By Danita Boonchaisri
SOLOMONS, Md. (October 26, 2007) – Carmen’s Gallery, long known as an institution on Solomons Island, will mark its 25th year in business in November. From November 16 to 18, Carmen’s will host a weekend of festivities to celebrate and honor its patrons as well as the many artists and artisans represented by this casual, sophisticated gallery.
The most creative forces are displayed at Carmen’s, featuring work from local, national and world-renowned international artists. Featured during the anniversary weekend will be the art of local favorite, Stephen Harlan.
Harlan’s colorist paintings have provided an exciting introduction to art for many visitors at Carmen’s Gallery over the years. Ethereal and inviting, most of Harlan’s work is set on a body of water. For this anniversary, Harlan has created a new Solomons Island scene, aptly entitled “Carmen’s Gallery.” This and other new works will be unveiled at the Saturday evening opening reception of “Artistic Reflections,” on November 17. The public is invited to meet Harlan and other artists and help celebrate the gallery’s 25 years of success.
Carmen Nance Sanders, owner of the gallery, began her business with a small inheritance endowed by her grandfather who worked as a farmer to give each grandchild a start in the adult world. Sanders used her portion of the inheritance to begin a modest framing business. She was one of the first certified picture framers in the world, receiving her C.P.F. in 1987. The certification involves a strenuous three-hour examination which tests not only technical skills, but also art history and knowledge of fine art.
Through years of hard work and dedication, she assembled a body of works worthy of not only local summer cottages along the Chesapeake Bay, but any prestigious address in the world. With Sanders’ “art should be for everyone” attitude, this gallery embraces the idea that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, and each person’s taste in art is valid. The feeling most commonly expressed about the ambience of Carmen’s Gallery is one of positive warmth and welcome.
Carmen’s is represented by a staff that is knowledgeable, engaging, and accessible and the team is very active in the local community. The gallery embraces an eclectic array of styles and forms of artistic expression. In addition to original art, there are original crafts including hand-turned woodworks, handcrafted jewelry and hand-thrown pottery by talented artisans with a flair for the uniquely beautiful.
For further information and a schedule of weekend activities, visit the gallery website at www.carmensgallery.com or call 410.326.2549.