Title Image

Galleries

Waterfowl Festival Art Committee Announces Artists Chosen for Festival 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2026 

Easton, Maryland — The Waterfowl Festival is proud to announce the distinguished roster of exhibiting artists selected for the 55th Annual Waterfowl Festival, taking place November 13–15, 2026.  Representing the finest talent in wildlife, sporting, and maritime art, this year’s group of artists reflects the Festival’s long-standing commitment to the celebration of the natural world.

 

More than fifty nationally and internationally recognized painters, sculptors, carvers, and mixed-media artists will showcase their work throughout Festival weekend, offering collectors and visitors a unique opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes, and acquire original works inspired by wildlife, sporting traditions, and the landscapes that define our outdoor heritage.

 

“Choosing fifty-five artists was intentional,” said Deena Kilmon, Executive Director. “For fifty-five years, proceeds from art sales have helped fund projects that advance our mission. This exceptional group of artists captures both the beauty and fragility of the natural world we have worked to protect, reflecting through their remarkable talent and dedication the very values at the heart of our organization.” 

 

The 2026 artist lineup includes returning Festival favorites alongside new exhibitors, representing a wide range of artistic styles and mediums. Selected artists include: Sue deLearie Adair, Sandy Alanko, Al Barker, Jill Basham, Jocelyn Beatty, Mike Bonner, Ray Brown, Randy Conner, Richard Clifton, Kim Diment, Timothy Donovan, Lori Dunn, Mark Dziewior, John Eiseman, Lois Engberg, Ned Ewell, Wilhelm Goebel, Jim Green, Carol Heiman-Green, Matthew Hillier, Laura Hopkins, Bernie Houston, Al Jordan, David Kiehm, Yelena Lamm, Sharon Lee, Jason Lyons, Jeffrey Mathias, Walter Matia, Cory McLaughlin, Kelly McNeil, Terry Miller, Scott Penegar, Clayton Pennell, Volodymyr Piven, Mary Pritchard, Julia Purinton, Don Rambadt, Christine Rapa, Paul Rhymer, Larry Ringgold, Steve Roger, Julia Rogers, Susan Fay Schauer, Joe Seme, Kim Shaklee, David Orrin Smith, Richard Snyder, Scott Suriano, Nancy Tankersley, Eric Tardif, David Turner, Mary Veiga, Keith Whitelock, and Bruce Woodward. Full roster, images and photos can be found on the festival website here: https://waterfowlfestival.org/exhibiting-artists/

Three Selected as Festival’s Featured Artists

For the first time three Featured Artists were commissioned to create special works to showcase the spirit of the festival.  Ray Brown, Randy Conner and  Paul Rhymer will unveil these pieces during the festival’s popular Premier Night party. The celebration will begin in the historic Tidewater Inn at 4 pm on November 12, 2026. 

Art, Conservation, and Community

For more than five decades, the Waterfowl Festival has served as one of the nation’s premier destinations for wildlife and sporting art. The Festival’s artist program continues to attract collectors and enthusiasts from across the country while supporting the Festival’s broader mission of conservation, education, and cultural preservation.

“One of the things that makes the Waterfowl Festival so special is the caliber of the artists showcased in our fine art pavilions,” said Tracy Garrett, Art committee co-chair and festival board member. “Our 55th anniversary lineup represents extraordinary talent across multiple disciplines and traditions. We are thrilled to welcome these artists to Easton and provide visitors with an opportunity to experience their work firsthand.”

Throughout the weekend, artists will be available in the PNC Art Pavilions to meet attendees, discuss their work, and share the inspiration behind the pieces they bring to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Each artist will have pieces for sale, allowing attendees to take home an inspirational work while supporting the mission of the festival. 

For more information, visit waterfowlfestival.org or follow updates on social media. ###

 

About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships, and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

 

The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen.

Marshland Mercantile Showcases Local Artistry at the 2025 Waterfowl Festival

Marshland Mercantile Showcases Local Artistry at the 2025 Waterfowl Festival

Step inside Marshland Mercantile, located in downtown Easton adjacent to the Easton Visitors Center on Harrison St, to discover a marketplace full of coastal charm and creativity. Presented by Molly’s Place and Sitka, who will also be on site,  Marshland Mercantile celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of the Eastern Shore, featuring local vendors and makers offering everything from handcrafted pottery to coastal-inspired jewelry and décor.

This year’s vendor lineup includes Wright Pottery, Lori Betts Ltd., Knotty by Nature, Pisces Moon Permanent Jewelry, Sara Ann Sunday Ambles, Brackish Life, Kennan Slab Works, Seven Divas, and Attractive Ocean Jewelry. Each artisan brings a unique perspective rooted in the region’s natural beauty and maritime heritage, offering visitors the chance to shop locally made gifts, accessories, and fine crafts all under one tent.

Festivalgoers can also find the official Waterfowl Festival merchandise exclusively at Marshland Mercantile. From collectible apparel, hats, bags, and more, this is the only location at the festival to purchase official 2025 Waterfowl Festival merchandise. (Note: the official 2025 Waterfowl Festival poster is  available exclusively at the PNC Art Pavilion.)

A special highlight for families this year: local artist Becca Bibeau, designer of the 2025 Waterfowl Festival Kids’ T-Shirt, will be on site Saturday and Sunday to meet young festival-goers and sign art.

“Marshland Mercantile has become an exciting  stop for visitors who want to take home a piece of the Shore,” said Sarah Kilmon. Festival Chair for the Marshland Mercantile. “It’s a celebration of craftsmanship and community where every purchase supports creativity and the spirit of the festival.”

Just steps away inside the Easton Visitors Center, festivalgoers can also explore “Heritage in Focus”, a special exhibit presented in partnership with Maryland 250, Dorchester Tourism, Talbot County Department of Tourism, Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, and Talbot 250. The interactive display honors the stories, traditions, and connections that define the Chesapeake Bay region, inviting guests to celebrate the past while imagining the future of heritage preservation.

Marshland Mercantile will be open throughout the Waterfowl Festival weekend. 

For tickets please visit: https://waterfowlfestival.org/festival-tickets/

###

About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen. 

For more information about the Waterfowl Festival, including ticket sales and a full schedule of events, please visit www.waterfowlfestival.org.

Image: Keenan Slabworks 

Hall of Fame Painter Joe Seme to Showcase Work at Easton’s First Friday Gallery Walk

[Easton, MD] – May 27, 2025FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The June First Friday Gallery Walk exhibit and open house at the Waterfowl Building is set to feature North Carolina artist Joe Seme. Seme is well known for his major “trompe l’oeil” (fool the eye) realistic still life paintings which are carefully researched and and may take three or four months to complete. Seme, a Waterfowl Hall of Fame honoree, painted the 2023, 1980, and 1990 Festival posters. He has been profiled in numerous publications including American Artist, American Art Review, Chesapeake Travel and Leisure, Salt, and Ducks Unlimited. 

Joe Seme’s artistic journey spans decades, with a portfolio that includes intricate still lifes, landscapes, and decoy carvings. His deep connection to the Eastern Shore is evident in pieces like “Eastern Shore,” a painting commissioned as the 2023 poster for the Waterfowl Festival. Seme has been a fixture at the festival since 1978 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1992.

Attendees of the First Friday Gallery Walk will have the chance to view a selection of Seme’s original works, including limited edition giclée prints and original pieces of antique toys, collectables, and other diverse subjects in addition to his well known Eastern Shore subjects. His art, characterized by meticulous detail and storytelling nature – each work a journey into a magical universe created by the artist.

First Friday Gallery Walk is sponsored by the Easton Economic Development Corporation. For more information on this event, visit DiscoverEaston.com

Event Details:

  • Date: June 6, 2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM-6:00 PM
  • Location: The Waterfowl Building, 40 S. Harrison Street

###

About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen. 

For more information about the Waterfowl Festival, including ticket sales and a full schedule of events, please visit www.waterfowlfestival.org.

Images: “Delft Cat”, “Eastern Shore”, “Paris Pig”

2025 Waterfowl Festival Call for Artists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Easton, MDWaterfowl Festival 2025: Call for Artists and Exhibitors

Easton, Maryland – January 21, 2025 – The Waterfowl Festival is excited to announce that applications for artists and exhibitors are now open for the 2025 event, scheduled for November 14-16, 2025.

We invite painters, sculptors, carvers, and photographers specializing in waterfowl, wildlife, landscapes, sporting art, and maritime subjects to apply. All displayed work must be available for sale. New artist applications should include 5 to 10 digital images representative of the artwork intended for exhibition. Artwork for sale must have been created within two years of the festival date. Please ensure high-quality images, as they are crucial for the jurying process.

Important Information 

Image: Art Gallery at Waterfowl Festival/Courtesy Ron Haddaway

###

About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

Photography Exhibit

Art at the Church

Photography Exhibit

Capturing the beauty and expansiveness of the wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and beyond is the goal these top-notch photographers. This is the place to find that print, postcard or original photo for everyone on your Christmas list. This is an exhibit you do not want to miss!

2021 Artists

Some of the nation’s foremost nature photographers join us to exhibit a wide array of striking images, every one of which has a story to tell. These artists vividly demonstrate the wonderful depth and creativity that makes digital photography a contemporary art form. Many pieces are affordable and often may be purchased framed or unframed. Photographers also sometimes offer specialty items featuring their images.

Charles E Bear, Jr. — Charles Bear Photography, Jacksonville, FL
Erika L. Forsythe — ELF Moments of Zen, Fruitland, MD
Sam Hughes — Cordova, MD
Cal Jackson — Easton, MD
Tony Masso — Strong Castle Studio, Easton, MD
Michael Orhelein — Bethany Fine Arts, Bethany Beach, DE
Heather L. Orkis — Heather Orkis Photography, Townsend, DE
Kenneth Rose — Neanderthal Photography, Easton, MD

Location: Christ Church 111 South Harrison Street
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (this gallery opens an hour later on Sunday to accommodate Church service.)

Handicapped access on Harrison side entrance
No pets except service animals.

Masks required.

Art at the Museum

2021 Artists

Carvers

William S. Belote — The Great Marsh Waterfowl Carvings, Lewes, DE
Mike Bonner — New Orleans, LA
Jack Cox — Elizabeth City, NC
Thomas Horn — Emmaus, PA
Ted Morlock — Parsonsburg, MD
David Robbins — DC Decoys, Vienna, MD
D. Bennett Scott — Wildfowl Carvings, Berlin, MD

Painters

Lori Dunn — Herpworks, Norwood, ON Canada
Wilhelm Goebel — Salisbury, MD
David Kiehm — Oneonta, NY
Sean Murtha — Norwalk, CT
Kelly Singleton — Longmont, CO
Mary Veiga — Baltimore, MD

Sculptors

Jeff Birchill — North Augusta, SC
Mark Dziewior — 7 Mile Creek Studio, Fort Atkinson, WI
Jen Wagner — Jen Wagner Mosaics, St. Michaels, MD

Location: 106 South Street
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Handicapped access on South Street
Restrooms in the building
No pets except service animals

Reed Dancer - Jim Green

Art at the Pavilion

Tents Across from Armory – Featured Artist Bart Walter

The Pavilion tents across the street from the Armory is where you will find the Featured Artist as well as numerous other painters, sculptors and carvers.

2021 Artists

2021 Featured Artist Bart Walter

Carvers

Tom Baldwin — Akron, OH
Randy Conner — Candor Hill Woodcarvings, Candor, NY
Richard Finch — Richard Finch Artist, Valley Mills, TX
Al Jordan — Birds in Wood, Rochester, NY

Painters

Jill Basham — Trappe, MD
Matthew Hillier — Tunis Mills, MD
Vladimir Piven — Arnold, MD
Julia Rogers — Easton, MD
Nancy Tankersley — Easton, MD

Sculptors

Fred Boyer — Fred Boyer Studio, Anaconda, MT
Don Rambadt — Tanager Sculpture Works, Milwaukee, WI
Paul Rhymer — Rhymer Studio, Point of Rocks, MD
Larry Ringgold — Turtlepoint Driftwood LLC, Chesapeake Beach, MD
Kim Shaklee — Nature In Bronze, Brighton, CO
David H. Turner & William H. Turner — Turner Sculpture, Onley, VA

Location: Tents Across from 40 S. Harrison Street  Adjacent to Tasting Pavilion
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See Bart Walter’s “Wind and Waves” in person and meet the artist!

Wind and Waves

Paintings on the Armory Wall

Art at the Armory

Waterfowl Festival Headquarters

World-class painters, sculptors and carvers can be found at the site of the Waterfowl Festival Headquarters. Wander through the gallery and take in the majestic feeling of this historic structure. Masks required.

2021 Artists

Carvers

Tom Ahern — Tom Ahern Bird Sculpture, Bethlehem, PA
Ivie A. Elliott, Jr. — Elizabeth City, NC
Rich Smoker — R.W. Smoker Wildfowl Carving, Marion, MD
Ross Smoker — R.K. Smoker Waterfowl Carving, Selinsgrove, PA
Herb Watson — Pocomoke, MD
Rick Watson — Atlantic, VA

Painters

Sue deLearie Adair — Schenectady, NY
Al Barker — Bordentown, NJ
Linda Besse — Mead, WA
Ray C. Brown, Jr. — Lake Forest, CA
Al Dornisch — Ridgway, PA
Ned Ewell — Cockeysville, MD
Carol Heiman-Greene — Orange, CA
Rebekah Knight — Deepwater, MO
Rob Leslie — Turnersville, NJ
Sara Linda Poly — Creative Hand, Easton, MD
Mary Pritchard — Chestertown, MD
Julia Purinton — Medusa Studio, Warrenton, VT
Jim Rataczak — Circle Pines, MN
Steve Rogers — Lewes, DE
Joe Seme — Wilmington, NC
C. Keith Whitelock — Salisbury, MD

Sculptors

Jim Green — Hermosa, SD
Roger Martin — Albemarle, NC
Scott Penegar — Penegar Studios LLC, Charleston, SC

Location: 40 S. Harrison Street
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Handicapped access on South Street
Restrooms in the building
No pets except service animals

Art at the Avalon

Painters and sculptors will be exhibiting in Art at the Avalon. Exhibitors welcome the opportunity to share their artistic talent with guests, both experienced collectors and those simply touched by one of the artists’ images. There is nothing like the thrill of purchasing one’s first significant piece of art directly from the artist!

2021 Exhibitors

Painters

Sandy Alanko — Tilghman, MD
Richard Clifton — Milford, DE
Art LaMay — Portraits in Wildlife, Palm Coast, FL
Bruce Woodward — Sykesville, MD

Sculptors

Ronnie Wells — Wells Gallery, Salado, TX

Location: 40 E. Dover Street
Bus Route: Blue
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Masks Required

( function ( body ) { 'use strict'; body.className = body.className.replace( /\btribe-no-js\b/, 'tribe-js' ); } )( document.body );