Four Seasons Photo Club
Mark Anderson, President of the Four Seasons Photo Club, will make a donation to KIFA from the sale of their photography club's photos at the Four Seasons November 1, 2025, Craft Fair.
Welcome new KIFA Docent Margery Tierney-Bergsman. Margie is a Fused Glass artist, Master Gardener, and enjoys cooking. She has been a glass artist for two years. Margie said that she has been creative all her life. Text and photo by Rebecca Placek
Brian Curtis Sutton, 55, of Stevensville MD, was a decorated veteran, devoted husband, and fiercely loyal friend. He passed suddenly at home on October 28th, 2025 while being treated for advanced heart failure since June of 2025.
Born on October 24th,1970, in Indiana, he was the son of Carla Crisler Sutton and Robert Eugene Sutton.
Brian always said that joining the Army right out of high school was the best decision he’d ever made. He retired after 20 years as a public affairs chief. He was a single Dad who found the way forward to raise his 2 sons through 3 combat tours and multiple duty stations around the world. He spent time teaching at the Defense Information School, DINFOS, at Fort Meade, Maryland, both as an NCO and later as a DoD civilian employee.
The Art House will now have a box for non-perishable food donations for Kent Islanders in need. The food will be delivered to Haven Ministries for distribution to those who need a helping hand.
We are asking everyone attending our Show receptions to bring something for the box, and you can also stop by any time KIFA is open to donate. We cannot accept food that is expired or open. Thank you for your generous support!
June 26, 2025 –KIFA pretty “Pink House” has been scraped, primed, caulked, and painted pink. Exposed wood was repaired or replaced. All work was done by Signature House Finishes. The workers did a great job during the extreme heat. The “Pink House” looks refreshed front to back!
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek
June 17-18, 2025, new glass windows were installed at KIFA by Ron Bunch, House Calls, Inc. All second floor windows, the kitchen window and the utility room window were replaced with new glass windows. Ron’s work was very tidy and looked terrific.
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek
Haven Ministries’ Art for Your Home Program
Five years ago, Haven Ministries initiated a program to provide original artwork to its clients, especially those individuals and families making the transition from being homeless or living in a shelter to permanent housing. This program is called “Art for Your Home.” We likely would all agree that when money is tight, purchasing art is probably not a high priority. But Haven Ministries strongly believes that art can help to create a powerful sense of home.
ART EAST SHOW at the Kent Island Library in November and December.
Art East members - please Feel free to display holiday-type artwork if you like but you can bring anything - our emphasis will be on “Give the Gift of Art for the Holidays”.
If you are a KIFA member and would like a link to your website,
please email the office at info@kifa.us.
Copyright © 2025 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
Brian had a deep appreciation for his family. He grew up happily surrounded by both immediate and extended members. Some cherished memories included baseball, firetrucks, state fairs, dirt bikes, and trailering the family’s horses to parks for camping adventures that included grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
His parents gave him his first guitar and he continued to develop his skills, build guitars, record music with friends near and far, and play in bands most of his life. Yes, there was long hair and spandex along the way!
After the military and time with the DoD, he discovered art and became a Certified Bob Ross Instructor, running an art business with his wife Karen for a number of years in both Indiana and Maryland. He taught 1000’s of students, created a YouTube channel, and branched out to plein air painting. With his move to Maryland in 2023, Brian jumped into a real estate career and hit the ground running. Brian and his wife were nearly inseparable and he felt blessed they were able to work together in both art and real estate.
Brian’s insatiable curiosity and zeal for learning were always apparent. A charismatic leader with a spirit of giving and a huge grin, Brian touched those around him deeply and will be sorely missed. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
He is survived by his beloved wife Karen Saunders, parents Bob and Carla Sutton, sister Deborah Noon, brother-in-law Jason Noon, children Matthew and Daniel Sutton, and stepsons Luke, Ben, and Caden Theodore.
To make a donation in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gary Sinese Foundation.
A plaque to honor our benefactor Lynne Riley-Coleman has been placed next to KIFA’s Art house front door.
WELCOME TO NEW KIFA DOCENT
MARGERY TIERNEY-BERGSMAN!
NEW WINDOWS INSTALLED AT KIFA!
KIFA % of art sales has been reduced to 20%.
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SECOND FLOOR GALLERY SPACE OPEN. RESERVED TO HONOR KIFA ARTISTS WITH GALLERY SPACE WHO HAVE GIVEN TIME AS LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR 15 YEARS AND MORE. THANK YOU!
Sad news of the passing of KIFA artist and instructor, Brian Curtis Sutton
COMMUNITY
KIFA’S PRETTY “PINK HOUSE” GETS A FACELIFT
KIFA ARTIST LINKS
Under this program, recipients get to select artwork that they want -- something that is meaningful for them. The artwork is provided at no cost to these less fortunate members of our community here in Queen Anne’s County.
As an Artist, How Can I Help?
Simple: Donate artwork! Framed items that are ready for hanging are preferred. These can be pastels, oils, acrylics, watercolors, drawings, photographs, and other media.
If you would like to donate your artwork to this cause, please contact Phil Stapleton (email at marganphil@gmail.com) or call 410-827-7232 to arrange for pick-up from KIFA, your home or gallery. Haven Ministries can provide a letter for your donation for tax purposes if desired.
If you have any questions, please contact Phil Stapleton (marganphil@gmail.com). Many thanks for your support!
Haven Ministries website: http://haven-ministries.org/
Haven Ministries is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.