Second Place – Stacey Sass for her watercolor painting “Coming Across the Bay”.
Professional, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Anne Crane Harlan for her collage “True American Heroes”.
Judge’s comments: Collage feels deeply personal (very moving). This is the human face of sacrifice. Feels like a tribute or memorial. Many types of materials collaged and very artfully arranged.
Honorable Mention – Yik Chek Phan for her watercolor painting “Blossoms and Conversation”.
Events
Gallery Shows
Be inspired to explore pottery, jewelry, daily lives, ceremonies, customs, clothing, symbols, and art of the Last 250 Years in the USA create something beautiful!
Group photo of winners, left to right: Andree Tullier, Yik Chek Phan, Janice Tippett, Show Judge Ronaldo Dorado, Melissa Gryder, and Stacey Sass, and Holly Buehler (not pictured).
This lovely floral arrangement was created by Linda Elias, Kent Island Garden Club, to complement the art piece shown above.
The 7th Annual Art Scene Show was held at Kent Island High School on April 30, 2026. KIFA members donated $300 toward awards for the students. During the event, some students demonstrated pottery wheel throwing and painting. Some students had their art for sale.
Honorable Mention – Andree Tullier for her oil painting “Chesapeake Manor Vineyard”.
Honorable Mention – Janice Tippett for her oil painting “Turquoise Hall”.
30th Annual Photography Show
July 23 – August 23, 2026
Amateur, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Melissa Mackey for her mixed media “Purple Mountain Majesty”.
Judge’s comments: Yes! Majestic! Feels like the visualization of the song America the Beautiful. Spacious skies in the background. Beautiful. Purple mountain in the middle ground. And a fruited plane in the foreground. Excellent craftsmanship!
Amateur, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention – Becky Placek for her photo “Historic Stevensville”. Photo by Lorraine Sincavage
Judge’s comments: Classic cars and classic fellas! Love the historic railroad sign and building and American flags on their hats! Very Americana in the details!
Amateur, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: Honorable Mention – Judy Tucker for her jewelry “Red, White and Blue”.
Judge’s comments: Whimsical interpretation of the theme! Love the mixed media incorporation.
Amateur, Category B, Watercolors/Gouache/Alcohol Inks: Honorable Mention – Carol Poist for her watercolor “Flags for Heroes”.
Judge’s comments: A very symbolic and impactful use of repetition in this watercolor. Feels hallowed and sacred.
Celebrate our Country’s 250th Birthday in your art. With the Kent Island Garden Club | What Inspires Us from 1776 to 2026
A reception for the 9th Annual Paint Kent Island Plein Air Gallery Show was held at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) on May 16, 2026. Twenty-five artists participated in this event. The Chairperson of the show was Pam Chase. The Show Judge was Ronaldo Dorado. He is a self-taught artist working in watercolor. Ronaldo was honored to judge the lovely pastoral scenes. Live music at the reception was performed by Jack Selway on guitar. Forty people attended the reception. Thirty-five pieces are in the show through May 31 featuring oils, acrylics, and watercolor. 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
Amateur, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention – Judy Tucker for her mixed media “The Brick House”. Also, Judy, Kent Island Garden Club member, created the lovely floral arrangement to complement her art piece.
Judge’s comments: Very Americana and inviting. Whimsical collage of a colonial home and yard. Well-crafted and very detailed.
Amateur, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention – Bob Tessier for his mixed media “Colonial Protest at Liberty Tree”.
Judge’s comments: Thoughtful craftsmanship. Very balanced and well-constructed. Very enjoyable to look at all the details! Interesting use of media: wood, tape, shoe polish and pen. Tree feels large, old, indigenous. Figures feel smaller in scale in planning and discussing. The wood grain background giving waves of change or interpretive sky and ground.
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.
Co-Chairs of the Show Melissa Mackey and MaryAnn Buckley welcomed and thanked everyone for attending.
Amateur, Category E, Photography: First Place – Kathy Dove for her photo “Red, Light and Blue”.
Judge’s comments: Extreme detailed photo of a head light. The use of colors and line seem to form an abstract flag. Love the interpretation of the theme!
AMERICA 250: CELEBRATING OUR COUNTRY’S BIRTHDAY GALLERY SHOW AT KIFA
Live music at the reception was performed by Jack Selway on guitar.
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW
ART SCENE 2026 AT KENT ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Charley Burkhart had recently entered Chesapeake College’s Our Beautiful Planet Photo Contest celebrating Earth Week. There she won 1st Place in the Student Division with her photo “A Sky That Remembers”.
Copyright © 2026 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
America's 250 Years
Amateur, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place – MaryAnn Buckley for her acrylic painting “Lady Liberty”.
Judge’s comments: Beautiful interpretation of Lady Liberty! Majestic. She is isolated in colorful water with a glow, under a fireworks sky with a city scape skyline. Love the use of color.
Grace Hartlove demonstrated painting and proudly stood by her artworks.
June 4, 2026 was the Reception for America 250 Gallery Show with the Kent Island Garden Club at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Maria Dawes, M.Ed, a local Artist and Art Educator. She has been teaching art for over 15 years in Maryland’s public schools. Maria has served in many roles at KIFA including President and Education Chairperson. She was honored to be asked to judge this patriotic show that celebrates America’s birthday. The Show Co-Chairs were MaryAnn Buckley and Melissa Mackey. Lovely floral arrangements were created by Kent Island Garden Club members to complement the art pieces in the show. Twenty-five people attended the reception. Thirty pieces are in this show featuring oils, acrylics, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and jewelry. The show closes on July 19. 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
First Place – Holly Buehler for her oil painting “Ferry Point”.
Amateur, Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry/3-D: First Place – Mimi Swigert for her jewelry “Peace for America”.
Judge’s comments: Nice balance. Well- constructed piece. Love the patriotic and artistic craftsmanship!
9TH ANNUAL PAINT KENT ISLAND RECEPTION AT KIFA
Reception attendees listened as the winners were announced by KIFA Board Member Lorraine Sincavage.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Art Scene 2026
Professional, Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention – Wende Woodham for her mixed media “Freedom Between the Folds”.
Judge’s comments: A visually patriotic collage with red, white and blue. Paint on paper and cut paper. Great technical details. Needed more connection to the title. America is woven?
Students demonstrated pottery wheel-throwing.
Third Place – Melissa Gryder for her oil painting “Gentle Water”.
This lovely floral arrangement was created by Bobby Bell, Kent Island Garden Club, to complement the art piece shown above.