Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University

08/18/2026

29 regional artists ~ over 80 artworks submitted ~ from paintings to sculpture to fiber art to assemblages and photography, we have been truly inspired by all of the work that we have been honored to receive since the artist call for “Local Lore” began. As we move on to the jury process, we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in this process thus far. Artists will be notified on September 10th will the exhibit opening reception coming in October!

08/13/2026

Opening Tomorrow!

Grace and Glide: Elegance Carved in Wood celebrates the beauty and artistic traditions of the swan. As the exhibit centerpiece, the Masterpiece Swans of Lem Ward will be on display, in addition to work by esteemed carvers such as Oliver “Tuts” Lawson and Tan Brunet.

08/07/2026

Last night was a pretty cool time to be at the museum! Not only did we have a Crossroads Fiber Festival sponsored indigo workshop with cultural heritage artist and scholar, Kibibi Ajanku, but knit night was also happening out in the galleries and one of our members won multiple ribbons at the state fair! Thank you to all who joined us at both events and a huge thank you to Kibibi who shared her expertise, her enthusiasm, and her experiences with our community 💙

07/30/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University Juried Exhibition, “Local Lore”.
Exhibit Dates: October 23, 2026 – December 19, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026

1 Introduction & Theme: The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University invites artists from the Delmarva Peninsula to submit works for our 2026 juried exhibition, “Local Lore”. This exhibit calls on local artists to explore and interpret cultural heritage through a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, and mixed media. Featured works should reflect personal and collective stories, ancestral connections, customs, and traditions that have been passed down through generations or reimagined for contemporary audiences. By showcasing diverse perspectives and creative expressions, “Local Lore” will highlight the role of art in preserving cultural memory, fostering understanding, and strengthening connections across communities.

2 Eligibility: Open to all Delmarva artists aged 18 and older.

3 Guidelines: All work must be original, completed within the last two years, and not previously shown at MESC. No AI-generated art will be accepted.

4 Juror: In addition to the MESC curatorial team, local artist Susan Holt will serve a guest juror.

5 Process: All submissions must be sent digitally to MESC curator, Raye-Valion Gillette via email to [email protected]. Please provide high-resolution JPEG images (minimum 300 DPI) and a brief 150-word artist statement.

6 Important Dates:
Call Opens: July 2, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026
Artist Notification Date: September 10, 2026
Delivery of Accepted Work: September 22 – October 9, 2026
Opening Reception: October 23, 2026 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

7 Contact Information: For questions or additional details regarding submission specifications, please inquire via email to [email protected]

07/16/2026

We are thrilled! Press release below:

SALISBURY, MD—The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University will continue showcasing fiber art at the downtown Salisbury facility, thanks in part to a Beach to Bay Heritage Area grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority recently announced by Governor Wes Moore.

Totaling more than $38,000, the grant will support the upcoming exhibit “Fibers of Being: A Legacy Project,” featuring the documentary story quilts of Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither, a Maryland Heritage Award winner, along with an accompanying artist book and short film. Through her mixed-media quilts, the artist and educator shares autobiographical and community stories that incorporate the state’s diverse history and heritage, as well as her own life experiences in the Baltimore area.

“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Dr. Gaither back to Salisbury thanks to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority,” said Raye-Valion Gillette, Museum of Eastern Shore Culture curator and folklife specialist. “Not only does her work tell a compelling story, but it showcases the program’s philosophy of leveraging the state’s unique historical, cultural, and recreational assets in creative and compelling ways to build stronger, thriving local communities.”

In addition, a portion of the grant will support the museum’s second annual Crossroads Fiber Festival in spring 2027, following a successful inaugural event in May.

07/13/2026

The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture will be closed Tuesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 16 for exhibit installation. The museum will reopen Friday, July 17.

Thank you for your patience and we can't wait to see you all soon!

07/08/2026

We’re excited to share that An Evening of Skipjacks at the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture has been scheduled for Monday, August 24 at 6:00pm

The event will kick off with a screening of the documentary, “Voices of the Skipjack”, and joining us for the evening will be Pres Harding, grandson of legendary skipjack builder Bronza Parks. Pres will share photographs, music, sea shanties, and stories from his childhood growing up in the boatyard as “The Boy in the Boatyard.” He’ll be joined by Captains Shawn Ridgley, Wade Murphy III, and Stoney Whitelock, who will bring their own experiences and perspectives from life aboard Maryland’s historic skipjacks.

This event is an ideal seasonal kickoff for Maryland’s Skipjack Triple Crown of Racing:

September 7 — Deal Island Skipjack Blessing of the Fleet, including the Blessing of the Fleet, parade, and race beginning at 8:00 a.m.

September 13 — Skipjack Heritage Race at Sandy Point State Park, with parade and race activities beginning at 11:00 a.m.

September 26 — Choptank Classic Skipjack Race in Cambridge, with parade and race activities beginning at 10:00 a.m.

This event is free to the public and made possible by Skipjack Heritage, Inc. and the Beach to Bay Heritage Area.

07/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended Robby Chin's Gyotaku workshop last night! From pressing oyster shells to fish that Robby caught the night before, here's a few snapshots of what we got up to.

If you haven't already, give Eastern Shore Gyotaku a follow!

07/01/2026

Submissions begin tomorrow! Please read below for more information.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University Juried Exhibition, “Local Lore”.
Exhibit Dates: October 23, 2026 – December 19, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026

1 Introduction & Theme: The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University invites artists from the Delmarva Peninsula to submit works for our 2026 juried exhibition, “Local Lore”. This exhibit calls on local artists to explore and interpret cultural heritage through a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, and mixed media. Featured works should reflect personal and collective stories, ancestral connections, customs, and traditions that have been passed down through generations or reimagined for contemporary audiences. By showcasing diverse perspectives and creative expressions, “Local Lore” will highlight the role of art in preserving cultural memory, fostering understanding, and strengthening connections across communities.
2 Eligibility: Open to all Delmarva artists aged 18 and older.
3 Guidelines: All work must be original, completed within the last two years, and not previously shown at MESC. No AI-generated art will be accepted.
4 Juror: In addition to the MESC curatorial team, local artist Susan Holt will serve a guest juror.
5 Process: All submissions must be sent digitally to MESC curator, Raye-Valion Gillette via email to [email protected]. Please provide high-resolution JPEG images (minimum 300 DPI) and a brief 150-word artist statement.
6 Important Dates:
Call Opens: July 2, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026
Artist Notification Date: September 10, 2026
Delivery of Accepted Work: September 22 – October 9, 2026
Opening Reception: October 23, 2026 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

7 Contact Information: For questions or additional details regarding submission specifications, please inquire via email to [email protected]

Museum

06/28/2026

Hello, Everyone!

The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for the Fourth of July holiday.

-The Staff at MESC