SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Art exhibit honors Hagerstown baseball

Published on March 31, 2005 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Washington County Arts Council and the Hagerstown Suns baseball team are pleased to announce a special exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in honor of the Suns' 25th season in Hagerstown and the nearly century of professional baseball in Hagerstown. The exhibition and its related programs have been generously sponsored by Ruth Ann and Art Callaham, the [Hagerstown - Washington County] Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Council and the Museum of Fine Arts. We are grateful to them for making these events possible. Admission to the Museum and all of its programs is free. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday 1 to 5 PM.

This event marks an unprecedented partnership of three venerable Washington County institutions. The invitational exhibition, curated by Kevin Moriarty, Executive Director of the Arts Council, asks artists from the region to visually interpret the importance of baseball to American society, in general, and to the local community, specifically. Artists include: Francisco Amaya, Jeff Bohlander, Joan Bontempo, Steven Dobbin, Ski Holms, Rachel Rotenberg, Diana Suttenfield, Sarah Woods and David Zimmerman. The Great American Pastime will be rendered in a variety of styles and materials, including paintings, sculpture, drawings and mixed media.

One section of the exhibition will include archival material sketching the history of professional and semi-pro ball in the County. Old team photos and action shots, programs from the Braves and the inaugural year of the Suns (1981), tickets and other ephemera will round out this celebration.

On Sunday, April 10, at 1 PM at Municipal Stadium, the City of Hagerstown and Washington County will issue a joint proclamation declaring the 2005 baseball season as the Season of Art and Baseball, celebrating this joint venture. Also on Sunday, April 10, there will be a public reception with light refreshments from 2 to 4 PM at the Museum.

Public programs include six "Signing Saturdays" at the Museum on the Saturday morning, from 10 to 11 AM, of each home game in April and May, April 9, 23, 30, May 14, 21, 28. Three different Suns players will be at each session to sign autographs at no charge. This program is underwritten through the generosity of Ruth Ann and Art Callaham.

There will also be a "Suns Story Time" just prior to each Sunday home game (13 total), with readings by Suns players. Children from the ages of 1 to 7 are invited to attend the readings, which will take place on the playing field of Municipal Stadium. There will also be Sandlot Stories, with professional storyteller Eric Beatty from Baltimore. The locations and times will be announced. These programs are underwritten through the generosity of the Washington County Arts Council.

Mr. Moriarty observed, "It is not just a lively art scene, an excellent symphony orchestra and a world-class museum that makes Hagerstown special; a hometown baseball team is a key ingredient that helps to bring it all together."

Joseph Ruzicka, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, added, "Baseball is such an integral part of the history of our community. There have been teams and leagues throughout the region. The Museum is committed to more programming that discusses the intellectual life and culture of this area. We hope to attract new audiences who will then realize what a special community resource is here for them."

Kurt Landes, General Manager of the Suns, noted, "This exhibit is a great kickoff to the Suns' 25th Anniversary season and the 75th Anniversary of Municipal Stadium. Baseball and art is a great marriage, and both the Museum and Minor League Baseball represent significant quality-of-life institutions for our community. I'm thrilled that we're partnering together for the first time."

Thanks to the generosity of William and Anna Singer, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts was opened on September 16, 1931. Since then, it has been recognized as one of the finest smaller museums in the United States. Next year the Museum will celebrate its 75th anniversary of offering free art and art history classes, musical performances, engaging exhibitions and a world-renowned permanent collection to the people of Washington County and those in the tri-state region. For more information on the Museum or its anniversary, please phone (301) 739-5727 or visit www.wcmfa.org. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Hagerstown Suns, of the South Atlantic League, are the new Class A affiliate of the New York Mets. The Suns' home opener is April 7th against West Virginia, and the season runs through September 5th. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling 301.791.6266. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties. Fans can visit the Suns online, or purchase tickets, by going to www.hagerstownsuns.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from March 31, 2005


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