Left: Honorable Mention – Pam Chase for her watercolor “A Penny for Your Thoughts”.
Category C, Graphics (includes pen and ink) & Printmaking | Right: First Place – John Doran for his lithographic print “Mainescape I”.
Left to right: J.J. Clow & Sons Electricians installed the lights and fans at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA. | The Kiln Room and Bathroom doors have been installed at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA. | Dan and Maureen Wheatley stand by the painted drywall at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA. | Maureen and Dan Wheatley stand under the new 6 inch gutters on the Clay Arts Center at KIFA.
October 11, 2024, under construction: Clay Arts Center at KIFA by Shirk Pole Builders.
December 3, 2024 – Shoreline Comfort Heating and Cooling worked on installing the rough-in for the HVAC system at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA.
KIFA’s Winter Lecture Series with guest speaker Jonathan B. Tuckerwas held on January 12, 2025. In his interactive poetry presentation, Jonathan showcased how creative writing and spoken word poetry helps to create connections around the world and rediscover passion for storytelling and artful expression. Thank you Jonathan for an inspiring presentation! Thirty people attended this event. Photos by Rebecca Placek
Electrician Justin Clow of J.J. Clow & Sons Electric holds the electrical box for the Clay Arts Center at KIFA.
Events
October 18, 2024, Clay Arts Center at KIFA—plumbing by Lindy J. Jones & Sons, Inc.
November 1, 2024 – Floor and sidewalk concrete poured at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA.
Left: Honorable Mention – George Sass for his photo “Grand Storm”. Right: Honorable Mention – Laura Weeks for her photo “Spire”.
Gallery Shows
Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry
Left: First Place – Wende Woodham for “Penumbra”. Right: Honorable Mention – MaryAnn Buckley for “Dotted Bowl”.
All photos by Rebecca Placek.
November 12, 2024 – The landscaping is finished for the Clay Arts Center and for KIFA. There are 63 new Maryland Native Plants.
CLAY CENTER UPDATE
December 19, 2024 - Drywall is up at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA.
NEXT LECTURE
SADIE ROUTZAHN
Sunday, February 9 at 2:00
November 12, 2024 – The framing is finished inside the Clay Arts Center for the Kiln Room and the Bathroom.
KIFA’s Second Winter Lecture Series with guest speaker Stephan Parker was held on January 26, 2025. Stephan showed a short video clip from his “A Roadkill Opera”. The opera tells the story of the hour before the lights go up on opening night for a comedy improv troupe in 1988 Jackson Hole, Wyoming: the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company”. It is built on the music of the first act of Paerb's Leonora. During his presentation, Stephan asked the audience: “What organizations do you belong to and why are they important to you?” They enthusiastically replied about the organizations that they participated in and the friendships that they made. Thank you Stephan for enlightening us about opera in a unique presentation! Twenty people attended this event.Photos by Rebecca Placek
Category E, Photography | Left: First Place – Susan Eleazer for her photo “Window Dressing”. Right: Honorable Mention – Michael Driscoll for his photo “Holly”.
Above: Honorable Mention – Susan Eleazer for her mixed media “Plea, Pleas, Please”.
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW:
Black and White Only Show
January 16 - February 23
NEXT GALLERY SHOW:
Kent Islanders on the Water
April 10 - June 1, 2025
Reception Sat. April 12 | 3-5 pm
February 3, 2025 – Dan and Maureen Wheatley in the Kiln Room at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA. Thank you to Dan Wheatley for installing the Flexco Flex Trim Self-Stick Vinyl Wall Base. The color of the painted Kiln Room floor is called “Artists Canvas”. It’s the color that the Clay Arts Center Team chose for the floors in the Clay Arts Center.
Photos by Rebecca Placek and Dan Wheatley
Darlene Conley, Show Chair, and Holly Schrader, Show Judge.
January 18, 2025 was the Reception for Black and White Show at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Holly Schrader, a visual arts teacher at Stevensville Middle School. She was impressed with the art and photography in this show. The Show Chair was Darlene Conley. Forty people attended the reception. Seventy-one pieces are in this show featuring oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolor, gouache, alcohol inks, graphics, printmaking, mixed media collage, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. The show closes on February 23. KIFA is open and free for viewing to the public Thursday-Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 405 Main Street, Stevensville.
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.
Left: Youth – Noah Warner for his pen and ink “Dragon 1” and “Dragon 2”.
Category D, Mixed Media/Collage | Right: First Place – Maureen Wheatley for her mixed media “We Are All in this Together”.
Left: Honorable Mention – Mary Ann Buckley for her acrylic painting “Fox on Forest Edge”. Right: Honorable Mention – Patrick Fitzgerald for his oil painting “Dundalk”.
November 8, 2024 – Grading and gravel completed for the Clay Arts Center at KIFA parking lot.
Left: Honorable Mention – Judy Specht for her charcoal “Remember”. Right: Honorable Mention – Vicki Cearfoss for her micron pen “Wolfgang III”.
Above: Honorable Mention – Melissa Mackey for her photo “Ethereal Morning”.
Left: October 22, 2024, Clay Arts Center at KIFA—plumbing pipes installed in the floor for sewer and water. Concrete floor is coming soon.
Right: October 23, 2024 – A big thank you to Dan Wheatley for painting KIFA’s shed to match the Clay Arts Center building.
KIFA’s Third Winter Lecture Series with guest speaker Susan Mayberry was held on February 2, 2025. Susan’s slideshow was on the history of Botanicals, and she included her Botanical art. Botanical art started around 4,000 years ago. It is art whose goal is to depict whole plants or parts of plants in a manner that is both aesthetically pleasing and scientifically accurate. Thank you Susan for sharing your knowledge and your artistic skills. At KIFA, Susan teaches Youth Art classes and she is one of KIFA’s Summer Camp instructors. Eighteen people attended this event.Photos by Rebecca Placek
Photography is a powerful tool for mindfulness and healing, especially in our fast-paced world. By capturing the beauty around us, we can slow down and truly appreciate the present moment. The act of taking photos encourages us to observe our surroundings more closely, fostering a deeper connection with nature and our environment. This mindful practice can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and promote a sense of calm and well-being. Whether it's through the lens of a camera or a smartphone, photography offers a therapeutic escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, allowing us to find peace and joy in the simple moments.
Copyright © 2025 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
Excavation equipment
Masquerade Dance March 29, 2025 - American Legion 7-10pm
Save the date!
Category B, Watercolors/Gouache/Alcohol Inks | Left: First Place – Stacey Sass for her watercolor “Blossoms In Black and White”. Right: Honorable Mention – Pam Chase for her watercolor “On the Edge at Night”.
Clay Arts Center at KIFA--Excavating done by Cliff Lowe, III Enterprise. Upon this ground soon will rise, a Clay Center before your eyes!
NEW - A FREE Winter Lecture Series will be held on Sundays at 2:00 in January, February, and March 2025.
Student Showcase coming in March:
Annual QA County Children and Teens art SHOW
December 11, 2024, Shirk Pole Builders finished installing the ceiling, insulation, and the garage door at the Clay Arts Center at KIFA.
Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels | Left: First Place – Rita Myers for her acrylic painting “Walking in the Rain in Paris”. Right: Honorable Mention – Linda Jakubowski for her acrylic painting “Black and White Garden”.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Happy Hour 3-5
Thursday, Feb 6
and Feb 13: Shop
for Valentine’s Day!
