✨🎨CCPS Student Art Show at The Foundry 🎨✨

We’re thrilled to showcase the incredible talent of Caroline County Public Schools’ student artists at The Foundry! This special exhibit highlights the creativity, dedication, and artistic growth of young artists in our community.

Opening Reception 🎉

Join us as we celebrate these talented students at our Opening Reception on Friday, April 11, from 4–6 PM at The Foundry. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists, admire their work, and show your support for the next generation of creatives.

Exhibit Details 🖼

The exhibit will be open to the public from Wednesday, March 26, through Wednesday, April 16, giving everyone plenty of time to stop by and experience the incredible work on display.

📍 Location: The Foundry, 401 Market St, Denton, MD 21629

We invite the entire community to visit, be inspired, and encourage these young artists as they share their creative visions with the world. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to celebrate local talent!

Black Pasts, Black Futures

A Black History & Arts Celebration: A Day of Culture, Creativity, and Community

 Saturday, February 8th, 2025 from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm

The Caroline County Council of Arts invites the community to celebrate Black history and the arts at a special event on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Taking place at The Foundry and neighboring businesses, including FACES Gallery, this family-friendly gathering will offer an afternoon filled with culture, creativity, and connection.

This year’s celebration will feature a variety of engaging activities that showcase the vibrant traditions of Black history and the arts:

• Community Tapestry Project: Contribute to a collaborative artwork that reflects the unity and rich history of our community.
• Interactive Arts & Painting Activities: Enjoy hands-on art experiences for all ages, including the opportunity to paint your own Sankofa bird as part of a larger community project.
• Free Catered Food: Taste delicious offerings provided by local partners (while supplies last).
• Chesapeake Heartland Bus: Step aboard this mobile museum to explore African American history and culture.

The event will also feature live performances, including drumming sessions, poetry readings, and gospel music, celebrating Black heritage and inspiring attendees. Performances will be held at various times throughout the day, with opportunities to hear local artists share their talents.

This free event is open to the public, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re creating art, enjoying performances, or connecting with others, join us for a memorable celebration of history, culture, and community.

Mark your calendars for February 8th—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Opportunities to Participate

Want to get involved in the celebration? Here’s how:

• Read a Poem: Share your voice at the poetry reading! Whether you’re a seasoned poet or a first-time speaker, we’d love to hear from you.
• Student Service Learning Hours: Students can earn hours by volunteering at the event. This is a great opportunity to support the community while building your resume.

Click here to learn more about volunteering opportunities.

Let us know how you’d like to participate by e-mailing megan@carolinearts.org and join us in making this day unforgettable!

Rough Paintings/Raw Emotion
January 17, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM @ The Foundry Art Gallery

Step into the world of Andrew Wingate, where every brushstroke reveals an untold story. Join us for an exclusive evening showcasing Andrew’s deeply personal collection, Rough Paintings/Raw Emotion. This exhibition offers a window into the raw power of creativity as a means of survival, healing, and expression.

Andrew’s art reflects a lifetime of profound highs and lows, channeling his emotions into bold, striking pieces that connect with the viewer on a visceral level. A Marine Corps veteran and self-taught artist, Andrew found solace in painting during his journey to sobriety. Each piece is a testament to resilience and the unyielding human spirit.

🎨 Explore pieces like “Raging Rose”, which symbolizes love and loss, or “A Man from Nowhere”, a meditation on identity and belonging.

📘 Want to learn more about Andrew’s journey? Download his full biography here.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of art, emotion, and connection. Light refreshments will be served.

Admission is free, and all are welcome!

Ken Rose ~ Photography Exhibit 
“Capturing the Beauty of Nature and Its Wildlife”

Join us at The Foundry on Friday, September 12th from 4–6 PM for an evening celebrating the breathtaking photography of Ken Rose, September’s Artist of the Month.

Ken, the talent behind Neanderthal Photography, is a self-taught landscape and wildlife photographer whose work has been featured in local shops, museums, and state calendars, earning both local and international awards. One of his ongoing series, In the Presence of Trees, beautifully explores the quiet strength, intricate beauty, and timeless presence of trees in their many forms.

Come enjoy light bites, refreshments, and great conversation while viewing Ken’s remarkable collection. Experience the Eastern Shore’s natural world—its landscapes, wildlife, and still moments—through his unique artistic lens.

Artist of the Month: Petrea Jacqueline Macdonald 2024

Petrea Jacqueline draws inspiration from the
many layered reality of our hearts and minds. She was lucky to
receive radical academic training with Glenn Grove at North
Harford High, and later at the Art Student’s League in NYC.
Petrea paints her interior experience and hopes that viewers
find a realization of their own inner world.
At Notre Dame University of Maryland, Petrea studied Christology, the
Bible, Peace & Justice, Philosophy of Religion and Art, receiving her
Bachelor’s degree in 2014.
She studied Reiki with Emily LaBathe who attuned her to the master
teacher level of both Traditional Usui, and Karuna Reiki.
In 2020 Petrea was awarded her Master of Divinity from Naropa
University where she took Buddhist Studies and Psychology for the
Chaplaincy and Spiritual Direction program.
In her Master’s thesis, “In The Deep: Transforming Suffering Is Creative
Process,” she says, “One thing I am starting to understand is that
pain, tragedy, and fear are always always accompanied by the light.
We can all embody and radiate the light.”

Transforming Suffering: The Art and Healing of Petrea J Macdonald

Embrace Your Creativity this Winter at The Foundry!

This winter, The Foundry brings an array of creative workshops designed to brighten the season and unleash your inner artist. With offerings that range from crafting cozy pottery to exploring the magic of crystals, our classes offer something for all ages and interests. Embrace a new skill, make lasting memories, and celebrate the joy of art with us. Spaces fill quickly, so reserve your spot today!

New Winter Workshops

Teen Writers’ Club
November 4 & December 2, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Virtual Sessions via Zoom
Dive into creative writing with engaging discussions, prompts, and peer feedback. Perfect for young writers ages 13–18!
[Email marybeth.bishop@verizon.net to register]

Crescendo Club with Music in Caroline (MIC)
November 6 & November 20, 2024 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | The Foundry, Denton, MD
A collaborative music club for middle school musicians, featuring performance opportunities and creative experimentation.
Cost: $60/month or $30 per session
[Register Here]

Sparkle and Shine: Mosaic Christmas Tree Workshop
November 9, 2024 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM | The Foundry
Join Joanne Gelles to create a festive mosaic Christmas tree—perfect for holiday decor or gifting.
Price: $35
[Reserve Your Spot]

Ink Expressions: Monthly Drawing Meetups
November 12, 2024 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | The Foundry
A monthly gathering to practice drawing techniques with artist Leil Garner, focusing on varied techniques and inspiration.
Cost: $25
[Sign Up Today]

Tree Luminary Pottery Class
November 16, 2024 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | The Foundry
Craft a hand-built pottery luminary with Sharon Guzman; all materials provided.
Price: $30
[Reserve Your Spot]

Crystals 101
November 23, 2024 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | The Foundry
Explore crystal properties and make your own wire-wrapped necklace with Kyleen Asche.
Price: $30
[Register Here]

Santa’s Workshop in the Island of Misfit Toys
December 7, 14 & 21, 2024 | 12 PM – 4 PM (Drop in Anytime) | Wharves of Choptank Visitor & Heritage Center
Bring the family to a magical holiday experience! Kids can build their own toys with “elves” (volunteers) and meet Santa himself! Suggested donation of $15 per child benefits local youth programs.
[Register Through Our Website]

Celebrate the season with creativity and community at The Foundry. We look forward to welcoming you!

We’re thrilled to express our gratitude to our sponsors for their invaluable support of Artsway Illuminations: Denton’s 2024 Mainstreet Banners Project, a vibrant celebration of community, art, and joy brought to you by the Denton Artsway!

Celebrating Local Talent and Community Spirit

With applications now closed, we’re excited to announce that all 12 talented local artists have been selected to participate in this exciting endeavor. Their work will adorn Market Street, painting a vivid picture of Denton’s cultural richness and the moments that bring us all together.

Theme: Moments of Joy

Our theme for this year’s banners is “Every Day Magic,” capturing the essence of Denton’s spirit. From colorful festivals to acts of kindness, our artists will spread magic, positivity and inspiration throughout our town,Denton MD.

A Showcase of Local Culture and Natural Beauty

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors like Caroline County Public Library, Caroline Review, Shore Strategies LLC Paperwork Pros, Pizza Empire,  Market Street Public House, Craft Bakery & Night Kitchen Coffee Roasters, Purple Peak, Red Light Liquors, Burke & Herbert and Tom & Mary Elizabeth Atwood we’re able to support our local artists and the Banner program for 2024. Their contribution to the local arts community is truly invaluable.

Inspiring Positivity and Resilience

Denton has faced its fair share of challenges, but through resilience and optimism, we’ve always found moments of joy. Our artists will uplift spirits and inspire hope, reflecting Denton’s unwavering spirit of resilience.

Join Us in Celebrating Denton’s Creativity and Community Spirit

As we prepare to showcase these beautiful banners, we invite you to join us in celebrating Denton’s creativity and community spirit. Stay tuned for updates on the banner display and auction, where you’ll have the opportunity to own a piece of Denton’s artistic legacy.

For more information, contact the Caroline County Council of Arts. Let’s continue to make Denton shine with creativity and joy!

🌟 A Warm Welcome to Our New Executive Director, George Karos! 🌟

The Caroline County Council of Arts is thrilled to announce the selection of George K. Karos II as our organization’s new executive director!

George joins us from central Florida, bringing with him a wealth of experience in community leadership and nonprofit management. With a background that includes serving as an executive director of a chamber of commerce, a communications director for an international boarding school, and a public information officer for a public school district, George has demonstrated his dedication to making a difference in the communities he serves.

With decades of experience in nonprofit organizations and a passion for the arts, education, and community outreach, George’s goals align perfectly with CCCA’s mission. He aims to further advance our organization’s mission by growing membership and funding, promoting community access to the arts, fostering economic development within the Denton Artsway and other Caroline County municipalities, supporting individual artists, and advancing arts programming with Caroline County schools.

George received his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University and his Master of Arts from American University. His professional experiences and lifelong interests in the arts and arts advocacy make him a perfect fit for our organization.

“My new position aligns well with both my professional experiences and lifelong interests in the arts and arts advocacy,” says Karos. “I am especially honored and extremely excited to help CCCA facilitate the presence of the arts in Caroline County.”

We’re also excited to share the enthusiasm of Doncella Wilson, current CCCA board president. “The board engaged in a thoughtful and ambitious search over the last 6 months. We believe George’s diverse blend of professional experiences, drive, and understanding of the power of the arts in a rural community will serve Caroline County residents and visitors in vital ways.”

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to George as he embarks on this exciting new journey with us! 🎨✨