The Waterfowl Festival’s 2023 Featured Artist has been announced, naming the talented Pati Stajcar. A favorite at the Festival for 17 years, Pati is excited about her selection as Featured Artist. However, the only hint she provides about her featured art piece is that “it comes from one of Aesop’s Fables, all stories about nature translating into morals for humans to follow.”

While the bronze sculpture won’t be revealed until later in the year, it promises to be heartfelt and stunning. Waterfowl Festival’s Featured Artist Program was created in 2010 to generate excitement about a chosen artist and their visual interpretation of the bounty of our natural habitat. It encourages visitors to meet the artist and see the featured piece “up close.”

In fact, Pati encourages the public to run their hands over her work to understand the feeling she has when she creates a piece. Pati hopes “you share in the experience from my heart to yours.”

“We are excited to announce that Pati Stajcar is the Waterfowl Festival’s 2023 Featured Artist,” said Charles Wrightson, Waterfowl Festival President. “She is an amazing artist and a valued member of the arts community in Easton. Pati is someone who understands the value of the organization and its mission to support conservation efforts on the Shore. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Pati as this year’s Featured Artist. It’s exciting for us to both celebrate our history of waterfowl in art and also evolve each year to showcase new and different artistic interpretations of nature.”

Working in wood, bronze and marble, life’s experiences reflect themselves in Pati’s sculptures. Energy, flowing from and around each piece, guides the gift she presents to you. Each design begins and ends in abstract but blends with the representation. Flow and balance are her subject matter expressed through nature. Her pieces excite the viewer and fit comfortably in any setting.

Pati was born in Southeastern Pennsylvania but has been a Colorado resident for many decades.“I have my choice of living anywhere in the world and Golden, Colorado is that place,” she says. “The abundance of wildlife, sun, snow and art make this the place I call home.”

After more than 10 years in the airline industry, she left in 1985 to pursue sculpting as a professional career. Her inspiration is nature, which she finds near her home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She allows nature to be her guide.

Pati is an elected member of Academic Artists Association, Allied Artists of America, National Sculpture Society, The Bennington Collective and Society of Animal Artists and regularly participates in exhibitions nationwide. She volunteers as a docent with Natures Educators and as a firefighter with Foothills Fire and Rescue.

Look for the release of Stajcar’s 2023 Featured Art piece this summer.

About the Waterfowl Festival

Waterfowl Festival Inc. is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of the life and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The 52nd Festival will be held November 10-12, 2023 in historic Easton, Md. VIP and corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, to volunteer, or donate, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org or call 410-822-4567.

To learn more about Pati and view some of her stunning sculptures, visit https://stajcar.com.

The Working Artist Forum (WAF) is participating again this year in the 2022 Waterfowl Festival from November 10th-13th, Friday & Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday 11-4.  This year’s exhibit will be held in the Christ Church Fellowship Hall located at 111 S. Harrison St., Easton, across the street from the Armory and the Academy of Art Museum.    The WAF exhibit will also participate in the ticketed Thursday VIP Premier Night from 5-8pm where patrons can meet the artists.

This exhibit includes the following 40 WAF members: Jane Anderson, Naomi Clark-Turner, Carol Cowie, Polly Cox, Mary Ford, Rhonda Ford, Carol Frost, Kathleen Ryan Gardiner, Kathleen Janet Gibson, June Hock, Betty Huang, Carla Huber, Laura L. Kapolchok, Kathy Kopec, Marianne Kost, Pat Lang, Judie Lizewski, Linda Luke, Mary Ellen Mabe, Carol McClees, Deborah McFarlin, Anne McLaughlin, Carol Lynn Meers, Amanda Milliner, Diane DuBois Mullaly, Kathleen H. Quinn, Christine Rapa, Anne Reder, Kathie Rogers, Maggii Sarfaty, Stacey Sass, Anne Singer, Scott Sullivan, Nancy Thomas, Georgette Towes, Barbara Harr Watson, Judith Stevens Weaver, Maureen Wheatley, Lori Yates, and Barbara Zuehlke.

For more information on WAF, their Waterfowl exhibit and artists, visit https://waterfowlfestival.org/art-galleries/church/ or contact the exhibit chairs: Lori Yates loriyates@gmail.com or Stacey Sass staceysass@me.com

Crabs will be available again this year at the Chesapeake Marketplace.  No, not steamed to eat, but a delicious feast for the eyes. Mosaic artist Lisa Scarbath returns with her steampunk and embellished crabs and other creatures. These unique works of art are created with watch parts, jewelry, charms and other found objects. Carefully composed and hand assembled, each provides the viewer something new to see every time they look; a unique conversation starter.

Lisa, a Resident Artist at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City, is active in the arts community throughout the Eastern Shore. Using a variety of materials including stained glass, smalti, slate, broken dishes and found objects, she creates mosaic wall art, décor, furniture and custom pet portraits. One piece at a time, her mosaics build a colorful, complete story.  

Lisa enjoys being active in community art projects, such as recently being involved in the celebration of Ellicott City, Maryland’s 250th celebration by inviting the community to send her materials to be included in a mosaic to celebrate this historic anniversary.  More than 80 trinkets and treasures are included in her 6-part mosaic of iconic images from the historic town that tells the story of its residents, businesses, and visitors.  The project, “Pieces of History: EC250 mosaic” is on display on Main Street in Historic Ellicott City. 

In addition, Lisa offers commissioned art, to include mosaic pet portraits, kitchen backsplashes, and other creative mosaic décor.

Her artworks are sold at several Maryland gift shops, and can be viewed on social media @PiecefulDesignsMosaics, as well as her website www.PiecefulDesignsMosaics.com .

Bushels of steampunk and embellished crabs will be available for customers to pick through at t Lisa Scarbath’s booth, Pieceful Designs Mosaics, at the Waterfowl Festival’s Chesapeake Marketplace located at Easton Elementary School 307 Glenwood Avenue, Easton.  The Marketplace will be on the Waterfowl Festival bus route. There is NO admission and will be open from 10am-5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.  

The Working Artist Forum is excited to be part of the 2022 Waterfowl Festival this November 10th-13th. Original art works completed in various media can be viewed and purchased on Friday & Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday 11-4. This year’s exhibit will be held at Christ Church Fellowship Hall, 111 S. Harrison St., Easton, and will be part of the ticketed Thursday VIP Premier Night 5-8pm where patrons can also meet the artists.

The following 40 WAF members will each have a display panel showcasing his/her work which will depict various aspects of the natural and cultural life of the eastern shore:

Jane Anderson, Naomi Clark-Turner, Carol Cowie, Polly Cox, Mary Ford, Rhonda Ford, Carol Frost, Kathleen Ryan Gardiner, Kathleen Janet Gibson, June Hock, Betty Huang, Carla Huber, Laura L. Kapolchok, Kathy Kopec, Marianne Kost, Pat Lang, Judie Lizewski, Linda Luke, Mary Ellen Mabe, Carol McClees, Deborah McFarlin, Anne McLaughlin, Carol Lynn Meers, Amanda Milliner, Diane DuBois Mullaly, Kathleen H. Quinn, Christine Rapa, Anne Reder, Kathie Rogers, Maggii Sarfaty, Stacey Sass, Anne Singer, Scott Sullivan, Nancy Thomas, Georgette Towes, Barbara Harr Watson, Judith Stevens Weaver, Maureen Wheatley, Lori Yates, and Barbara Zuehlke.

For more information visit https://waterfowlfestival.org/art-galleries/church/ or contact the exhibit chairs: Lori Yates loriyates@gmail.com or Stacey Sass staceysass@me.com

The Waterfowl Festival is proud to announce that the 2022 Featured Artist is Richard Clifton and the featured artwork is his painting, “November Morning-Pintails.”

Clifton is a world-renowned wildlife artist and won the 2007 and 2020 Federal Duck Stamp contest.

“The Waterfowl Festival is truly fortunate and honored to have Richard Clifton selected as its 2022 Featured Artist,” said Kenneth Miller, president of the Waterfowl Festival board of directors. “Richard is one of our country’s premier artists for paintings that capture the beauty of waterfowl within their natural habitat. His compositions evoke a unique, if not varied set off emotions and feelings among experienced waterfowlers, naturalists and art collectors alike.”

Clifton is a self-taught, award-winning artist. Waterfowl are one of his favorite subjects and he has painted 53 duck stamps from various states and countries, including the 1996 Australian Duck Stamp.

Clifton’s art has been chosen several times for the Ducks Unlimited National Art Package and he was named Artist of the Year by DU three times.

“As a wildlife artist, it has always been a career dream of mine to be the featured artist for a show,” says Clifton. “So, I was both humbled and honored to be named 2022 featured artist for the Waterfowl Festival.”

Clifton first exhibited at the Festival in 2006. His work is sought by domestic & international fine art collectors.

“The long tradition of the festival promoting ducks and geese and my love of painting waterfowl are coming together, and it feels like a good fit,” says Clifton. “We should all be excited by the hope and promise this brings as we gather in November.”

About the Painting

For Waterfowl Festival 2022, Clifton created a painting that is understated and elegant.

“November Morning-Pintails” evokes calm. Soft background light sets apart the ducks – three drakes and two hens. The contrasting patterns on the ducks give variety, while the colors serve to tie them together in a warm, serene composition.

The painting is 24”x36” unframed, and 32”x44” framed. The framed original is being offered for $12,000.

Posters will also be available closer to the date of the Festival.

“I’m so honored that the waterfowl festival has ask me to be their featured artist, and so grateful of the people that I’ve met in the last few years, both that work with the festival and -I’m gonna call them friends- the people that have come out and supported me and my artwork,” said Clifton. “It’s big shoes to fill, but I’m hoping together we can kick off the next 50 years with the same enthusiasm and anticipation that was there all those years ago when this great vision began.

About the Featured Artist Program

Waterfowl Festival’s Featured Artist Program was created in 2010 to generate excitement about a chosen artist and their visual interpretation of the bounty of our natural habitat. It encourages visitors to meet the artist and see the featured piece “up close.”

The Featured Artwork is the inspiration for the year’s marketing theme and keeps the visual identity of the Festival fresh and current.  The painter or sculptor chosen each year showcases the variety and high-quality art that the Festival is known for to a new and returning audience.

About the Waterfowl Festival

Waterfowl Festival Inc. is a 501c(3) dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of the life and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Now in its 51^st year, the festival continues to draw thousands of visitors throughout the mid-Atlantic.

Admission is only $20 for all three days.

VIP and corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org or call 410-822-4567.

39 members of the Working Artist Forum will be exhibiting their work as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Waterfowl Festival at the Easton Middle School, November 12-14, 2021. The Easton Middle School is a new location for the WAF, a local Easton organization of professional artists, and will provide a spacious free exhibition on one of the bus stops for the Festival.

The WAF artists who are participating are: Katie Cassidy, Carol Cowie, Pauline Cox, Fred Craig, Lee D’Zmura, Nancy Lee Davis, Mary Ford, Rhonda Ford, Kathy Ryan Gardiner, Jill Glassman, Shirley Hales, Patti Lucas Hopkins, Carla Huber, Betty Huang, Wendy Johnson, Jane Knighton, Kathy Kopec, Marianne Kost, Patricia Dale Lang, Judie Lizewski, Linda Luke, Mary Ellen Mabe, Carol McClees, Deborah McFarlin, Carol Lynn Meers, Diane DuBois Mullaly, Anne Reder, Kathy Rogers, Maggii Sarfaty, Stacey Sass, Scott Sullivan, Nancy R. Thomas, Georgette Towes, Stephen Walker, Barbara Harr Watson, Judith Weaver, Maureen Wheatley, Lori Yates, and Barbara Zuehllke.

For more information visit the Working Artists Forum website – https://workingartistsforum.com and the waterfowl Festival website – https://waterfowlfestival.org.

The Waterfowl Festival is proud to unveil the featured artwork for the 50th Anniversary Festival by Featured Artist, Bart Walter.

“Wind and Waves” is a bronze of two Canada geese taking flight while four Canvasback ducks look on. It features a unique, cross-section perspective that illustrates the movement of take-off and its resulting ripple effects from above and below the surface of the water. Canada geese and Canvasback ducks are two of the most beloved waterfowl species found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“Wind and Waves” as well as his selection as the 50th Anniversary Festival Featured Artist, represents a homecoming for sculptor Bart Walter, who began his career at the Waterfowl Festival as a wood carver at the young age of sixteen. His early work was inspired by the wildlife and landscapes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and “Wind and Waves” is a welcome return to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“We could not have asked for a more beautiful and appropriate work to commemorate the 50th Waterfowl Festival,” said Kevin Greaney, Waterfowl Festival Board President. “Bart has been part of the Festival Family for many years and shares our belief that art inspires us to conserve the wildlife, habitat and heritage of the Eastern Shore. We hope ‘Wind and Waves’ finds a home in Easton as another important piece of public art, like its predecessor, Family Affair, that was created by Bart for the Festival’s 25th Anniversary in 1995.”

“Family Affair,” a bronze sculpture of a pair of geese and their hatchlings, resides at the front of the Waterfowl Building on South Harrison Street in Easton and is a beloved part of the historic downtown’s streetscape. Taking photos with “Family Affair” has become a rite of passage and part of visitors’ annual Waterfowl Festival traditions.

This is what Walter loves most about public art. “It’s the gift that keeps giving. It’s always out there and always speaking to the public, years and even decades later.”

After beginning his career as a wood carver, Walter transitioned to working in bronze in the late 1980s after his work caught the attention of famed primatologist, Jane Goodall, at a chance meeting at a lecture. She commissioned Walter to make two chimpanzee sculptures that now reside at the Jane Goodall Institute in Arlington, Va.

A trained biologist, Walter prefers to sketch and sculpt in the wild and gets as close to his subjects as possible. Walter has sketched and sculpted chimpanzees and elephants in Africa, polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in the Antarctic and wild mustangs on the plains of Wyoming.

Walter’s work can be found around the world in private and public collections including the Ugandan Wildlife Authority Headquarters in Kampala, the private collection of King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia, the National Zoo in Washington, DC, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin and the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming.

“Wind and Waves” will be offered for sale exclusively at the 50th Waterfowl Festival in November. It will be available in limited editions in three sizes:

44” x 72” x 21”
16” x 26.5” x 8”
11” X 18” X 5.5”

For more information about “Wind and Waves” and to inquire about purchases and editions, please contact Kathy Dawkins, Waterfowl Festival Featured Artist Co-Chair, at dawkins.kk@gmail.com.

For more information about Bart Walter and his work visit https://waterfowlfestival.org/bartwalter

About the Waterfowl Festival

Waterfowl Festival Inc. is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of the life and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The 50th Festival will be held November 12-14, 2021 in historic Easton, Md. VIP and corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, to volunteer, or donate, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org or call 410-822-4567.