Studio Art Comes to Southern Maryland

Story by Naimah Black
Photography by Colleen O'Hare

Have you ever wanted to write that short story you've been thinking about, learn to make a rhythmic beat on an African drum, or paint a masterpiece to bring out your inner Georgia O' Keefe? Well stop thinking about it and let the new Studio School at Annmarie Garden show you how. Annmarie Garden is a public art and sculpture park located in the seaside community of Solomons.

There is something for everyone including classes in mixed media, sculpture, watercolors, photography, even yoga and songwriting.

Each class is small with "no more than 15 students, maybe 20 at the most," said Jaimie Jeffrey, education and programs coordinator at Annmarie Garden. Little ones, as young as 18 months, can begin their exposure to the world of art by participating in the "Start to Art" classes with their mothers. Even easily bored teenagers can come to the school and learn about songwriting, ceramics and sculpture. Adults can also have their pick of art classes from drawing to creative writing to digital photography, in addition to the traditional art classes.

Classes are held year-round with three semesters offered, running from January to May; June to August; and September to December. Prices range from $80 to $275, depending on the course and reduced prices are offered to members. A new building opened to house the staff and a gift shop. It also provides more space for exhibits and art shows.

The idea for the studio school came from Perry Carsley, a local painter and sculptor who teaches art classes at Annmarie Garden. Carsley, a contributor to the design of the National WWII Monument in Washington, D.C., brought the idea to start classes similar to those he'd seen in the nation's capital to Jeffrey. The first classes began in February.

Carsley hopes that the students will discover a new appreciation of art they didn't have before.

"I hope they obtain new skills and refine ones they already have," he said. Hearing a student express wonder over the discovery of a hidden talent being revealed is one of the greatest rewards for a teacher. In the future, he would like to see more classes geared toward younger children. "I would like to see kids playing around with watercolors … (this) never was available when I was growing up."

Jeffrey said the school tries to find artists working in the field to teach.

"We welcome artists from the schools or other places that teach children," she said.

One such teacher is Mary Blumberg who teaches the intermediate course entitled "The Magic of Watercolor." Blumberg has taught extensively in Virginia, Maryland and Florida, where she used to reside. She is also a member of several art societies, including the Baltimore Watercolor Society. "I think this program is prestigious. It's just beginning, but has a lot of impact," she said.

When asked why she took the course with Blumberg, one of her students, Megan Richard, said, "I wanted to learn how to watercolor properly." She and her fellow student, Vicki Signor, agreed that Blumberg's class provides an opportunity to work on their skills. Participating in this class "… creates a desire to look beyond … to explore all the colors in a landscape," Signor said.

For more information, please call 410-326-4640 or go to www.annmariegarden.org. Please note: Robert Tinari, one of our featured photographers, teaches a digital photography classe.