Mary and Hall Kellogg

Tilghman Island residents Mary and Hall Kellogg have played a pivotal role in expanding Plein Air Easton’s reach and legacy. Their involvement began in 2013, when they learned the festival might not award a Vanishing Landscape Prize that year due to a lack of qualifying subjects. Drawing on their deep ties to the working watermen culture of Tilghman, the Kelloggs stepped in—sponsoring the award through the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum, which they co-founded in 2008.

That single contribution evolved into something far greater. Soon after, they proposed a pre-competition paint-out on Tilghman Island, offering artists a unique place to gather, paint, and connect. With community support, they helped fund an Artists’ Choice Award and provided a warm, welcoming environment that included crab feasts, early-morning access to museum facilities, and encouragement at every turn.

Their generosity, humility, and unwavering support have helped make Tilghman Island a cherished stop for artists and collectors alike. Today, Tilghman is an official painting location within the festival, a transformation largely due to the Kelloggs’ early vision and commitment. Even in retirement, they remain actively involved in supporting artists and championing the value of preserving working waterfronts through art.

Read the announcement article in the Talbot Spy.