.”
On Friday, November 14 th from 4-7 pm Charmtree Jewelry Studio will hold a pop-up style trunk show at the Kent Island Federation of Art, located at 405 Main Street. Members will display their jewelry and hold metalsmithing demonstrations. There will be information about upcoming classes, door prizes and a raffle that will include jewelry, workshop tickets, jewelry making supplies and more. Proceeds will go to raise money for the new clay center that opens the following day. A wine and cheese reception will be served.
For more info about CJS workshops and events visit www.charmtreejewelry.com
Or email CJS charmtree@verizon.net
John pointed to his photo of the Stevensville Bank in downtown Historic Stevensville.
Category B, Amateur, Watercolors/Gouache/Alcohol Inks: First Place – Nancy Emerick for her watercolor “Evening Storm”.
Thirty-five people attended the reception.
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW
Category A, Professional, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place – Rita Myers for her oil painting “Weather #2”
(No sunrises or sunsets)
Show Dates: October 30 – December 21, 2025
KIFA Gallery Show Guidelines
All work must be original, created within the last two years, not previously shown at KIFA, and must not infringe upon any copyright. No reproductions accepted.
Sculptures must include their own base or fit on a KIFA pedestal. Sculpture artists must be prepared to assist in placing their work in the gallery. Maximum size including base: 6’ high x 3’ wide and deep.
2-D works must be dry, suitably framed, wired and ready to hang. No sawtooth hangers. (Artwork not wired properly will not be accepted.) All works on paper must be under glass. No exposed glass edges. Maximum size framed varies by show. Please see appropriate prospectus for sizes.
KIFA reserves the right to reject works deemed unsuitable. All entered works must remain on display through the end of the show. Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety of your artwork. KIFA is not liable for loss or damage to artwork. KIFA's commission on all sales is 30%. KIFA reserves the right to use images of the winning artwork for up to eighteen months.
Please contact KIFA for more information at info@kifa.com or 410-643-7274.
The Chairpersons of the Weather Show were Susan Thau and Sally Prascus. The Show Judge was Andrea Schulte, Visual Arts Department Chair at Kent Island High School.
Category F, Amateur, Sculpture/Jewelry: First Place – Mimi Swigert for her jewelry “Looks Like Rain”.
Category A, Amateur, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place – Nancy McCarthy for her acrylic painting “London Rain”.
November 9 at 2:00 - Jonathan Tucker - Poetry
What is the Meaning of This?!
October 30, 2025 was the Reception for Weather: Rain, Wind, Storms, Clouds, and Snow at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Andrea Schulte, Visual Arts Department Chair at Kent Island High School. She was excited to be asked to judge this show that captures all types of weather conditions. The Show Chairs were Sally Prascus and Susan Thau. Thirty-five people attended the reception. Forty-seven pieces are in this show featuring oils, acrylics, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and jewelry. The show closes on December 21. KIFA is open and free for viewing to the public Thursday-Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 405 Main Street, Stevensville.
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek
Holiday Party at Ramshead
Wednesday, December 3 from 4-9 pm
John’s slide: Getting There Before “The Bridge” (pre-1952).
Category A, Professional, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention – Maureen Bannon for her oil painting “Back to Back in Fog”.
Category D, Amateur, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Melissa Mackey for her mixed media “Raining Cats and Dogs”.
Copyright © 2025 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
Surprise Santa GIFTS (if you wish, bring a gift under $25, receive a gift).
In this interactive and collaborative presentation, poet Jonathan B. Tucker will guide participants through a creative writing and spoken word poetry exploration of meaning making. Responding to visual art, current events, and ancestral callings, together we will unlock our poetic voices to honor ourselves, our people, our communities, and the earth we inhabit. It will be fun and funky, soulful and sincere. Bring open hearts and notebooks and pens to write.
Category E, Professional, Photography: First Place – Rich Isaacman for his photo “Mothership”.
November 30 at 2:00 – Tom Yates – Carving Wood - FREE Lecture
Clay Center Fundraiser with Charmtree Jewelry
WEATHER SHOW AT KIFA
Category E, Amateur, Photography: First Place – Fitz Turner for his photo “Heading to Weather”.
Thomas Yates started his wood carving journey over 30 years ago. There are two types of wood that I use in my carving process: found wood along the shore lines and woods and slab wood that I buy from a mill. The wood that I find tells me what it is. The hidden inner spirit of a face, animal or mystic creature is there waiting for me to release it with very sharp tools. The slab wood is something that I also like to carve because of the uniformity and size of it. I can turn these into a variety of things. I can make small things like fish and moons and larger carvings like mermaids, whales and giant fish of the sea. I love doing these carvings because each one is truly a one of a kind piece of art.
NEXT GALLERY SHOW
To be announced soon...
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS!
Reception attendees listened as Andrea Schulte announced the winners.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Clay Center Opening at KIFA