SMAL Announces Winners of 2023 Original “Celebrate St. Michaels” Banner Art
The St. Michaels Art League is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Banner Artwork Show. This is the artwork used to create the banners displayed on the town’s utility poles beginning each year in April, through November.
This year’s banner art was judged by award winning local artist Bradford Ross. Brad studied visual communications and illustration at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD and then studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore where he was awarded a BFA. He continued further study at the Schuler School of Fine Art in Baltimore where he received classical training. Brad is currently an instructor at the Academy Art Museum in Easton.
Brad selected recipients for awards in three categories: Fine Art, Graphic Design, and a new category this year, Best Representation of St. Michaels.
First place in the category of Fine Art went to Mary Ellen Mabe for her oil painting titled “On Locust Street,” Second Place went to Kathleen Rosengerger for her watercolor titled “Windward,” and an Honorable Mention went to Walter Urbanek for his oil painting “Blue Heron.” For the category of Graphic Design, First Place went to Scott Sullivan for his digital piece titled “Hooper Strait Light,” Second Place to Stephen Walker for his painting “Harvest to Catch,” and an Honorable Mention went to Stacey Sass for her watercolor titled “Flying Free.” The new award for banner representing best depiction of St. Michaels went to Naomi Clark-Turner for her painting titled “Another Good Catch.”
“Celebrate St. Michaels” posters featuring banner art, framed and unframed can be purchased at Creative XPressions, 204 S. Talbot St. in St. Michaels.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council with revenue provided by the Maryland State Arts Council.