Four Retired “Rebels Without A Cause” Exhibit with artists Lee Weaver, Don Viar, Tom Renner, & Jeff Shoaf opens in the Galleries with social distancing & masks on October 1, 2020.

The exhibit can also be viewed “virtually” on the WCC web page at https://www.washingtoncountyarts.com/ on October 2, 2020.

Washington County Gives is a 24-hour, online giving promotion hosted by the Community Foundation of Washington County MD for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Washington County, Maryland. This annual event gives the Washington County Arts Councils and local nonprofits the opportunity to raise unrestricted dollars and receive and prize money!

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra has announced that Emily C. Socks has rejoined its administrative staff as Director of Development. Since 2018, Socks served as a Major Gift Officer for Adventist HealthCare in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She previously served as Director of Advancement for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra from 2016 to 2018.

“I am excited and honored to return to the Maryland Symphony! I look forward to again working in Washington County where I reside and raise my family”, said Socks. “Having the opportunity to promote the mission of the Maryland Symphony and invite others to support our community in this way is a privilege. The MSO is poised to build on the tremendous momentum of the downtown revitalization. I look forward to being a part of the organization again as it makes a positive difference for our community through the transformational power of music especially during these unprecedented times.”

In making the announcement, Jonathan Parrish, Executive Director, said “I am really thrilled to welcome Emily back to the MSO and look forward to working with her during this period of challenge and opportunity. Her knowledge of the community and our patrons will be invaluable to me as I continue to get acquainted with our supporters and explore new strategies to fulfill the MSO’s mission.”

Socks, a native of Southern Maryland, is a graduate of Frostburg State University. She is a 2019 Leadership Washington County Graduate and currently serves as a Leadership Washington County Mentor. She resides in Hagerstown with her three children.

September’s MWA Notable Maryland Author is John DeDakis an award-winning editor for "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” and a mystery/suspense writer.

MSAC’s Regional Arts Summits will be held virtually from 4:00PM - 6:30PM on Tuesdays beginning September 15 through October 20, convening artists and arts organizations from varying regions of the state. For regional schedules, session descriptions, and to register, please visit our website.

The World of Jan Brett, opens on Sunday, September 13, 2020. Over 70 original paintings from bestselling books set the theme of the exhibit and take you on a journey around the world to learn about the places and cultures from which Jan Brett gets her inspiration. From tropical rainforests to Arctic igloos, your imagination will fly away into The World of Jan Brett. The World of Jan Brett is organized by the Oshkosh Public Museum (WI) in partnership with Jan Brett. Visit us online at http://wcmfa.org/.

401 Museum Drive

Hagerstown, MD 21741

301-739-5727

The Maryland State Arts Council has re-opened the Call for Panelists for the Independent Artists Awards through Tuesday, September 15. This year, the applications being reviewed are from visual and media artists.

MSAC relies on a diverse array of experts from across the state of Maryland to do the important work of evaluating applications. MSAC selects IAA panelists with a focus on diversity of experiences, diversity of location, and expertise in the current year’s discipline: Visual/Media.

This is a wonderful opportunity to better serve the community, learn about MSAC programs and processes, and work together with folks across the State. Selected IAA panelists must be MD residents, will serve on one or two panels as described below, and will receive modest compensation for their service.

The Mansion House Art Center announces its September 2020 show: Working Life: Hands, Mind & Heart which will run from Friday, September 4, 2020 through Sunday September 27, 2020.

501 Highland Way, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Open Fridays and Saturdays 11am - 4pm and Sundays 1pm - 5pm.

Twice a year, the Maryland State Department of Education works with its partners and First Lady Yumi Hogan to host a statewide student artwork competition and exhibition. This year, the Fall First Lady’s Gallery will be virtual! At the opening ceremony on October 9th, young artists will introduce their work, and winners for each grade band will be announced.

To support this project, MSAC is calling for a diverse array of experts to do the important work of evaluating submissions. MSAC selects jurors with a focus on diversity of experiences, diversity of location, and expertise in the fine arts. Panelists must be Maryland residents.

Have you always wanted to know the history or value of that family treasure that has been passed down through the generations? During recent house cleaning have you discovered a mystery item about which you would like to know more? Do you have a “found” item from an auction or from browsing in an antique shop? If so, the WCHS has an opportunity for you.

Join the Washington County Historical Society on Sunday, September 13, 2020 from 2-4 PM, at the Beaver Creek Schoolhouse, 9702 Beaver Creek Church Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740 to get your questions answered and to learn how Certified Appraisers view your item. 

Those wanting to have an itemed assessed must pre-register with the Washington County Historical Society by noon on September 5th. Only a limited number of items can be included in Sunday’s session. 

Call the WCHS offices at 301-797-8782 to register an item. Call now while there are still openings.

The afternoon will be a fun outing for anyone interested in history, interested in treasure hunting, or both. Come out whether you have an item to present or just to see what friends and family unveil to the experts. You will also get a chance to see the recently renovated Beaver Creek Schoolhouse!

Tickets to have your item appraised are $15 ($10 for members) and are available for purchase online or by calling the offices of the Washington County Historical Society. Spectator tickets are only $5. Social distancing will be observed. Participants must wear masks.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Washington County Historical Society, 135 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD, 21740.

Phone: 301-797-8782

Email: info@washcohistory.org

Web: www.washcohsitory.org

Sarah J. Hall, Museum Director, and Daniel Fulco, Agnita M. Stine Schreiber Curator, sit down for a chat about their favorite works of art, museum exhibitions and happenings, artists, and life.

Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 6 p.m.

Live via Zoom. Link to join will be posted shortly.

Comedian Ron White has postponed his visit yet again from Sept 25th, 2020 until September 24, 2021, at The Maryland Theatre for a 7 PM and 10 PM showtime. Please make sure that our event is listed on your calendar with the new date.

Hager House Field, Cultural Trail, Artist Alley (Hagerstown)

10/17/2020 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm

MAD Dance Theatre performs “Time Travelers Alight,” a three-part, outdoor performance in Hagerstown, MD, on Saturday, October 17, 2020. The performance begins at 3:00 pm near Hager House in City Park. In the event of rain, the performance will take place on October 18. The event is free, and no tickets are required. Attendees are asked to maintain 6-foot physical distancing from people outside their households and to wear masks at all times for everyone’s health and well-being. Arriving from the future, two Time Travelers arrive in Hagerstown, explore the environs, see it with fresh eyes, and in turn encourage witnesses to see the sights anew. Section one begins at 3:00 pm in a field adjacent to Hager House in City Park (110 Key Street). There, the travelers first arrive and get grounded in this time and place. At 3:45 pm, at the Mural of Unusual Size (53 West Baltimore Street), the travelers are inspired by its bold colors and shapes, and explore the space between pretense and sincerity, superficiality and depth. At 4:30 pm, the travelers arrive at the intimate Artist Alley (34 South Potomac Street), where they engage in a slow-moving meditation on the passage of time. Composer Cam Millar has been commissioned to compose the original music for this production. The music for “Time Travelers Alight” will be streamed via YouTube, and attendees should bring smart phones and ear buds in order to hear it during the performance. There will be time between each section to allow people to travel by foot, bike, or car to the performance’s next location. Supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org), Time Travelers Alight is conceived and performed by MAD Dance Theatre members Ray C. Shaw and Kit Clark. Founded just over two years ago, MAD Dance Theatre explores what dance art is for older dance artists. Utilizing the genre of modern and post-modern dance, including improvisation, Shaw and Clark express ideas and make movements that are in turns, intimate, humorous, and surreal. MAD Dance was awarded an independent artist award from the Maryland State Arts Council in 2020. If the event is postponed due to rain, the announcement will be made on Facebook at MAD.Dance.Theatre. For more information, email kitraydance@gmail.com or phone 301-331-4398. 

Fee: free

Contact Kitty Clark at 301-331-4398 or kitraydance@gmail.com

Tickets for Authentic Community Theatre’s performance of Footloose ae now on sale! Make sure you get yours before they're gone!

October 22nd: 7:30pm (100 Live Tickets)

October 23rd: 7:30pm (100 Live Tickets, Unlimited Live Stream)

October 24th: 11am (100 Live Tickets) 6pm (100 Live Tickets, Unlimited Live Stream) 9pm (100 Live Tickets)

Authentic Community Theatre Inc. (ACT) in Hagerstown Maryland has announced that Broadway Star, Major Attaway, will be conducting 2 Masterclasses for their theatre October 25, 2020

"If anyone out there thought Covid was going to stop us from bringing our theatre and our community amazing opportunities, they were wrong" said Robbie Soto, President of Authentic Community Theatre.

Major Attaway, Best known for his portrayal of The Genie in Broadway's Aladdin, will be making his way down the east coast to Hagerstown MD for two masterclasses on October 25. 10 people will get the opportunity to work with Major and get feedback from him while 60 people will get to sit back, watch, and take notes while Attaway works with individuals.

"This isn’t the first time that we have brought someone of this caliber to ACT. We have had masterclasses with Susan Egan and Wilson Jermaine Heredia. Wilson even came and did a full show with us. This isn’t the first and it's not going to be the last" said Soto.

Major Attaway, originally from Fort Worth Texas, got his call up to Broadway in 2016 to be the standeby for Tony Winner James Monroe Iglehart. In February 2017 with Iglehart moving over to Hamilton, Major got to call the role his own.

"Major coming to Hagerstown is an amazing opportunity" Soto continued. "People loved other classes we have put on and the one question we've gotten is when are we going to bring in someone who is on Broadway right now? It was never easy because they do 8 shows a week. With Covid and Broadway being shut down this gave us an opportunity." Soto took a group of about 50 to see Aladdin on Broadway in 2018 and got to meet Major. What he saw was everything he personally have ever dreamed of. "Seeing Major for me was like being a kid on Christmas. Everything he did on stage was stunning. He was hilarious, heartfelt, and I could have watched him over and over again. He commanded the stage the second he walked on to it". Major coming to Hagerstown makes the 3rd year in a row that ACT has presented a masterclass from Broadway talent and they don’t see themselves slowing down anytime soon. "As soon as I took over as president at ACT I saw that while we were educating our talent, they were hungry to learn from new people and wanted to hear from people who have made it to the big time. So that's what we have been doing. It is important that we continue our mission, more so now than ever before". Soto said.

You will have multiple opportunities to meet Major. He will be in attendance at Authentic Community Theatre's production of Footloose at the Historic Maryland Theatre for a meet and greet. Tickets can be purchased at www.mdtheatre.org. Tickets for the masterclass can be purchased at www.actforall.org. Tickets go on sale September 12, 2020. To participate the cost is $100.00 and to observe tickets are just $40. Participants will receive one on one training from Major and will receive pictures and can bring one item to have autographed. Autographed headshots may also be purchased for the event. Everyone in attendance will get a chance to meet and take a picture with Major.

For More information you can contact Robbie Soto, President at robbie@actforall.org or go to www.actforall.org

The City of Hagerstown is partnering with Manning Media this Halloween for a Drive Through Trick-or-Treat at Fairgrounds Park on Thursday, October 29th (5pm-9pm) and would welcome non-profits to participate with them!

In lieu of a fee we just ask you to provide at least 1,500 pre-packaged treats and giveaways for the event. There are only 15 spots available (first come, first serve) so grab your spot soon by filling out an application which is available by contacting Cassie Hershberger at CHershberger@hagerstownmd.org.

“A safe, fun trick or treat event! Grab the family and take a drive through Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown and visit our vendors who will be handing out treats to the kids. RAIN OR SHINE. Just $5 per carload (must be legally belted in the car). Proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life of Washington County. Gates open at 4:30pm. Please note: there are no restroom facilities available. Only 700 tickets will be sold.

Questions? Contact Program Directors Laura Weiss (laura.weiss@maryland.gov) or Emily Sollenberger (emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov) for assistance.

401 Museum Drive

Hagerstown, MD 21741

Tickets available soon through www.mdtheatre.org

Printable 2021 Membership Reply Card

Washington County Arts Council page on Facebook.

To include your happenings in future editions of Artist Alley, please send your art information to maryanneb@washingtoncountyarts.com

You may text WCAC to 22828 on your mobile device

// CONNECT WITH US //