left to right –Tom Tucker, Rita Myers, Becky Placek, Judy Tucker, and Laura Keene. Photo by John Conley
Category D, Amateur, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Melissa Mackey for her collage “Hanging Out”. Photo by Rebecca Placek
left to right –Penny, Kate, and Joel Purcell
WIN: Paul Reed Smith Guitar
Kent Island through the Times
Events
RAMS HEAD SHORE HOUSE FUNDRAISER A GREAT SUCCESS!
Phase 1 of the Clay Center was the planning and construction of the building. Phase 2 is the assessment of donated equipment and supplies and acquisition of new equipment and supplies. Phase 3 will include classes and open studio. In the Clay Center, Stephanie Zeiler at the new Slab Roller that is used to flatten clay into uniform flat sheets for hand-building pottery, tiles, and other ceramic projects. The slabs give artists the ability to make forms that would be impossible to do on a potter’s wheel. Kristen Tull worked with clay that had been re-hydrated and softened, and was ready for the Pug Mill that is used to freshen up the softened clay to make it new workable clay.
Gallery Shows
June 25, 2025 - Jay Batterden “Dr. Clay” (in photo, at left) and his volunteer assistant Dean Ling (at right) assembled the new L & L Kiln. Jay said that this kiln is the best kiln on the market because it is easier to use and to maintain.
left to right –Susan Thau, Becky Jones, and Sally Prascus.
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.
CASCIO CLAY CENTER AT KIFA
Joel Purcell held a lovely framed photo of him and his wife Penny—a gift from Judy Tucker.
October 4, 2025, was KIFA’s Second Yard Sale Fundraiser Day and Artoberfest. Many thanks to everyone who donated gently used items for the yard sale. Over seventy people attended the yard sale. The $414 proceeds will benefit KIFA. The yard sale team was Mary-Lynne Neil, Pat Spinella, Melissa Craig, and Becky Placek. Also, KIFA and the Kent Island Heritage Society had booths at Artoberfest in downtown Historic Stevensville’s Arts & Entertainment District.
Text by Rebecca Placek
Photos by Rebecca Placek, John Conley, and Charlie Schwan
Show Dates: August 28 through October 26, 2025
Weather: Rain, wind, storms, clouds, and snow
KIFA’S SECOND YARD SALE FUNDRAISER A BIG SUCCESS ON ARTOBERFEST!
Update: October 6, 2025 - The Carole Cascio Clay Center is getting closer to opening every day. We are finalizing vetting our instructors and getting the first few classes scheduled so we can put it out for everyone, plus we will share information on purchasing studio time or a clay center membership as soon as we get the details worked out.
In the meantime, we are looking for Studio Monitor Volunteers or anyone that may be interested in helping or in teaching classes and those interested in taking a class. Please reach out to Stephanie Zeiler at cascioclaycenter@gmail.com with your name, email address and let us know what you would be interested in. We are also looking for someone who may want to volunteer some hours for paperwork/clerical/business “stuff”.
50th ANNIVERSARY GIFT TO THE KENT ISLAND HERITAGE SOCIETY FROM KIFA
On August 9, 2025, in recognition of the Kent Island Heritage Society’s 50th Anniversary, KIFA’s Co-President Rebecca Placek presented a photo to Jack Broderick, President of the Kent Island Heritage Society. The photo is “Homecoming” by Dale Hall and it shows an osprey returning to its nest. Look for it in the Kent Island Heritage Center’s new museum, at 310 Love Point Road in Historic Stevensville, scheduled to open later this year.
Text by Rebecca Placek | Photo by Robert Tessier
left to right –Margaret Tessier, KIFA Executive Director; Melissa Craig, KIFA Co-President; and Stephanie Zeiler, Cascio Clay Center Executive Director.
Category E, Amateur, Photography: First Place – Rebecca Placek for her photo “At the Historic Stevensville Station”. Photo by Fitz Turner
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW
Reception attendees: Tom and Kathy Dove. Photo by Fitz Turner
There were fun kid’s activities behind the Stevensville Train Station. Photo by John Conley
(No sunrises or sunsets)
Show Dates: October 30 – December 21, 2025
Reception Thursday Oct. 30 | 5-7 pm
left to right –Charlie Spinella, Phil Ellis, John Conley, Darlene Conley, Robin Morgan, and Pat Spinella.
Tom and Judy Tucker held a colorful spoon and fork created by artist Judy who had her art for sale.
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.
June 25, 2025 – Stephanie Zeiler, Executive Director Clay Center, stands by a new shelf made and donated by Stephanie’s father (Larry Zeiler). Stephanie said that potters will be able to slide their pottery on the shelves as they are working on the potter’s wheel.
The Show Judge was Joan Stoer, a retired art teacher who taught in Montgomery County Public Schools and a Board of Directors member for the Kent Island Heritage Society. Photo by Fitz Turner
Reception attendees, left to right: Judy Tucker, Tom Tucker, Mary Ann Buckley and Rita Myers. Photo by Fitz Turner
Category A, Amateur, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place – Mary Ann Buckley for her acrylic painting “Bloody Point Lighthouse”. Photo by Rebecca Placek
August 28, 2025 was the Reception for Kent Island through the Times Gallery Show at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Joan Stoer, a retired art teacher who taught in Montgomery County Public Schools and a Board of Directors member for the Kent Island Heritage Society. She was honored to be asked to judge this special show that highlights the history of Kent Island. Each show entry has an artist statement about their art piece and how the piece relates to the history of Kent Island. This show celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Kent Island Heritage Society. Thirty people attended the reception. The Show Chairpersons were Margaret Tessier and Mary Ann Buckley. Twenty pieces are in this show featuring oils, acrylics, watercolor, graphics, mixed media, collage, photography, 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.
Text by Rebecca Placek
Photos by Rebecca Placek and Fitz Turner
Docents enjoyed breakfast and gift bags on September 8, 2025, for their annual appreciation event. The breakfast was hosted by KIFA’s Co-Presidents Melissa Craig and Becky Placek. Special thanks to Mary-Lynne Neil, Vicki Spinelli, and Judy Tucker for bringing tasty treats and to Melissa Craig for the gift bags for all. Pat Spinella and Judy Tucker donated handcrafted earrings, and Lorraine Sincavage donated painted gourd pens for the gift bags. Thanks to you all for the generosity of your time. Because of you, KIFA has been able to staff the 4-day per week Docent schedule Thursdays through Sundays. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Text by Rebecca Placek
Professional: First Place – Ann Crane Harlan for her watercolor “Kent Light House”. Photo by Rebecca Placek
Copyright © 2025 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
September 17, 2025, was KIFA’s Fundraiser at Rams Head Shore House. Rams Head was proud to support KIFA at Give Back Night. Twenty percent of our orders were donated to KIFA to support house repairs. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Joel Purcell for his many years of volunteer work at KIFA. Thank you very much Mary-Lynne Neil for arranging the fundraiser. Twenty-seven people attended the event. Many thanks to all who attended to support this fundraiser.
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek
KIFA’s booth and the Kent Island Heritage Society’s booth at Artoberfest by the Old Stevensville Post Office. Photo by John Conley
June 25, 2025 - Jay Batterden “Dr. Clay” (in photo, at left) and his volunteer assistant Dean Ling (at right) assembled the new L & L Kiln. Jay said that this kiln is the best kiln on the market because it is easier to use and to maintain.
November 30 at 2:00 – Tom Yates – Carving Wood - FREE Lecture
KENT ISLAND THROUGH THE TIMES
GALLERY SHOW AT KIFA
Clay Center Opening Date Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:00
Reception attendees, left to right: Dale Hall; Jack Broderick President of the Kent Island Heritage Society; John Conley Editor of the Kent Island Heritage Society’s Newsletter “Isle of Kent – 1631”; and Darlene Conley. Photo by Fitz Turner
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek
Owner and Designer of DLP Designed, Danielle Sims, was one of the artists who displayed her lovely handmade beaded jewelry for sale.
The KIFA yard sale fundraiser team was Mary-Lynne Neil, Pat Spinella, Melissa Craig, and Becky Placek. Photo by Charlie Schwan
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.
Laura Keene presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Joel Purcell and thanked him for his many years of volunteer work at KIFA.
NEXT GALLERY SHOW
left to right –Georgette Toews, Chuck Barry, Joe Spinelli, Vicki Spinelli, Pat Barry, and Lee Butera.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
At Artoberfest, in downtown Historic Stevensville, Darlene Conley and Susan Thau displayed KIFA member’s art at KIFA’s booth. Photo by John Conley
It was a perfect day for a yard sale. Photo by Rebecca Placek
DOCENT APPRECIATION BREAKFAST AT KIFA