We have had a busy winter. The Skipjack Art Studios at 329 Cannon St Chestertown MD has undergone some substantial changes.
Dream Castle Quilt Studio (my working studio) has moved back up to the second floor. It will hold all of my fabric and standard sewing machines. There is also great open space for classes.
Tom Dietz Photography has migrated back upstairs and he is hanging his wonderful photos there for all to view.
The lower level will house the new Skipjack Gallery of Fiber Arts. This is a beautiful open space waiting for some great local Fiber Art! For information on how to join contact Betty at dreamcastlequiltstudio@gmail.com
The long arm will remain in the lower level for demos and so visitors can watch me work on my quilts.
The lobby area of the building will house our special exhibits and featured artists. Our first show will be an exhibit by some students at Washington College. Keep your eyes open for more information on this show.
One more piece of exciting news, Brian’s Best Pastries has expanded into the front of the building with a larger kitchen. Breakfast and lunch will be served in addition to his traditional pastry selection.The name will change to Brian’s Best Cafe and Pastries. Plans are being made for music nights with small plates offered.
I have had some time to quilt this is my most recent quilt made from Kaffe Fasset fabrics.
If you’re in town we welcome you to stop by and see the work in progress!
The Studio will be closed next week through the Thanksgiving break, as I am traveling. Then I’ll be spending Thanksgiving at our newly restored 1869 home in Chestertown.
We will be open on November 29th for Chestertown Art Walk.
The Skipjack Art Studios and Dream Castle Quilt Studio will be open this weekend. We have seven artists in the building with demos in knitting,weaving, quilting, and fine art.
A collection of Mini Quilts made by members of Olde Kent Quilters Guild are available for $30.00 with proceeds going to our charity outreach.
In addition Brian’s Best Pastries will be open and serving smoked Italian Sausage sandwiches along with his wonderful pastries.https://briansbestpastries.com/
This is Sultana DownRigging Weekend. After today’s rain the weather is supposed to be wonderful.
The Annual Chestertown RiverArts Studio Tour will take place this year on October 18-19, October 25-26 and November 1-2.
Don’t miss this free, self-guided tour with the opportunity to meet over 30 artists in their own studios. You’ll be able to observe them working in a broad range of media including painting, photography, printmaking, jewelry, pottery, glass, metal, wood, and fiber. Start at the Chestertown RiverArts Gallery at 343 High Street in Chestertown, MD, pick up a brochure that includes a map to guide you to each studio. In addition, be sure to peek in the windows of many downtown locations, where you will find some of their works on display.
RiverArts would like to welcome Mary Faulkner to the Tour this year. She has sold her work at the Chestertown Farmer’s market for the past 4 years, where she is known for her jewelry and sculptures. She majored in Art Therapy in college and went on to a career working in graphic art. Lately she has picked up her brushes, inspired by the local scenery and beaches she has begun to paint again. She has an adorable Art Studio called Falling Branches in an idyllic setting in Tolchester, be sure to visit.
Mary Faulkner and her friend Sydney Brookes at Falling Branches Studio
The Skipjack Art Studios located at 329 Cannon Street houses a wonderful collection of artists. Upon entering through the blue doors in the alleyway, your senses will first be greeted by the wonderful smells of the cinnamon buns and fresh croissants made daily by culinary artist Charles Bennett owner of Brian’s Best Pastries. Looking around you’ll be captivated by the wildlife and water scenes depicted in the photos displayed by owner, Thomas Dietz. Ask him about his award winning photos.
Staying on the first floor visit Dream Castle Quilt Studio, owner and Art Quilter Betty Tucker Dietz creates everything from masterful full size quilts to artful wall hangings.
She is joined this year by Master Knitter Sue Wright and Weaver Lesley Campana who will have many of their works on display. All three fiber artists are experienced teachers and offer classes, they will be providing daily demonstrations making this your best place to learn more about the world of fiber Art. Don’t miss the stairway to the second floor where you will be delighted to find another one of our local Artists, Ted Ramsey. He works in ink, watercolors, graphite, alabaster, acrylics, and oils and describes his work as tending toward Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.
One of our featured artists this year is Sue Wright, shown here with her student Anya Orr, an 7th grader at Radcliffe.
You can find more information about the Studio Tour and Tour Artists at our website, www.ctownra.org.
Just back from a wonderful vacation trip to the Dalmatian Coast and Barcelona.
Lots of castles ,churches, history and Gaudi
Back to quilting…
Sundays September 7&14, 1-4PM
$60.00 + Supplies
Level: advanced beginner
In this class you will learn how to foundation piece and how to machine applique. It’s a great class to learn TWO new techniques while you finish this beautiful wall hanging.
Meetings will be held every THIRD FRIDAY from 10-12 at Chestertown Rivers Arts. 343 High Street.
Our first meeting will be on September 19, 2025.
Free to members of Chestertown River Arts, all others pay $10.00 per session.
This group is open to anyone who plays with fibers and threads. No need to sign-up, just bring whatever you are working on. Group discussions and demos will be led by Betty Tucker Dietz of Dream Castle Quilt Studio.
Our Queen Street house is not yet finished, so our furnishings are in storage and we are living out of boxes and suitcases until we can move in.
But I am getting more time to work.
Jacket Jazz Jacket
My current project… finishing this UFO from the 90’s in time for the Wearables exhibit at Chestertown River Arts in August.
I am hosting a class called Wonderful Wearables on Friday, June 20 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Dream Castle Quilt Studio. Sign ups being processed through the Chestertown River Arts Website.
Dream Castle Quilt Studio 