Stephanie Zeiler, Cascio Clay Center Executive Director, cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the Cascio Clay Center at KIFA on November 15, 2025. In photo, left to right: Melissa Craig, Becky Placek, Margaret Tessier, Pat Spinella, Stephanie Zeiler (cut the ribbon), Joel Purcell, Laura Keene, Kristen Tull, and Keith Summers.
Text by Rebecca Placek
Photo by Doug Bishop
Category A, Amateur, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention – Pat Spinella for her acrylic painting “Storm’s A’ Comin”.
Kristen Tull, Stephanie Zeiler, and Keith Summers posed in the Kiln Room. The kiln is used for firing pottery.
JASON YOUNG WINNER
OF THE PAUL REED SMITH GUITAR!
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9th Annual…
PAINT KENT ISLAND!
Call for Artists
May 13 – 16, 2026
Stephanie Zeiler’s parents proudly posed with her at the grand opening. They traveled from Pennsylvania to attend.
November 15, 2025 was the Grand Opening Reception for the Cascio Clay Center at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). Sixty people attended the opening and ten of them registered that day for classes. Cascio Clay Center Executive Director, Stephanie Zeiler, welcomed and thanked everyone for attending. To help, KIFA has extended the Charmtree Jewelry Raffle Basket valued at $500 to benefit the Cascio Clay Center until November 30th. So far, the raffle has raised $192.
For information on the five classes that are scheduled in November and December at the Cascio Clay Center please email Stephanie Zeiler at cascioclaycenter@gmail.com
For information on volunteering as a studio monitor or teaching classes at the Cascio Clay Center please email Stephanie Zeiler at cascioclaycenter@gmail.com
Text and Photos by Rebecca Placek
Jason Young was the winner of the Paul Reed Smith guitar.
The guitar raffle brought in $970 to benefit KIFA.
Margaret Tessier, Vicki Spinelli, Karen Pavlik, Rita Myers, Janine Rodriguez, Maryann Buckley, Carlos Rodriguez, Becky Jones, and Susan Thau.
Category D, Professional, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Wende Woodham for her mixed media “Twist and Shout”.
January 15 - February 27, 2026
Monday, January 12, 2026
Drop-off work, 2 pm to 6 pm
Thursday, January 15
Show Opens at 1:00
Reception 5-7 pm
Stephanie Zeiler cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening
Category B, Amateur, Watercolors/Gouache/Alcohol Inks: First Place – Nancy Emerick for her watercolor “Evening Storm”.
Thirty-five people attended the reception.
Pat Spinella drew the winner of the Charmtree Jewelry Studio Raffle Basket, Judy Tucker.
Category A, Professional, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place – Rita Myers for her oil painting “Weather #2”
Darlene and John Conley--John’s surprise gift was a framed photo of a White Egret by photographer Mark Anderson.
Kristen Tull in front of the slab roller. The slab roller is a piece of studio equipment that rolls out perfect slabs of clay for hand-building pottery and ceramics. Kristen’s Beginner’s Wheel Class for five weeks starts on November 19. Class fee: $200 for KIFA members and $220 for non-members.
Pat Spinella drew the winner of the Paul Reed Smith Guitar, Jason Young.
The Surprise Santa Gift Exchange topped off the party. Karen Pavlik’s surprise gift was shorebirds on driftwood art. Susan Thau’s surprise gift was a pair of toasty warm socks.
Melissa Craig presented the Achievement Award medal and gifts to Executive Director, Margaret Tessier, for “keeping the lights on at KIFA and more”.
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.
Penny Purcell, Joel Purcell, Pat Spinella, Earl, Charlie Schwan, Tom Tucker, Judy Tucker, and Becky Placek. Also in attendance, not pictured: Melissa Mackey, Lorraine Sincavage, Karen Slade, Brenda, Darlene Conley and John Conley.
KIFA Co-Presidents: Becky Placek and Melissa Craig, and KIFA Executive Director Margaret Tessier.
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.
“Cheers to the Cascio Clay Center” cake from Peace of Cake Pastry Shop, Stevensville. The cake topper is a potters hands shaping a bowl on top of a lemon raspberry cake.
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”.
Penny Purcell’s surprise gift was a lovely set of flower notecards.
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
THANKS TO HOLIDAY PARTY ATTENDEES!
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.
Category E, Professional, Photography: First Place – Rich Isaacman for his photo “Mothership”.
Pat Spinella’s Unsung Hero Award.
WEATHER SHOW AT KIFA
Category E, Amateur, Photography: First Place – Fitz Turner for his photo “Heading to Weather”.
Keith Summers demonstrated wheel throwing the process of shaping clay on a potter’s wheel to create round ceramic forms. Keith’s Beginner’s Wheel Class for six weeks starts on November 24. Class fee is: $230 for KIFA members and $250 for non-members.
Thank you to everyone who attended KIFA’s Holiday Party in the Tea Room at Rams Head Shore House on December 3, 2025. Yummy food and friendship were on the agenda. Twenty percent of the total sales from our orders that day will be donated back to KIFA. Twenty-four people attended the event. Jason Young was the winner of the Paul Reed Smith guitar. The guitar raffle brought in $970 to benefit KIFA. Judy Tucker was the winner of the Charmtree Jewelry Studio Raffle Basket. The raffle basket brought in $192 to benefit the Cascio Clay Center. Pat Spinella was presented with an Unsung Hero Award for her volunteer service to KIFA. Margaret Tessier, KIFA’s Executive Director, was given an Achievement Award medal for “keeping the lights on at KIFA and more”. The Surprise Santa Gift Exchange topped off the party.
Text and Photos by Rebecca Placek
Photos by Melissa Craig and Rebecca Placek
Melissa Craig’s surprise gift was a pair of sunglasses with a palm tree and a pink flamingo!
NEXT GALLERY SHOW
Melissa Craig presented Pat Spinella with the Unsung Hero Award for her volunteer service to KIFA.
Reception attendees listened as Andrea Schulte announced the winners.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
• 4 Days Plein Air Painting
• Quick Draw on Saturday
• Judging and Awards
• Coffee and Breakfast Treats
• Saturday Evening Reception
• Gallery Space
CASCIO CLAY CENTER GRAND OPENING!