Art Between the Creeks... Party in a Boat Yard!
In the past 21 years, as the Eastport peninsula of Annapolis has garnished attention for its maritime culture and fun events, one home-grown tradition has held steady and maintained its vision and loyal following: Art Between the Creeks (ABTC). The group of Eastport artists, who all live or work “in between” Spa and Back Creeks, creates non-traditional, or as they like to say, “non-Main-Street” art. What started as a “rogue show” tuned into a mainstay of the local event calendar.
Starting in 1992, one of the trademarks of the bi-annual ABTC shows is the “pop-up” nature of the galleries. The artists choose a location: most recently Backyard Boats (at 222 Severn Avenue). They build the walls, hang the lighting, and curate and produce the entire show, including bringing snacks to share. A Soho-style art gallery in a boatyard? What could be more Eastport than that?
One of the founders, Cindy Fletcher-Holden, a native Annapolis artist, liveaboard, and occasional SpinSheet contributor, lives in Eastport.
“I thought the first Art Between the Creeks was going to be a one-night wonder!” she says. “Here we are 21 years later. We do put on a great party in a cool space. It’s a great way to spend a Friday evening in Eastport, and there is, of course, awesome art by very talented artists!”
Although the ABTC show will take place in a boatyard and several of the artists are sailors (including SpinSheet editor Molly Winans), this will not be a “maritime art show.” Expect the unexpected.
ABTC’s fall show kicks off Friday, November 4, with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. at Backyard Boats Annapolis (222 Severn Avenue) that is open to the public. The gallery will be open to the public beforehand on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 13.
Entry to the opening reception is free, but donations are welcome at the bar and will benefit the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Box of Rain youth maritime program.
Learn more at artbetweenthecreeks.us.
