 Gallery a Welcome Addition to Annapolis Arts District

Barely one year ago, then-84-year-old William N. Collins fulfilled a lifelong dream of showcasing his abstract art for all to see. His vehicle to do so—open an art gallery in Annapolis, which he did on the heels of the pandemic, when all other professional endeavors seemed at a standstill for Collins, save for painting…and painting some more. Located in the uptown section of the arts district at 162 West Street (near trendy restaurants like Metropolitan and Lemongrass across the street), the W.N. Collins gallery has become a welcome addition to the fine arts scene in town. The gallery features dozens of Collins’ large-scale, colorful, abstract paintings with amusing titles such as Emerald Maze, Midnight Regatta, and A Little Bit of Brightness . “The quarantine was my opportunity to devote time and energy to painting,” Collins says. “While I had painted off and on during my life, this moment has allowed me to fully release my creativity and explore my inner psyche.” Learn more about the Collins and the gallery at wncollins.com.

New Head Of School At Aacs

Annapolis

Area Christian School recently announced the appointment of Chad Dirkse as the next Head of School, effective July 1st. Last fall, the school’s search committee began the process of replacing Rick Kempton—who retired this June after 11 years leading AACS. Dirkse comes to Maryland by way of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he served as Chattanooga Christian School’s president for 14 years. “Serving as the next Head of School at AACS is a great privilege,” Dirkse says. “Over the last few months, my wife Heather and I have felt a persistent tug to become part of your community. Each interaction with the people within the AACS family cultivated a sense of belonging…” Learn more about Mr. Dirkse and AACS at aacsonline.org.

Adaptive Boating Center Opens

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center on May 2nd. The Adaptive Boating Center (ABC) is a $6 million project supported by funding from the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, and CRAB donors. The new facility is an essential part of CRAB’s strategic plan to increase accessibility to the Chesapeake Bay for people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities. Learn more about the new facility and CRAB at crabsailing.org.

Stephanie Clements, MD Lesley Sutherland, MD

Dockside Dermatology

What age should you start having Full Body Skin Cancer Screenings?

There is no set guideline for when to begin seeing a dermatologist for a Full Body Skin Cancer Screening. For most people, we recommend starting in your early 20’s to establish care and to get a baseline evaluation. Earlier screening is recommended for an individual with many moles, a strong family history of melanoma or if there is a concern from another physician. At the baseline evaluation, the dermatologist will make a recommendation on how frequently to be seen. The Full Body Skin Exam allows skin cancer to be detected at its earliest and smallest stage and is an integral part of health maintenance. If you haven’t yet been evaluated by a dermatologist and you are past the recommended age, don’t worry, it is never too late to come in for your first visit.

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 FIRST FEMALE NOMINATED TO LEAD USNA

Rear Adm. Yvette Davids was nominated for appointment to the rank of vice admiral, and then assignment by President Joe Biden as the next superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. Davids, a 1989 graduate of the Naval Academy, is a career surface warfare officer and is currently serving as Director, Learning to Action Drive Team. Davids has an extensive operational background to include commanding USS Curts (FFG 38), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and Carrier Strike Group 11.

Though the transfer of command is tentatively scheduled for this summer, the exact timing of Davids’ confirmation is an open question (as of press time). According to U.S. Naval Institute reporting, “Defense Department civilian and military nominations are on hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) over objections to a series of Pentagon policies that allow service members to take out-of-state leave for reproductive healthcare, including abortions. More than 100 DoD nominations are stalled due to the hold.” Learn more at usna. edu and news.usni.org.

TOWNE ATHLETE