At the Water’s Edge
- The Annapolis waterfront offers plenty for water and land lovers alike.
Nestled where Maryland’s Severn River meets the Chesapeake Bay, the vibrant colonial city of Annapolis is wedded to the water. No staid state capital, the city’s pulse races with sailing regattas, Naval Academy sports and ceremonies and, when the legislature is in session, pressing matters of politics.
But while the majestic State House, with its soaring white dome, crowns the city’s highest hill and is undoubtedly the architectural focal point of Annapolis, the cultural heart of town is at the water’s edge: the bustling city dock where our arts walk begins. Amid the festive jumble of boats moored at the docks, an array of people stream by–Naval cadets in crisp, gold-braided black uniforms and gleaming white caps; families on day trips from nearby Baltimore and Washington, D.C.; tourists from all over the world; and, weaving through the crowds, the locals. Relaxed, friendly and a bit off the beaten path, Annapolis is clearly no cultural backwater.
Begin your tour at the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery (110 Dock St., 800-410-0727). Drawing inspiration from its location, the gallery is devoted entirely to marine art by living artists. Elaborate ship models and intricate works of scrimshaw are displayed along with a plethora of paintings, including many by New York artist Willard Bond. In a town brimming with boaters, Bond’s muscular scenes depicting the battle between sailboat and sea are very popular.
Before leaving the gallery, pick up an “Art in Annapolis” brochure, produced by the Annapolis Gallery Association (www.artinannapolis.com). It’s an invaluable guide to the city’s finest craft shops and galleries.
One block up, at Gallery 1683 (151 Main Street, 410-280-2140), owner Sandra Pezzoli, a retired nurse, explains her passion for local and regional artists: “We live here and love it, and want the gallery to reflect back the incredible beauty of this region.” Her collection includes sculpture and waterfowl carving, but focuses on paintings by Maryland artists Jinchul Kim, Joe Mayer and Gary Jameson, and mixed-media pieces by Geraldine Czajkowski. Ask to peek into the upstairs office of this 1760s building; the wood floor, insulated with rope between each plank, is considered one of the oldest surviving floors in town.
Though often found with its toes dipped in water, Annapolis does dress up. Stylish Casa Nova (161 Main St., 410-280-8840) caters to upscale taste with contemporary American jewelry by Charles Albert, Matt Bezak and Saundra Messinger. Owner Jim Jaffre diplomatically lists the price range of the jewelry inside each case, but even the budget-conscious may find baubles like Messinger’s lacey silver “Bark” cuff, studded with 18 tiny diamonds, irresistible.
Nearby, the spacious American Craftworks Collection (189B Main St., 410-626-1583) carries functional and decorative glass, wood, fiber, pottery and leather works by artists across the U.S., as well as juried pieces by members of the League of Maryland Craftsmen.
Diagonally across the way, exuberant Easy Street Gallery (8 Francis St., 410-263-5556) specializes in colorful art glass, including abstract glass and metal firescreens by Janet Smith and work by Rick and Janet Nicholson. “I always point to these [firescreens] when people say great craft isn’t functional,” laughs gallery co-owner Megan Cureton. The whimsical collection also includes iridescent, nature-inspired raku vases and tiles by Tom and Nancy Giusti and serene landscape monoprints by Jan Heath.
Now head up Francis Street toward State Circle, pausing to admire the beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding the historic State House and Governor’s Mansion. Then duck into The Annapolis Pottery (40 State Circle, 410-268- 6153), which makes its own line of pottery on the premises, offering frequent demonstrations on weekdays. The store sells work by other artists as well, notably Baltimorean Donna Toohey, whose cheery line of Maryland crab-inspired cookware includes appetizer trays, platters and canisters.
A short walk from State Circle is ARTFX (3A Church Circle, 410-990-4540), which held a grand opening in May after moving from West Street. Owned by accomplished potter Megan Evans, the gallery features hand-cut tiles by Debra Soreff and Melisa Ricks and the lively dog-themed prints and paintings of Marjorie Weiss.
Aurora Gallery (67 Maryland Ave., 410-263-9150) features a fanciful collection of wearable fiber art, glass vases, lamps and perfume bottles, and jewelry in a wide array of styles, including recycled-glass earrings by Courtney Gillen.
Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll along the secluded, redbrick campus of nearby St. John’s College to The Mitchell Gallery (60 College Ave., 410-626-2556), which hosts rotating exhibits by some of America’s finest artists, including a recent, first-ever retrospective by glass artist Richard Jolley.
Finally, drive across Eastport Bridge to Quiet Waters Park (600 Quiet Waters Park Road, 410-222-1777, $5 entrance fee), a 336-acre woodland teeming with wildlife. The spacious visitors center houses an airy, two-story gallery featuring rotating exhibits by area artists like Karen Ceolla Tylec, whose striking paper-collage depictions of land and sea life remind us that, in Chesapeake Bay country, inspiration lies just outside the door.
