Here's an opportunity you won't want to miss.  Click here to download flier.

The Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) is on the verge of its “Coming of Age.” Over forty years of growth and nearly two million visitors later, the public demand for activities and programs has increased beyond the capacity of the existing building. To meet the overwhelming needs of the community, the museum has launched a $2 million capital campaign to renovate and expand the exhibit building.  With strong support from the  Calvert County Government, $500,000 in private gifts will be raised to leverage $1.5 million in public monies toward the CMM Coming of Age Campaign.

“This renovation is not something that we’re doing hoping that people will come, the people are already here and we’re not able to accommodate them,” said Sherrod Sturrock, Deputy Director. The first step, as followed in the museum’s Master Plan, is to maximize the use of the existing facility and triple the useable space available for educational programming. The project will expand the mezzanine level to create three modern classrooms, including a wet lab and distance learning studio. The addition of the new Learning Center will enable staff to offer environmental education, summer science centers, internships for students, and teacher professional development. Transformation of the current auditorium into program and event space will provide an area for large school groups, a community space that can be subdivided for meetings or workshops, a banquet hall, or temporary exhibit space, and will continue to be used as a lecture hall and performance space. The project also redefines the lobby, creating a small orientation theatre behind the admissions desk, expanding the Museum Store, and creating an overall introduction to what the museum has to offer.

Founded in 1970 by volunteers determined to preserve the maritime heritage of Solomons Island, the Calvert Marine Museum currently has 2,700 members, 250 active volunteers, and an annual visitation of approximately 70,000 people from around the world.  Located near the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, CMM is ideally situated for the interpretation of its three major themes: the maritime history of Southern Maryland; the paleontology of Calvert Cliffs; and the estuarine life of the tidal Patuxent River and the adjacent Chesapeake Bay. The museum is represented on the National Register of Historic Places by the Drum Point Lighthouse, Cove Point Lighthouse, J.C. Lore Oyster House and the historic vessel Wm. B. Tennison. The J.C. Lore Oyster House and the Wm. B. Tennison are also designated as National Historic Landmarks. With over 40,000 Miocene fossils, CMM has the largest collection of marine fossils from the Miocene epoch outside of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. The thirteen-tank “Estuarium” explores the ecology of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. Last year, over 20,000 children and families were served through school fieldtrips, distance learning, summer camps, Girl Scout programs, overnights, and other extracurricular programs. The Calvert Marine Museum has achieved accreditation three times and is one of only thirteen accredited museums in Maryland. This is a true demonstration of the museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement.

Over $320,000 has been contributed by the museum’s Board of Directors and its senior staff. Please join the Calvert Marine Museum in making this vision a reality and support the Coming of Age Campaign. Gifts and pledges will be received through June 30, 2012; construction is scheduled to begin in September 2012. For more information, or to join the growing list of supporters, please contact Vanessa Gill, Development Director, at 410-326-2042, ext. 18, or email at gillvl@co.cal.md.us.

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center is  currently seeking applications from regional businesses and organizations to host a booth at the annual Halloween in the Garden. 

 Halloween in the Garden, a beloved Halloween tradition, is a no-scare, daytime, trick or treating parade, during which local businesses and organizations pass out candy or a treat to each young guest.  Taking place this year on Saturday, October 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Halloween in the Garden’s admission fee is only a $1 per guest - which will be donated to several local charities.  In addition, regional businesses and organizations that participant will have the opportunity to pass out family-friendly marketing materials to the parents. 

 “This has been a popular local event for many years.  Last year, we had over 5,000 children and adults come to our event.  This year, we anticipate that number to increase,” said Stacey Hann-Ruff, Executive Director of Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center.  “Not only is it a great charity event, but also a wonderful marketing tool for those businesses and organizations that would like to get in front of potential clients – a win-win situation for all.” 

 Participating businesses/organizations will be required to pass out treats to younger guests and are encouraged to decorate their booths and dress in costumes.  Awards will be given to those booths with the most outstanding costume and display.

 Booth applications are available now and can be downloaded from www.annmariegarden.org or by calling 410-326-4640.  The deadline to apply is October 10, 2011; however, it is advisable for businesses and organizations to apply early since applications will be processed on a first-come, first–served basis. 

 About Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, Annmarie is located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay.  The sculpture garden features a walking path that meanders through the forest, past permanent and loaned sculpture, including more than thirty works on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art.  The garden also presents a variety of award-winning special events, gallery shows, and engaging public art programs.  Annmarie’s Studio School offers creative classes for all ages and abilities taught by a talented faculty.  The garden is conveniently located just off Route 2-4, on Dowell Road in Solomons.  Annmarie is open 9am-5pm daily; the Arts Building and Gift Shop is open 10am-5pm daily.  To learn more, visit www.annmariegarden.org.