Annmarie Garden: This is where the Wild Things are

Show opens at spring gala

Friday, June 5, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by DARWIN WEIGEL Annmarie Garden held its second annual spring gala Saturday and opened the new Wild Things exhibit. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Chuck and Laura von Schmidt of New York get a good look at a great horned owl also pictured at the top of the page — presented by Colleen Sabo of the Maryland/National Capitol Parks and Planning Commission Saturday at the Annmarie Garden second annual spring gala and opening of the Wild Things exhibit. Chuck von Schmidt has three sculptures in the exhibit. Click here to enlarge this photo Lusby sisters Molly and Claire Strayer look at Nicholas Fonseca's "Velociraptor Mongoliensis, 2007." Click here to enlarge this photo Jane Parker, left, and Mary Oritt, both of Solomons, look at the painting "Bite Me" by Robin Arnold of New York. Click here to enlarge this photo Port Republic artist Mimi Little's "Lurking Below, 2009"

Annmarie Garden's latest exhibit, WILD Things, got off to a wild start last Saturday, May 30, with the second annual gala, a key fundraiser for the art museum and sculpture garden in Dowell.

Perhaps the most striking work of art at the exhibit wasn't even inside the building. A male great horned owl, domesticated after being crippled in an accident, was on display on a perch outside the building. The bird seemed put out to be the focus of so much attention; he panted slightly, a sign of anxiety, according to his handler.

The bird was constantly attended by a knot of admirers, but works inside also captured the imagination, running from serious to whimsical.

Annmarie Garden Director Stacey Hann-Ruff said the new exhibit, which focuses on animals, is the latest in a tradition making art engaging to laymen without sacrificing quality.

"We knew we wanted to do good art but we also wanted things to be fun," Hann-Ruff said. " … It's not that everything has to be funny or hysterical, but whenever we're planning our schedule we seek to engage and stimulate, and have people enjoy having fun when they come here."

Two works were by Calvert County artists.

Stephen Godfrey of Lusby, curator of paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum, submitted a stark work of sculpture, "Home-Grown Wild Thing," consisting of a decapitated mouse skeleton on a mouse trap, resting on a square of black marble.

Mimi Little of Prince Frederick contributed "Lurking Below," a large and vibrantly colored acrylic painting of jellyfish.

The pair of jurors who selected the works for the show did not know artists' names or hometowns, Hann-Ruff said.

"Our local artists are competing at the same level as everyone else in the show. … I think it's a statement of the creativity of our community," she said.

Pieces were selected on the basis of "taste," said Don Moore, one of the jurors, who then added, "Did I just say that?"

"One of things we were looking for [was] to represent diversity" of themes and media, said the other juror, Sue Johnson, an art professor at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "We had no preconceived ideas — we were responding to submissions."

Moore, who is associate director of animal care at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., said he was impressed that artists nationwide had submitted their work.

"These artists take Annmarie Garden seriously," Moore said. "… My clientele [at the zoo] is often kids, so while we were going through them, we were concerned [that] every piece appeal to 6- to 8-year-olds kids coming with their parents, and to the serious adult collector. A great piece of art."

Gala co-chair Laurie Uherek said the gala requires carefully balancing the need to protect the art with the desire to host a fun party for almost 200 guests.

"The most difficult challenge [is], we have artwork all over the building worth thousands of dollars. We need to set up a social roundup where everyone has a great time but understands the delicateness of the art. We're learning how to make it all work so everyone can have a relaxing time," she said.

The testimony of guests would suggest the museum succeeded in this.

Pam Frank, who vacations at Long Beach, said she was particularly taken with a sculpture of horseshoe crab shells gathered together under a disco ball.

"My parents have been very involved in this for a long time, to bring something to the county like this. I think is very exciting," she said. She hadn't had time to view most of the exhibit but "So far so good. I love the way they've taken nature, horseshoe crabs and the pictures of jellyfish. I think it's great. I'm very friendly with some of the artists and I think they do great work."

Mary Oritt of Solomons, who toured the exhibit with a friend, called the Garden "A fabulous place. A hidden treasure in Calvert County."

Maurice Lusby, chairman of the Calvert County Planning Commission, said he enjoyed being exposed to different viewpoints and people during the show.

"I think it's neat. I enjoy artists, it's interesting to see how they see things as opposed to how I do. … There's a mix of people different from what I run into in some other places … I think it's really refreshing," he said.

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