HAGERSTOWN, MD – It’s more than colorful charger plates and precisely placed forks for entries in Amazing Tablescapes, rather it’s about artistic and whimsical displays.
Tablescapes are themed dinner service settings that are grand in nature and creativity. This year, there will be 16 elaborately decorated tablescapes created by area designers.
The annual fundraising event returns in-person in the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ Kaylor Atrium. A preview party will be held Thursday, February 2. Meet the designers, see the tables on view and vote for the best design. This year, there are two options for the preview event – a masked-only take-out treats reception, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and a mask-optional event from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $100 per person. Attendees are asked to register in advance by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org. Or go to https://wcmfa.org/amazing-tablescapes
Amazing Tablescapes will be on view in the atrium from February 3 through February 12. Admission is $5.
Online voting is February 3 through February 28, 2023, at the museum’s website, www.wcmfa.org.
(See the complete list of designers, themes and sponsors below).
Anyone can vote online through donations to the museum in support of their favorite table. Last year’s Amazing Tablescapes raised more than $36,000 for the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Competition for the People’s Choice Award is always heated in the final hours of the event. Don’t miss the excitement!
The People’s Choice Winner receives his/her name engraved on a trophy that is topped with a tiny gold table and chairs that is on display at the museum. They also receive a $100 gift certificate.
Support of Amazing Tablescapes is provided by Dr. Robert and Marjorie Hobbs, Blackie and Ginny Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. James N. Holzapfel, William Pitzer, Paul and Lotta Mellott, Visit Hagerstown-Washington County, MD, Roger Fairbourn, Lee and Pat Stine, Dr. and Mrs. George Manger, Charles and Cheryl Strong, Doug Mills and Beth Beckner-Mills, Dean and Ashley Notabartolo, Emmet and Mary Anne Burke.
THE ENTRIES
Amazing Tablescapes entries are:
Naomi Byler, “Valentine Evening”
Laura Chalupka, “A Homage to Marie”
Sherry Cramer, “Miss Havishman’s Wedding Breakfast”
Barbara Diefenderfer, Weaver’s Roundtable, “Holiday Fantasy”
Kandy Douglas, Vikki Beyers and Doris Hoppengardner, “Which Came First”
Cindy Downs, “Diana of the Chase”
Dayna Gregory, “Buzz Worthy”
Sarah Hall and Jamie Gruzska, “Dinner at Meret Oppenheim’s”
Hana Malone, “On Deck”
Bob Morgan, “Winter Midnight”
Barbara Pengelly, “Dinner with Poseidon”
Sukey Rankin, “Oink, Moo, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo”
Tammy Staley, “Teeny Tiny Tables”
Donna Staley, “Teddy Bear Picnic,” (this entry is online only)
Dale Stein and Dave Ryan, “A Bikini Bottom Brunch, inspired by SpongeBob the Musical”
Denny Warrenfeltz, “Church Picnic Celebrating 190 Years”
Previous People’s Choice winners are:
- 2017 — “The River” by University of Maryland-Hagerstown
(Erin Harman, Mark Halsey, Tiffany Ahalt and Barbara Rushka - 2018 — “The Selfie” by Cindy Roberts Downs
- 2019 — “Neptune’s Nuisance” by Chriss Bittle
- 2021 — “Needful Things” by Dayna Gregory
- 2022 – “The Hatter’s Tea Party” by Dayna Gregory
The event was not held in 2020.
HOW TO GET TICKETS AND VOTE
Tickets to the virtual Preview Reception cost $100. To purchase tickets to the preview reception, call Donna at 301-739-5727, or to purchase by PayPal https://wcmfa.org/amazing-tablescapes. During the reception, guests may vote on the Amazing Tablescapes entries by cash or card.
The public can vote online for the People’s Choice Awards February 3-28. Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted. The winner will be named Thursday, March 2, during a Facebook Live event. Sponsorships are still available for tables.
