Track
DIRT RACING WITH MATT GLANDEN
20 YEARS OF PLEIN AIR
SAILING TRADITIONS
SHAKESPEARE ON THE SHORE
EDITORS’ NOTE
This edition we wanted to focus on the great outdoors, and no, we don’t mean the 1988 comedy starring John Candy and Dan Akroyd. We’re talking about life on the Eastern Shore and how it is a destination beyond the beaches.
If you are reading this, you either live here or are used to traveling here, so you know — there are a lot of things to do outside and in nature. But we wanted to challenge you this year with some unique features on what our neighbors are doing with their time or for work.
You’ve seen the cover and hopefully your interest is piqued by that dynamic shot from Jenn Quinn. You’re now seeing my face and making a quick pit stop before getting to the good stuff inside.
Growing up, I loved being outside. My top two activities were probably bike-riding and playing basketball. I thought I was cool, but as I’ve grown up and I read stories on people like Matt Glanden, the man on the cover, I’ve learned what truly defines “cool.” I won’t spoil more of his story, but I think you’ll agree with me.
Beyond that, I’ve always enjoyed live theater, but now I know I can watch it outside thanks to Shore Shakespeare Company. I learned how to swim at a young age, too, but I was protected by people like Holly the lifeguard, who dedicate their time to making sure our summers are filled with fun.
It is such a pleasure to bring you this edition, and it comes at a time where we have just recently wrapped up our discussions on what content will look like for the rest of 2024, and I am thrilled. I can’t wait to show you what’s next, but first, please enjoy this summer fun issue of Shore!
President Jim Normandin
Executive Editor Eli Wohlenhaus
Assistant General Manager/Sales
Betsy Griffin 443-239-0307
Creative Director
Jennifer Quinn
Page Design
Jennifer Quinn Meredith Moore
Community Coordinator Amelia Blades Steward
Contributing Photographers
Jennifer Quinn
Elizabeth Polo
Chris Valentino
Carmen Grasso
Contributing Writers
John Niswander
Niambi Davis
Elizabeth Polo
Amelia Blades Steward
Jake Russell
Editorial Contact 240-801-2258
Submissions submissions@shoremonthly.com
29088 Airpark Drive Easton, MD 21601 www.shoremonthly.com
Shore Magazine is published by The Star Democrat.
No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher. Copyright 2024.
Eli Wohlenhaus
ATMOSPHERE: The sport of sailing
Kent Island harbors a love of sailing for high school students
HOME ACCENT: Lifeguard on duty
How one lifeguard protects and strengthens her community
PROFILE: Drive to survive
Local man brings passion to dirt car racing
STAGE LEFT: All the world’s a stage
Shore Shakespeare Company and the quest to make his works inviting
SHORE ROOTS: Celebrating a sense of place
20th anniversary of Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival
ABOUT THE COVER
Photo by Jenn Quinn.
Matthew Glanden sits smiling on his dirt racing masterpiece, just days before he is on the road to his next race.
THE SPORT OF
Take a group of kids who want to sail the Chesapeake Bay long past summer’s end. Add a group of dedicated parents who worked to make it happen. From this commitment, the Kent Island High School sailing team was created in 2014. It grew from a few cast-off racing boats to ownership of 12 identical 420s, (14-foot two-person sailboats rigged with jib and main for high school sailing) purchased from the United States Naval Academy.
“We accept anyone from Queen Anne’s County public schools or county homeschool students who want to sail with us,” said Garth Wells, club dad and a member of its three-person executive board.
Wells has sailed since he was 15, raced in college, and continues in the sport today. Amanda Shephard, Kent Island Sailing’s head coach, was a high school and college sailor who grew up in Annapolis. Scott Carlsen completed the Kent Island High School sailing program and is now its assistant coach. Students from Kent Island High School, Stevensville and Matapeake Middle Schools, Wye River Upper School in Centreville, and Kent Island High School make up the team’s roster.
Because COVID-19 decimated team ranks due to proximity restrictions, especially among younger sailors, the team is working to build a pipeline of seventh, eighth and ninth graders who want to sail and become better racers.
“We allow kids to start sailing with us in the seventh grade,” Wells said. “We use US Sailing 101 instructions. Anybody who spends a semester with us should easily be able to pass the US Sailing Level 1 beginner intermediate class. Depending on their level of practice, some of our sailors can pass US Sailing Advanced.”
Team members come to KIHS sailing with various skill levels — from young sailors who’ve been on the water since they were kids to others who join to experience the social aspects of sailing.
“We have a varsity team of boys and girls who practice in summer and throughout the year at a greater level of intensity than the rest of the team,” Wells said. “Then we have the JV team composed of the kids that want to be there for the fun of sailing.”
No matter the skill level, they all share the joy of being on the water — hanging out when the wind is light and the exhilaration of going fast when the wind is heavy. Safety is always a priority — coach boats with bow lines are nearby to tow everyone back if needed.
“You can have both at the high school level,” Wells said. “But to pursue the sport in college, you have to be focused on sailing.”
Away from home, team practice has paid off. Last fall, Kent Island High School Sailing placed 11 out of 18 in the Mid-Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association. At the Mid-Atlantic Silver Championships at Washington College in Chestertown, the team finished well enough to receive
It’s a full day of a great time, but make no mistake — it’s still a competition
Zach Wells and Adalyn Biles ready to sail at the Phebe King Memorial National Invitational, photo by Garth Wells
Top row from left to right: Ren Kennedy, Gavin Klakring, Henry MacMillan, Aidan Dutrow, Zach Wells (captain), Fritz Hardesty.
Front row from left to right: Nicole Seiler (Captain), Adalyn Biles, Hunter Wallinovich, Andrew Lavoie, James Biles V, Benjamin Billet.
an invitation to sail at the national level with teams from Washington, California, Chicago, Florida and New England. KIHS also participated in the Phebe Corckran King Memorial Regatta, sponsored by Annapolis Yacht Club and The Severn Sailing Association.
“It was a great experience to be on the water for two days in Annapolis, the sailing capital of the U.S.,” Wells said. “We’re getting better and showing improvement.”
Twice a year, the club hosts a regatta at the Kent Island Yacht Club, the team’s practice and regatta location. Although a regatta is defined as a race, for the host team race day begins long before boats take to the water. When 10 schools compete, the Kent Island High School Sailing Team supplies 10 boats, with two on shore in case of a breakdown. Team members ensure boat safety and cleanliness, and that all lines and sails are in place. In the competitors’ meeting, responsibilities and expectations are discussed. On the water, months of training, teamwork, skill, and discipline are tested.
“ It’s a full day of a great time, but make no mistake — it’s still a competition,” Wells said.
Sailing, like any sport, is a battle of ups and downs.
“You’re proud when you watch your son and his teammates grow from wondering how to get around a race course to an invitation to a national regatta,” Wells said. “Even within those races, consistency is key. It’s fun to watch them grow from novice to JV to varsity sailors. And even though they might also love to be on powerboats, they’ll always be sailors first.”
The Kent Island High School Sailing Club is a nonprofit organization. Visit http://kisailing.org/2/ for more information. S
DRIVE TO
Local man brings passion to dirt car racing
STORY BY JOHN NISWANDER
PHOTOS BY JENNQUINN CREATIVE
Matt Glanden’s journey into the high-octane world of dirt car racing began at the age of 7 after a visit with his best friend ignited a lifelong passion.
“My friend Greg Schoonover went over to Don Hughes’s house in the fall to check out a quarter midget car, and I came home with one the next week,” Glanden recalled.
By the following spring, Glanden was soaring to success, clinching victory in his very first race. This early success solidified his love for the sport, setting him on a path that would lead to numerous achievements in the world of dirt car racing.
Unlike many racers who dream of NASCAR fame, he was inspired by local super late model drivers Ricky Elliott and Austin Hubbard.
Glanden’s parents played a crucial role in supporting his aspirations growing up, and a pivotal moment came in 2006 when he witnessed Ricky Elliott’s spectacular win at Georgetown Speedway.
SURVIVE
“That’s the moment I knew what I wanted to do in life,” he said.
The experience of being behind the wheel is a unique blend of conscious control and subconscious reflexes in Glanden’s opinion.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m a spectator sitting in the driver’s seat and my hands and feet are acting subconsciously,” he said.
The focus is always on maintaining his own pace and preserving the car’s tires for the final laps. Typical races are around 50 laps, with fields averaging 22-24 cars, though entries can vary. Racing up to 30 nights a year, Glanden balances his passion with family commitments.
“I would race five nights a week if we could, but it’s not fair to my wife and daughter and my parents to spend their whole life at racetracks because that’s what I want to do,” he said.
Preparation is key to Glanden’s success. Mentally, he focuses on immediate tasks, such as qualifying and heat racing, while physically, he stays hydrated and avoids eating until the race is over.
His most memorable victory came in 2021 at Hagerstown Speedway with a rebuilt car, affectionately named ‘Scrappy.’
“It was a last lap pass for the win after leading early, at a racetrack that has one of the most storied histories in dirt track racing,” he recounted.
The process of preparing a car for a race is meticulous. After late nights at the track, the team strips down the car for a thorough cleaning and inspection. Weekly maintenance involves checking every bolt, weld and oil line, as well as preparing tires for the next race. Unexpected issues during a race are handled with a mix of determination and teamwork. Glanden’s father, who acts as both coach and crew chief, plays a crucial role in these moments and his son’s success.
Technological advancements, particularly in suspension and shock packages, have significantly impacted the sport.
“We currently have the most complicated suspension and shock packages in the racing world in dirt late models bar none,” he stated. “This evolution has made the sport even more challenging and exciting.”
Balancing the demands of racing with personal life is no easy feat. Glanden juggles his day job running G2 Design with his racing commitments, often working late into the night on his cars after spending time with his family.
“I don’t get much sleep,” he admitted.
Looking to the future, Glanden sees potential rule changes aimed at controlling costs as pivotal to the sport’s evolution in addition to fan support. He engages with his loyal fans both at the track and online, recognizing their importance in keeping the sport alive.
At the end of the day, wins, championships, et cetera don’t matter as much as leaving a legacy and contributing to the sport
“Without fans in the stands, the tracks can’t open their doors,” he emphasized. Ultimately, Matt hopes to leave a legacy of sportsmanship and contribution to the dirt car racing community.
“At the end of the day, wins, championships, et cetera don’t matter as much as leaving a legacy and contributing to the sport,” he said.
With the unwavering support of his family, friends and sponsors, Glanden continues to chase his passion and follow his dreams, embodying the spirit of a true racer. S
Photos on this page courtesy of Matt Glanden
Life on uty
The summer season is in full swing on the Eastern Shore. Dozens of families, vacationers and tourists are starting to make their way to Ocean City and the surrounding beaches. For communities such as The Meadows of Cambridge, residents have the opportunity to dive right into summer fun just mere feet away, right under the watchful eyes of their own personal lifeguards.
With a life floatie in hand and sunscreen on her face, Holly Clemons spends her summer watching swimmers as the lead lifeguard at The Meadows of Cambridge community pool. Lifeguarding may seem like a mundane job to some, but under the goggles, Clemons’ duties are essential to maintaining a safe and happy environment for all.
Clemons, 26, revealed that there’s so much more to lifeguarding than sitting on a chair.
“I oversee just about everything at the pool, from activities and scheduling to making sure everybody’s signed in to pool safety and cleanliness. The only thing I don’t check is the skimmers,” Clemons chuckled. “I pretty much take care of everything in the pool and follow the rules and regulations… Here, it’s a little bit different from your typical lifeguard position just because we’re in a small community.”
Born and raised in Alabama, Clemons was a lifeguard at a popular water/amusement park, specifically at the park’s wave pool. She worked with six other guards on duty and looked over hundreds of people during her shifts. It was there that she developed her love for the job.
“I just enjoy being out in the sun and by the water. It’s where I’m happiest. I love talking to people, too. This doesn’t even feel like a job to me.”
Clemons moved to Dorchester County a few weeks ago to live with her girlfriend and begin her job as the community lifeguard. Even though she hasn’t been in Maryland for long, she’s made unforgettable connections with folks in the neighborhood. When working long shifts, neighbors would often bring Clemons homemade lunch and chat with her throughout the day. She also described how looking after the kids keeps her entertained, too.
“Sometimes they like to spray me with water guns. We all have a blast.”
While the residents of The Meadows of Cambridge can swim peacefully under Clemons’ watch, hundreds of pools across the country cannot provide lifeguards on duty due to a nationwide lifeguard shortage.
According to the American Lifeguard Association, the pandemic put a huge toll on training guards due to social distancing. This, along with the stereotype that lifeguarding is a seasonal job for teens, accelerated the decline in available lifeguards. In 2023, about one-third of the nation’s public pools closed down because of it.
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Crystal Wyatt, the property manager of The Meadows of Cambridge, shared how much of a benefit Clemons is to the neighborhood.
“Fortunately we haven't had to experience a shortage this year,” Wyatt said. “Holly always interacts with the residents and kids.”
The importance of lifeguards such as Clemons within a community is vital in sustaining its health. These jobs should not be taken for granted.
“If you go to a hotel or most community pools, they don’t have any lifeguards,” Clemons pointed out. “It is important to me that I’m here because what if something does happen and somebody’s not here who knows what to do?”
At the end of the day, being a protective figure over The Meadows of Cambridge is what makes being a lifeguard all so rewarding to Clemons.
“The fact that people can come and enjoy the pool while remaining safe and having fun — and I get to contribute to that — that’s what makes me happiest.”
It’s a little bit different from your typical lifeguard position just because we’re in a small community.
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SHORE ROOTS
Celebrating a sense of place
20th
Anniversary of Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival
STORY BY AMELIA BLADES STEWARD
From July 12th through the 21st, Talbot County will be transformed as easels dot the towns and countryside for the 20th anniversary of Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival. The 10-day event, which includes art exhibits and sales, free demonstrations, receptions, art camp and children’s art activities, talks and live music is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States.
It is a project of the Avalon Foundation, Inc. that is held in Easton each July and since its inception has captured the hearts of painters and the public who come to celebrate the sense of place that our indelible landscape offers.
Plein air painters produce art from life, also known as en plein air – as opposed to creating it in the studio. It was popularized during the mid-19th century in America and led by artists such as John G. Rand, who invented the collapsible metal paint tube in 1841, making it easier for artists to paint outdoors. Plein Air Easton draws artists from all over the United States and beyond with 58 artists juried into the competition by a unique juror each year. Visitors enjoy watching artists paint wherever they find inspiration, including neighborhoods, storefronts, roadsides, cornfields and the water’s edge.
According to Marie Nuthall, Avalon Foundation coordinator for outdoor events, the theme for this year’s anniversary year is “Gratitude” – gratitude for the Plein Air Easton founders, for the Avalon Foundation staff and board, for the Friends of Plein Air, for the volunteers, for the juried artists, and for all the partnering organizations who have built the event to what it is today.
“It’s such a neat, engaging competition and festival,” Nuthall said. “The artists love to talk to people and they love being here. They show us the beauty of what we walk by every single day. I love that. I can’t look down a street now in town without remembering a picture or perspective in a painting that I’ve seen hanging on the walls, either in the Academy Art Museum or the Plein Air Easton headquarters. It feeds gratitude in me as I am often struck by the beauty here.”
Art sales for the Plein Air Easton 2023 event topped $537,000 with 451 paintings sold over the week. Al Bond, president & CEO of the Avalon Foundation, Inc. reflects on the event’s success and climb to the top in the plein air world.
“There are a lot of things that have led to Plein Air Easton’s success,” Bond said. “The biggest one is that it is a juried competition, not an invitational,
which means there is a different set of eyes on the artists each year. This brings fresh approaches and has brought us new ideas for how we host the event. It means that Plein Air Easton is an incubator of what plein air can be.”
Bond said they find the edges in the competition and that it has been exciting for the painters, the collectors and those attending each year.
“You really need to bring your A-game to Plein Air Easton,” he said.
“The other big thing is that Plein Air Easton has been such a gathering point for people who have pride in place,” Bond added. “It makes people reflect on the fragile beauty we get to enjoy while living here. This resonates viscerally with people.”
The staff and volunteers of Plein Air Easton have been guided by three principles: to make every accommodation possible for the artists; the quality of everything matters; and to understand and deliver the shareholder’s motives of engagement. Because of their commitment to these foundational principles, both Avalon staff and over 150 volunteers ensure that the top talent of artists and visitors who want to see and buy their work come back year after year. Expectations may remain high yet all are consistently amazed by the level of competition and the engagement of the community.
“We want people to know how grateful we are to the community,” Bond said. “Plein Air Easton belongs to the whole community. It crosses all of Talbot County – from the agricultural community to the watermen, creating a special place for people to interact with the unique place we live in.”
The history of Plein Air Easton goes back to 2004 when artist Nancy Tankersley approached Al Bond with the idea of having a plein air competition in Easton. At the time, Bond was with the Town of Easton and Tankersley was the third person to pitch the idea to him. He recalls that what was different about her pitch was that she wanted to help.
Tankersley and her husband had just bought a house in Easton and became the new owners of the South Street Art Gallery. She had experience from attending West Coast festivals and saw best practices in play there, bringing fresh ideas that were important in the very beginning years. Because Tankersley was already a known and respected artist nationally, she could reach out to her artist friends and ask them to come to the Plein Air Easton competition.
“That first year, we got heavy hitters to participate which lent our event credibility right away,” Bond recalled.
Tankersley served on the Plein Air Easton Steering Committee for several years as the festival was getting established. Once its future was secure, she returned to her career as an artist. She has received many awards at plein air competitions across the country, including First
REFLECTIONS: Nancy Tankersley
June 19, 2024 - July 28, 2024 Academy Art Museum, Easton, MD
To mark the 20th anniversary of Plein Air Easton, the Museum will feature a special exhibition of the work of Nancy Tankersley, highlighting paintings from throughout her career. Visit academyartmuseum.org for details.
Place at Lighthouse Plein Air and Parrsboro Plein Air, and Second Place at Plein Air Easton and En Plein Air Texas. She has also served as a juror and judge at numerous events. In honor of her extraordinary contribution to Plein Air Easton and the larger movement, she will serve as the awards judge for this year’s landmark anniversary festival in Easton.
“It’s an honor, a privilege, and a daunting task to be the judge of the 20th anniversary of Plein Air Easton,” Tankersley said. “That it has grown to be the largest and most prestigious event in the nation speaks to the dedication of the Avalon Foundation and the enthusiastic
More than 662,000 people visited Talbot County in 2021 to enjoy outdoor recreation, shopping, dining and festivals such as Plein Air Easton, held each July.
volunteers and supporters who come out year after year to honor and celebrate the arts.”
Tankersley said artists come from all over the country and world, each dreaming of receiving the best in show award.
“Yet the lucky 18 (Maryland artist Tim Beall has won the grand prize two times and in 2020 there were no toptier awards given) who have had that honor know that art is personal and that any year the winning painting might have been different with another judge,” Tankersley said. “Therefore, I think the humility and grace that all of the winners have shown is genuine and the enthusiasm
FUN FACT:
and support of the other artists in the competition is also genuine. We all know that winning a place in the competition and seeing some of your work go to new homes each year is the best reward.”
In the spirit of the competition’s theme, gratitude, Plein Air Easton has created a hall of fame and will enter its first class of inductees this year, recognizing the longestterm and most influential people connected to the event.
“Over the years, the community has responded to meet the needs presented by the weeklong event,” Nuthall said. “This is especially true for the Quick Draw event (a 2-hour competition outdoors) which often can
58 plein air painters are selected each year because there is only enough wall space in the Academy Art Museum galleries for 58 artists to hang two competition paintings.
Some additional highlights of this year’s event (see complete schedule below) include:
The festival will kick off on July 12 with a free block party in downtown Easton. Easton retailers will participate in a “Shop to Win” raffle where a $25 expenditure in a participating retailer will grant you one raffle ticket for hundreds of dollars in a prize drawing that same evening. There will also be live entertainment and a Paint in Nocturn event for anyone to paint on Harrison Street in Easton.
The “Meet the Artists” invitation-only donor event at Weight Heights owned by the Wyman family on July 13 – the site of the first Plein Air Easton brunch.
Plein Air Easton (PAE) headquarters will be open to the public every day between July 14 and July 21 (except Thursday, July 18) to access festival Information, watch artist demonstrations, listen to live interviews, learn through educational content, and view and buy art (where 500+ original plein air paintings are expected to be displayed).
“Local Color” hosted by the Working Artist Forum on July 18 at the Christ Church Parish Hall will feature a local plein air competition and artist demonstrations by Plein Air Easton artists who took top prizes in last year’s competition.
Collector’s Preview Party (ticked event) which begins at the Academy Art Museum in Easton and continues to the PAE Headquarters on Friday, July 19. This evening’s unveiling of the competition gallery in the Academy Art Museum promises to be breathtaking as the juried artists have worked all week and presented their two best works for judging and prizes. Continue across the street to the PAE Headquarters to view the full exhibit of all the plein air paintings completed during the week and enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live music and the announcement of the 2024 winners. A painting is sold every 45 seconds during the 90-minute event.
Quick Draw Easton on Saturday, July 20 where artists (professional and amateur) pay $10 to register and then paint within the Quick Draw Boundaries over two hours. At noon, all completed and framed paintings are exhibited, judged, and sold on Harrison Street. The $1500 winner gets an invitation to compete in next year’s Easton Plein Air Competition.
The Small Painting Sunday Exhibition at the Plein Air Easton Headquarters on July 21 is a free event that includes light brunch fare, live music, and the unveiling of 58 small paintings (6’x8’ in size). Nancy Tankersley will also give the intriguing Judge’s Talk explaining her thought process in selecting the winning paintings for the competition.
Children’s programming at the Avalon Theatre on July 20 and 21 including art stations and their version of a Quick Draw with awards given on Sunday the 21st.
Plein Air Easton Schedule
FRIDAY, JULY 12
KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, JULY 13
MEET THE ARTISTS
JULY 14-21
HEADQUARTER’S OPEN
EXHIBIT & SALE, FREE DEMONSTRATIONS, INTERVIEWS, ART DISCUSSIONS
SUNDAY, JULY 14
PAINT OXFORD, EXHIBIT & SALE
MONDAY, JULY 15
PAINT TILGHMAN, EXHIBIT & SALE
THURSDAY, JULY 18
LOCAL COLOR, EXHIBIT & SALE
be the hottest day of the week if not the summer. What started as an impromptu free water station set up during Quick Draw 20 years ago by Mason’s Restaurant has become a consistently generous contribution by our friends at Earth Data, providing refreshments for all who pass by. Easton Utilities has provided volunteers to help set up, expedite sales, and break down. Talbot Emergency Services provides cooling stations and paramedics downtown for the throngs of visitors viewing the street-side art exhibit that immediately follows Quick Draw.”
Plein Air Easton is supported by Friends of Plein Air Easton. According to Nuthall, the event is not possible without the support of local organizations donating their time, resources and dollars in addition to the many volunteers who work during the week-long event. To date, Plein Air Easton has 155 individual volunteers who work 340 three-hour shifts throughout the competition and festival.
Carol Sleeper, who has been the volunteer coordinator for 10 years, said the event has grown a lot over the years.
“In particular, the volunteer jobs have grown. We now have several shifts of volunteers to cover the hours of the festival,” Sleeper said. “I have developed relationships with the volunteers who find it very rewarding to be involved – they like the energy around the artists and the art.”
“We attribute our success to our volunteers and to the community who supports the event,” Nuthall said. “I find that there’s definitely this reciprocal relationship between our standard of excellence and the reputation that we’re putting out there.”
Nuthall explained that having a unique highly respected juror every year keeps the competition from growing stagnant. Jurors can be professional artists, museum directors, art historians, prominent collectors and/or other influential leaders in the modern plein air movement.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
COLLECTORS PREVIEW PARTY
SATURDAY, JULY 20
QUICK DRAW
SUNDAY, JULY 21
SMALL PAINTING SUNDAY AND JUDGE’S TALK
The selection of a juror is a two-year commitment where this year’s juror will judge the following year’s competition. This ensures a unique perspective both in the class of artists that are juried in and the prizewinning body of work.
There generally are anywhere from 12 to 25 new artists each year who have never participated in Plein Air Easton before. This year’s juror was Peter Trippi, art historian, curator and editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur. Trippi will serve as the judge for the 2025 Plein Air Easton competition. This year’s judge is Nancy Tankersley.
During the competition, five artists are selected for prizes which earns them an invitation to the next year’s competition. These include the Grand Prize, second, and third place competition winners, the Artist’s Choice winner, and the winner of the Quick Draw. Artists must apply between Dec. 1, 2024, and Jan. 20, 2025, to be considered for the 2025 Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival.
“Plein Air Easton has become a stepping stone for artists trying to make it — it’s one of the preeminent plein air shows in the country,” Tankersley said.
For further information about how you can participate, buy tickets to exclusive events, and/or show your support, contact the Plein Air Easton Information Hotline at 410-822-7297 or email info@pleinaireaston.com. For more information about Plein Air Easton, visit https:// pleinaireaston.com/. S
(From 2012) Plein Air-Easton! Quick Draw: The Next Generation Paint-Out Winners Back row (left to right): Ages 16 to 25 category; Diana Chou, 18, first place, Moriah Morgan, 21, second place and Avery Clark, 20, third place Front row: Ages 15 and under category; Anna Wright, 15, second place, Molly Meyers, 8, third place and Sydney Hardy, first place.
Rose Adelizzi of Oxford creates free fairy jars for kids and grownups during the opening of Plein Air Easton in 2023.
Plein Air artist Julie Rikel of Camp Hill, Penn., sketches the production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” during the Nocturne Paint-out at last year’s festival.
Sue Bredekamp, Sara Linda Poly, and Nancy Tankersley enjoying the exhibit at Plein Air Easton Headquarters.
1649 – Plein Air Easton Competition artist Manon Sander.
STAGE LEFT
ALL THE WORLD’S A
Stage
Community theater can often be seen as a “hobby” or a “social event”, but I want to challenge that and attract people who really want to grow and stretch themselves as artists.
STORY BY JAKE RUSSELL
PHOTOS BY CARMEN GRASSO
Shore Shakespeare Company and the quest to make his works inviting “A
ll the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” are the immortal words that could not be more applicable this summer coming to Eastern Shore parks.
Since 2013, the Shore Shakespeare Community has brought the bard’s legendary works to life to the general public in beautiful park settings. The passionate performances done outdoors have not only been a way to take in William Shakespeare’s plays in a community, but also have provided educational exposure to his poignant artistic storytelling in an accessible and modern platform by artists who love to carry on his legacy.
Co-founded by two actors with a shared love of the bard, Christian Rogers and Avra Sullivan (current executive director), the company has grown in delivering his relevant lessons through hours of dedication to the arts, the
sense of community, and the belief that the people are more important than the project. What started as a 2013 inaugural public performance of Twelfth Night has become a lovely annual tradition of public touring and enlightening experiences within the area.
“I grew up with Shakespeare and got into theater and wanted to focus on theater and classical theater,” Avra said. “In this area, you didn’t see communities bringing in Shakespeare because the language is archaic.
“I was doing community theater with Chris, and we got talking and said, ‘We need to do Shakespeare. If this is gonna happen, we’re gonna have to do it ourselves.’ We originally didn’t know we were going to tour and we were doing this step-by-step, and with our first production achieving some success, they said, “Can you come back?”
It’s only grown from there. Heading into their tenth season, the company epitomizes
the wide-ranging artistic outlet that community theatre is that is inclusive and a place for almost any skill set to be involved in a part of the production. From acting and delivering lines, designing costumes and set designs in the creative outlet of utilizing scenic parks and outdoor environments, to having a knack for working with others, Shore Shakespeare epitomizes that there’s a place for anyone to be involved in the arts as long as the zeal within the people involved is present.
“I came in a few years later and I hadn’t done theater in years, and although I was new to the project, having passionate directors tied to the project, they played such a big role in keeping the production going forward with people stepping up,”
venues all across the Mid-Shore as well as offering educational programming from early childhood to adult education and has since become the artists in residence for public schools in Caroline County.
This season, the troupe of the Shore Shakespeare Company will be taking a brief hiatus from putting on a full length production touring over the summer. Instead, the group is taking the time to present a series of workshops dealing with Shakespearean acting. The unique set of skills necessary to understand his works from an audience, deliver lines as a performer, or maximize the emotional physical delivery of lines will be accessible whether you’re a novice wanting to become involved in what could be seen as merely
Greg Minihane, current artistic director, said. “The outdoor venue has worked very well, and we’ve gotten the chance to have an unlimited number of platforms that works really well and allows us to have technical needs to a minimum.”
The troupe has performed hilarious comedies and macabre tragedies ranging from Romeo & Juliet, A Comedy of Errors, Much Ado About Nothing, and more timeless classics that have been so influential in creating many modern classics audiences may or may not have been aware of. Audiences bring lawn chairs and blankets across numerous public
2013 inaugural production of Twelfth Night, Avra Sullivan (Olivia) and Chris Rogers (Duke Orsino)
a social event or an experienced artist with the desire to sharpen your craft.
“One of the goals I have for this company going forward is to create a "training" arm where local actors, directors, designers can periodically get together and work on their craft,” Avra said. “Community theater can often be seen as a "hobby" or a "social event", but I want to challenge that and attract people who really want to grow and stretch themselves as artists.”
The loss in 2020 of co-founder Chris Rogers, who the company credits as their guiding light, has left a massive void in the company. SSC hopes to take the year
2019 Merchant of Venice
Brian McGunigle (Shylock), Chris Rogers, (Antonio), Max Hagen (Bassanio)
with these workshops to not only continue to remember Chris, what he meant to the company, and pass on his fervor for Shakespearean works, but also potentially get other artists involved and immersed in shows that he would be proud of.
“With Chris gone, we’re hoping to reset our pace for the year and have one play on deck,” Avra said. “Putting on a show outdoors is a challenge and ultimately, we are amateurs that have other jobs and livelihoods.”
The public workshops will include several different categories of educational opportunities regarding Shakespeare in hopes for his works to be better understood, appreciated in a new and exciting way that builds a connection, and emphasizes the importance of his art to be seen on a stage.
to use the space and express ourselves. There are clues in the text that tell the actor who the energy is going toward. When you discover that, the audience is helped out and they’re able to feel what they’re feeling. It’s a kinetic experience. You want to be able to have instinctive chemistry with your partners on stage. We want to indulge ourselves in technique and coax ourselves into finding techniques to understand the characters deeper.”
These workshops provided by SSC hope to make Shakespeare accessible and inviting in a riveting fashion. The language may be seen as deep and intimidating at first glance, but the workshops are geared towards bridging the gap if you’re a beginner, perfecting your craft if you’re an experienced artist, and,
There will be script analysis to get a grasp of language that some may describe as “archaic” because it is a challenge. There will be character analysis, where actors will better understand what characters are trying to say as Shakespeare brilliantly had an appealing understanding of human behavior that is long-lasting. There will also be a study of the physical movement on a stage to maximize the human emotion and techniques for the actors to show rather than to merely say.
Minihane, who will largely be involved in the movement workshop, said, “Shakespeare isn’t just all about what’s going on in the head with rich, challenging to decipher language; we need physical cues to be able
most-importantly, have fun with some of the most-influential works in human history.
“We’re looking for people to be involved and this is an opportunity to stick their toes in the water or if you’re already in the water, take a deep dive,” Minihane said.
Sullivan and the Shore Shakespeare Company hope to continue to do right by her co-founder Chris Rogers and kindle a thespian flame that they so shared with these workshops in the 2024 season.
“It’s not scary and doesn’t have to be intimidating,” she said. “We’ve had people that came back years later that were scared, and every time they’ve asked how they can be involved in the next one. Taking the risk is worth the leap.” S
2016 Macbeth, Avra Sullivan (Lady M) and Greg Minahan (Macbeth)
