Living

Corrie Dyke • October 10, 2013

Oysters are drenched in a rich history. From providing life during the Great Depression to the cause of death during the Oyster Wars of the mid-late 1800s, oysters have represented a broad spectrum of life as well as stood as a symbol of passion. Most importantly, oysters represent a way of life, a life known no better than in and around the Chesapeake Bay. As local venues gear up for a number of annual festivals to celebrate the life of oysters, many do so in an effort to preserve the treasured lifestyle. This year, a few festivals are benefitting the Oyster Recovery Partnership, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating and rebuilding oyster habitats in the Chesapeake Bay. Through ORP’s partnerships with scientists, conservationists, watermen, businesses, government, as well as state and local partners, nearly 4 billion oysters have been planted on 1,500 acres of oyster reefs and approximately 1,200 tons of shell have been recycled to provide homes for new oysters. Get Shuckin’ for a cause and celebrate oysters this season.

OYSTERFEST VI
Oct. 12 &13
This annual festival brings thousands of locals and visitors together in Baltimore’s historic Federal Hill for a two-day celebration at Ryleigh’s Oyster. The festivities begin Saturday at noon with a block party featuring live music and the annual Shucking Championship at 5 p.m. Picking back up Sunday at 4 p.m. following the Raven’s football game, theday features more live music and plenty of oysters. Activities on both days run until 9 p.m. Admission is free. Ryleigh’s Oysters; 36 E. Cross St., Federal Hill, Baltimore, Md.

CITY CENTER OYSTER ROAST
Oct. 18 – 5 p.m.
The five-acre Fountain Plaza at City Center at Oyster Point is the picturesque setting for this festival of seafood and oyster tasting, featuring Chesapeake Bay seafood. Crafts and an “Oyster Shell” scavenger hunt for children make this festival a fun family affair. Live musical entertainment will be featured with food and beverages for sale. Free admission and parking. Oyster Point City Center; 701 Town Center Dr., Newport News, Va.

ST. MARY’S OYSTER FESTIVAL
Oct. 19 & 20
The annual St. Mary’s Oyster Festival promises to be two days of family fun. The fest includes a National Oyster Shucking Contest as well as the National Oyster Cook-Off. Winners go on to represent the U.S. internationally. Oysters will be served raw, scalded, grilled, on bread, on the half shell, stewed, nude, cooked in savory sauces, in salads, and even in desserts. Other local fare will be available as well as beer and wine. Music, entertainment, exhibits, carnival rides and crafts also included. Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Proceeds go to local charities. Admission $5. 42455 Fairgrounds Rd., Leonardtown, Md.

SHUCK IT!
8Oct. 26 – 2 to 6 p.m.
Expert shuckers will be serving up the freshest raw, grilled and fried oysters in 12 different varieties from local Chesapeake, Northeast, and West Coast regions at Tony & Joe’s in Washington Harbour. Other specialties will be dished up as well as beer and wine pairings. A surf band will
provide live entertainment. The event will host
a special silent auction benefitting the Oyster
Recovery Partnership. $75 for tickets Tony &
Joe’s Seafood Place 3000 K St., NW

OYSTERFEST
Nov. 2 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OysterFest at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime
Museum features live music by Sweet Leda, local
fare, children’s activities, boat rides, oyster
demonstrations, harvesting displays, retriever
demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, documentary
films, and an oyster stew competition
among regional chefs. Conservation groups
including Tilghman Islanders Grow Oysters,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Oyster Recovery
Partnership, and The Nature Conservancy
will be on-hand to discuss efforts to clean and
preserve the Bay. Admission is free for CBMM
members and children five & under, otherwise
it’s $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $6 for
children between the ages of six and 17. 213 N.
Talbot St., St. Michaels, Md.

56TH URBANNA OYSTER FESTIVAL
Nov. 1 & 2
Home of Virginia’s official Oyster Festival, the
quaint town of Urbanna, just up the Rappahannock
River, dedicates an entire weekend to all
things oysters. The two-day festival includes;
a shucking contest, wine tasting, parade, multiple
live bands, and more than 50 food vendors
with oysters served raw, roasted, fried, smoked,
steamed, in fritters and in a stew. Crafts andfamily friendly activities featured. Festivities begin
Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and continue Saturday,
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
45 Cross St., Urbanna, Va.

OLD EBBITT GRILL OYSTER RIOT XIX
Nov. 22 & 23
The 19th Annual Oyster Riot is a huge party
held the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Each night, nearly 1,000 people devour tens
of thousands of oysters while enjoying the gold
medal winners of the International Wines for
Oysters Competition.

The Saturday afternoon Matinee Riot returns for
its 4th year from Noon to 3 p.m. A portion of the
proceeds will benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership.
Oyster shells are sorted and transferred
to the Partnership. About 75 bushels of shells
were collected for ORP last year. Once aged, the
shells will end be planted with one million baby
oysters. Limited number of tickets. Friday and
Saturday 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tickets $140
Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th Street, NW [gallery ids="118811,118805" nav="thumbs"]

Wally Greeves • September 25, 2013

Leaving the world-class accommodations at Kiawah Island, S.C., after five rounds of golf, stellar food, and service with a smile that required no finger lifting whatsoever, the thought occurred to me as the exit gate was closing that vacating the womb as an adult male had its merits and its downsides. While operating a motor vehicle and hunting for food came quickly to me once again, detachment anxiety set in a whole lot sooner than the first time the cord was cut. The arrival at the Sanctuary four days earlier was something straight out of “Gulliver’s Travels”: the mammoth-columned entryway doors leading to a multi-storied lobby, full of murals and memorabilia. I immediately felt the genuine warmth of the staff when checking in and barely had time to change clothes before my uncle and I were scheduled to tee off at Jack Nicklaus-designed Turtle Point.

Turtle Point has my vote for the Kiawah golf course that most leaves you wanting to golf more. The first nine holes of somewhat narrow tree-lined fairways are set back from the ocean and reward straight shots with good scores. Holes 14-16 were spectacularly fun, windy, beautiful and challenging golf holes along the beach that rewarded straight shots with pathetic scores, but left me smiling. Two picturesque par fours end the feast, but leave you maybe wanting to ask for the menu back.

We had dinner outside at the Sanctuary’s Jasmine Porch, where we safely watched lightning bolts and heat charges sashay across the island during an evening rain shower. The food and service were exemplary. The quality of service at Kiawah was of a special variety to me that felt extremely personal yet not invasive. It left me feeling somewhat like Jim Carrey in “The Truman Show,” where behind every door were people that wanted to see me do well.

The Ocean Course and Osprey Point were scheduled for the next day, and it was sub-par service that allowed us to just wander out from the Sanctuary and see our clubs waiting for us and shuttle ready to go. The famous Dye-designed Ocean Course lived up to its name and then some, and I was glad I walked it. It gave me a chance to have the Ryder Cup and PGA tested grounds all to myself at times in a way that just doesn’t happen from a cart. I got a chance to scratch my head and wonder how Rory’s ball got caught in a leafless tree that looks more like driftwood harpooned into the ground, and I took the time to walk up to the pro tees and survey the view from hole 14. The very serene round had a pleasant sense of surrealness to it that felt like a mix of meditation and connect the dots, inside of a watercolor painting. Lunch at the Ryder Cup Bar, overlooking the eighteenth green, was a great way to spend time.

If the Ocean Course was the runaway classic, then Osprey Point had the most comfortable interior and got the best gas mileage. Birds were everywhere, alligators rampant along the lakeshores and good scores followed us around the player-friendly Fazio layout. Five sets of tees on every course makes even wagering with your uncle possible, and lets you decide how masochistic you want to be. Whichever you choose, playing this course after the Ocean was a welcome massage in a good environment.
Dinner at the Ocean Room at one of the few steakhouses to have a Forbes four star and AAA four diamond rating prompted me to try an aged Wagyu steak with a marble rating exceeding 10. When asked how it was I honestly answered, “Wonderful,” but what was really going through my head and would have flown was the old George Carlin line “I never had a ten, but one night I had five twos.” (Okay, okay, sorry.) The epic atmosphere present in the restaurant spawned a conversation between my uncle and I, where I learned multiple things about my mother and grandparents that I never knew. Kiawah is just that kind of place. I saw it in the pediatric dentist, celebrating an anniversary with his wife and newborn, staying next to us. I saw it in the apartment broker there to represent his firm in the First Tee charity event that Friday on the Ocean Course. I even saw it in the price of my yogurt parfait the next morning at Beaches and Cream before we set out for one more day of golf, and it still tasted great.
Oak Point is the only Kiawah course that is actually outside of the resort gates, and as I was exiting the morning shuttle I have to say I felt vulnerable. The feeling that I had stepped off the safari train only deepened when we were visited at the driving range by a bobcat still on the prowl from the night before. It was way cool. We also saw a heron stab a fish out of the water, decide not to eat it, and carry it around like a stuffed animal for as long as we watched. The par three 15th hole along the road was a signature hole for me, and the par five 17th hole was one of my favorites of the trip.

The last round, Cougar Point, was my solid second-place choice of the five courses we played. A Gary Player design, I thought it was a great example of what a landscaped golf course should look like. In that sense, it was the opposite of a natural layout like the Ocean Course, and so, for that, I vote it best car in its class. Some of the expansive marshland views were so Serengeti that I almost started humming tunes from “The Lion King.”

I came to Kiawah Island to play golf, and golf was there for the taking in splendor fashion, but I left with a lot more than that. I left as a more experienced traveler, diner, bobcat watcher, nephew and critic. [gallery ids="101468,152926,152923" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

Dry stacked stones run in walls along twisting roads that separate the chewed up asphalt from the rolling hillsides. Whitewashed fences cut through pastures of grazing horses, and their strong and slender bodies trot languorously, unconcerned with the raw power bubbling beneath their surfaces.

While this may sound like a scene from a 19th century English countryside, it is in fact present-day Middleburg, Virginia and its surrounding Loudoun County, the heart of America’s Horse Country.

Just an hour’s drive beyond Washington’s city limits, it can be hard to believe how quickly the neon cluster of the city falls away to sprawling farmland in the Middleburg area. And equestrian culture is the heartbeat of the community, replete with specialty horse shops along the main street, like the Middleburg Tack Exchange, which has an extensive inventory of saddles, riding boots, apparel and riding gear. The Journeyman Saddler is another tack store and workshop that makes custom-made leather goods such as chaps and saddles, where local riders frequently get repairs and adjustments for their gear.
Equestrian culture is not just a gimmick in Middleburg, but a way of life. And fall is the premier season in which to experience all the life it has to offer.

The colorful history and legendary stories of Loudoun’s long, rich equestrian history are housed in the National Sporting Library and Museum, where over 17,000 books dating back to the 16th century, as well as cycles of exhibitions and their permanent art collection, chart the county’s sporting traditions back to their roots.

The International Gold Cup
There are a great many seasonal equestrian events in the coming months, including a few highlights. The 76th annual Gold Cup on Saturday, Oct. 19 is the season highlight, and its world famous steeplechase races are not to be missed.
The first International Gold Cup was held in 1930 at Grasslands Downs, Tennessee, where the King of Spain placed a spectacularly beautiful gold trophy—the same one still awarded annually to the winner in competition that year. The location of the Cup moved around a bit, until 1984 when the International Gold Cup race and trophy were moved to Virginia, where they enjoy large crowds and international attendants to this day.

The 2013 International Gold Cup marks the 76th running of this prestigious race and maintains international interest both in the spectator venues as well as on course. Riders from across Europe and members of the International Federation of Amateur Riders compete with U.S. jockeys for the World Cup of Nations. The event is well attended by Washington’s diplomatic community as well as ambassadors and representatives from many nations, providing a unique venue for social entertaining and a great place to network in the midst of spectacular scenery.

The Greater Equestrian World
From Friday to Sunday, Oct. 4 through 6, Morven Park will host its annual Fall Horse Trials, a great place to kick off your experience of Virginia’s equestrian tradition. This free event provides the optimal spectator experience, offering opportunities to observe top riders from around the country perform in three major disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and cross country riding. This show traditionally attracts the top riders in the country, often including members of the U.S. Olympic Team.
The Morven Park Equestrian Center at Historic Morven Park in Leesburg, Va., holds a special place in the hearts of the equestrian community. Home to local, regional, national, and world-class equestrian events, Morven Park is built on 1,000 acres of open space and continues to operate as a multifaceted events facility that includes indoor and outdoor arenas, a beautiful series of cross-country courses, and sports fields that are utilized by more than 100,000 enthusiasts each year. For more information visit www.MorvenPark.org

That same weekend, Oct. 5 and 6, the Virginia Fall Races will host the Field Hunter Championships of America. Founded in 1989, this event brings together fox hunting enthusiasts from all across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the week-long trial. Mounted judges ride alongside the numbered contestants as they hunt with four area fox Hunts over a five-day period. At the end of each day’s hunting, the judges announce the horse and rider combinations selected to compete in the finals held Sunday at Glenwood Park. The finals are held prior to the start of the first race.

The Sunday finals of the Field Hunter Championship (Oct. 6) give racing spectators a unique opportunity to watch a mock fox hunt. The finalists then follow the Field Master and are judged on how their horse performs.

After this “mock” hunt, the finalists are narrowed down once again and asked to negotiate a handy hunter course in the center of the racecourse, one at a time, for the championship title. The judges ask the riders to show each horse’s different hunting skills, and after these individual tasks are completed, a champion is chosen. Trophies are awarded to the Champion, Reserve Champion as well as Best Turned Out and Most Suitable Pair. For more information visit www.VaFallRaces.com.
Further events include the 7th annual Blue Ridge Fall Races at Woodley Farm in Berryville, Va. on Saturday October 12 (www.BlueRidgeFallRaces.com), The Jumper Show at Fox Chase Farms in Middleburg on October 26 (www.FoxChaseFarms.net), as well as the Montpelier Hunt Races hosted by the Blue Ridge Valley Foundation on November 2 in Montpelier Station, Va. (www.MontpelierRaces.org).

As you can see, there is a lot riding on this year’s equestrian season around Middleburg. Don’t miss this year in horse country.

Georgetowner •

The National Sporting Library & Museum hosted the Benefit Polo Match and Luncheon on Sept. 15, a spectacular day at the Virginia International Polo Club in Upperville. This popular event was expanded to include a number of activities celebrating country life. B. Tim and Michelle Brookshire served as event chairmen, Jacqueline Mars as honorary chairman and Ann Nitze as host committee chair.

The festive fund-raiser included an elegant luncheon under the tent catered by Occasions, a Ladies Hat Contest and an exciting NSLM Polo Cup match. Event planning was facilitated by the Webster Group, Inc., of Washington, D.C. The afternoon also featured a performance by the Washington Scottish Pipe Band and a parade of the Piedmont Fox Hounds. Excitement prevailed on both sides of the field with several carloads of people tailgating during the game. [gallery ids="101467,152947,152928,152933,152936,152946,152941" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • August 20, 2013

Dear Stacy:

*I am writing because I know I need to say something to my son, I?m just collecting ideas about how to say it. Long story short, I am still paying for my 30-year-old son?s car insurance and he has an emergency credit card that comes out of my account. He has a job, but it?s not a great one, and living the city is expensive. I have helped my other children ?launch? in this way, I just don?t know why it doesn?t seem to be working with him. After losing my husband last year, my own budget is tighter and I really could use the money. The few times I have asked him about a charge he has made on the credit card, he doesn?t even look embarrassed about letting me pay for his things. I?m not sure how to get out of this burden without hurting him.*

? Failing to Launch

**Dear Failing:**

I’m a little confused about what “doesn’t seem to be working with him”? Is your launch plan common knowledge in the household, with clear limits and expectations spelled out for all, or is it implied? If it’s the latter, it sounds like Adult Son has a sweet deal going, and it’s unlikely he’s going to end it voluntarily.

Long story short, you need to stop paying his car insurance and cancel the shared credit card. Period. But you knew that part already. The interesting part, at least to me, is that you don?t seem to know why you should stop paying for these things. You are frustrated that he ?doesn?t even look embarrassed,? but there is no reason he should be embarrassed ? you haven?t given him any actual boundaries, so why would be worried about trampling the ones known to you alone?

It sounds like you are a very kind person who has offered Adult Son the same benefits provided to Unnamed Siblings, but he hasn?t gotten the hint that there are limits to those benefits. Accept it. He hasn?t gotten the hint. He?s not going to get a hint. He?s going to provide you more excuses ? or just coast on the ones you make for him ? and wait this one out. It?s up to you to be gentle (easy) but firm (non-negotiable). If you can?t afford to keep him on your payroll, you have to downsize. And breathe easy, this is a lesson he needs to learn. Better now (as in, right now, as soon as you are done reading this, just go) than any later.

*Stacy Notaras Murphy (www.stacymurphyLPC.com) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only, and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to stacy@georgetowner.com.*

Patricia Daly-Lipe • August 15, 2013

May I introduce you to The Very Thing…For Her?

Yes, that is the name of a new place to shop in the town of Haymarket, Virginia. Truly, it is worth the drive from Washington, Maryland or other parts of Virginia.

The original store, The Very Thing, located next door, opened six years ago. Antiques, furniture, sports items, collectables of every kind are yours to find. There was another request, an upscale ladies consignment shop.

Next to The Very Thing was a historical building, one of the first houses built after most of Haymarket was burned to the ground during the Civil War. Named the Hulfish House, it was constructed in 1874 by George Andrew Hulfish, a very successful merchant who became the first acting mayor of Haymarket when the town was incorporated in 1882.

When the village of Haymarket was burned in 1862, Hulfish was only 15 years old and was working as a blacksmith in his father’s carriage shop. His father, Garrett Hulfish, a native of New Jersey, had moved to Haymarket in the mid-1840s. Sadly, it was Garrett’s house and carriage shop that were the first buildings set on fire by the Union troops.

This year, the town of Haymarket renovated the Hulfish house then leased it to the owner of The Very Thing, Doris Buck.
The Very Thing…For Her takes up the entire historical house. Lisa Dalby, the manager, along with her associate, Stacy Curran, tell me they are very particular about the clothes they consign from designer dresses, coats, sweaters to handbags, jewelry and shoes. Consignments are accepted by appointment only. Located at 6630 Jefferson St., Haymarket, Virginia, The Very Thing…For Her has parking and is easily accessed from Route 66’s Haymarket exit. Their phone number is (703) 743-1494. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

I strongly suggest you plan on visiting both stores, especially during the holidays. The perfect gift? Yes. The perfect attire for her? Yes. Unique and tasteful? Most certainly. [gallery ids="119363,119357" nav="thumbs"]

Sydney Marcuzzi •

Do you want a summer vacation in the winter season? Go to Sanibel Island in Florida. I went with most of my extended family over New Year’s. My family includes my mom, dad, little brothers, uncle and aunt, grandma, and other grandma and grandpa.

There was a divorce in the family, but everyone still gets along with each other (which is cool). It was special that everyone came to Florida to visit everyone else. This is one of the only times in the year that I see all of these people at once. Sanibel is a special place that brings together many families, including mine.

When we got to Sanibel, the first thing I wanted to do was go to Pinocchio’s, one of the best ice cream places in the world. Some of its signature flavors are Dirty Sand Dollar (it’s better than it sounds), Wedding Bells, and Sanibel Crunch. My absolute favorite flavor is Parrot’s Nest. It is vanilla-based with rainbow sprinkles and mini brown M&Ms mixed in. We went to Pinocchio’s almost every day and tried the different flavors. Most of the time, we biked because Florida is so much flatter compared to other places, and we lived only four miles away. Ice cream from Pinocchio’s is definitely one of the best parts of Sanibel.

This New Year’s Eve was the first time I stayed up until midnight! My uncle kept trying to keep me from falling asleep because he could see my eyes slowly slipping down. One thing that we did to make the night special was watch the ball drop in New York. It was cool to see the different performances between the showings of the tower. Taylor Swift, my favorite singer, performed in it along with many others. That New Year’s Eve will be one that I will never forget.

There are many fun things to do in Sanibel. We would usually go for a bike ride in the morning, and in the afternoon we just chilled out by the beach or pool. One fun thing you can bike to is the Ding Darling Nature Preserve. One day, my uncle and I rode up to Captiva for brunch. It was fun to have time with just him. I would go chill out by the pool or beach after a big bike ride.

One of my favorite things we did was go fishing. That day, we got up early to go to Jenson’s Marina in Captiva. Our captain and first mate, Roy and Graham, were really nice and very helpful. Some of the fish we caught were white grunt, mangrove snapper, porgie, and red and black grouper. My seven-year-old brother, Jake, caught the first and largest number of groupers by far even though he was the youngest. After four tiring hours of fishing, we headed back to the dock. As we looked out on the water, we saw a dolphin pop up in the water. It was cool to be that close to a wild dolphin without it noticing us that much. The best part of the fishing trip was getting to eat our most amazingly tasty fish for dinner that night at Wendy and George’s. That fishing trip and dinner will be one that I will remember forever.

Sanibel will always be an excellent place to spent time with my family. Every year when I go down, I understand how important it is to spent time with your family even if they live far away. I’m so excited to see what happens next year in Sanibel because there is a lot that can happen there. [gallery ids="102577,119894" nav="thumbs"]

Rachel Scola •

The Oaks
8600 John Mosby Highway
Upperville, Va. 20184
www.upperville.com

TWILIGHT POLO SATURDAYS:

Twilight Polo is back and here to stay until Sept. 7. Every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. in The Plains enjoy a polo match, hosted by Aspen Dale Winery. The polo matches are perfect for a family night out, with events like tug-of-war for the children, but can also be a fun date night for all couples. After each match, dance awaywith a DJ set in the pavilion. Tickets are $30 a carload.

Great Meadow
5089 Old Tavern Road
The Plains, Va. 20198
www.greatmeadow.org/events/twilight-polo/

7TH ANNUAL VAN METRE POLO CUP:

If you need another filling of polo besides twilight Saturdays, the Van Metre Polo Cup will take place on June 15 at Great Meadow. The celebrity polo players this year include Ignacio Figueras from Ralph Lauren and John Walsh from America’s Most Wanted. The Cup benefits Capital Caring and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Come to watch the celebrity match, dressed in your best pastels and sun hats, of course, knowing that you’re helping a good cause. General Admission tickets are $30.

Great Meadow
5089 Old Tavern Road
The Plains, Va. 20198
www.vanmetrepolocup.com

WEEKLY SAILBOAT RACES:

Wednesday Night Sailboat Races at Annapolis Harbor will run until August 28. Sit dockside to view the some 150 boats race to the finish line at the Annapolis Yacht Club. Continue to kick off your weekend early with their post-race party. Races start at 6 p.m. and last until around 8 p.m.

Annapolis Harbor
2 Compromise Street
Annapolis, Md. 21401
www.annapolisyc.com [gallery ids="101321,151345" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

In the May 8, 2013 issue, our In Country section featured Celebrating Equestrian Life which celebrated the equestrian lifestyle of Virgina. In continuing the celebration, meet Kate Samuels and her horse, Nyls du Terroir. Watch as they tackle the Advanced cross country course at The Fork Horse Trials in 2013, finishing clear with 8.4 time penalties to finish the class in 5th place.

Check out the video of Nyls and Kate riding the course. Kate is fitted with a helmet mounted camera that allows the viewer a great perspective the ride.

Nyls & Kate: The Fork Advanced from Kate Samuels on Vimeo.

Kate Samuels In 2009 had the honor of being named the Young Adult Intermediate Rider of the year, as well as being listed in the Developing Riders program for the past three years. Kate is currently seeking students in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, as well as pursuing both corporate and private sponsorship in her journey towards Olympic competition.

To learn more about KateSamuels and Nyls, visit www.katesamuels.com

Gwendolyn Shearman •

The walls of Anna Banana’s colorful studio are lined with the artwork of famous and influential artists alongside mini replicas crafted by the small hands of her students.

Georgetown’s newest arts and craft studio opened Jan. 7 and provides hands-on art lessons for children ages 2-8 taught by owner Anne Freeman.?“I was an art dealer for 20 years, but I really wanted to find something that would marry my love of art with my desire to teach,” said Freeman.

Before opening Anna Banana’s Arts and Crafts on S Street, the enthusiastic Freeman taught art privately for two years and was also the instructor at the Art Resource Program at Chevy Chase Bethesda Community Children’s Center and at the Art Resource Unit at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church Nursery School.

Each class begins with a short lesson about a different artist and the importance of their work. Then, Freeman allows her students to recreate the artist’s work using their own imagination.

For example, students learn about Josef Albers, the German artist known for his color experiments, or Alexander Calder, the American sculptor famous for his mobiles, and get to recreate those experiments using colors and shapes of their choice.

“I try to keep it simple. I don’t overwhelm them with information. I give them an idea, I show them examples, and I have them go at it. It’s supposed to be fun, but educational at the same time,” said Freeman.

The small classes of up to ten students are also introduced to the basics of art, like color combinations, the color wheel, and dimensions, through the use of different materials and tech- niques, such as clay, watercolors, and paper pulp. Students also create seasonal crafts, such as Valentines for their parents.

When Freeman decided to expand her private business, she was excited to find the Georgetown location, “I’ve worked and lived in this area for a long time and when I saw the space, I had to have it” said Freeman of her S Street location. “It’s just a great place. Parents can go get coffee or go for a walk during class. So, it can give them a little break.”

The arts center also hosts birthday parties for small groups including a craft project and games, as well as drop in hours on the first and third Saturday of every month, with register required 24 hours in advance.

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts is gearing up for its spring session, beginning March 18, well as a day camp during the summer months. Sessions are offered in 10-week increments.

The summer day camp, running in June and July, will provide children with a morning lesson and an afternoon at the nearby park.

For more information, or to register, visit (www.annabananaartsandcrafts.com)[http://www.annabananaartsandcrafts.com]
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