The Brightside: Crisfield Arts & Entertainment District

CRISFIELD, Md. – While Crisfield is coined as the Seafood Capital of the world, a local arts organization is actively growing the arts and entertainment district and making Crisfield, a little more colorful.

Abstracts, brushwork, expressionism in other words art, artists from across Delmarva are bringing their version of art to Crisfield’s ever-growing art district. “When people are able to look at something and get some sort of feeling from it, for me that’s why I create the art,” says encaustic artist and photographer, Karen Jury. “It’s really on a steady path upwards, a good progression and it’s exciting to be part of that,” adds Colin Goodall, Geometric and Mathematical artist.

While Crisfield may thrive in seafood, festivals, and a beautiful waterfront view, some community members thought Crisfield was lacking in the arts and entertainment department. “There’s currently not a lot to do so we’re hoping that this will be a reason for people to come,” says Patricia Kotzen, President of the Crisfield Arts Syndicate.

That’s why they created the Crisfield Arts and Entertainment project and began a non-profit called the Crisfield Arts Syndicate. “It is so fantastic to hang out with artists, that’s the fun part!” exclaims Terri Baker, Chairperson of the Crisfield Arts & Entertainment Project. She adds, “It’s great to have the spaces for people to display their art.”

Now Crisfield is home to three galleries, the Corbin Studio Gallery, Somerset County Arts Council, and the recently opened Gallery 413. We’re told Gallery 413 will be more than just an art gallery, it’s on its way to becoming a home to every type of art imaginable. “Whether it’s painting, woodworking, glasswork, culinary arts, performing arts, a little bit of everything,” says Kotzen. She adds, “We’re looking for opportunities for people to do things, and that’s the point of the workshops and the classes.”

Now the artists behind some of this work are watching their work become part of a bigger picture. “Crisfield, it’s lovely to see it growing, starting to see things being done like this lovely gallery,” says Jury. Goodall adds, “It’s just wonderful to have the town be vibrant, to have a sense of that.”

Whether you’re a true aesthete, or simply looking for something to do, art organizers and artists alike say they’re thankful for a community that gives the space to thrive. “We love when it when people make it to the end of route 413 to visit Crisfield,” says Baker. She adds, “I’m basically from an administrative background so so I’m helping keep the trains on the track with the organization, this is my purpose.”

Kotzen and Baker also tell 47 ABC, that they’re hoping to grow even more over the next year. The arts and entertainment project is preparing for their ‘Hangin’ Out Art Show,’ on May 20th and May 21st at the Corbin Studio & Gallery and they’re looking for local artists.

You can find more information or how to register by clicking here.