Chincoteague Island .Net

The fifth season of 2nd Saturday Art Strolls on Chincoteague Island begins on Saturday, April 12. The Art Strolls, organized by the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance (CCA), take place on the second Saturday of each month from 6:00 – 10:00pm April through December, with CCA member shops sponsoring a wide variety of artistic and cultural activities throughout the evening. It’s a great opportunity to explore new shops, meet artists who work in a variety of mediums, listen to great music and just have fun – all free of charge!

April activities begin on Saturday afternoon with a demonstration of making Gourd Bird Houses with Patrick Hochmuth at the Oyster and Maritime Museum from 3:00 – 5:00pm. Beginning at 6:00pm, visit Island Cottage Collection for demonstrations of Jewelry-Making by Jim Warren, Hand-made Soap-making by Marianne Warren and Painting/printmaking by Jenny Somers. Head over to the Linda Nerine Gallery for a demonstration of “Works in Wood” – Sculpture and Wall Hangings by Richard Fusick. On Main Street, check out Basket-Making by Helen Sheets at Gull Watch Basketry (6-8pm), glass Bead-Making by Mia Weldon at Mia’s Torched Beads/Psychotronic and Cartooning with Joe Speranzella at Sundial Books.

Many shops are sponsoring ‘Meet the Artist’ events where visitors can view completed works and talk with the artist about their craft. Meet Kathy Henry of Henry & Co. Themed Gift Baskets at Vintage Rose Antiques and Collectibles. The Linda Nerine Gallery will have Paintings by Ted Ramsey on display as well as Linda Nerine’s own new collection, Reflections III. At Island Cottage Collection, Lisa Tucker shows her Native American Quilts and “Reds” Miller from Chincoteague will bring pine needle baskets. New works in photography and jewelry by artist/owner Scharlene Leonard will be highlighted at Island Butterfly. Baltimore’s Larry Sullivan brings his Big Bowls from the Earth to aNoPheles Blues Gallery.

CCA introduces three new members on the Art Stoll this season. Stop by Solid Rock Photography on Ridge Rd. to meet owner/photographer Kenny Lewis. Bookhounds Book store, with owner John Bishop, has joined the line-up on Main Street. On Maddox Boulevard, Tomorrow’s Treasures will have a pre-opening event during the Art Stroll hours.

Round out the evening with music and wine. Wine, Cheese & More features wines by Purple Wine Company of California. Tasting is free but donations to the CCA Scholarship Fund are welcome. Island musicians Carter & Webb bring their Jim-Jammin sounds to the Egret Moon courtyard and DJ Michael Weldon spins his always astonishing discs at Psychotronic. Audience participation is always welcome (and essential!) for the evening Sing Along at aNoPheles Blues, even if you can’t carry a tune!

Printed 2nd Saturday InfoMaps with complete shop locations, maps and phone numbers can be picked up at all CCA member shops as well as local hotels, inns, restaurants, and the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. On the web. visit the new and improved CCA website at www.chincoteagueculturalalliance.org for more details about the Art Stroll and other upcoming CCA events.