KIFA AT THE SHORE KIDS EVENT
Come join or watch artists from all over the region, draw and paint the marshes, coves, fields, nature trails, boatyards and marinas, restaurants, store fronts, and historic sites from sunrise to nightfall.
Contact: arthousekifa@gmail.com | 410-643-7424
Maureen Wheatley | 410-739-0850 | reeniart@gmail.com
or Pam Chase | Pjchase1@verizon.net
Left: Category C, Graphics (includes pen and ink) & Printmaking: First Place – John Doran for his lithographic print “Bay Plunge”. | Right: Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: First Place – Wende Woodham for her mixed media “What a Catch”.
WIN: Paul Reed Smith Guitar
Left: Cascio Clay Center Team at KIFA outside photo: Mary Ann Buckley; Rebecca Placek, Linda Jakubowski, Pat Spinella, Laura Keene, Maureen Wheatley, and Margaret Tessier. Right: Inside photo of the Cascio Clay Center Team at KIFA.
Events
Left: Category B, Watercolors/Gouache/Alcohol Inks: First Place – Stacey Sass for her watercolor “Done Working”. | Right: Category B, Watercolors/Gouache/Alcohol Inks: Honorable Mention – Dave Murphy for his watercolor “Bay Lady”.
Gallery Shows
A Masquerade Fundraiser and Dance was held on March 29, 2025, to benefit the Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). Melissa Craig, founder of Seeking Stars Art, orchestrated the event as the Master of Ceremonies. She thanked all the volunteers that made this a fun event! About 60 people grooved and danced to tunes spun by DJ’s Mike and Monique Thomas.
Seeking Stars Art Models and their escorts in creative faces led the parade. Both younger and older models enjoyed being in the spotlight. The Parade Judge was Dominique Ellingsworth-Mohen from “All American Classic Mrs”.
Jewelry vendors were: DLP Designed by Danielle Sims; Handcrafted Jewelry by Alexa Matthai; Necklace Creations by Marcia Goldstein-Nathans; and Artistic Jewelry Creations by Mimi Swigert.
Crystal Sipes of Creative Friends Face Painting added character and color to faces, arms, and toes.
Silent auction items benefited KIFA and the new Cascio Clay Center at KIFA. Also, beautifully decorated masks by the Queen Anne’s County High School National Art Honor Society Students.
Story and photos by Rebecca Placek. Also, thanks to Jason Craig and Sadie Routzahn for taking event photos.
Left: KIFA’s table at Shore Kids and Family Connection. Aree Masten, Josie, Charlie, and Sadie Routzahn handed out brochures and assisted with the kid’s art table. | Right: Rebecca Placek, KIFA Co-President, and Darlene Winegardner, RE/MAX Executive, judged 100 artworks in the Shore Kids Art Contest. Photos by John Conley
The new logo could follow the new tagline:
Art is for Everyone.
Or not.
Use three colors only.
Submit your design by June 1st
to arthousekifa@gmail.com.
Please submit your files in a common vector graphic file format such as SVG, EPS, or AI. High resolution PNG files are also acceptable. PNG files should be at least 2000 pixels in the shortest dimension.
Winner receives KIFA merch with their design!
April 26, 2025 was the Shore Updates Shore Kids and Family Connection event at Kent Island High School. This event provided kids and families with information about activities and businesses in Queen Anne’s County. Rebecca Placek, Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) Co-President, and Darlene Winegardner , RE/MAX Executive, judged 100 artworks in the Shore Kids Art Contest.
Many thanks to Sadie Routzahn, KIFA Director, for all her efforts to make KIFA’s table a fun opportunity for kids to create an art piece and to learn about KIFA’s Summer Art Series.
Text by Rebecca Placek. Click/tap image for larger version.
Value $1,200
PRS SE Angelus Acoustic-Electric Guitar, including: backpacker guitar case, guitar strap, and tuner.
Raffle - $5.00 each or 5 for $20.
Benefit Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Mail your check for Raffle tickets to KIFA at:
405 Main Street, Stevensville, MD 21666
DRAWING: Sunday, November 30, 2025. Need not be present to win.
Text and photos by Rebecca Placek.
CASCIO CLAY CENTER AT KIFA
Tulips are blooming at KIFA. They symbolize spring, joy, hope, beauty, and rebirth.
Thank you to Pat Spinella who donated and planted pansies in KIFA’s two flower planters. Purple pansies symbolize royalty, esteem, and beauty. White pansies represent purity, virtue, and faith.
Text and photo by Rebecca Placek
Quick Draw Only $10
Youth Quick Draw $5
NEW KIFA LOGO contest is happening.
UPDATE: The KIFA Clay Center is currently moving into Phase Two which is Preparation for Opening. This phase is a busy time making sure that safety precautions are put into place such as proper ventilation, electrical hookups, and correct plumbing fixtures, and more. At this stage, planning and training for safety monitors will take place as well as creating brochures for class descriptions and instructors. Safety signs and procedures will also be created.
The Executive Board is pleased to announce KIFA's two co-directors for the Clay Center, Stephanie Zeiler and Kristen Tull. Stephanie Zeiler has served as a KIFA board member for 5 years, has chaired the KIFA Student Showcase for 4 years, and has worked as an art teacher for 28 years with many years of clay experience both teaching and managing the clay studio at the Queen Anne's County High School. Kristen Tull is a recent Elmira college graduate (2021) who served as an KIFA intern for 18 months during COVID, and has served on the KIFA board, has completed four upper-level clay classes in college and managed the clay studio at Elmira College.
KIFA’S MASQUERADE FUNDRAISER HELD AT AMERICAN LEGION
Kent Islanders on the Water
April 24 through June 1, 2025
CURRENT GALLERY SHOW
Kent Island Federation of Arts Presents:
“9th Annual Paint Stevensville”
and Kent Island Surrounds
May 28th – 31st, 2025
KENT ISLANDERS ON THE WATER SHOW AT KIFA
SAT 12:00-4:00
Join KIFA members for a semi-annual
"State of the Art House" report.
Enjoy conversation, lunch and music together!
Bring your favorite potluck dish.
Drinks provided by KIFA.
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.
The Kent Island Heritage Society had a table at the Shore Kids and Family Connection. John Conley, Newsletter Editor, and Jack Broderick, President, had an interesting display of Kent Island history. Photo by Rebecca Placek
MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUNE 28
April 24, 2025 was the Reception for Kent Islanders On The Water Gallery Show at Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA). The Show Judge was Joan Stoer, a retired art teacher who taught in Montgomery County Public Schools. She was honored to be asked to judge this unique show that highlights the water heritage of Kent Island.This show celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Kent Island Heritage Society. Thirty-five people attended the reception. The Show Chair was Margaret Tessier. Forty pieces are in this show featuring oils, acrylics, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and jewelry. The show closes on June 1. KIFA is open and free for viewing to the public Thursday-Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 405 Main Street, Stevensville.
Text and Photos by Rebecca Placek. Click/tap image for larger version.
Entry Fees
Copyright © 2025 Kent Island Federation of Arts, All rights reserved.
on the FRONT LAWN on MAY 17 at KIFA at 10:00.
Donate your gently used items at 9:00 am day of at KIFA
(roads will be closed at 10:00).
Sold items will benefit KIFA.
Raffles and food/water for sale also.
In coordination with KENT ISLAND DAY and
the 50th Anniversary of the Kent Island Heritage Society.
Contact arthousekifa@gmail.com to participate.
Photos by Melissa Craig, Margaret Tessier, and Maureen Wheatley
Non-members $45
Left: Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention – Jeanette Derby for her acrylic painting “Little Fisherman”. | Right: Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: Honorable Mention – Maureen Bannon for her oil painting “Trolling II”.
Left: Kids had fun creating art pieces at KIFA’s table. | Right: Many kids and families stopped at KIFA’s table to work on an art piece. Photos by Rebecca Placek
Left: Category D, Mixed Media/Collage: Honorable Mention – Melissa Mackey for her mixed media “Stormy Day”. | Right: Category E, Photography: First Place – Dale Hall for her photo “Crabbing on a Misty Morning”. This photo is on the cover of Dale’s book Kent Island Waterscapes that is for sale in KIFA’s Gift Shop.
NEXT GALLERY SHOW
KIFA Members $40
Left: Category E, Photography: Honorable Mention – Dale Hall for her photo “Headed Out on an October Morning”. | Right: Category F, Sculpture/Jewelry: First Place – Mimi Swigert for her jewelry “Bay Diver” and Mimi also won an Honorable Mention for her jewelry “Beach Bum”.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Animals and Plants of Kent Island:
62nd Members Show
with Garden Club
June 5 through July 20, 2025
Reception: Thursday, June 5 | 5-7 pm
SECOND HAND SALE
Click to download (Word document format)
Left: KIFA member and Kent Island Heritage Society Newsletter Editor John Conley introduced the Show Judge Joan Stoer. | Right: Category A, Oils/Acrylics/Pastels: First Place – Susan Thau for her acrylic painting “Duck Hunting on Kent Island”.
