Artwalk: Sept. 15th - Oct. 12th
Nancy Mitchell, Poet Laureate of Salisbury, and Susan Holt, Chair of the Salisbury Public Arts Committee, have curated a collection of poetry and visual art entitled A River Runs Through Us that celebrates rivers as a vital and ancient source of physical and spiritual nourishment for humankind. The exhibit will feature selected women artists from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It will be displayed in the Library’s Story Walk along the Wicomico River in Salisbury, Maryland.
Natalie Blanton
Born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Natalie Blanton has moved throughout the United States and Eastern Caribbean, painting memories of hazy, dreamlike landscapes. Natalie majored in art at Salisbury University before moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2009. After most recently spending several years in New Orleans, Natalie has returned to her roots on the Eastern Shore as an artist and owner of Honey Water Shop in Berlin, MD, and Clary Studio & Gallery in Salisbury, MD.
Nancy Mysak
Nancy grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she lives and paints. After studying art at VCU in Richmond, VA. and SU in Salisbury, MD she has taught art and continued to study with many nationally known watercolor artists. Since 2003 she has painted full time. Nancy is a signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and the Delaware Watercolor Society as well as a member of the National Watercolor Society (NWS). She has won numerous prizes and shown her work regionally.
Susan Holt
Susan Holt retired in 2023 as Director of the Mosely Gallery at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She has been an instructor of art for 20 years, teaching Drawing, Design, Art Appreciation and Art History and leading study abroad art programs.
She received her BFA in painting at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. After graduation she worked as a graphic designer, moved to Europe, married and raised a family. Returning to the U.S. she received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. In response to changing cultural contexts, Susan’s art work over the decades has varied in media, style and intention. Realistic figurative representation in traditional media became abstract with strong colors and expressive mark making. Later, she expressed personal and collective content in new materials with light and shadows. Installation opened exciting opportunities for the work to come off the wall into a space where viewers could interact directly. More recently she has done several collaborative pieces based on collective memory and construction of a sense of place.
For many years she has been actively involved in public art initiatives related to the revitalization of downtown Salisbury, Maryland, where she lives with her family.
Helene English
Born in the Bronx, New York, Helene English graduated from Syracuse University in 1974 with a BFA in Painting. She moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1981. Her career has included being a textile designer, a graphic designer and a stationery business owner and designer. Because of these skills she was asked to teach in the Art Departments of The University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury University. She has had her work in many galleries and been involved in many shows. Her art is inspired by her surroundings.
Laura Kelley
Laura Mayer Kelley, MD has changed course after a rewarding career in medicine. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and was greatly influenced by the artwork of her father. She has always “painted in her head”and having worked and raised four children with her husband here on the Eastern Shore, she is now grateful for the time to transfer images to canvas. Without formal training, she credits the influence of both historical and contemporary artists in her work.
Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell is a Pushcart Prize Winner and the author of three acclaimed collections of poetry: The Near Surround, Grief Hut, and The Out-of-Body Shop. Mitchell publishes widely and has been awarded numerous residency fellowships including two in Auvillar France. A featured guest at the Library of Congress’ The Poet and The Poem 2019 podcasts, she taught in the English and Environmental Studies Departments at Salisbury University and has worked extensively in community outreach. Poet Laureate of the City of Salisbury, Md, she hosts national and local poets at Poets’ Corner at City Headquarters in Salisbury. She is the Associate Editor for Special Features for Plume Poetry.
Artwalk Reception & Salisbury Prize Ribbon Cutting
September 17th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at Riverwalk Games Park
Take a stroll through the "A River Runs Through Us" exhibit, enjoy light refreshments, and experience live music. The City of Salisbury will host a ribbon cutting for the inaugural winner of the Salisbury Prize, "Perpetual," located in the Riverwalk Games Park.
Upcoming Events
Come check out our storywalk, Can I Be Your Dog?, at the Humane Society. While you are there, take a shelter pup for a walk! They would love for you to read the story to them.
Nancy Mitchell, Poet Laureate of Salisbury, and Susan Holt, Chair of the Salisbury Public Arts Committee, have curated a collection of poetry and visual art entitled A River Runs Through Us that celebrates rivers as a vital and ancient source of p
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Come play your favorite video games every month! Every month is something new, so be sure to check us out. We have a variety of games for the Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, VR headsets, and even board games!
Disclaimer(s)
Attending Children
Children under 8 must be monitored by a guardian who is at least 13 years old to assure the safety and behavior of that child. Children ages 8 and older may visit the library independently provided they are able to care for themselves and are able to understand and follow the Library’s Behavior Guidelines.
