Exhibit: Building Sultana – A Selection of Marc Castelli Paintings

Opening Reception Friday, October 27 / 5:00-7:00pm

Saturday, October 28 / 10:00am-4:00pm

Sunday, October 29/ 11:00am-4:00pm

Sultana’s Holt Center  / 200 South Cross Street 

Partner event with Massoni Art

Between 1997 and 2001, renowned artist Marc Castelli captured the construction of the schooner SULTANA in more than 50 vibrant watercolor paintings.  Taken together, these works represent one of the finest and most complete artistic surveys of the construction of a traditional wooden schooner produced over the last half century.  Most of Castelli’s paintings of SULTANA’s construction were rapidly acquired by private collectors, and haven’t been seen by the public for almost 20 years.   With the assistance of Marc Castelli, Massoni Art, and multiple private collectors, the Sultana Education Foundation is assembling a selection of these paintings for a special Downrigging Weekend exhibit called “Building SULTANA.”   

Also of note . . .  Castelli’s “Building Sultana” exhibit shares its name with a new limited-edition book of his pen and ink drawings of the construction of SULTANA that will be released during a special event at 6:00pm on Saturday, October 28 at Sultana’s Holt Center.

Friday October 27 / 5:00-7:30pm
Saturday, October 28 / 10:00am-7:00pm

Sunday, October 29/ 11:00am-3:00pm

Massoni Art  / 203 High Street

Partner event with Massoni Art

Marc Castelli has been painting the watermen of the Chesapeake for over twenty-five years. He is known for his intimate perspective on their lives, a perspective gained by his active involvement on their workboats. When not at home in Chestertown, Maryland, he can be found side by side with the watermen culling oysters, crabbing, or fishing fyke nets up secluded creeks. The wind-driven weather and light found on the Bay and its tributaries constantly moves him. Snow capped baskets of oysters and crabs on sunburned docks; nets pulled, set, repaired; tongs, dredges, and the workboats – skipjacks, buy boats, draketails – all painted with stunning accuracy and an artistic aesthetic. He captures the essence of being a waterman. Castelli’s active participation has enabled him to get past the spectator view that represents the majority of marine and regional art and to never lose sight of the constant inspiration and awe he derives from his subject.

RIVERARTS STUDIO TOUR

Saturday, October 28 / 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 29 / 10:00am – 5:00pm
Multiple Locations

Partner event with RiverArts
phone: 410-778-6300

Ever wonder what an artist’s studio really looks like? Chestertown RiverArts 18^th Annual Studio Tour allows the visitor a chance to take a sneak peak inside Kent and Queen Anne’s counties creative spaces. This free, self-guided tour on the picturesque Eastern Shore of Maryland takes place over two weekends, October 21-22 and October 28-29 (also Sultana’s Downrigging Weekend), 10:00am-5:00pm, rain or shine. Over 50 artists, many nationally known, invite visitors in to talk, check out how they work, and provide the opportunity to buy original artwork at studio prices. The art is as diverse as the artists who create it, with styles ranging from traditional to avant-garde, expressed in a variety of media that include painting, photography, sculpture, metal work, pottery, fiber, woodcraft, jewelry, furniture, glass, and more. 

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Free