HAGERSTOWN, MD – There is only one rule when it comes to decorating the tables for the museum’s fanciful and over-the-top fundraiser Amazing Tablescapes — there must be a table setting. After that, all bets are off.
The popular event returns to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts to showcase the creativity of 28 designers who will decorate 17 tables in elaborate themes.
Tablescapes will be on display in the museum’s Kaylor Atrium Tuesday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 11, during regular business hours. While the museum’s exhibitions and collection are always free, admission to Amazing Tablescapes is $10. Reservations are not required.
A special meet-the-designers reception will be Thursday, Feb. 8, 6 to 8 p.m. Cost for the reception is $100 per person. Guests will be able to view and vote on the Amazing Tablescapes, enjoy an elegant apéro dinatoire (substantial hors d’oeuvres) reception, and mingle with the designers, who will be happy to answer questions.
If you love fancy dress, the Amazing Tablescapes reception is a perfect opportunity to unleash your costume creativity. Go online to read full descriptions of each table (see the entries below) with suggestions from the designers on how to dress up to support a table. If you’re less inclined to theatricality—whatever you pull out of your closet is fine with us!
To reserve a spot, contact Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org. Or to purchase online, go to https://wcmfa.org/amazing-tablescapes/.Deadline for reservations is Feb. 1.
Designers are competing for bragging rights to be named the People’s Choice Award winner. Vote during your visit, or also online Feb. 6-29. Select your favorite designer and/or table (or support more than one!) and vote with your dollars/donations to the museum.
The People’s Choice Award winner is the table that raises the most money. The winning table will receive a $100 gift card and the designer(s) names, joins the names of past winners, on the prestigious Amazing Tablescapes trophy housed at the museum. Last year’s winner was Dayna Gregory for her entry “Buzz Worthy,” which featured a glowing bee colony. The winner will be announced in March, after online voting concludes.
Amazing Tablescapes is sponsored by Dr. Robert & Marjorie Hobbs, Sherry Cramer, Dr. George and Connie Manger, William Pitzer, Roger Fairbourn, Lee and Pat Stine, Cooling Services, Inc., The Hershey Group RBC Wealth Management, Cooling Services, Charles and Cheryl Strong, and Ted and Sandy Reeder.
2024 ENTRIES
· “Octopus Art Garden” by Hana Malone and Michelle Day
· “The Flying Boxcar—Giving Wings to Hagerstown’s Yesterday and Tomorrow” by John “Ed” Sneckenberger and Priscilla T. Matheny
· “For The Pleasure of Your Comedy, A 19th-Century Dining Disaster” by Renfrew Museum and Park by Executive Director Becky LaBarre, manager of Visitor Experiences, Steve LaBarre, and Kirsten Lamb, Visitor Experiences representative
· “The Garden Party Afterparty” by Sukey Rankin
· “At the Wise Woman’s Table” by Laura Chalupka
· “Dragon Slayers… You Missed One” by Cindy Roberts Downs
· “The Endless Table” by Sarah Wolfe
· “Our Favorite Things” by the Weavers’ Roundtable
· “Up, Up and Away: by John D. Miller, Miller Interiors, and Susan Mills
· “Prost!” by Naomi Byler
· “Dinner at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern” by Denny Warrenfeltz
· “Miss Winter’s Wild Ride” by Donna Staley and Tammy Staley
· “Ozian Elegance” by Harmony Goetz and JoDee Westfall
· “Name That Terror (A tribute to Edgar Allan Poe)” by Patricia A. Stine and Wanda Dittmann
· “A Track in Time” by Roger Fairbourn, Chris Chaney, Skyler Chaney, and Sherry Plank
· “Le Bayou du Mort Vivant” by Heather Holman
· “Reviel Papillion (Butterfly Awakening)” by Breanne M. Lamb
Online voting for People’s Choice goes live Feb. 6 at https://wcmfa.org/amazing-tablescapes/
