Unleash your inner artist with chalk at Annmarie

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo A forum on women’s healthcare is planned for today. Pictured are Laurie Uherek, Susan Apple, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md., 5th) and Gladys Jones, part of the 5th District Women’s Network Advisory Council. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

From Sunday, Aug. 10, to Sunday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the art museum and sculpture garden will encourage anyone and everyone to decorate its paved trails with chalk drawings, with modest prizes going to the winners of various categories. The event has taken place for the past few years and attracted about 200 participants last year, according to Events Coordinator Melissa Daman.

‘‘I would like more people to participate because it’s really cool,” she said.

While young children are welcome to participate, Daman said she would like to see more teenagers and adults taking part. Artists will be judged against others their age by Annmarie Garden staffers.

‘‘They’re judged in categories and age groups,” Daman said. ‘‘A toddler is not going to be judged against someone who comes and does a recreation of the Mona Lisa.”

Prizes have not yet been selected but are likely to include modest gift certificates to local businesses.Prior entries have included ‘‘everything from snowmen to mermaids to celestial themes — stars, moons — fairies, landscapes. We have all kinds of stuff,” she said.

To join in, purchase a tub of chalk for $1 at the front desk.

Summer eventsat Annmarie Garden

The Chalkathon isn’t the only thing happening at Annmarie Garden this summer.

Inside the new Arts Building, viewers are invited to become part of the art in ‘‘Re.action,” an exploration of energy and movement in art. ‘‘Re.action” includes works that literally move as well as pieces that suggest movement visually. Push a button, turn a crank, spin a pedestal, or experience the optical illusions that seem to wave and pulse as you examine the work. Participate in a mobile-building activity or create an ‘‘Op-Art” drawing to take home. ‘‘Re.action” will remain on display until Aug. 31, according to a release.

In the boat-shaped mezzanine gallery, explore art by 20th century modern masters in ‘‘Olga Hirshhorn Recollects,” an exhibit of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Joan Miro. Consisting of works on loan from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, this exhibition surveys a large donation made by Hirshhorn to the Corcoran. Many of the works were created specifically for Mrs. Hirshhorn and her husband, the late Joseph H. Hirshhorn, founder of the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. Learn about the friendships the Hirshhorns enjoyed with some of the greatest artists in history. ‘‘Olga Hirshhorn Recollects” will be on display in the new Arts Building until Sept. 21, according to a release.

Families can enjoy the new Sunday FUNday series at the garden. Every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. families can stop in to participate in an art project. Inspired by the art at the garden, these activities will result in an artwork to take home and enjoy. Activities are family-friendly and free with admission to the building.

Located just outside, get your hands dirty with the summer public art project. This year’s project, Stick Together, allows visitors to transform fallen twigs and branches into a colorful piece of art with twine, shells, feathers and other natural materials. These creations will be placed among an ever-growing serpentine earthwork throughout the loblolly forest. Visitors may participate in this free project every day through Aug. 31.

The completed sculptural installation will remain on view through the fall.

In addition to the art activities, visitors may explore the park with a walking guide, or try one of three different scavenger hunts along their walk. These guides are free and may be picked up at the Arts Building or at the entrance to the Sculpture Walk.

The sculpture park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The new Arts Building is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free for members; $3 for adults and $2 for children; kids age 3 and younger are free. The gift shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cafe is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Forum on women’s health coming to Calvert County

The Fifth District Women’s Network Advisory Council will be hosting a ‘‘Women’s Healthcare Forum” today, Aug. 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Prince Frederick campus of the College of Southern Maryland, Room 119, according to a release.

‘‘A short presentation will be given by Calvert Memorial Hospital addressing healthcare risks⁄issues for the women of Calvert County,” the release said. A women’s healthcare panel will then address the common barriers to receiving quality healthcare and possible changes and solutions that need to be made. The group will collaborate to identify emerging healthcare issues that pertain to women in Calvert County. Several guest speakers will be present from the following organizations:ÊCalvert County Health Department, Dr. Frank Sbrocco, Calvert Memorial Hospital, Department of Social Services, Chesapeake-Potomac Home Health Agency, Calvert Healthcare Solutions and United Way of Calvert County.

Open auditionsfor Ghosts of Sotterley Tours

The Sotterley Plantation in St. Mary’s County is seeking amateur actors and other volunteers for the Ghosts of Sotterley Tours from Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 18.

‘‘This year’s tour theme is set in 1789 and the British soldiers have come and gone, leaving Sotterley to recover in an uneasy peace,” according to a release. ‘‘George Plater III is master of the plantation, with George IV marked for succession. With her four children still at Sotterley, it has been one year since the death of Elizabeth Plater, leaving George III alone to lord over land and lineage.”

The production at the historic home has roles for nine white females between the ages of 18 and 55; 11 males, white or black, 18 or older; and one white male between 12 and 18 years old. Auditions will be readings from the script and held in the Barn at Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, Md., on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. and again on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m. Attendance at only one of the two audition dates is required.

If you cannot attend either date but would still like to audition, or if you have any questions, contact the director, Morriah Cell, at morriahdavis@hotmail.com.

Sotterley also needs volunteers to do lighting, technical help, make-up and serve as tour assistants.

For more information on volunteering, auditioning, information on upcoming events, or to reserve tickets, call 301-373-2280, go to www.sotterley.org, or e-mail events@sotterley.org.

Learn Colonial skills

You can also travel back in time with the demonstration on early American life at the Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard this Sunday, Aug. 10.

Local artisans will demonstrate traditional Colonial skills including spinning, basketry and blacksmithing and hands-on activities will also be available.

Demonstrations will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum is located at 10515 Mackall Road, St. Leonard.

For additional information, call 410-586-8501, e-mail jppm@mdp.state.md.us, or go to www.jefpat.org.