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 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
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
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
Gallery Shows
Lunch and Docent Gift Bags. Photo by Melissa Craig
In photo, KIFA Docents, left to right, Pat McManus, Pat Spinella, Judy Tucker, Amy Demske, Lorraine Sincavage, Margaret Tessier, Maryann Buckley, Sharon Harvey, Sally Prascus, and Becky Placek. Photo by Melissa Craig
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 D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention
Judy Tucker for her collage “Amalfi Coast”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
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
Each Docent selected a pair of earring crafted by Pat Spinella. Photo by Melissa Craig
Bannon Studio Student Show
September 9 - November 9th
Members Gallery
Stop in and enjoy the artwork!
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
Reception Oct 29, 5-7pm | Drop off Oct 26, 2-6pm
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 | Aug 27 – Oct 26
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
Amateur, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Susan Cardaro for her photo “Beached Boats”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
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.
DOCENT APPRECIATION LUNCHEON AT KIFA
Professional, Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention
Karen Saunders for her oil painting “Decoy Launch Jonboat”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
Reception photos below!
Professional, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Richard Hall for his digital photo “Workboat Resting”.
Photo by Fitz Turner
Melissa Craig and Becky Placek hosted the Docent appreciation event. Photo by Judy Tucker
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
Docents enjoyed lunch and gift bags on September 16, 2026, for their annual appreciation event. The luncheon was hosted by KIFA’s Co-Presidents Melissa Craig and Becky Placek. Special thanks to Melissa for providing the luncheon food. Margaret brought a yummy chocolate cake for dessert. Gift bags were from Becky and Melissa, and included Cascio Clay Creation jewelry that was hand crafted by Judy Tucker. Also, earrings were crafted by Pat Spinella, and everyone received a KIFA Day of Giving & Docent Appreciation 2026 pin. Thanks to all the Docents for the generosity of their time. The next time you see a Docent thank them for their volunteer service. Because of them, 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
Photos by Melissa Craig and Judy Tucker
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
HUMANS TOGETHER | Oct 29 – Dec 21
Three or more humans
Gallery Show
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
KIFA’s Co-Presidents Becky Placek and Melissa Craig welcomed and thanked everyone for attending.
Photo by Fitz Turner
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Professional, Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention
Tim Laur for his photo “Sails in the Sunset”.
Photo by Melissa Craig
