By Emmie Meeks
Elm Staff Writer
On Feb. 7, Chestertown RiverArts held the grand opening of their Community Arts Center. The new space came to High Street on the second First Friday of the year as a highly anticipated and well-received addition to the downtown area.
RiverArts, founded in 2012, has become an active part of the Chestertown and Kent County communities, working to bring positive growth to the Eastern Shore arts scene. The organization has five entities: the Community Arts Center, the store, KidSPOT, the Clay Studio, and Arts Education, all located in Kent County.
RiverArts Assistant Director Kris Kelley ’11 expressed her gratitude for the community’s support in aiding the move.
“Our staff did a masterful job of orchestrating the particulars, but we couldn’t have done it without the community’s support. It takes a village,” Kelley said.
The new space comes with new leadership as former Executive Director Chris Sade retired at the end of last year. Executive Director Chris Neiman is now at the helm, along with Kelley as Assistant Director. Anne Highfield-Clark has stayed on with KidSPOT and was instrumental in the transition to the new location.
In honor of Black History Month, the opening exhibit, Common Threads, brings together the work of Black artists from across the Cheasapeake Bay watershed to explore shared experiences, including Black culture and excellence.
“This group exhibition highlights the powerful connection between art and community, showcasing how Kent County is part of broader cultural and ecological conversations that transcend place,” Kelley said.
The exhibit is on view from Feb. 7 to March 1 and features the works of Anthony Burton, Sheila Exum, Jeanette Faber, Ja’lyn Hicks, Sydney Kay, Michael “Mijomor” Morris, and Samuel Moore.
“As an artist, I find my inspiration in the ordinary moments of life, elevating them through the lens of my imagination,” featured artist Mike Morris said in a written statement available at the event. “My art is not just a visual experience; it is an invitation to explore the moods and themes that resonate deeply within us all.”
Featured artist Tony Burton also gave his own perspective on the exhibit.
“The universe has opened up to me, allowing me to see design ideas for paintings and art projects everywhere…My art is born from spontaneity and chance,” Burton said.
These sentiments align closely with the RiverArts mission statement, which states that their goal is to “foster the exploration and development of [their] audiences’ creative lives while providing a bridge to the greater art world; and use the universal experience of creativity to bring together people from diverse rural communities across Kent County and the Eastern Shore to build connection and to encourage understanding.”
According to the RiverArts website, there are three other events happening this month at the Community Arts Center as part of RiverArts’ Black History Month celebration. Programming on Feb. 15 will feature Special Painting Workshop: “Grisaille with a Twist” Layers of Memory with instructor Kyle Hackett from 2 to 5 p.m., and on Feb. 21, an a cappella trio, Sombarkin’, will be performing at 6:30 p.m.
Closing out the exhibit on Feb. 28, the Center will be hosting a panel discussion and closing reception event at 6:30 p.m.
Photo by Olivia Long.
Photo Caption: Part of the current installation at the Center is a display of jewelry and other items.