Paint Annapolis 2005

Early, on September 15, William Wright set the Paint Annapolis tent up at Annapolis City Dock. Shortly after, the 25 artists juried into Paint Annapolis 2005 arrived and got to work. These artists had been selected by Peter Adams, the President of the California Arts Club.

This year's event was a little different. The stakes were raised with a $2,000 "Best-in-Show" prize sponsored by Charles Schwab. New scenes were accessible to the artists. St Mary's Church offered striking views of Spa Creek, Eastport Bridge, and the Charles Carroll House, which dates back to the 18th century. After 6pm artists could explore the possibilities in the neighborhood of Eastport. Eastport is filled with marinas, boatyards, a Maritime Museum, old houses with beautiful gardens and some of the best sunset views of Historic Annapolis.

Over the course of 3 days (and several artists working early on Sunday morning) exhibiting artists and MAPAPA members put paint to canvas coming up with unique compositions and stunning light effects. Everyone took frequent breaks meeting back at the MAPAPA Tent for a cold soda and to share their work. The volunteers were out in force bring cold water to all the painters and watching their gear if they needed a break.

By Sunday, the works were delivered to Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. A total of 50 paintings completed by 25 artists were on the wall and being viewed by over 250 people in attendance. The show's juror - Eleanor Jones Harvey, Chief Curator of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art - had made her selection for awards and the people had voted for their favorite.

At 5:30 the awards were announced. The big winner was Rob Barber, who took home not only the Best in Show prize but also the People's Choice Award for his painting "Down Main Street."

Next year MAPAPA will celebrate the 5th anniversary of Paint Annapolis. All who are interested in applying to be in the juried exhibition keep an eye on the MAPAPA web site in the spring and look for your April MAPAPA newsletter. You will need to submit 3 slides of work done completely en Plein Air in the last year. The deadline will be in early May.

The following MAPAPA members participated in the Paint Annapolis 2005 competition:

AJ Alper
Bonnie Roth Anderson
Larry Altaffer
Robert Barber
Lee Boynton
Ed Cooper
John Ebersberger
Cedric Egeli
Joanette Egeli
Lisa Egeli
Stephen Griffin
Laura Howell
Jean Brinton Jaecks

Kathleen Kotarba
Sharon Littig
Abigail McBride
Kirk McBride
Ross Merrill
Barbara Nuss
Gary Pendleton
John Brandon Sills
William Ternay
Nancy Wallace
Will Williams
William Wright

Award winners were:

Best in Show
Robert Barber
"Down Main Street"

People's Choice
Robert Barber
"Down Main Street"

1st Runner Up
William Wright
"Harbor Baskets"

2nd Runner Up
Stephen Griffin
"J Boats - Annapolis Yacht Club"

3rd Runner Up
John Ebersberger
"Gentle Morning"

Awards of Merit:

Lisa Egeli
"Shade by Spa Creek"

Sharon Littig
"The Other Side of the Bridge"

Kirk McBride
"Eastport Clouds"

Ross Merrill
"Cloud Bank"

Gary Pendleton
"Water, Cloud, Sky"

John Brandon Sills
"Dancing Light"

Will Williams
"De Kalb"