Written By Elaine Bean As formerly published in The Courier. “Dance and music have gone together since the beginning of human existence, from tribes hitting sticks and performing rituals around a fire to dancers and singers joining together on big stages at the Grammys today,” Fiona O’Brien said. “It’s about community, expression, and compassion, which… Read more »

Written By Elaine Bean As formerly published in The Courier. Have you ever wanted to learn an ancient art form? Alicia Rappold can teach you the most ancient textile art form – felting – at the Ocean City Center for the Arts over the winter when a creative indoor activity is just what we need…. Read more »

Written By Elaine Bean As formerly published in The Courier. Kevin and Evan Fitzgerald are father and son. Both are painters. Both reside in Berlin. And both share a studio in an old warehouse in Newark. But on first glance, their art seems to inhabit different worlds of thought. Kevin paints large, dreamy landscapes that… Read more »

Written by Elaine Bean As formerly published in The Courier. In the summer of 1913, William Oktavec, a corner grocer in the heart of East Baltimore’s Bohemian Czech community, got tired of the sun beating on the merchandise inside his store and painted the wire screen on the front door with images of the fruits… Read more »

Written By Elaine Bean As formerly published in The Courier. Some consider painting outdoors – officially called painting “en plein air” – a sport. All the common elements are there. Training, practice, equipment, gear, lists, scouting, execution.  The weather: heat, sun, rain, wind, humidity. And a winning performance with the clock ticking and prize money… Read more »

Written By Elaine Bean As formerly published in The Courier. Randy Hofman believes every artist is a salesman. “He or she says ‘See there! See there!’ –  implying that it’s beautiful to behold or worthy to consider,” he said. “Art is something to share and connect us.” Hofman has been connecting art and beachgoers for… Read more »

Written by Logan Dubel As 2021 draws to a close, the Art League of Ocean City is reflecting on another successful year of creativity and collaboration. From the Arts Center on 94th Street and beyond, the nonprofit organization has inspired people of all ages across the Delmarva community. Take my own personal story, for example. My… Read more »

Written by Logan Dubel Everyone yearns to feel beloved, but the word takes on an entirely new meaning when used synonymously with one Baltimorean. Leonora “Peachy” DiPietro Dixon, an iconic and longtime waitress, is an all-time favorite in Charm City. For over half a century, she has met celebrities and politicians galore, making memories to… Read more »

By Logan Dubel ArtX, an annual festival at Northside Park featuring live music, artisan workshops, vendors, food, beer, and wine, will return to Ocean City on August 21 and 22. Art comes in a variety of forms, all of which will be on display at the family-friendly event.  This year, attendees will have the unique… Read more »

By Logan Dubel  The cameras are rolling, and the lights are bright in Ocean City as filmmakers take on the 4th Annual Ocean City Film Challenge. Calling on filmmakers from the Delmarva Peninsula and the surrounding region, the summer contest encourages local creativity and originality. For lovers of Ocean City and its unique community, this… Read more »

Written by: Angel Kontra Sarah Finley describes Ocean City as her “home away from home.” She signed her boyfriend, Mike Whitehurst, and herself up for photography and pottery classes at the Art League of Ocean City before they came to visit their timeshare in the city. The class marked their first times making pottery, and they both had a… Read more »

By Logan Dubel When viewing artistic works — whether by Van Gogh, Picasso, Michelangelo, or a local artist, the unique style of each artist is unmistakable. Although pieces created by different artists may never appear the same, they can convey a united message that resonates. A new exhibit displayed throughout the month of April at… Read more »

Written By Logan Dubel Eric Walter, an award-winning filmmaker making big dreams come true in Los Angeles, is a proud product of the Eastern Shore. Born and raised in Mardela Springs, Maryland, Walter has traveled far and wide to make his name as a director, producer, and documentarian. Before moving to the City of Angels… Read more »

By Logan Dubel The 5th Annual Ocean City Film Festival kicks off next month as a virtual event streamed to homes, running from March 4-11. Despite the format change, audiences should expect to see 80+ independent films from 15 U.S. states and 11 different countries with compelling footage and resonating messages. First launched in June… Read more »

By Logan Dubel Despite the resounding presence of individual forms of art in society, it is not common that we see works by different artists collide and form something brand new, with extraordinary meaning. “Shared Visions,” a partnership between the Art League of Ocean City and the Ocean City Writer’s Group, is a unique example… Read more »

By Morgan Pilz FINALLY … after everything that has happened this year and several events canceling or on the brink, the 3rd Annual ArtX Artistic Expression Festival survived amid concerns of the virus. The annual event will take place in its usual stomping grounds at Northside Park on 125th Street. There will be some changes… Read more »

By Morgan Pilz After several months of the Ocean City Center for the Arts being closed, I was so thrilled to finally go in for a session this past Tuesday. I chose an acrylic painting class with Joanne Guilfoil that allows students to work on their own projects, and it was fantastic. Because of COVID,… Read more »

By Morgan Pilz Remember how before everything went to quarantine and we were enjoying the Ocean City Art League’s fourth annual OC Film Festival? Yeah, me too, so you better believe I am so excited that the league is going to be holding its first drive-in movie night next Tuesday, June 16! And they’re bringing… Read more »

Written by Pottery Studio Manager, Nancy Barnas I was on a two-week adventure travel trip in India with my siblings as the buzz of COVID-19 was escalating.  I never expected to be told all my classes had been canceled for two weeks and to self-quarantine upon my return.  I wasn’t unhappy to do it, as… Read more »

Written by Morgan Pilz It’s finally happened! After been closed after what feels like half a year (but apparently was just about than three months), the Art League of Ocean City is open and holding in person classes again! Covid-19 has stolen a lot of activities away from us since it first took hold of… Read more »

Written by Development & Event Coordinator, Robin Chiddo When I retired from the University of Maryland in 2017, people said, “You’re too young to retire, you have so much more to do here, what are you going to do?” I felt like I had had a very successful journey: starting my career out with the… Read more »

It makes me smile to think how the pandemic brings back childhood memories of a summer my brother and I spent with my grandparents in Chincoteague.  Life back then was simple, and simplicity is how I’m living my life in self isolation today. Plans to attend weddings, graduations or annual visits with loved ones are put… Read more »

By Morgan Pilz As someone who tends to thrive on social interactions with others and being inspired by other people, it feels like cabin fever is creeping in faster and faster every day. However, that does not have to be the case. Art is such a wonderful escape from the stresses of the world, and… Read more »

Written by Executive Director, Rina Thaler I have always considered myself an optimistic person, the kind of person who looks at the glass as “half full.” Over the past 8 weeks or so, as the world has been turned upside down, my optimism has been severely tested and even rocked to the core. It is… Read more »

Written by Education Assistant & Social Media Manager, Megan Burak I haven’t been bored once during this pandemic. You heard that right, folks. Not once. I had what I consider to be two major life events miraculously happen smack-dab in the middle of all of this. I bought my first home and started a new… Read more »

Written by Ocean City Film Festival Director, William (B.L.) Strang-Moya. A global pandemic, who’d’ve thunk? As a person working in the film/video industry, I couldn’t be more thankful that freelancing is no longer my main hustle. Both my wife and I are fortunate to be teleworking. And like so many others that have transitioned to… Read more »

Written by Gallery Manager, Katie Brown I’ve never done this before (written a blog or lived through a global pandemic). And as someone managing anxiety under normal circumstances, so many unknowns are overwhelming, to put it lightly. So, I’ve been searching for ways to regain some sense of control amidst all the uncertainties. Things may… Read more »

Written by Volunteer Coordinator, Aubrey Sizemore. Hello, from my dining room table!  This worldwide pandemic has presented a new experience for everyone in the country. My family and I, just like everyone else, are doing the best we can and taking things day by day.  I’d like to share with you what my family and… Read more »

Written by Education Director, Katrin Huber Writing is definitely not my strong suit, but here I go. I’m excited to tell you what my family (two teenagers, ages 13 and 18) and I have been up to since we’ve been at home, since my husband is still busy in the hospital. Because we are all… Read more »

Suddenly, we are “artists in residence” We’re stuck indoors. We’re getting bored. We’ve binged too much Netflix, eaten all the snacks. We can’t find toilet paper or eggs. We’re worried that little cough may be The Big One. It’s enough to make you want to crawl back into bed and pull up the covers –… Read more »

The day is finally here! It’s officially the first day of the fourth annual Ocean City Film Festival and I am so excited for several reasons.  I love movies, especially animation and comedies (plus the occasional horror); I love the topic of conserving nature, which is one of the major themes for this year’s festival;… Read more »