The 2020–2021 season was full of unexpected challenges. But while our venues closed and live indoor performances were paused, we remained committed to our mission. Virtual concerts and educational programs engaged adults and kids alike. In the fall we reopened the Mansion and activated outdoor spaces. And in summer, we created a brand-new outdoor venue to support artists and provide audiences with a comfortable return to live music.
Here are some of the artistic initiatives we’re most proud of:
Monuments took the art outdoors
The trees came alive during Monuments: Creative Forces by Australian artist Craig Walsh. The exhibition featured moving, dimensional video portraits of six artists whose work and artistic endeavors are changing the shape of our community in profound ways.
Their faces, projected onto towering trees, challenged the traditional concept of monuments to celebrate living, contributing members of our region. At a time when opportunities to engage with the arts in person were limited, Monuments provided a unique, dynamic arts experience for our community.
Support for Monuments provided by the Embassy of Australia.
Faces of poet Marjan Naderi and visual artist Terron Cooper Sorrells projected on trees.
Paper Works unfolded in the Mansion
The Mansion was our first indoor space to reopen to the public, and with it came Paper Works: The Art of Paper, an exhibition nearly two years in the making. Magazine and book pages, cardboard, wallpaper, and fine quality artist papers took center stage as artists sculpted, collaged, folded, carved, layered, and cut paper to transform the familiar material into something extraordinary.
Strathmore also presented solo shows of two local artists, fiber sculptor Shana Kohnstamm and painter Emon Surakitkoson. A virtual opening reception took visitors on a journey through the exhibitions from the comfort of their homes, while socially distanced visits provided respite.
Many thanks to our sponsors Karen Lefkowitz and Allen Neyman for helping to make Paper Works possible!
The life-size, hyperrealistic installation Charming Victorian Country Garden Retreat was made entirely of paper by artist Melinda Fabian.
Afternoon Tea transported visitors
Public, distanced events returned with one of our oldest traditions—Afternoon Tea in the Mansion. Strathmore’s Tea Room volunteers stepped up, including Zohreh “ZiZi” Jafari, a professional seamstress who handmade face masks for first responders as well as her fellow Strathmore volunteers. According to ZiZi, “this is what volunteers do. We help out when you need us.”
Strathmore volunteers and donors the D’Alessios enjoy Afternoon Tea on the Mansion’s back portico.
Artists in Residence performed, collaborated, and learned online
For the first time in the history of the program, Strathmore found itself with 2 classes of Artists in Residence concurrently! Members of our Artist in Residence classes of 2020 and 2021 performed in virtual livestreams, including a debut Fresh AIR concert for our incoming class. We welcomed them back for live performances at the Patio Stage in summer 2021.
All the while, the professional development programs and mentorship that are key to the program shifted to Zoom, and we were even able to add a special conversation with Wynton Marsalis.
Ellington Carthan and Sheyda Do’a introduce staff and donors to their music at a virtual Inside Strathmore event.
Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras students recognized
Strathmore formed a new partnership with the Silver Spring Chapter (MD) of The Links, Inc. an international nonprofit corporation of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
The partnership created scholarship awards for 2 talented young musicians studying with Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore. The gift covers tuition as well as some costs of private lessons and instruments. In July, the students and their families met the Chapter representatives and attended the Parker Quartet Patio Stage concert.
Representatives from Strathmore and The Links meet the award recipients and their families.
Museum Shop Holiday Market provided a platform for local nonprofits
A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Museum Shop Holiday Market brings together local museum and cultural shops to offer their wares to excited visitors in one convenient location. Normally housed in the Mansion, the typically packed event was shifted online to ensure our community could visit virtually and safely for some holiday cheer.
The event was even more meaningful this year, as it provided an income opportunity for participating nonprofits affected by pandemic-related closures. Patrons responded enthusiastically and happily shopped for presents with a purpose.
Patrons shopped for unique and handmade gifts and supported local arts and cultural organizations.
Ukulele programs created joy and community
It turns out the tiny instrument with a big personality is beloved in person and online. Our annual summer UkeFest went virtual, and the program’s team worked their wizardry to make the experience just as amazing for participants. It was so successful that we added a virtual Winter UkeFest and Baritone Uke Day.
Offsite, our Bloom by Strathmore beginner ukulele classes at Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center also went online, and we partnered with Carpe Diem Arts who graciously loaned free ukuleles to participants to take home.
Virtual UkeFest 2020 instructors perform in a livestreamed concert.
Spring Break Camp was reimagined
For the past decade, Strathmore has convened teaching artists, educators, and students from JoAnn Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres in Silver Spring for a week-long Spring Break Camp on Strathmore’s campus.
This year the program was reimagined in a virtual format that maintained its interactive nature, focused on exploring stories and artistic techniques—but was offered to more students, and included new, culturally diverse perspectives that reflected the backgrounds of participating students.
During Spring Break Camp students enjoyed hands-on experiences, like this mask-making project led by members of Borderlands Theater Company.
Our partnership with Step Afrika! continued in new ways
Strathmore was proud to provide commissioning support to our longtime artistic partner Step Afrika! for 2 virtual performances—STONO in September 2020 and Step Xplosion in April 2021. Audiences were dazzled by the company’s dynamic movement and storytelling, and treated to sweeping views of Strathmore’s campus in Step Xplosion.
Our Bloom by Strathmore partnership continued as well, with students in Step Up East County receiving after-school instruction from Step Afrika! online.
Step Afrika! in front of the Music Center performing Step Xplosion.
The Patio Stage welcomed audiences back to live music
In summer 2021, Strathmore committed to reopening gradually and creating an environment where as many people as possible could confidently enjoy the arts. We launched the outdoor Patio Stage to provide high quality performances for eager audiences and safe paid opportunities for artists.
Concerts kicked off with the Wynton Marsalis Septet and, due to unseasonably cold weather for spring, the show made a surprise return to the concert hall. Marsalis shared a beautiful sentiment from the stage, saying “I’m home.”
Mark G. Meadows and his band earned a standing ovation after their performance.
YOU, our community of patrons, donors, and friends, helped create these impactful programs! We are grateful for your participation—whether you tuned in virtually, came for a socially distanced visit, or made a philanthropic contribution. We head into our 2021–2022 season with great optimism and are eager to welcome you back to Strathmore.
Learn more about how you can support Strathmore.
Missed our 2019–2020 Year in Review? Check it out here!