When the banners fly on Talbot Street, it’s one of the first signs that the St. Michaels community will soon be entering the full swing of summer recreation that brings thousands of tourists to this charming harbor town. From one end of Talbot Street to the other, colorful banners delight visitors and residents with depictions of iconic boating scenes, crabs, local wildlife, and all the summer fun for which St. Michaels is so well known.
This annual event, now in its ninth year, is made possible through the support of many individuals, businesses, and organizations. The banner artwork is created by members of the St. Michaels Art League (SMAL), but that is just the beginning.
The collaboration kicks off early in Winter as SMAL artists create paintings in various media in the required banner format. Then the painted images go into production. Kevin Snelling, proprietor of Creative XPressions scans the paintings and sends them to Sharper Graphics, located in Easton, where Bob Porter produces the banners. Price’s Yacht Canvas Shop in St. Michaels then sews the banners back to back, readying them for hanging on Talbot utility poles. Finally, Curtis Short and his crew from Choptank Electric Cooperative hang the colorful banners in April, just as Springtime emerges from the cold and wind. Choptank Electric Cooperative has been an enthusiastic partner in the banner program since its inception.
Kevin Snelling, at Creative XPressions in St. Michaels continues his support of SMAL artists by offering poster versions in his Talbot street shop. Tourists and art patrons can purchase dramatic art pieces for modest prices. A portion of sales is returned to the artist and the Art League. Many of the images are the products of award winning artists. The prize this year for Best Graphic Design was awarded to Anne Allbeury-Hock for “Racing on the Miles” and June Hock’s “St. Michaels Creek” won Best Artistic Merit.
The Talbot County Arts Council with funds provided by the Maryland State Arts Council assist with partial funding for the League’s community-oriented events including the banners, a children’s Art Day, and an “Art Hunt” that inspires visitors to tour the sponsoring shops that line the streets. Support from the Councils also help Students from local schools participate in the Banner program.
While the Art League’s mission is to enhance the appreciation of art and members’ artistic professionalism, the town continues to benefit from the economic promotion that a lively arts scene engenders. Art enthusiasts should look forward to the Labor Day Show in St. Michaels, where many of the original banner paintings and actual street banners are offered for sale.
The banners are taken down in November, just a few short months before the process begins anew.
Kevin Snelling, a local merchant, produces posters of the banner images which are available for purchase at Creative XPressions on South Talbot Street.
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