What's in a Name?
The Charles County Arts Alliance is celebrating
in 2007 the 15th anniversary of its first Artsfest!
The
Arts Alliance, founded in 1987, spearheaded the first
countywide all-day festival of the arts in 1992, called "A Touch of the Arts,"
and it was held indoors at the St. Charles Towne Center
mall in Waldorf. In
1998, the arts festival moved to quaint Cobb Island and
was moved outdoors, and it was renamed the "Island Artsfest."
Then in 2001, the festival again was on the
move, this time to the western part of the county - to
the beautiful Village Green in Indian Head.
It has been there ever since.
So over the past 15 years, the Arts Alliance's
arts festival has been held in the north, south and west
of Charles County . . . to be easily accessible to
adults, children and families everywhere, both in the
population center and in underserved areas of the
county. These
Artsfests have become annual events that the citizens of
Charles County and all of Southern Maryland look forward
to each year. They
celebrate ALL the arts and talented artists of our
county: in
music, visual art, drama, dance and literature.
Something for everyone to enjoy!
Professional and amateur performing and visual
artists, kids "hands-on" art, informative displays,
silent art auctions, great fellowship -and it's all
FREE!
Then
in 2005, the Arts Alliance joined in the "Year of the River"
celebrations all across Southern Maryland, led by the "Chesapeake
troubadour" himself, the singer/songwriter and environmentalist,
Tom Wisner. As part
of its contribution to enhancing public awareness and
appreciation of the local river-based environment we enjoy in
the "land of pleasant living," the Arts Alliance renamed its
annual festival, "RIVER
ARTSFEST."
What could be more appropriate?
Charles County is virtually surrounded by rivers, and its
land habitat is covered by creeks, streams and wetlands!
Did you know that Charles County is bounded on the north
by Mattawoman Creek and the Patuxent River, on the south by the
Potomac River, on the east by the Wicomico River, and on the
west by the Potomac River again?
(The Potomac River makes an incredibly dramatic turn back
on itself at Maryland Point in Nanjemoy, giving Charles County a
truly unique curved shape to its 150 miles of coastline.)
But let's not forget the Port Tobacco River, Pope's
Creek, Nanjemoy Creek, Zekiah Swamp and Allen's Fresh!
A virtual treasure-trove of rivers and riverlands!
"RIVER ARTSFEST" celebrates the natural
river-based environment that makes living in Charles County so
special . . . from boundless opportunities for fishing and
crabbing, to boating and water-based sports, to hiking, biking
and swimming along the shore.
Most importantly, the picturesque and evocative rivers,
creeks and streams of Charles County serve as the primary source
of inspiration for our truly talented local artists.
Whether it is a unique painting, a sculpture, a song, a
poem, a book, a play or a dance - our cherished natural
environment in all her glory is a powerful source of creative
energy and synergy for our fellow citizens.
"RIVER ARTSFEST " is the Charles County Arts Alliance's annual
FREE GIFT to the citizens of Charles County.
So come out and enjoy a great day CELEBRATING THE ARTS in
Charles County on Saturday, June 9, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on
the Village Green in Indian Head!!!
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