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Welcome to Artist Alley,
Washington County Arts Council's electronic newsletter.
We hope this publication will engage you with the arts in your community.
WCAC welcomes your ideas and support as it continues to take the lead in bringing together the community's art organizations to strengthen our region's arts culture.
For artist information, arts events, calls for art, and more visit WCAC's web page...
www.washingtoncountyarts.com.
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The Washington County Arts Council announces the opening of two exhibits for the month of July 2022 at the Washington County Arts Council, 34 S Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
Featured will be photographer Mark Schwenk’s “Portraits of Empowerment” and visual artist, Emma Williams’ “Imminent Emergence: Mediations on the Book of Joy.” The Exhibits open in the galleries on Thursday, July 7, 2022, and online virtually beginning Saturday, July 9, 2022.
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Washington County Arts Council
Accepting Grant Applications
for 2022-2023
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The Board of Directors of the Washington County Arts Council announces that the 2023 Community Arts Development Grant Guidelines and Application are now available at http://www.washingtoncountyarts.com/grants or by emailing Mary Anne Burke at maryanneb@washingtoncountyarts.com
All grant awards are made subject to the availability of funds.
Awards are made possible through the Maryland State Arts Council’s Community Arts Development program which “provides funds and technical assistance to the local arts councils of the 23 counties of Maryland and Baltimore City. The purposes of the program are to better serve artists, arts organizations, and audiences throughout the State and to encourage local decision-making, arts activity and funding for the arts at the local level.” To be eligible, organizations must be organized as a charitable purpose.
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New! Now at The Gallery Shop!
The Definitive Golden Girls Cultural Reference Guide by Matt Browning, is an eye-opening, illuminating encyclopedia of “the who, the how, and the ha!” of thousands of topical jokes from the show’s 180 episodes.
Join the author at the Arts Council for a book signing on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 12noon to 3pm at 34 S Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
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4th Annual Washington Goes Purple Call | |
There is a barn reception area on-site to be used in event of rain!
DONT LET THE WEATHER CHANGE YOUR PLANS!
— at Elmwood Farm Bed and Breakfast.
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Summer Literacy Kickoff Concert for United Way
TICKETS: $20 ADV/$25 DOORS
- Doors: 7pm
- Brouillet: 7:15pm
- Kidbrass: 8pm
- Cab Ellis: 9pm
Encouraged donation of new or gently used books for United Way.
- Food and beverages for sale at the venue (no coolers or outside beverages)
- Bring your own lawn chair
- RAIN OR SHINE !!
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2022 City Park Summer Concert Series Coming Soon!
Sponsored in part by the
Washington County Arts Council
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SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022, AT 6 PM – 7:30 PM
City Park Summer Concert Series presents The Freddie Long Band
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You are invited!
Coffee & Connections with guest artist this month,
Ashley Holden Hammond!
7/27/2022 at 8:00 AM
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
1 S. Potomac St.
Hagerstown MD 21740
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Musicians performing on the sidewalks of Main Street Waynesboro during the launch of AAGW’s Destination ARTS! initiative in 2013. | |
AAGW’s Gallery 50 welcomes back guests after the pandemic shutdown with “The Art of Healing” exhibit in July 2020. | |
AAGW board member Mary Ashe-Mahr | |
Celebrate Destination ARTS! Weekend on July 8–10
The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro (AAGW) marks its 10th anniversary season with Celebrate Destination ARTS! Weekend on Friday, July 8, 2022 through Sunday, July 10, 2022 in downtown Waynesboro.
The three days of entertainment, art, and community have been curated to celebrate how Waynesboro has developed into an arts destination. In 2012, there were close to 20 empty storefronts along Main Street. The formation of AAGW helped revive downtown and welcome new businesses.
Many of the events taking place during the official celebration weekend hearken back to the original Destination ARTS! initiative launched on July 19, 2013.
“The community revitalization project was supposed to last just 15 weeks, with vacant buildings becoming art galleries and musicians performing on the sidewalks,” said Andrew Sussman, founder of the arts alliance. “But when the 15 weeks were up, the music kept going and Gallery 50—owned and operated by AAGW—kept going, with more galleries and studios to follow and flourish.”
Celebrate Destination ARTS! Weekend kicks off on Fri., July 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. with an opening reception in Gallery 50, plus additional receptions at Ceramic Arts Center, 42 West ARTS Co-op, Gallery 35 East, Sanders Creations & Laser Graphics, Walnut Street Studios, and Cindy’s Custom Framing. Live music features G@g (Gillian & Garrett Austin) at Music Makers, Across the Pond at Main Street Park, and Earthsong Ensemble (Patric Schlee & friends) at 42 West ARTS Co-op.
On Sat., July 9, nonstop music at Music Makers from 12 to 6 p.m. spotlights Tim Gotwald & Dan Dropkin, Dave Dishneau & Michael Heyser, Kerensa Gray, and Sussman, Jankura & Hepfer. All downtown galleries will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with yarn spinning and sculpting demonstrations at 42 West ARTS Co-op.
Main Street Park will be busy with live music from Tresa Day, Soleil, and The Willys Duo, art vendors/demonstrations, food trucks, and breweries from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will close with Bobby D and the Truckstop Burritos from 7 to 9 p.m., part of the Summer Concert Series in collaboration with Mainstreet Waynesboro and sponsored by FirstEnergy Foundation.
The festivities continue on Sun., July 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. Gallery 50 will be open for art browsing, Music Makers will feature musicians Wayne Driscoll and BBD Blue Trio, and Main Street Park will have face painting for kids and live performances by Waynesboro Children’s Theater Troupe and Two Mountains Over.
For hands-on fun, a “play me” piano will be on the sidewalk outside Music Makers for the community to play and share their talent as they walk around downtown enjoying the weekend’s events.
In addition, a Destination ARTS! Scavenger Hunt contest begins Fri., July 8. Cards can be picked up at Gallery 50, 42 West ARTS Co-op, Ceramic Arts Center, Gallery 35 East, Walnut Street Studios, and Sanders Creations & Laser Graphics. Entries need to be dropped off at Gallery 50 by Sat., Sep. 3, with multiple prizes to be awards during AAGW’s annual fundraising festival—Jammin’ in the Park, which takes place at Main Street Park on Sun., Sep. 4.
The weekend is family-friendly and free (except for the Summer Concert Series performance), although donations are encouraged and appreciated.
AAGW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a focus to integrate the arts into community life and help arts education thrive collaborating with schools, community nonprofits, arts organizations, artists of all artistic disciplines, and the area represented by the Waynesboro Area School District.
For more information, follow AAGW on Facebook or visit ArtsAllianceGW.org
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Valley Art Association Member Show
Weekends in July: “Bird Watching”, Friday, July 1 – Sunday, July 31 in the North Gallery of the historic Mansion House Art Center & Gallery at 480 Highland Avenue, in Hagerstown's City Park. Hours: Fridays & Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. FREE Admission. For more information, visit www.valleyartassoc.com, https://www.facebook.com/ValleyArtAssociation.Hagerstown.Md, or call (301) 797-2867.
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Washington County Free Library is pleased to announce an upcoming author event, Beyond the Books: Evening with Debbie Macomber, on Sunday, July 31 at the Maryland Theatre. This is a two-part event with tickets available for either or both portions.
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
At 3 PM on July 31, join Debbie Macomber for a lovely afternoon tea in the Maryland Theatre Ballroom. Sip specialty teas crafted by the Kate Pearl Tea Room with blends based on Ms. Macomber's books. Meet and talk with a favorite author in this more intimate setting.
At 5 PM, join Debbie Macomber in the Maryland Theatre's Historic Auditorium to hear about her work, inspiration, writing process, and experience as an internationally acclaimed author. There will be an opportunity for audience questions.
There will be a book signing and opportunity for photos with Debbie Macomber following her talk! She will sign all books purchased at the event and one book per person brought from home, so bring your favorite title along to be signed.
Beyond the Books Talk & Book Signing Admission tickets are $20. Tickets for the Meet & Greet Afternoon Tea are $60. We have a Tea & Talk Admission Bundle for $75 as well with a limited number of bundles available—get them now! Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/3NWYFH6.
Face coverings are encouraged to be worn during the event. For more information about the venue, parking, and accessibility, please visit https://www.mdtheatre.org/. For more information on Debbie Macomber, please visit www.prhspeakers.com. For more information about this and other library events, visit www.washcolibrary.org.
Contact:
Sarah Nadeau, Community Partnerships Librarian
Washington County Free Library
100 S. Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD. 21740
snadeau@washcolibrary.org
301-739-3250 ext. 168
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Mark your calendars! Celebrate 25 years of Augustoberfest! | |
Allure of the Near East: Treasures from the Huntington Museum of Art
Dates: June 18–August 21, 2022
Location: Groh Gallery
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts hosts a special traveling exhibition Allure of the Near East: Treasures from the Huntington Museum of Art featuring 45 exquisitely crafted items from a collection originally formed by Drs. Joseph and Omayma Touma. Glassware, ceramics, metalwork, weaponry and weaving illustrate the distinctive beauty of Near Eastern design through objects meant for daily life that are simultaneously beautiful and functional.
“Allure of the Near East will bring a breathtaking selection of primarily Islamic decorative arts to Hagerstown—our first such exhibition since 1933,” said Washington County Museum of Fine Arts Executive Director Sarah Hall. “It also gives us an opportunity to showcase works in our collection that further illuminate the superb visual traditions of the Near East.”
The exhibition opens June 18 and runs through August 21. Museumgoers will see objects dating from the 7th century to the late 19th century. Many works are from what is now modern-day Iran, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey.
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Summer Camps --
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
There is still time to sign up little ones for summer camp at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Camps explore art in conjunction with Museum exhibits. Click HERE to learn more.
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Bill Engvall
Saturday, August 6, 2022
6:00 PM & 9:00 PM
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About the Show...
Here's Your Sign "It's Finally Time" Farewell Tour
What makes entertainers successful is the ability to connect with an audience. The sharing of everyday humor makes Bill Engvall on his farewell tour, one of the top comedians today. He is best known for the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Dancing With the Stars and Last Man Standing.
He was recently awarded “Casino Comedian” of the year at the 2019 Casino Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas, NV. He is currently on tour and since 2016, Bill has hosted a weekly podcast “My 2 Cents” with PodcastOne.
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Contact Audrey Vargason at 301-790-3500 or Contact Email: ajv@mdtheatre.org
Our Box Office Location is:
21 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Maryland Theatre Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Box Office is Open 1 Hour Prior to Showtimes
Contact Our Box Office 301-790-2000
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Authentic Community Theatre 2 Week Intensive presents
Legally Blonde the Musical Jr.
At the Maryland Theatre
Saturday, August 13, 2022
2:00 PM
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About the Show...
Authentic Community Theatre's 2-week Production Camp will start with a week at ACT (1000 Florida Ave) and end with a week at The Maryland Theatre with a full production (including sets, costumes, props, etc.) at the end of the second week!
Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical JR. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show's instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass — leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!
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Contact Audrey Vargason at 301-790-3500 or Contact Email: ajv@mdtheatre.org
Our Box Office Location is:
21 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Maryland Theatre Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Box Office is Open 1 Hour Prior to Showtimes
Contact Our Box Office 301-790-2000
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Exploring Jonathan Street: History, Art, Imagination
May 21–September 11, 2022
Discover the history of Hagerstown’s historically Black Jonathan Street neighborhood in this exhibition that combines the artifacts and documentation from the log cabin at 417 Jonathan Street with contemporary art and community memories. The neighborhood’s own nationally-known artist Graff Dummy has been commissioned to create a contemporary artwork inspired by the history of Jonathan Street.
The story of the log cabin at 417 Jonathan Street has captured the attention and imaginations of people locally and nationally. The cabin has attained emblematic status as a symbol of both the history of the neighborhood and the value we can find in that history to help foster a stronger community in the present and future. Providing an immersive, thoughtful exploration of the cabin’s story, the exhibition will include artifacts excavated from the cabin site (most of which the community has only seen in photographs), enlarged documentary photographs of the cabin’s historic condition, and a contemporary art response.
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A Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry
Friday, September 9, 2022, at 7:00 PM
Tickets on sale Friday, July 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM
Join Kip and Dale Young of Forever Young Music for a multimedia music presentation and tribute to stars of the Grand Ole Opry. From Roy Acuff, Wabash Cannonball and Minnie Pearl to some of your favorite hits by George Jones, Tammy Wynette Dolly Parton, Lorrie Morgan Johnny Cash and The Carter Family and MORE! This tribute will have you clapping and singing along to some of your favorite memories from the Grand Ole Opry!
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Contact Audrey Vargason at 301-790-3500 or Contact Email: ajv@mdtheatre.org
Our Box Office Location is:
21 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Maryland Theatre Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Box Office is Open 1 Hour Prior to Showtimes
Contact Our Box Office 301-790-2000
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Celebrate the fusion of arts, entertainment, and history on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 11:00 am - 7:30 p.m. at the annual City Park Fall Fest event in Hagerstown.
Enjoy free, fun family activities including pony rides, museum tours, art activities and recreation opportunities during the day and stay for an excellent firework show that night!
Partnered with Bester Community of Hope's Community Block Party we encourage everyone to come out and see what is going on!
Beginning at 11am, children of all ages are invited to come dressed up in a butterfly costume or as any pollinator (bees, birds, and bugs) to parade down the Cultural Trail to the Hager House in City Park for an educational and interactive presentation by The Monarch Alliance, in partnership with the Discovery Station! Line-up begins at 10:30am.
Register now for the Monarch Butterfly Parade and get more info about Fall Fest here: https://www.hagerstownmd.org/fallfest.
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Kevin James
Friday, October 21, 2022
7:30 PM
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About the Show...
Kevin James began his career as a stand-up on the Long Island comedy scene. After being discovered at the 1996 Montreal Comedy Festival, he signed a network development deal to create his own sitcom.
The King of Queens, which premiered in 1998, ran for nine seasons on CBS with James starring and executive producing, and it garnered him an Emmy nomination in 2006 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The show concluded its run in 2007 but continues to air daily in syndication across the country and around the world. James also starred in and executive produced the sitcom Kevin Can Wait for Sony Television and CBS.
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Contact Audrey Vargason at 301-790-3500 or Contact Email: ajv@mdtheatre.org
Our Box Office Location is:
21 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Maryland Theatre Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Box Office is Open 1 Hour Prior to Showtimes
Contact Our Box Office 301-790-2000
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God Bless America, Again
Friday, November 11, 2022, at 7:00 PM
Tickets on sale Friday, July 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM
Buy Tickets
This Veterans Day Forever Young Music (Dale and Kip Young) will be presenting a multimedia music tribute to our veterans and those brave men and women in the armed forces past and present.
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Contact Audrey Vargason at 301-790-3500 or Contact Email: ajv@mdtheatre.org
Our Box Office Location is:
21 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Maryland Theatre Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Box Office is Open 1 Hour Prior to Showtimes
Contact Our Box Office 301-790-2000
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Wine, Women and Song
Friday, February 24, 2023, at 7:00 PM
Tickets on sale Friday, July 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM
Join us in The Grand Ballroom with Kip Calahan Young of Forever Young Music for "Wine, Women and Song". A multimedia presentation with music from some of your favorite female vocalists like country music stars Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood, Classic Rock and Roll hits from Pat Benatar and Joan Jett along with classic favorites like Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Where the Boys Are. A Post Valentine's Day Celebration with "Wine, Women and Song"!
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Contact Audrey Vargason at 301-790-3500 or Contact Email: ajv@mdtheatre.org
Our Box Office Location is:
21 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Maryland Theatre Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Box Office is Open 1 Hour Prior to Showtimes
Contact Our Box Office 301-790-2000
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ARTS RELIEF FUNDING
The State’s 2022 supplemental budget included $40 million in Arts Relief funding allocated to MSAC to support arts grants. Visit tinyurl.com/MSACJuly2022Newsletter to access our July newsletter to read the plan.
There will be more updates to come! To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter here: tinyurl.com/MSACsMailingList.
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Hagerstown Community College’s Alumni Association announces its concert schedule for the 17th annual Red, White and Blue Summer Concert Series. All concerts are free and are open to the public. The schedule of events is as follows:
- Saturday, June 25: The United States Navy Cruisers
- Saturday, July 9: The Maryland National Guard’s 229th Army Band
- Saturday, August 13: The United States Navy Commodores
All concerts will be held at 6:15 p.m. in HCC’s Alumni Amphitheater. Concerts are subject to change by the U.S. Military. Concessions will be available for purchase. Please note that no outside food is permitted on the amphitheater grounds. Personal lawn chairs and blankets are permitted for lawn seating.
For more information and weather updates, email lsstewart@hagerstowncc.edu or call 240-500-2346.
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Opportunities for Artists
Explore MSAC grants and opportunities available to independent artists, click here for details.
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The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development. | |
The Washington County Arts Council is a proud member of
County Arts Agencies of Maryland,
Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts
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The WCAC facility is wheelchair accessible! | |
Thank you for providing your email address to the
Washington County Arts Council. Your information was obtained from
at least one of the following methods: signing our guest book,
becoming a member, donating, entering a contest, or exhibiting with us.
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