Wor-Wic marks 50th anniversary with Community Arts Showcase of Excellence
SALISBURY, Md. — Wor-Wic Community College is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an evening of art, music and storytelling that brings together students, alumni and local artists.
The community arts showcase features a mural project led by We Are Limitless Studios CEO and co-founder Brandon Bell. He said the piece draws inspiration from the three Lower Shore counties — Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester — as well as the college’s dolphin mascot.
“It just happens to be something that represents the entire counties and the school as a whole,” Bell said. “What I ended up creating utilized the school mascot, as well as the three counties, and essentially brought them all together.”
The mural, designed with stained glass elements, allows community members to each paint a section. Bell said the goal was to create something accessible and collaborative.
“How do we put something together that people can not just paint, but also have fun doing?” he said. “It should be easy enough, not too intimidating, and become something that collectively we all get a sense of building together.”
Olivia Kistler, a dual enrollment student at Wor-Wic, said the project highlights the unifying power of art.
“I think it’s nice in terms of community because art brings people together,” Kistler said. “I’ve never really seen or participated in something like that, and I think it’s really neat.”
The event also features guest artists, including author and illustrator Brian Collier, who said his inspiration comes from family, storytelling and the desire to create the books he never saw as a child.
“I make picture books primarily because when I grew up, I never really saw myself in them,” Collier said. “So when I got an opportunity to make picture books, I wanted boys and girls who look like me to see themselves in stories.”
Collier said returning to the Eastern Shore for the showcase allows him to share his work with those closest to him.
“It’s always about coming back home to family and showing them what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I’m really trying to show off and impress my own hometown fans and family here.”
Bell said he is honored to see his work included in the anniversary celebration.
“I’m happy that my work is part of the 50th anniversary celebration and that I have a chance to be here with all the other amazing people,” he said.
