QAC Environmental & Cultural Opportunities

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

Located in Grasonville off Perry Corner Road on a 510-acre peninsula, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) invites you to experience first-hand the rich biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay. Operated by the Wildfowl Trust of North America, Inc., since 1979, CBEC is home to over 200 species of birds, including large populations of migratory waterfowl. Over four miles of hiking trails that include observation towers, bird blinds and boardwalks allow visitors to observe wildlife in their native wetland and forest habitats found within the Bay. Kayaks are available for rent, and the Raptor Mews provide an outstanding opportunity to photograph birds of prey. CBEC offers a wide range of “hands-on, feetwet” environmental education opportunities for children and adults. The Center’s Arts and Education building, with its main hall and kitchen facilities, is available to rent for weddings, parties, business meetings, and other group activities. The Center is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center 600 Discovery Lane, Grasonville, MD 21638 410.827.6694 • bayrestoration.org

Church Hill Theatre

The Church Hill Theatre, located on Walnut Street in historic Church Hill, is a non-profit art deco community theatre. The building was a town meeting hall from 1929 until 1935, when it then became a movie theatre, closing in the 1970s, but reopened in 1983 when The Friends of Church Hill Preservation, Inc. sought to acquire the building from the town and convert the building into a community theatre. With generous contributions of time and money from local citizens, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, the HUD, and state and local Arts Councils, Church Hill Theatre presented its premier season in 198485, and the rest is history! Every year, Church Hill Theatre presents five full productions on its main stage, including classic hits like Oklahoma!, On Golden Pond, Fiddler on the Roof, Noises Off and Witness for the Prosecution along with more contemporary offerings including Doubt, Pippin, 33 Variations, and The Sisters Rosensweig. CHT’s summer theatre camp, Green Room Gang, teaches acting and performance techniques to students in grades 1-12. The theatre also has book-ins with other performance groups and local schools, and provides youth and adult workshops to fill out each season’s schedule. Now in its fourth decade, the Church Hill Theatre proudly continues to present extraordinary live performances done almost exclusively by a contingent of dedicated volunteers, the backbone of this cultural treasure. CHT embraces arts education and provides training in the arts, ensemble participation, collaboration, teamwork, individual empowerment, and personal growth and knowledge through the arts experience. CHT strives to broaden its volunteer and talent pools and invites anyone interested in enjoying the experience of participation to call the theatre’s business office at 410-556-6003 for more information. In addition, we also encourage those, who may be interested, to become a member of our Board of Directors to help guide the future of CHT. Come and experience the magic of live theatre; work backstage, onstage, or as front of house staff, and as an audience member. There are also production sponsorship opportunities for you or your employer. Come be part of Church Hill Theatre and keep the arts alive on the Eastern Shore!

Queen Anne’s County Arts Council, Inc.

The county seat of Centreville is home of the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council and its facility, the Centre for the Arts. This private, nonprofit organization provides a variety of art events year-round and county-wide. This year, the Arts Council celebrates 43 years of service to the county. The Arts Council presents a variety of public activities including: a concert series, lecture series, artist exhibitions, coffee house, arts-related classes, workshops, and special events. Reaching a broad audience and providing diversity in programming throughout the county, the Centre for the Arts is proud to provide grants that are available to area schools and non-profit organizations that produce or present arts programs and events. The Community Arts Development (CAD) grant and the Artists in Education (AiE) grant deadlines are in May. The QACAC also makes available several fifteen hundred-dollar scholarships to graduating seniors who will be attending a fine arts program in college. Individuals and groups interested in learning more about these awards should contact the Centre for the Arts at QACArts@gmail. com, or visit QueenAnnesCountyArts.com to find information on programs, membership, classes, and applications for grants. The Arts Council is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, and other local government contributions. Membership, donations, classes, and fundraising activities also contribute to Arts Council funds. Programs and services are always open to the public.

Kent Island Federation of Art

The local Art House offers exhibits and classes, and more. The Kent Island Federation of Arts was formed 58 years ago to bring art exhibits and art classes to our community in Queen Anne’s County. In addition to exhibits and classes, KIFA provides art events such as poetry readings, music lessons, art fairs, Plein Aire painting, and lectures with the help of many local volunteers. Serving artists and our community, KIFA offers: • Scholarships for children, teens, and adults for KIFA arts classes, and also scholarships toward college expenses for high school students. • An annual Student Showcase and Open

Reception enabling budding artists from our local elementary, middle and high schools to show their work in a professional art gallery setting. • Exhibits and Gift Shop. A place to show, appreciate, sell, and buy art. FREE and open to the public, the gallery exhibits, gift shop, outdoor fairs, and annual judged competitions present original art available for purchase at reasonable prices. KIFA offers many judged shows and nonjudged shows, and hosts Free Opening Receptions to meet the artists. • Classes and Workshops. Ongoing art education specially structured for adults and children. • A place to work in artist studios and Open

Studio. Groups or individual member artists may use the facility to gather, paint, critique, discuss problems, share techniques and fellowship. KIFA’s website and weekly email newsletters help members stay abreast of art opportunities at KIFA and throughout the Eastern Shore art community. Membership is open to individuals and families who wish to enjoy art, or exhibit or sell their work, and to those who wish to donate their time or monetary support to the operation of the Art House. Located in the center of Historic Stevensville’s Art & Entertainment District at 405 Main Street in Stevensville, KIFA’s Art House is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm and from 12 to 3 on Sundays. For more information, call 410-643-7424, email info@ kifa.us, or go to www.kifa.us for a complete calendar of events.