News Release

Annapolis Maritime Museum / 723 Second St / Annapolis, MD 21403
Contact: Jeff Holland / 410-295-0104

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 26, 2010

Annapolis Maritime Museum presents the Art of Philip Steel

Maritime artist Philip S. Steel has been referred to as a renaissance man because he is also an architect, sailor, pianist and concertina player. Visitors can meet the artist and see his dramatic water colors of working the waters of the Bay at an opening reception on Friday, April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.

Last fall, Steel’s paintings of Tangier Island worked as the settings for a once-act play by Eastern Shore author Roger Vaughan that debuted at the Museum called “Fishing Gone.” The play reflects the challenges of Chesapeake Bay watermen. Steel has also partnered with other authors on plays that capture the lives of working fishermen and lobstermen of the East Coast, “Net Loss” about the challenges of Florida’s fishermen, and “A Green Sky” about Maine’s lobstermen. Paintings from all three of these performance/art projects will be included in an exhibit that runs throughout the month of May in the Bay Room Gallery in the Museum’s newly renovated McNasby Oyster Co. building. The Museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Admission is free.

“Much of Steel’s subject matter reflects his love of the sea and the people whose lives are affected by it,” explains the Museum’s art exhibit coordinator, Viola McAfee. “To paint the excitement, speed and grace of sailing craft as they move through the water represents a formidable challenge. Phil’s ability to capture the power and excitement of the wind and waves, ever changing play of light and tension in sails, rigging and crew is unique. His portraiture of those dedicated to earning their living from the waters is captivating.”

Steel has been teaching watercolor at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida for more than 15 years and many of his students have become professional artists. He’s also taught workshops in Italy, France, Scotland, and each summer in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

Steel will conduct a three-day workshop “Expressing Your Passion in Watercolor” in conjunction with his show. Workshop dates are Sunday, May 2, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Monday, May 3, from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Tuesday, May 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost of the entire three-day workshop is $175.  Steel works individually with each student and will teach techniques that will lead to new levels of expression.

For more information, plus parking and directions, call 410-295-0104 or log on to www.amaritime.org.

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