Article by Jeremy Todd
Napoleon Bonaparte and Andrew Jackson are just two of the special guests attending the War of 1812 portrait exhibition in the House of Delegates in Downtown Annapolis on Thursday, March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.; others will also be making a special appearance: James and Dolly Madison, Francis Scott Key, Thomas Paine, John Adams, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Along with those who played both direct and influential roles in the War of 1812, female veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will also be honored and featured in photograph for Women’s History Month.
Owner of the Annapolis Collection Gallery, Katherine Burke is sponsoring the event.
All the portraits we painted by Annapolis resident, Ann Munro Wood. Several of the portraits are on loan from various patrons of her art. Ann says she is honored to be featured in the House of Delegates.
“I’m a little self conscious about having my art featured locally, but I’m really proud to have it displayed,” she added.
She claims she is a “late bloomer” in the art world, and she didn’t begin to paint until her children were grown and moved out of the house.
Wood trained both in Baltimore and in Paris. Her inspiration comes from “everything around her.”
Before she switched to portrait art, she was a courtroom artist. A few of the interesting trials she’s covered were the Reagan attempted assassination trial, a courts martial of a surgeon who “worked a little passed his time,” and a nurse who poisoned her patients.
“Those were great stories, and all I had to do was portray what was in front of me,” she added.
She claims to cater to “what the patron wants more so than what I want to paint.”
“I particularly pay close attention to my subjects,” she added. “As for those subjects who aren’t with us anymore, I read as much as I can about them,” and through that research, “I believe it helps me attain a better understanding of how they would appreciate being portrayed.”
For the War of 1812 show, she claims, “I’m just the laborer. I may be weathered, but I can do the work of a forty-year-old and I think that keeps Katherine happy.”
Burke, who opened the gallery for Marion E. Warren has “been in the art business for an enjoyable while.”
The Annapolis Collection Gallery “features six Annapolis master artists one of them being Ann Munro Wood,” added Burke.
Burke put this event together “mainly for the 200-year anniversary of the War of 1812 and not secondly, but also to honor the women veterans who have served diligently in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.”
Burke is a proud supporter of veterans despite her view on the wars. She has arranged for an exhibit of photographs of women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to display at the evening reception.
“The pentagon issued a statement that none of the troops coming back be honored at the moment. I thought that was rather odd, and I wanted to take this opportunity (sic) to honor the women veterans, and men who proudly served; but mainly women because it is Women’s History Month,” she added.
Burke anticipates this event will attract some of Maryland’s living honored guests as well and has invited them: U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Governor Martin O’Malley, House Speaker Mike Busch, Vice Admiral Miller,
Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy and Captain Robert Clark II, Commandant of USNA Midshipmen.
“We’ve arranged for a wonderful classical guitarist to perform for the guests as they enjoy the two exhibitions. I’m looking forward to commemorating the War of 1812 and thanking the Women Veterans of 2012,” she boasted.
The event begins at six o’clock Thursday night and ends at 8 p.m. Photo I.D. is required. The portraits featured will occupy the meeting room of the House of Delegates for the entire month of March. RSVP to Katherine@AnnapolisCollection.com.
Ann Munro Wood of Annapolis Maryland is the featured portrait artist at the House of Delegates for the month of March.
The meeting Room at the House of Delegates sits empty for now, but will be filled with those either celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the War of 1812 and Women’s History Month or enjoying free food, music and conversation, or both. The exhibition is displayed throughout March culminating with a reception on Thursday,
March 29.
This was a fantastic show! The paintings on display were simply amazing to behold, and the artist was wonderful to speak with. Classical guitar music provided was superb and very enjoyable, and the rendition of the National Anthem at the ceremony by Jennifer Cooper was moving. I feel fortunate to have made it to this event!