What’s New at the Liriodendron?

What’s New at the Liriodendron?

What’s New at the Liriodendron?

A lot!

There have been so many exciting developments and offerings at the Liriodendron over the past few months that it’s hard to keep up with all the activity!

From the September opening of our first-ever International art exhibit, to a new monthly Music at the Mansion concert series, the Liriodendron is providing our community with more opportunities to experience the warm elegance of the historic mansion like never before.

Our annual free Family Fun Day in July provided people of all ages the chance to make art of their own while enjoying refreshments and family games. Our Murder Mystery dinner in October had guests playing the new game Click! to solve a 1920s Speakeasy-themed crime.

Our current exhibit – featuring works from Bel Air’s sister city, Narva in Estonia and photos from Estonia in the early 1910s and running through November 4 – is the celebration of decades of cooperation between Maryland and Estonia. Along with the amazing art and photos, we’ve had the opportunity to learn about Estonia’s history and culture through a lecture and two documentary film screenings, and have been host to a traditional Estonian dance group and choir.

And there’s more great art to come! Our Gallery Directors are currently putting the finishing touches on our 2019 gallery season, which will feature the works of amazing local and regional artists in more frequent and varied exhibits than in years past. And, in early 2019, we will be launching a new Ask the Artist program, which will provide free hands-on demonstrations of art techniques and media for the community throughout the year.

We’ve been busy making improvements to the building and grounds, too. Four Roses Home Improvement did an amazing job repainting the mansion’s exterior this summer, with paint donated by them and by Home Depot. And MasterCare Flooring donated the refinishing of one of the gallery floors. Our hardworking staff and volunteers have kept the place looking beautiful, planting gorgeous gardens and urns, repairing our fountain, touching up paint and making repairs throughout the house, and ensuring that everything is perfect for our visitors.

Coming up, we have our popular bi-annual Book Talk on October 25 in partnership with Harford County Public Libraries, our first-ever Howl-O-Ween Canine Costume Contest on October 28, our next Music at the Mansion concert on November 11 featuring Freebo with Alice Howe, and our annual Holiday Open House on November 30 – December 2, with local art and craft vendors on our second floor (new this year!), along with the traditional greens and decorations for sale, live music, refreshments, and a visit from Santa on Saturday!

Look for even more cultural offerings and fun for all ages at the Liriodendron in 2019, including our Presidents Day Winter Walk in the Woods, Mothers Day and Fathers Day celebrations, tasting dinners, outdoor concerts, and more!

And, of course, we continue to be a premiere venue in Harford County for weddings, private celebrations, and corporate meetings and events.

Our new website is also part of this wonderful growth. I hope you’ll visit here regularly to learn more about what’s happening at the Liriodendron and how you can be a part of it all.

This exciting expansion is guided by our dedicated Board of Directors. In October, our Board President, James “Capt’n Jim” McMahan, passed the mantle of leadership of the Liriodendron Foundation to our new President, Arden McClune. We are grateful for the years of leadership Capt’n Jim provided and are happy to say he will continue to be a champion of the Liriodendron by remaining on the Board. We look forward to continued growth under Arden’s leadership!

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our volunteers and donors – people like you who provide us with the means to make sure the Liriodendron Foundation, Inc. – a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization – can continue to maintain and preserve the Liriodendron mansion, promote the legacy of Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly and his family, and provide cultural, educational, and historical activities and events to the people of our community. Thank you!!

We are especially grateful to Harford County, to Maryland State Arts Council through Harford County Cultural Arts Board, to The Town of Bel Air, and to Visit Harford! for their grant support of the Liriodendron and our cultural programs and offerings.

I look forward to sharing more updates with you. I hope you’ll stop by soon and see what’s new at the Liriodendron for yourself!

Brenna Kupferman
Business Development Director

Estonian Film Screening: To Breathe As One

Estonian Film Screening: To Breathe As One

Fri Oct 19th 7:00pm – 9:00pm
The Liriodendron Mansion502 W Gordon St, Bel Air, MD 21014, USA 
 
To Breathe As One

From September 16 through November 4, the Liriodendron Foundation is hosting “Relationships” – the first ever international art exhibit to be held at the historic Liriodendron mansion. Featuring paintings, drawings, sculptures, and textiles from artists in Bel Air’s sister city, Narva, Estonia, along with a photo exhibit and silent film depicting life in Estonia in the early 1900s, the exhibit celebrates Maryland’s deep and rich history of cooperation with Estonia.

During this time, the Liriodendron will screen two documentary films which explore the significance of music in Estonia’s identity and independence.

The second of these films – “To Breathe As One” – follows the California-based Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir as its members prepare to participate in the Estonian song festival, Laulupidu, and discover the unique role the song festival has played in Estonian history and its independence.

The film will be hosted by Slava Konovalov, Direktor of the Narva Pähklimäe Gymnasium school and former Deputy Mayor of Narva, along with members of the Bel Air – Narva Partnership Committee. Q&A will follow the film

Suggested donation $5 – Please contact info@liriodendron.com or call 410-879-4424 for more information or to reserve your seat.

https://tobreatheasone.com

This event is supported by a grant from Maryland State Arts Council through Harford County Cultural Arts Board, by a grant from Harford County, MD, and by the Town of Bel Air.