The Liriodendron boasts an art gallery with an amazing variety of regional talent to be showcased in 2019. Located on the second floor of the late 1800’s Georgian Revival home, the gallery is spread throughout four large rooms and has plenty of space to display framed, as well as three dimensional artwork, in each of its exhibits.
John and Terri Hardwicke, both artists in their own right, took over managing the gallery in 2018. They were both scheduled to exhibit last spring and learned of the opportunity to manage the gallery through former Liriodendron Foundation President Jim McMahan. “We were excited about the possibility of bringing shows featuring a wide variety of artists to the community,” said Terri. The couple spent the fall contacting artists they have met and whose work they have seen exhibited to let them know about the opportunities to show their work at the Liriodendron and the response has been fantastic. The 2019 season will feature approximately 40 artists, many of whom have never exhibited in Bel Air.
“The Liriodendron is a hidden gem; an exquisite, historic, well preserved mansion and the natural light from all of the upstairs windows as well as the skylight in the central hall makes a great backdrop for the gallery,” said Terri. The home served as a summer home to Dr. Howard Kelly, a founding member of the Johns Hopkins Medical College, and his wife Laetitia. It is frequently used for weddings and celebrations but also hosts a wide variety of community events both on the grounds and in the home, many of which are free to the public.
The first exhibit of the year, which runs from March 3-24, 2019, will feature Baltimore artists Leslie Schwing and Greg Fletcher, as well as the work of the late Jerry Kajetanski. As a holocaust survivor, Kajetanski’s work often depicts images of the suffering endured by Poland in World War II; Whereas Schwing and Fletcher often draw their inspiration from much closer to their home. John Chambless of the Chester County Press wrote of their recent exhibit in Oxford, Pennsylvania, that they “Look at their Baltimore home as it undergoes decay, demolition and urban renewal. The styles of the two artists complement each other, as they sometimes paint the same scene, but see it in very different ways.”
A reception for the season’s opening exhibit will be held from 1-4pm on March 3, 2019 with Schwing and Fletcher. The gallery is located in the Liriodendron at 502 West Gordon Street in Bel Air. Hours are Sundays from 1-4pm and Wednesdays from 1-7pm. There is limited parking just outside the mansion as well as ample additional parking located down the hill and accessible from Broadway. The gallery exhibits are open to the public and free of charge.
