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Castelli to give gallery talk at the Annmarie After Hours opening on Friday, August 17, 2012, 6-9pm

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center (Annmarie Garden) in Solomons, Maryland, presents Marc Castelli:  The Art of the Waterman, Works from the Simison Collection, on exhibit August 17, 2012 – February 24, 2013.  The exhibit features 23 paintings by renowned Chesapeake artist Marc Castelli, on loan from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (St. Michael’s, MD).    Seventeen of the paintings were donated to the CBBM by Diane Simison; the remaining images are from the artist’s personal collection.  Castelli paints in watercolor on paper, working from photographs that he takes of the watermen at work, often in weather conditions in which no artist could paint.  In his studio, Castelli uses the photographs to create detailed paintings that speak to his intimate knowledge of the watermen, their boats and equipment, and the environment in which they work.

Diane Simison began collecting Castelli’s work in 2004. “Diane quite deliberately built this cohesive collection of Marc’s paintings of Chesapeake watermen because she was captivated by the aesthetic value,” commented CBMM Chief Curator Pete Lesher. "But she was also drawn in by Castelli’s approach and message: going out on the boats with the watermen to capture aspects of their work and the hardships they face. Her chosen location for retirement on Tilghman Island, with its large community of watermen, certainly must have played a role in attracting her to this subject matter.”

The public is invited to attend the Annmarie After Hours opening of the exhibit on Friday, August 17, 2012, 6-9pm at Annmarie Garden.  During the opening, Delegate Anthony O’Donnell will make welcoming remarks and Mr. Castelli will present an informal gallery talk.  The opening will also feature Chesapeake Bay-inspired music by Folk Salad Trio, complimentary appetizers by the Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill, and a cash bar.  Reservations are not required; $5 for non-members; $4 for Annmarie members.  To learn more, visit www.annmariegarden.org or call 410-326-4640.