Child's Play: 'Camera's Muse' at Mitchell Gallery

"The Camera's Muse: Photographic Portraits from the Collection of Robert M. Infarinato" - 40 black-and-white portraits, many by acclaimed photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Arnold Newman, Ansel Adams, Alfred Eisenstaedt and Ruth Bernhard - is on view starting Nov. 1 at the Mitchell Gallery at St. John's College.

An interpretative reading, opening reception and family program will be held Nov. 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. with an exhibit-related presentation by Annapolis actor, writer and musician Tim King and musician John Starr. From 3:30 to 5 p.m., art educator Lucinda Edinberg and collector Robert Infarinato will co-lead a tour of the exhibit, which will be followed by a hands-on workshop.

Infarinato began collecting photographic portraits in 1984. His personal collection now consists of some 200 portraits and includes many of well-known artists such as Duke Ellington, Pablo Picasso, Carl Sandburg, Georgia O'Keefe and Alberto Giacometti.

His collection includes portraits that capture well-known artists in private moments. For instance, Infarinato describes one of his numerous jazz portraits: "Duke Ellington is seated on a piano bench in his dressing room, looking away from the piano and music. There's a closet full of suits, his desk is covered with his personal effects, a tie hanging down a lamp, and things are all over the place. This is his space. He is taking a moment to smile for someone who is in his dressing room. He's all about the music ...

He'd take a piece of new music on to the stage and say, 'OK let's play it.' This image evokes him and his world."

Another photo, of Alberto Giacometti taken by his good friend Henri Cartier-Bresson, shows a gallery space. "There are two statues of human figures: the one on the left is bent. The one on the right in the back is totally erect. Giacometti is walking between them, carrying another statue.

He is bent over, with a cigarette in his mouth, in a similar stance to the statue on the left. This is a man in his milieu. He is not working on a sculpture. He is a sculpture."

When describing his collection Infarinato says, "These are 'situational photos' ... I look for something that reflects some aspect of the person, more than a headshot. I look for context. It doesn't matter if the person is famous or not famous. The person in the photo may be unknown and the photographer may be a great. Or perhaps the image itself is well-known and the subject is not recognized, and may never be seen again. In the fabric of life the subject wouldn't stand out, but as a portrait it does."

The exhibit is on view through Dec. 17.

The Mitchell Gallery is at 60 College Ave. in Annapolis. For info, call 410-626-2556.

Haunted libraries

The following branches of the Anne Arundel County Public Library have special Halloween activities planned. For info, visit www.aacpl.net.

* Eastport-Annapolis Neck - Boo! Halloween celebration, 10 a.m. Oct. 31. Come in costume. For pre-K though grade 3. 269 Hillsmere Drive. 410-222-1770.
* Broadneck - Monster Bash, 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29. Creepy crafts and ghastly games. Costumes welcome. For kindergarten though grade 5. 1275 Green Holly Drive. 410-222-1905.
*Severna Park - Halloween Extravaganza, 10 a.m. Oct. 30 and 31. Preschoolers can dress in costume for stories, songs and a boo-rific parade. 45 McKinsey Road. 410-222-6290.

Halloween party

The Annapolis Recreation Center will host a Halloween party and costume contest from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 30 at the center, 9 St. Mary's St.

This event includes games, crafts, a costume contest and refreshments. The cost is $5 for ages 18 months to 5 years.

For info or to register, call 410-263-7958 or visit www.annapolis.gov/recreation.

Halloween fun

Arundel Mills will offer little ghouls and goblins a safe place to haunt this Halloween as the Simon Kidgits Club and Oriental Trading present a Halloween
Boo-Bash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31.

From costume contests to trick-or-treating, kids can join in all the frightfully fun activities for Halloween in a safe, climate-controlled environment.

In addition to collecting Halloween treats, kids can pick up coloring sheets from "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," as well as Halloween bags and My Little Pony stickers. Title sponsor Oriental Trading Company will also provide valuable coupons to make Halloween extra fun this fall.

The event kicks off with a safety fair from 10 a.m. to noon. Families can then participate in the annual costume contest for children ages newborn to 12. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, cutest and most creative costumes in several age divisions. Simon Kidgits Club activities will take place throughout the event with trick-or-treating at participating stores from 2 to 3 p.m. while supplies last.

Arundel Mills asks every Halloween Boo Bash participant to help "Scare Away Hunger" by bringing a canned or non-perishable food donation to benefit the Food Bank of Maryland. Donation bins will be located in the Food Court and at the Guest Services Center. Also located in the Food Court is the Pumpkin Patch featuring 75 pumpkins decorated by participating stores and restaurants. Customers can vote for their favorite.

For information, visit the mall's Web site, www.arundelmills.com.

Halloween parade

The Crofton Kiwanis Club will hold its 33rd annual Halloween parade at 11 a.m. Oct. 31.

The parade will assemble between 10 and 11 a.m. at Crofton Woods Elementary School, 1750 Urby Drive. Registration for children in costumes is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church's parking lot, 1657 Crofton Parkway. The parade continues on Crofton Parkway and ends at Crofton Elementary School, 1405 Duke of Kent St.

Refreshments will be served and prizes awarded following the parade, which will be held rain or shine.

Visit www.croftonkiwanis.org/paradepage.html for info.

Spooky Science

Check out some Spooky Science from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. in Baltimore.

Come in costume to help mad scientist Professor Schmartkopf get his rocket to the moon and learn about all six different kinds of simple machines. Also, make ghoulish ghosts and and slimy magic potions. Free with regular admission starting at $14.95; $10.95 for ages 3 to 12.

Visit www.marylandsciencecenter.org.

Villain turned heroine

"Medusa's Daughter: Today's Heroine in Graphic Novels" is the topic of a lecture from 3 to 4 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.

Author Jonathon Scott Fuqua and artist/graphic novel illustrator Steven Parke will discuss "Medusa's Daughter." Designed and published simultaneously as a novel, graphic novel and book for children with learning challenges, the narrative features a teenage girl -- a 1970s version of the Greek villain, Medusa -- shackled in servitude in a sideshow.

A reception and book-signing follow.

Cost is $10; $5 for students. Student-priced tickets may be purchased over the phone at 410-547-9000 ext. 238 or at the Will Call station the day of the event.

The Walters is at 600 N. Charles St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission to the museum is free.

For more information, visit www.thewalters.org.