There’s just something about Sundays that evoke the need for art. Annapolis, being the intuitive city it is, caught onto this vibe and created the ever popular First Sunday Arts. As the name suggests, first Sundays of June through October months are reserved for the arts downtown. West Street shuts down its traffic and opens up the brick street to vendors, patrons of the arts, and newcomers to this wonderful concept called art. Calvert Street sees live music and more vendors, who proudly display handiworks like mosaic tile masterpieces and locally-crafted soap. There’s food, drinks, and inspiring discoveries around every corner. Among the many trinkets and painted beauties you may have missed, I present you with as much coverage as words can offer. Truly, art is something that is expressed and must be viewed, so mark your calendars for July 1, the next First Sunday Arts!
Art often requires melding of various parts, ideologies, or people. Coincidentally, the vendors at First Sunday Arts adhered to this blend. This festival brought together artists from all over Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and even Baltimore. Sue Ann Stonesifer, a creative lady in the fine arts field, traveled from Baltimore. Her fine art company, N’Art, had a table at First Sunday Arts. It’s safe to say that Stonesifer’s most alluring and bright art was the lighted wine bottles and beer bottles.
“I screw a hole in the back of the bottles, paint them, and then bake them,” Stonesifer begins. “Most of the time, my oven is full of wine bottles more than anything else,” she jokes, “Much to my son’s chagrin.” After these initial steps, Stonesifer feeds lights through the holes and a piece of fine art is born. Visit her in Baltimore (1918 Bank Street) or at the next First Sunday Arts.
Another interesting, artsy company, Magnetic Jewelry Therapy, was also at First Sunday Arts. I found out from the owner that our blood reacts to the iron in the magnets. Essentially, the magnets increase the blood flow and help the body do its job more efficiently. The owner doesn’t recommend wearing magnetic necklaces because there aren’t as many veins as there are on the wrists. Even still, she’s a firm believer in magnetism, hence the reason she created her own company that sells magnetic jewelry. She makes all the jewelry from magnets and real stones. Efficacy and style combined!
The last stop I made was of course at a table of books. This booth focused on a side of art too often forgotten–literature. It’s easy to view a painting or listen to the intricate chords of a symphony, but words are art too! Literature is especially artsy if it’s organically crafted, and is somehow even better when done by local writers. This is the case with Rosemary and Larry Mild, a retired couple out of Severna Park.
The Milds brought with them several of their novels: Miriam’s World–and Mine, Cry Ohana, Boston Scream Pie, and Locks & Cream Cheese. The feisty couple shared that Larry thinks of the plot and Rosemary adds personality via characters.
“I was an Electronic Engineer,” Larry says, “I did do writing in manuals, but never fiction.” The Milds picked up writing about 20 years ago after retirement. “We went to a few classes,” Rosemary starts, “And decided to write together.” The couple’s works are mostly comprised of mysteries, but also include Miriam’s World—and Mine, a novel by Rosemary about losing her only daughter in a terrorist attack. It takes the Milds nearly a year to complete a new novel. Visit them on www.magicile.com to learn more about their novels.
Aside from the brilliant and friendly artists I spoke to that first Sunday in June, there were more artisans selling their artwork of varied type. Ooh La La Mosaic Tile Gallery was posted up at Calvert Street, along with their creative yet uncomplicated mosaic pieces. As you can see from the picture above, Ooh La La covered all subjects from Ravens football helmets to an intimate dancing couple. Love Plus Sea, a handmade jewelry company that features seaglass and other beach-inspired pieces, was also there. More artsy representatives at First Sunday Arts included: Wild Willow Soap, J Murray Tribal Drums, Barsin Art, Laura Moore Designs, Zimbabwe Orphan Trust, Element 120, Bay Theatre Company, Lantern De-Lights, Ego Alley Jewelry and Gifts, Alluring Robot, and Off the Wall Paintings. We can’t forget Thompson Creek either; they sponsored the event.
Not intrigued yet? There was also live music in two spots, free parking, and free admission. And who doesn’t want to roam the streets of downtown surrounded by fellow Annapolitans and artists from all over? Try it out in July and brag to your friends that you’re cultural and refined.
Everything from the eclectic artists to the live music made First Sunday Arts a wonderful use of lazy afternoon hours. Ironically, the festival was a work of art itself in that it created an image of enjoyment, a sound of happiness, and the feel of connectedness to downtown Annapolis and the artists represented there.
Head to http://www.firstsundayarts.com/ for additional info. Appreciate the arts!
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