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.
30th Annual Photography Show
July 23 – August 23, 2026
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY A - NATURE
Honorable Mention winner
Richard Isaacman, “Eight Strikes”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
AMATEUR: CATEGORY C - FINE ART, Honorable Mention winner
Lani Seikaly, “Ready”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
Events
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
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
AMATEUR: CATEGORY A - NATURE, Honorable Mention winner
Trish Kotzen, “Here’s Looking at You, Kid”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
AMATEUR: CATEGORY B - LANDSCAPE & WATERSCAPE,
First Place winner
Fitz Turner, “One River, Every Age”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
AMATEUR: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT, Honorable Mention winner
Korry Hetherington, “Farmer’s Daughter”
Photo by Rebecca Placek
This lovely floral arrangement was created by Linda Elias, Kent Island Garden Club, to complement the art piece shown above.
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 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
Next Show
Boats, Old and New
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.
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.
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY C - FINE ART, First Place winner
Anne Crane Harlan, “Paper Shadows”
Photo by Melissa Craig
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.
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
Co-Chairs of the Show Melissa Mackey and MaryAnn Buckley welcomed and thanked everyone for attending.
AMATEUR: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT,
Honorable Mention winner
Van Williamson, “Red Shouldered Hawk”
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 August 27, 5-7pm
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
PROFESSIONAL: CATEGORY D - PORTRAIT,
Honorable Mention winner
Barbara Gilbert, “Stealth Mode”
Photo by Melissa Craig
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW
Copyright © 2026 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
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
Refreshments were served at the reception.
Photo by Rebecca Placek
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.
Reception attendees’ listened as Bob Madden presented the awards. He discussed why he selected each winning photo.
Photo by Fitz Turner
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
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!
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
Reception attendees listened as the winners were announced by KIFA Board Member Lorraine Sincavage.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
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?
This lovely floral arrangement was created by Bobby Bell, Kent Island Garden Club, to complement the art piece shown above.