Saturday, January 22, 2011

Easton MD to Washington DC

EASTON, MARYLAND

www.tidewaterinn.com/
 
John General  owner Tanuki's
After a meal & gratis nightcap at General Tanuki's restaurant and a very comfortable stay at the historic Tidewater Inn, dating back to 1712, A. Paul and I were ready to explore the arts in Easton,

First on the list was the Academy of Art located just down the street from the center of town.  The Academy was founded in 1958 with a mission to rotate exhibits of national interest as well as offer workshops , lectures, and classes in the arts.  There was a significant emphasis on photography both in the current exhibit and in the course being conducted on the upstairs level of the academy.
Alex Maclean's "B-52 Bone Yard" aerial photo
The current exhibit " Constructed Spaces: Contemporary Color Photography", though small, was thought provoking in content.  The works intent was to capture the world around us as it really is, whether it be abandoned fields of airplanes, deserted houses and cars, or eerie woods of winter cloaked sculptures; one could not walk away from the exhibit without feeling intropective about the work. 


academyartmuseum.org/ 
In another salon of the academy there was a fabulous collection of wood engravings by Fritz Eichenberg depicting highly detailed imagery of the Old Testament of the Bible.
Fritz Eichenberg etching
On the second level of the center, one could find an exquisite collection of 20 oyster plates on loan from a private collection of more than 350 pieces. 

After visiting the academy, A. Paul and I ventured around Easton's two main streets, Washington and Harrison, where several galleries dotted the sides of the road.  We made a short stop in the Market Center where every Saturday farmers, including a group of Amish farmers, bring their bounty of earthly goods.  Today, given the frigid weather, the market was limited but the interior market stalls were open.  It is here I stumbled across some of the best, homesmoked salmon with scrumptious glazing that I have ever tasted.  This small company does not yet ship their salmon but are in the process of setting up the ability to do so by next year.  Tomorrow, I promise to pass on the website as you just might want to keep it on hand, it is that good. 
Tilghman Island

After visiting the art scene in Easton, A. Paul and I headed out to Washington DC, stopping in St. Michaels, Tilghman Island and Annapolis for photo shoots along the way. 

Bridge into Annapolis
Annapolis, home of the US Naval Academy, is a charming seaport city which lies just outside Washington D.C.  A stop for a quick bite to eat and walk along the harbor was not enough to take in everything this city has to offer. It definitely will make my list to come back to one day and spend more time exploring.

After a small break in Annapolis, we reached D.C. just in time to catch the day's end light setting behind the White House, which literally is around the corner from the hotel.  We will spend the next few days in DC visiting the Smithsonian, Phillips Collection, and other art venues throughout the city.  We hope that everyone is staying warm and safe during this cold spell. 


White House