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Rich Smoker

Wildfowl Carver

From the beach to the bay, from the bay to the mountains, what’s not to love about Maryland? Oh so many different environments, so many different birds. For a wildfowl artist such as myself, Maryland is the promised land. With every season change comes a new and exciting array of birds for all to see. The trip begins with a step outside your door.

Maryland not only has many diverse environs, but also many diverse wildlife artists. Maryland can boast the largest wildfowl art museum in the world, as well as the largest waterfowl festival and wildfowl carving competition in the country, if not the world!

From the antique decoys that floated on the bays and rivers to the wooden wildfowl sculptures of today, all have been inspired by Maryland’s endless beauty.

Why do I love Maryland? The continuing changing kaleidoscope of birds and ideas is just one answer. If you don’t love Maryland, you will never love heaven here on earth.

Fourteen hubs of culture and creativity in Maryland have earned special recognition as “Arts & Entertainment Districts.” When you visit them, expect to be blown away by their exceptional theater, art, music, dining, and shopping. The Eastern Shore towns of Snow Hill and Elkton are the most recent additions to the list, Rich is an award-winning wildfowl carver, judge, lecturer and teacher. He has been creating birds of wood for almost 40 years. A member of the Ward Foundation Board of Directors and the Waterfowl Festival’s Hall of Fame, he creates his art on the banks of the Big Annemessex River in Marion Station.

DATE: March 16
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