***NEWS RELEASE***
STEVENSVILLE— Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS) is thrilled to announce that Mrs. Andrea Schulte’s talented student artists from Kent Island High School (KIHS) captured all four finalist spots in the visual art category of the esteemed Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards, presented by Poe Baltimore. This prestigious competition celebrates a new generation of artists inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s life and works, honoring creativity in media, art, performance, and writing.
The awards ceremony took place at the beautifully mysterious Westminster Hall & Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland—an iconic “Poe Place.” The evening included a catacomb tour and a thrilling murder mystery event to commemorate what would have been Poe’s 216th birthday.
Among the incredible KIHS student finalists, that included senior Brooke Register, junior Alexis Detamore, junior Grace Hartlove, and senior Mark Monroe, who claimed the top honor with a stunning mixed media piece, “No Pain; I Am Done,” inspired by Poe’s chilling tale The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.
Mrs. Schulte, Art Department Chair at KIHS and 2023 QACPS Teacher of the Year shared, “Mark was awarded $1,879 and a commemorative plaque in recognition of this achievement. We had a fabulous evening!”
The Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards are named for the periodical that famously launched Edgar Allan Poe’s literary career. Poe won the original award for his short story “MS Found in a Bottle” while residing in Baltimore. Today, the awards recognize works that adapt Poe’s life or writings and original works inspired by his legacy, continuing to celebrate his profound influence on the arts and literature worldwide.
Michael Bell, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, shared, “We couldn’t be prouder of these students. Capturing all four finalist spots and earning this recognition is a testament to their creativity and dedication. Mrs. Schulte’s artists continue to excel at the local, state, and national levels. I’m excited to see their works showcased at ArtScene 2025 on May 1st!”
The Saturday Visiter Awards are presented annually during the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards in Baltimore, Maryland, which highlights Poe-inspired works from across the globe. For more information about the Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards, visit Poe Baltimore’s YouTube channel.
Download a PDF copy of the news release here.