Art by the Bay 2025: A Celebration of Color and Creativity
The Annapolis Arts Alliance’s Art by the Bay Annual Members Exhibit opened this fall at Quiet Waters Park’s Willow Gallery, running from October 15 through November 16, 2025. The show is a radiant celebration of color and creativity, capturing the beauty and spirit of the Chesapeake Bay region through coastal scenes, landscapes, wildlife, sunsets, and the full spectrum of artistic expression.
This year’s exhibit includes an exciting variety of mediums, from oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, photography and poetry to striking three-dimensional works in glass, pottery, fiber, metal, and leather. Each piece reflects the unique vision of the artists and their connection to the Bay and its surrounding environment.
Opening Reception and Community Celebration
The opening reception on October 26th brought together artists, supporters, and community members for an afternoon of art and conversation. Guests admired the diversity of styles and techniques, from the serene to the boldly expressive, while enjoying an inspiring sense of community among Annapolis-area artists.
Honoring Artistic Excellence: 2025 Award Winners
The Annapolis Arts Alliance proudly recognized outstanding works in this year’s exhibition. Congratulations to all of the talented artists who received awards:
Best of Show — Member: Amanda Hooper, Thomas Point
1st Place — Member: Julie DeMar, Through the Grass
2nd Place — Member: Diane Leasure, Abandoned Seaside Cabin at Sunrise
3rd Place — Member: Carolyn Council, Big Bay Swells
Honorable Mention — Member: Glenda Keyes, End of Season
People’s Choice — Member: Tonya Rose Kirby, Yellow Skies
Best of Show — Emerging Artist: Elizabeth Winn, Boat Show Morning
Honorable Mention — Emerging Artist: Ingrid Baker, Sailboat Show
A special thank-you to AAA members Kathy Strouss and Susan Tousley for their outstanding leadership in organizing and guiding this year’s Art by the Bay exhibit, their dedication and vision made this vibrant celebration of art and community possible.
Spotlight on Student Artists
A highlight of this year’s exhibit is the inclusion of student artwork — 13 pieces from Anne Arundel County high school students and 19 additional works from Anne Arundel Community College’s Landscape Painting class, on display at Gallery 57 West through November 16th.
The high school works bring fresh perspectives and youthful creativity to the show, while the AACC class, taught by instructor Teddy Johnson, showcases both new and experienced painters exploring the art of painting from nature. Their 12-week course focuses on capturing the experience of place, time, and light through direct observation — working outdoors when possible and reflecting on landscape traditions in both historical and contemporary art.
Together, these student contributions represent the next generation of local artists and the Annapolis Arts Alliance’s commitment to supporting arts education. The AAA is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the arts through scholarships and community outreach, helping young artists develop their skills and connect with the wider artistic community.
Thank You to Juror Stacy Lund Levy
The Annapolis Arts Alliance extends heartfelt thanks to Stacy Lund Levy, juror of awards for Art by the Bay 2025. A Baltimore-based artist, Stacy has dedicated her career to both the artistic and scientific worlds. With degrees from Hood College and Johns Hopkins University’s Art as Applied to Medicine program, she has combined her love of art and anatomy as a medical illustrator, educator, and fine artist.
Gratitude and Community
The Annapolis Arts Alliance extends its warmest thanks to all members, artists, and volunteers who made Art by the Bay 2025 such a success. The exhibit embodies the mission of the Alliance, to promote the arts, connect artists, and enrich the cultural life of the Chesapeake Bay region.
Visitors are encouraged to experience the show at Quiet Waters Park before it closes on November 16th, and to stop by Gallery 57 West in downtown Annapolis to see the complementary student works. Together, these exhibits celebrate not only the beauty of the Bay but the vibrant and growing community of artists who call it home.
https://www.acaac.org/event/art-by-the-bay-annapolis-arts-alliance-members-2025-show/
