The outdoor gallery of five sculptures along the Rails to Trails bike path in St. Michaels has finished its show for 2017. Conceived and sponsored by local author and environmental activist Ann Hymes, the Art Trail was enthusiastically received as an exciting addition to the well-used path that runs 1.5 miles through town. Artists were chosen by an open competition, and their work was placed between Boundary Lane and W. Chew Avenue for six months.
“Two of the pieces were sold, and several commissions were generated, which is great,” explained Hymes, “but the real point was to add some fun and surprise to the bike path. As the guidelines explained, we were looking for work that was ‘edgy, funky, teases the eye and delights the imagination.’ The other two judges, Suzanne Pittenger-Slear (President of Environmental Concern) and Sarah Abel (Planning and Zoning Officer for St. Michaels) and I were very pleased with the variety and creativity of the proposals.”
The winners were Mario Tama, with Leah Bell & Nick Frock for “Cosmic Energy, Earth’s Life Forces” (pictured here); Karen O’Dowd for “Seeking Refuge”; St. Michaels Family YMCA for “Y Recycle?”; Parker Herron for “Yarn Bombing”; and Cole Meyerhoff for “Fisher King.” Each winner received $500 prize money.
“I’ve heard from a number of people who hoped the art would remain on the path, with more added each year,” said Hymes. “One woman emailed me just this week that she walks the path often, and that by the end of summer, the sculptures felt like friends.” That seems a nice addition to the community.
michael estrella says
Like so many others, I have enjoyed my walks along the trail more with the addition of the art work……it will be missed. This is just one of the many things Ann bas done to improve our community……….she deserves our thanks!