Waterfowl Festival Welcomes New Board President Eric Milhollan

 

Easton, MD – Waterfowl Festival, Inc. is pleased to recognize Eric Milhollan as the new President of its Board of Directors. Eric brings invaluable experience as a strong community and business leader. He currently is a senior project manager and part-owner at Willow Construction LLC, and has served as a volunteer for the Festival for many years along with his wife Victoria and their children.

Eric has over twenty-eight years of experience with Willow and has witnessed the growth of Easton from a sleepy town to a thriving and growing regional destination for businesses and families alike. He graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Other boards he has served on  include the local Associated Builders and Contractors, Talbot County Chamber of Commerce,  and Shore Leadership, and he is a 2019 Leadership Maryland graduate.  Utilizing skills from his professional and business experience, Milhollan is poised to take the Waterfowl Festival into 2024 successfully.

“Eric’s wealth of experience and his deep-rooted connection to the Waterfowl Festival make him an ideal candidate for the role of President,” remarked Charles Wrighton, 2023 president. “We are confident that under his guidance, the festival will continue to thrive, allowing us to continue to support conservation efforts in our region.”

Milhollan’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Waterfowl Festival as it continues to evolve and adapt to support the community as well as its mission of conservation of our natural landscapes. With a consistent economic impact of millions of dollars each year, the Festival continues to be an event that has a considerable positive effect on the region after five decades.

The 53rd Waterfowl Festival is now accepting applications for vendors, artists, and sponsors! To connect with the Waterfowl Festival directly, please visit our website or email info@waterfowlfestival.org.

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About the Waterfowl Festival: Located in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay region known for its stunning landscapes and abundant waterfowl populations, the Waterfowl Festival has grown to be a cherished tradition, attracting visitors from across the nation and around the globe. Its commitment to conservation, community, and cultural enrichment makes it a vital event for anyone interested in preserving our natural world for future generations. For more information, please visit WaterfowlFestval.org.

Step into a world of timeless artistry and captivating nostalgia as we proudly unveil the 2023 Featured Poster for the Waterfowl Festival. This year’s masterpiece comes to life through the brushstrokes of the esteemed painter and longstanding exhibitor, Joe Seme.

About the Artist

Hailing from New Jersey, Seme’s journey in art began in 1946. Although born in the Garden State, his heart found a home in North Carolina, where he has spent the majority of his life. His artistic journey led him down a self-taught path, culminating in his full-time commitment to painting in 1973. After two decades nestled in the North Carolina mountains, Joe now draws inspiration from the tranquil beauty of a salt marsh in Wilmington.

A Glimpse into Seme’s Artistry

Seme’s artwork transcends time, embodying the allure of bygone eras. His passion for objects with stories, like books, decoys, antiques, and collectibles, infuses his creations with a unique depth. As an avid collector, Joe curates treasures from old bookstores, cherished friends, dear family, and treasured memories. It’s within these treasures that his masterpieces take form. His still life “trompe l’oeil” paintings, capturing the essence of objects, carry the whispers of stories and memories that shape his vision.

“This is the most complicated painting I’ve done in many years. I could have simplified it a bit and saved myself a lot of work, but I just kept getting ideas. Can’t explain it. It’s just the way my artist’s brain works!”

-Joe Seme

A Captivating Sculpture Depicting the Fable of the “Crow and the Pitcher” to Be Showcased in November

Easton, Maryland – June 1, 2023 – Esteemed sculptor Pati Stajcar is set to mesmerize art enthusiasts and festival-goers alike with her latest masterpiece, “Aesop’s Fable” a playful depiction of the timeless tale of the Crow and the Pitcher. The bronze will take center stage at the highly anticipated Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland November 10-12, 2023. Stajcar’s stunning artwork serves as a visual representation of the Festival’s celebration of the region’s rich wildlife and heritage.

 

Now in its 52nd year, the Waterfowl Festival is a revered event which attracts thousands of visitors annually to the small town of Easton. The Festival showcases the beauty of wildlife through a juried art exhibit, brisk art sales and educational exhibits. The addition of “Aesop’s Fable” by frequent exhibitor Stajcar promises to elevate the artistic experience to new heights.

 

Stajcar, a renowned sculptor with a passion for capturing the essence of nature and storytelling in her work, has gained national acclaim for her remarkable talent. With “Aesop’s Fable,” she breathes life into the ancient tale, bringing it to three-dimensional reality with her impeccable skill and attention to detail. The sculpture portrays the iconic moment when two thirsty crows cleverly use stones to raise the water level in a pitcher to quench their thirst. Stajcar’s interpretation beautifully captures the determination and resourcefulness of the birds, showcasing the transformative power of intelligence and problem-solving.

 

“I wanted to create a piece that not only pays homage to the wisdom found in Aesop’s Fable but also resonates with the audience on a deeper level,” said Stajcar. “Through this sculpture, I aim to remind people of the importance of ingenuity and adaptability, qualities that have played a significant role in our collective survival.”

 

For a number of convincing reasons, the selection of the crow as the featured artwork, “Aesop’s Fable,” seems appropriate. First off, there is a significant amount of symbolism associated with crows in myths and civilizations around the world. Crows have a reputation for being intelligent and adaptable, and they are frequently linked to knowledge, resourcefulness, and problem-solving. These characteristics support the Festival’s conservation efforts while highlighting the beauty of wildlife in their natural habitats.

 

The bronze sculpture stands 21“ high, 27” wide and 14” deep making it an impressive sight to behold. Stajcar meticulously sculpted each feather and detail, ensuring a lifelike representation that captures the essence of the crows and the pitcher. The use of bronze adds a timeless quality to the artwork, symbolizing the enduring nature of fables and the lasting impact they have on generations. There will be two sizes available to art buyers at the Festival with the featured full-sized piece in an edition of 9 priced at $13,000 and a smaller version, (14”H x 11”W x 12” D) in an edition of 9 priced at $4100.

 

The Waterfowl Festival Featured Art committee expressed their delight in having “Aesop’s Fable” in the Featured Art Tent across from the Armory during the event. “Pati Stajcar’s sculpture perfectly aligns with our Festival’s dedication to showcasing exceptional art that reflects the beauty and importance of our natural environment,” stated Ann White, Chair of the Featured Art Committee. “We believe this exquisite piece will captivate our visitors and serve as a thought-provoking conversation starter on the power of stories and our connection to the animal world.”

Pre-orders for Aesop’s Fable will be taken by the Waterfowl Festival or on the Festival website. Purchasers to order directly from the Waterfowl Festival by calling 410-822-4567. The credit card charge is less if ordered directly from Waterfowl Festival, Inc. Ordered sculptures will arrive with Pati Stajcar on November 9th and be available at that time. Pre-orders are the best and easiest way to go as there will be no shipping involved. Pati lives in Colorado and will cast and transport all that she has orders for (and hopefully a few more).

Small Edition of Aesop’s Fable
14″H, 11″W, and 12″D
Bronze
Edition of 9
Price: $4,100

Pre-Orders can be placed through the website here.

Honoring our military and veterans who have served our country

 

Easton, MD (September 28, 2022) – The Waterfowl Festival opens on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022, and is offering a 25% discount to active-duty military, reserve and National Guard, retirees, and veterans who are or have served in defense of our country. Pay just $15 for all three days of the Festival.

 

Show a military ID, a membership card from a veterans’ organization, an ID from the Veterans Administration, or a driver’s license with veteran status annotated, and receive a discount. This discount is only available for on-site ticket sales at one of the Festival’s ticket booths.

 

Waterfowl Festival, Inc., is a nonprofit, 501c (3), dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of the life and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Now in its 51st year, the festival continues to draw thousands of visitors from throughout the mid-Atlantic.

 

The Festival runs on volunteers, many of whom are veterans. We hope many more veterans will join us for one of the largest festivals on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where more than 350 artists, artisans, and vendors offer a fantastic weekend of fun focused on art, hunting, and sporting.

 

Watch the Delmarva Dock Dogs and wildlife callers compete for prizes; watch retriever and raptor demonstrations; view fine art, sculpture, and carvings; shop our marketplaces; and buy, sell, and swap antiques and collectables.

 

Kids can learn to carve and fish. There are many family-oriented activities.

 

There’s also food and craft beer and wine. Something for everyone on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland.

 

Just 40 minutes from Annapolis, 65 miles from Baltimore, 75 miles from Washington, DC, Waterfowl Festival is the perfect weekend getaway.

When artist Richard Clifton began planning the featured piece of art for Waterfowl Festival 2022, he wanted to capture not only the beauty of waterfowl, but wanted his creation to appeal to art collectors, waterfowl enthusiasts, hunters, and conservationists alike. He settled on Pintails as his subject and created “November Morning-Pintails.”

 

“Everybody loves Pintails,” declared Clifton. “They have a classic look and broad appeal. People get excited when they see a group of Pintails.”

 

Clifton lives on 115 acres where he has created extensive habitat to attract waterfowl and wildlife.

 

He’s also a farmer, hunter, photographer, and waterfowl enthusiast. He comes from a farming family and keeps around 75 acres of his land under till. He says there’s something therapeutic about planting in the ground and working his fields. He’d do more farming if he wasn’t so busy with his art.

 

His love for the land and wildlife is evident in his paintings. He takes his own reference photos and then puts them together to create compositions that use light, patterns, and flow to bring viewers in. He says he’s probably sitting on several thousands of photos he’s taken on his land.

 

About the Painting

 

For Waterfowl Festival 2022, Clifton created a painting that is understated and elegant.

 

“November Morning-Pintails” evokes calm. Soft background light sets apart the ducks – three drakes and two hens. The contrasting patterns on the ducks give variety, while the colors serve to tie them together in a warm, serene composition.

 

The painting is 24”x36” unframed, and 32”x44” framed. The framed original is being offered for $12,000.

 

Posters will also be available closer to the date of the Festival.

 

“I’m so honored that the waterfowl festival has ask me to be their featured artist, and so grateful of the people that I’ve met in the last few years, both that work with the festival and -I’m gonna call them friends- the people that have come out and supported me and my artwork,” said Clifton. “It’s big shoes to fill, but I’m hoping together we can kick off the next 50 years with the same enthusiasm and anticipation that was there all those years ago when this great vision began.

 

About the Featured Artist Program

 

Waterfowl Festival’s Featured Artist Program was created in 2010 to generate excitement about a chosen artist and their visual interpretation of the bounty of our natural habitat. It encourages visitors to meet the artist and see the featured piece “up close.”

 

The Featured Artwork is the inspiration for the year’s marketing theme and keeps the visual identity of the Festival fresh and current. The painter or sculptor chosen each year showcases the variety and high-quality art that the Festival is known for to a new and returning audience.

 

For a hi rez version of the painting, click here.

 

For a photo of artist Richard Clifton, click here.

EASTON, MD (May 5, 2022) – The Waterfowl Festival is excited to announce that Richard Clifton will be the featured artist for the 2022 Waterfowl Festival. Clifton is a world-renowned wildlife artist and won the 2007 and 2020 Federal Duck Stamp contest.

 

“The Waterfowl Festival is truly fortunate and honored to have Richard Clifton selected as it’s 2022 Featured Artist,” said Kenneth Miller, president of the Waterfowl Festival board of directors. “Richard is one of our country’s premier artists for paintings that capture the beauty of waterfowl within their natural habitat. His compositions evoke a unique, if not varied set of emotions and feelings among experienced waterfowlers, naturalists and art collectors alike.”

 

Clifton is a self-taught, award-winning artist. Waterfowl are one of his favorite subjects and he has painted 53 duck stamps from various states and countries, including the 1996 Australian Duck Stamp.

 

Clifton’s art has been chosen several times for the Ducks Unlimited National Art Package and he was named Artist of the Year by DU three times.

 

“As a wildlife artist, it has always been a career dream of mine to be the featured artist for a show,” says Clifton. “So, I was both humbled and honored to be named 2022 featured artist for the Waterfowl Festival.”

 

Clifton first exhibited at the Festival in 2006. His work is sought by domestic & international fine art collectors.

 

“The long tradition of the festival promoting ducks and geese and my love of painting waterfowl are coming together, and it feels like a good fit,” says Clifton. “We should all be excited by the hope and promise this brings as we gather in November.”

 

More artists will be announced during the coming months. As always, the festival organizers are looking for the best-of-the-best in painting, sculpture, photography, and carving.

 

About the Waterfowl Festival

 

Waterfowl Festival Inc. is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the heritage of hunting and fishing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It attracts some 18,000 visitors annually. It is the premier destination for everything waterfowl in the U.S.

 

The next Festival will be held November 11-13, 2022 in historic Easton, in the heart of Talbot County, MD. Tickets can be purchased online or at the event. VIP and corporate sponsorship packages are available. For more information, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org or call the Festival’s office at 410-822-4567.