It’s the juxtaposition of individual works that is so intriguing in an open group show; sometimes it seems as if themes are carried around the collective artistic unconscious like a runner’s baton. Portraiture is explored in very different media: by Ruth Ann Manning in her tapestry “My Son” and by Peter Goodwin in his photograph “Three Graces”, as his wife Jonah smiles from the space defined by two sets of marble buttocks. Young Abigail Castelletti seems to say “Aaaah-Ha!” from a series of digital self-portraits; Judith Owen’s magnificent oil of “Geoff” shows a down-home farmer in a classical pose and Dan Campbell’s “Aunt Pearl” will simply leave you speechless. Allison Weer and David Berndt from Hardcastle Gallery judged “A String of Pearls”, and marveled at the variety and quality of the works included in the show.

The idea for this exhibition came from long-time Arts Council supporter Bobby D. Jones as a way to celebrate the wedding of art and community that the staff, board and members of the CCAC have brought to the county for the past 30 years. The CCAC makes this marriage work through classes, workshops, exhibitions, concerts, lectures, literary readings and publications; and by funding of many community-based artistic offerings within the county.

The opening reception for A String of Pearl is Friday October 5, from 5-7 pm at the Elkton Arts Center, where recipients of the CAD grants and the prize-winning artists will be announced, awarded and applauded. The public is invited to attend the festivities —  there will be fine food and drink, poetic talk and marvelous music by Off Bass.

“A String of Pearls” is sponsored by Armor Graphics and Finley’s Art Shoppe of Newark, DE. The Cecil County Arts Council is sustained in its mission of promoting, presenting and supporting the arts in the county through generous funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Cecil County Government and the CCAC membership; thank you, all!

The EAC is completely accessible, and is located at 135 East Main Street in Elkton. The reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public; hours are 10am-4 pm weekdays, Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm, and the 1^st and 4^th Saturday of the month, from 10 am -1 pm. For more information on this show and all the other most excellent CCAC happenings, please call 410-392-5740 or visit the spiffy, newly reformulated and designed website at www.cecilcountyartscouncil.org.