Cabrina McLain dug and dug through her backyard. The clay prevents her from growing grass, but as she dug, bursts of reds and blues surfaced from the ground.
McLain was struck at once by the land’s beauty, and in that moment, she had an idea — one that spawned “Sand in Saprolite,” one of many artworks she has created in the past 15 years. But she never used to show off her work — at least, not until getting involved with the Harford Artists’ Association, a nonprofit that showcases local artists.
“Before I joined the gallery, I never said I was an artist,” McLain said. “I was scared to death to actually have my work shown.”
McLain, now the association’s publicity director, continues to uplift artists with galleries and other events to platform local art. One gallery, alongside a few other events, will be on full display this fall.
Arts Across Harford officially kicked off on Sept. 13, but it’s not too late to participate in the 18 days celebrating the creativity of Harford through a variety of disciplines including dance, live musical performances, plein air painters, gallery exhibits and theater.
Here are a few events in the county, including some from the “Arts Across Harford” series in September with festivals and galleries:
Cabrina McLain pictured at her studio with two pieces of work: “flip flops on the beach” and “landscapes.” McLain is the publicity director with the Harford Artists’ Association and creates her own mixed media artwork.
‘Pick Your Favorite’ gallery
The “Pick Your Favorite” gallery, hosted by the Harford Artists’ Association, is a collection of pieces from different artists in varying mediums, including paintings and sculptures. Attendees have the chance to purchase art from the gallery, but can also provide critiques on the works.
Each year, an artist is chosen as the gallery’s winner based on attendee votes, McLain said, adding that most artists aren’t in it for the money, but rather want to share their works with other community members.
“We’re empowering the community to come in and give us their thoughts on what resonates with them,” McLain said. “They’re empowering other artists, and then artists feel great because they’re getting an unbiased opinion of their work.”
The exhibit is free to attend. It will be open to the public until Nov. 3. All artworks are priced individually.
The gallery is at 37 N. Main St. in Bel Air.
Marianne Feinberg, left, explains the designs of her husband’s coins to Renee Venzen, of Columbia, and Katy Singer, of Glen Burnie, at the Art in Coins tent at the Bel Air Festival for the Arts.
Bel Air Festival for the Arts
Bel Air Festival for the Arts, a part of the “Arts Across Harford” series of art events that continues until Sept. 30, is in its 57th year, according to John Resta, the festival’s director. It offers a range of activities, from music performances, crafts, food and about 300 artist exhibits from creators in the area.
To Resta, it’s the biggest single-day festival in the mid-Atlantic region, with anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists can submit artwork to be judged in several categories, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media and photography mediums, Resta said. Some exhibitors have presented their work at the festival for about 25 years, he added.
Music groups will also perform throughout the day in a range of genres. The Bel Air Community Band Jazz Ensemble will close the festival this year, Resta added, and five other local bands will perform.
he added.
“You can just see the creativity bouncing back and forth,” Resta said. “That in and of itself is worth all the work we put in to get this thing going.”
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The Bel Air Festival of the Arts will be held Sept. 15 at Shamrock Park at 39 Hickory Ave. The festival starts at 9 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m.
$39.50 to $65 and can be purchased online at starcentremd.com.”]
Fiore Winery’s Music in the Vineyard
Through Sept. 22, Fiore Winery & Distillery hosts a music session in its vineyard every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees can bring a picnic basket and blanket to listen to live music in the vineyard.
The events amplify local artists, even from outside Bel Air and Havre de Grace, known as the county’s arts and entertainment districts, according to Tyler Zeisloft, Visit Harford’s marketing and communications coordinator.
“Our biggest mission is to spread the word about the arts,” Zeisloft said.
Fiore’s Winery & Distillery offers tastings and chilled wine every Sunday. Tickets are not required to attend a Sunday music session, according to its website. On Sept. 15, aspiring Catholic singer and songwriter Taylor Rekus will perform, according to the winery’s calendar. Acoustic duo 6 Feet Apart will perform the following Sunday, on Sept. 22.
For a full calendar of events, go to fiorewinery.com. The winery is located at 3026 Whiteford Road in Pylesville.
4th Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival
Dan Worrell, left, and his father Dave Worrell grill and season New Orleans style oysters from their Fallen Pine Oyster Farm at The 2nd Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival in Havre de Grace. (Karen Jackson / For Baltimore Sun Media Group)
Crab and seafood enthusiasts unite. This family-friendly event showcases the best of Maryland seafood restaurants and food trucks. The single-day festival will be held on Sept. 21 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Concord Point Lighthouse in downtown Havre de Grace.
The festival features more than 20 restaurants and food trucks including Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Koko’s Pub, Abbey Burger Bistro, Forge Southern Comfort, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Faidley’s Seafood and more, plus cooking demos by local chefs, wine pairings, mixology demonstrations, unique shopping, a VIP tent and a family zone.
Tickets start at $15. For additional event information and to purchase tickets, please visit susquehannawineandseafoodfest.com.
Fall Harvest & Craft Festival
As the Steppingstone Farm Museum’s signature event, this festival on Sept. 28 offers arts and crafts, food, scarecrow-making, pumpkin painting, live music, hayrides and more. Tickets cost $15, and children younger than 15 are free.
Zeisloft said the timing of the series in the fall is to attract more people to pay attention to the arts in a lull between summer vacations and winter.
“It’s a chance to showcase the arts before the holiday season kicks in,” Zeisloft said. “We try to give another opportunity for people to explore, to come somewhere.”
The Arts Across Harford initiative is also a chance to provide spaces for young and upcoming artists, as well as introduce more people to the arts, when spaces and activities can be expensive, Zeisloft said.
For this festival, all proceeds from the tickets go to Steppingstone Farm Museum to help pay for operations, according to the museum’s website.
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