Arnold resident is carving herself a niche in the local art scene

In the world of Amy Maddox, Navy midshipmen and Army cadets are mere pawns. And they're headed for battle in perpetuity on a gridiron of her making.

Ms. Maddox, 33, of Arnold, is known around town for her intricately carved chess sets depicting the annual Army-Navy football battle.

But Ms. Maddox, a college student who ultimately wants to teach art therapy, also carves competition-level birds, folk art pieces like Caribbean Santas and weathered watermen, and jewelry.

"I've been told that if I remove them from the window, people get disturbed," said Sandra Pezzoli, owner of Gallery 1683 in Annapolis,...