Professional, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: First Place
Wende Woodham for her jewelry “Night Sail”.
Photo by Rebecca Placek
NEXT GALLERY SHOW
Professional, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place
Wende Woodham for her mixed media “Line Dancing”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Great use of line, color, texture, and pattern.
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Amateur, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: Honorable Mention
Mimi Swigert for her jewelry “Gondola”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY A - NATURE
Honorable Mention winner
Richard Isaacman, “Eight Strikes”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Professional, Category E, Photography: First Place
DJ Choupin for her photo “Sail 2007”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – The blues are what got me – so many different values. This is pretty up close, but even prettier at a little distance.
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY C - FINE ART, Honorable Mention winner
Lani Seikaly, “Ready”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Events
Amateur, Category B, Watercolor: Honorable Mention
Darlene Conley for her watercolor “Sailing Reflection”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
August 27, 2026 was the Reception for Boats: Old and New Gallery Show at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Holly Schrader. She has been teaching visual art for 21 years. Holly has taught at Kent Island Middle School for 20 years. Her own art making is inspired by truth, empathy, nature, life, death, other artists, materials, and the techniques with which to execute whatever idea she might have. Holly was excited to be asked to judge this colorful boats show. The Show Co-Chairs were MaryAnn Buckley and Margaret Tessier. Forty people attended the reception. Sixty-two pieces are in this show featuring oils, acrylics, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. The show closes on October 26. KIFA is open and free for viewing to the public Thursday-Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 405 Main Street, Stevensville.
Photos by Melissa Craig, Fitz Turner, and Rebecca Placek
Text by Rebecca Placek
July 23, 2026 was the Reception for the 30th Annual Judged Photography Show at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Robert W. Madden, retired staff photographer for National Geographic Magazine. Bob has traveled across all seven continents which exposed him to an extraordinary diversity of cultures and customs. One of Bob’s images, Sanarate, Guatemala 1976, has been designated as one of the 50 Greatest Images in the history of National Geographic Magazine and currently is in the world touring exhibition. He was delighted to be asked to judge KIFA’s 30th annual show. Fifty-eight pieces are in KIFA’s superb show. The categories were Nature, Landscape & Waterscape, Fine Art, and Portrait. The Show Co-Chairs were Fitz Turner, Becky Placek, and Melissa Craig. Forty people attended the reception. The show closes on August 23. KIFA is open and free for viewing to the public Thursday-Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 405 Main Street, Stevensville.
Photos by Rebecca Placek, Melissa Craig, and Fitz Turner
Text by Rebeccca Placek
Amateur, Category E, Photography: First Place
Brian Mackey for his photo “BOL 2025”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – “Money” shot for sure – framed nicely by trees and colors are sharp (clarity) and technically very nice.
Photo by Fitz Turner
Professional, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Richard Hall for his digital photo “Workboat Resting”.
Photo by Fitz Turner
Amateur, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Richard Crane for his photo “Mast Reflections”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY A - NATURE,
Honorable Mention winner
Barbara Gilbert, “Island Reconstruction”
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT, First Place winner
Kathy Dove, “Adored”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Gallery Shows
Professional, Category B, Watercolor: First Place
Ann Crane Harlan for her watercolor “Dinghys at Rest”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – This composition is wonderful. It looks as if the boats are all friends. The artist’s technical skills really stand out.
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY A - NATURE, Honorable Mention winner
Trish Kotzen, “Here’s Looking at You, Kid”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Amateur, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention
Judy Tucker for her collage “Amalfi Coast”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY B - LANDSCAPE & WATERSCAPE,
First Place winner
Fitz Turner, “One River, Every Age”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Professional, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place
Georgette Toews for her oil painting “Rowing toward Sunset”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Love the gestural figures and brush strokes, use of movement, and the color palette captures the mood and time of day as well.
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT, Honorable Mention winner
Korry Hetherington, “Farmer’s Daughter”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Bannon Studio Student Show
September 9 - November 9th
Members Gallery
Stop in and enjoy the artwork!
Melissa Craig, with photo show judge Bob Madden, held a copy of UpStArt Annapolis Magazine, Summer 2025, story “Catharsis of the Soul” featuring photography by Bob.
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Amateur, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Kathy Dove for her photo “Fixed!”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
Amateur, Category C, Pen & Ink, Printmaking: First Place
Carol Conrad for her Pen/Brush & Ink “Owl & the Pussycat…”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Unexpected owl and pussycat in boat – funny and neat to look at.
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY B - LANDSCAPE & WATERSCAPE,
Honorable Mention winner
Paul Howdershell, “Matera Morning”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY A - NATURE, First Place winner
Richard Isaacman, “Madame Pele is Displeased”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
AMATEUR: CATEGORY C - FINE ART, First Place winner
Kathy Dove, “Neon Forest“
Photo by Rebecca Placek
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT,
First Place winner
Richard Hall, “Claire at the Circus”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Oct 29 – Dec 21
Reception Oct 29, 5-7pm
Amateur, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention
MaryAnn Buckley for her acrylic painting “Ship Graveyard, Fish Playground”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
BOATS: OLD AND NEW GALLERY SHOW AT KIFA
Boats, Old and New
Amateur, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place
Rita Myers for her oil painting “Fun Bay”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Color blending and the reflections on the water are beautiful.
Photo by Fitz Turner
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY C - FINE ART, First Place winner
Anne Crane Harlan, “Paper Shadows”
Photo by Melissa Craig
Amateur, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Susan Cardaro for her photo “Beached Boats”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY A - NATURE, First Place winner
Trish Kotzen, “Hawkeye”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
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.
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY B - LANDSCAPE & WATERSCAPE, Honorable Mention winner
DJ Choupin, “Chateau (2024)”
Photo by Melissa Craig
AMATEUR: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT,
Honorable Mention winner
Van Williamson, “Red Shouldered Hawk”
Photo by Melissa Craig
Professional, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention
Karen Saunders for her oil painting “Decoy Launch Jonboat”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY B - LANDSCAPE & WATERSCAPE, First Place winner
George Sass, “Follow the Light”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
August 27 – October 26
Reception photos below!
Professional, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Richard Hall for his digital photo “Workboat Resting”.
Photo by Fitz Turner
Amateur, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: First Place
Steve Layton for his sculpture “Tongers, Mending”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Amazing! An excellent tribute to our local watermen and history.
Photo by Fitz Turner
Professional, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention
Pat Lang for her oil painting “Boat on the Beach”.
Photo by Fitz Turner
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT,
Honorable Mention winner
Barbara Gilbert, “Stealth Mode”
Photo by Melissa Craig
Amateur, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: Honorable Mention
Steve Layton for his sculpture “Keepers”.
Photo by Fitz Turner
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW
Professional, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention
Steve Sirota for his wire art “Moonlight Sailing”.
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Reception attendees listened as the winners were announced.
Photo by Fitz Turner
Amateur, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place
Melissa Mackey for her mixed media “Old Wrecked Boat”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Super original and interesting to look at. Can I buy this? : )
Photo by Fitz Turner
Amateur, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention
MaryAnn Buckley for her acrylic painting “Frozen in Time”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
Copyright © 2026 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
Amateur, Category B, Watercolor: First Place
Carol Poist for her watercolor “Colorful Waters”.
Comments of Judge Holly Schrader – Very eye catching and excellent use of color.
Photo by Melissa Craig
Becky Placek and Rita Myers with Bob Madden. Bob held the dust jacket of one of his two anthologies of his work—Robert W. Madden Photographs Volume One. He has self-published his images as a record to be given as gifts to his family and friends of his personal favorite photographs.
Photo by Melissa Craig
HUMANS TOGETHER
Three or more humans
Gallery Show
Refreshments were served at the reception.
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Amateur, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: Honorable Mention
Mimi Swigert for her jewelry “Sailing at Sunset”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
Professional, Category B, Watercolor: Honorable Mention
Pam Chase for her watercolor “Daybreak”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
Reception attendees’ listened as Bob Madden presented the awards. He discussed why he selected each winning photo.
Photo by Fitz Turner
KIFA’s Co-Presidents Becky Placek and Melissa Craig welcomed and thanked everyone for attending.
Photo by Fitz Turner
30TH ANNUAL JUDGED PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY SHOW AT KIFA
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY C - FINE ART,
Honorable Mention winner
Richard Hall, “Flying While Pink”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Professional, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Tim Laur for his photo “Sails in the Sunset”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
