2015 Chesapeake Bay Waterfowl Arts Show Celebrates the Region’s Rich Culture While Supporting a Great Cause
New Name, Same Mission to Help Our Community
Warmer weather is in the air and the time is right to start planning activities for spring. At the top of everyone’s list should be the 2015 Chesapeake Bay Waterfowl Arts Show, to be held May 15-16 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown, MD. All artists, exhibits and vendors are indoors, so the show is open rain or shine (we hope shine)!
For the ninth straight year, world class wildlife art, antique duck decoys, delicious wild game, local wines, and retriever dogs come together in southern Maryland for a fun-filled weekend, with something for everyone.
While the event promotes and celebrates the traditional arts and heritage of the region, attendees and exhibitors can feel good in that it also serves as a major fundraiser for the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland. The foundation provides vital grants to a wide array of community organizations, addressing education, health and wellness, youth initiatives, the environment and arts and culture.
A major change this year is the show’s name – from Potomac River Waterfowl Festival to Chesapeake Bay Arts Show. In explaining the name change, Gretchen Heinze Hardman, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland, which has sponsored the show since its inception said, “While we are so proud to call the Potomac River watershed home, the scope of our show has grown and expanded over the past nine years, to encompass so many other aspects of life, culture, art and
The event kicks off Friday, May 15 with a Cattails and Cocktails reception and auction in recognition of the show’s 2015 Featured Carver, renown Maryland decoy carver, President of the Southern Maryland Carousel and carousel animal maker, Burkey Boggs. At the reception, guests will enjoy delicious gourmet hors d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists and previewing the decoys and related items to be auctioned off the next morning.
On Saturday, May 16, visitors will be able to see, taste, experience and purchase a wide array of Chesapeake Bay culture, including:
Mingle with artists from the Carolinas to New Jersey and Pennsylvania; view and purchase fine wildlife art including original oil and watercolor paintings, photography, hand carved gunning and decorative decoys, sculpture, wood carvings, hand crafted furniture, beach glass jewelry, ceramics and more.
Meet 2015 Featured Artist, Burkey Boggs, Maryland decoy carver and President of the Southern Maryland Carousel Group.
See and learn about antique duck decoys from Maryland and learn about this fascinating aspect of Chesapeake Bay history.
Free decoy appraisals and identifications offered by Decoy Magazine and the Potomac Decoy Collectors Association.
Live Auction of Decoys and related items conducted by Farrell Auction Service, LLC.
Wildfowl and game tasting and cooking demonstrations offered by noted big game hunter Jimmy Stewart.
Enjoy local wine tastings and tutorials.
See and pet some of the most amazing canines on the east coast at the show’s retriever dog demonstration.
Enter your own carving or simply admire the masterpieces entered in the 2015 Working Decoy Competition organized by Heck Rice, champion carver and President of the International Wildfowl Carvers Association.
See birds made from trash – really! An unforgettable display of “recycled” sculptures on loan from Salisbury University’s Stash Your Trash exhibit.
Bluebird House Workshop – build a special home for your little feathered friends!
For tickets and information, please contact cbwaterfowlartsshow@gmail.com or visit www.cfsomd.org.