Events

Appalachian Fall showcases the evocative works of Jack McMichael (Michael) Martin, an Appalachian artist whose drawings and poetry capture the essence of life in the mountains from 1968 to 1998. This exhibition pairs framed drawings with deeply personal poetry, offering an intimate look at the rugged beauty and daily struggles of mountain life. Accompanied by an original soundtrack by Alex Martin, Appalachian Fall immerses visitors in the sounds and visuals that shaped Martin’s artistic journey, transporting them to a place where time moves slowly, but every detail of life is deeply felt.

* This exhibition runs Sep. 13–Nov. 2, with a public reception on Fri., Sep. 19. *

Jill McCarthy Stauffer’s work explores the transmutation of natural spaces through memory, metaphor, and digital processes. In coastal ecologies, Stauffer sees metaphors for transformation, growth, cycles of death, and the hope for restoration. At the core is a sense of anticipatory grief and fear for a future in which natural spaces are primarily experienced through digital media.

* This exhibition runs Sep. 1–Oct. 15, with a public reception on Sun., Sep. 14. *

Francisco Loza is a Mexican artist based in Baltimore, MD. He creates complex estambre (yarn) and chaquira (beads) on wood surfaces that he covers with two types of wax and onto which he presses, cuts, and shapes brightly colored threads or beads, one by one, into intricate and complex designs. His works reflect many themes, including nature, climate, Mexican traditions, immigration, and the abstract.

* This exhibition runs Sep. 11–Nov. 2, with a public reception on Fri., Sep. 19. *

This first-ever survey of female visual artists in the greater Washington, D.C., capital region is staged across multiple District, Maryland, and Virginia venues. Curated by artist and activist Florencio Lennox Campello, the exhibition celebrates the power of established women artists and identifies emerging new talents working in this culturally and ethnically diverse region.

* This exhibition runs Sep. 6–Oct. 5, with a public reception on Fri., Sep. 19. *

Inspired by nature and classical Indian mythology, Sushama Parikh uses clay, terra cotta, ceramics, and batik to depict various members of the animal kingdom and the human form. She graduated from art school in Mumbai, did her postgraduate studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and has been a practicing artist for more than 50 years.

* This exhibition runs Sep. 22–Nov. 1, with a public reception on Sat., Sep. 27. *

To the Core is a dual exhibition featuring former Artomatic president and installation artist Veronica Szalus, alongside Colombian-born MICA graduate and figurative painter Lillian Jacobson. This exhibition explores the concept of being “to the core,” whether through personal identity, storytelling, or individual beliefs. To Jacobson, it means to explore a feeling of belonging within a culture and growing up amongst an ethnicity vastly different from her own. Additionally, the show examines our interconnected relationship to our communities through consumption and conservation, sparking conversations about the far-ranging benefits of repurposing materials, both individually and collectively, to address local and global environmental challenges.

* This exhibition runs Oct. 11–Nov. 4, with a public reception on Sun., Oct. 19. *

Nikki Brooks’ immersive installation explores the deep connections between music, history, and nostalgia. Each piece reflects a personal experience or influential figure, inviting viewers into a space where memory and meaning converge. These works are designed to spark conversation, evoke nostalgia, and encourage reflection on shared human experiences.

* This exhibition runs Nov. 10, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026, with a public reception on Thu., Nov. 20. *

Artist Caroline Mackinnon explores our place in the cosmos using various materials, including ceramic sculpture and embroidery, gouache, acrylic paint, and ink. Crystal raindrops glimmer and plunge. Vibrant fogs lift, revealing undulating chasms and teeming oceans. Celestial bodies hang in a tense atmosphere. The moment is past, present, and future. The place is everywhere.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from November 10, 2025-January 4, 2026 and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

* This exhibition runs Nov. 17, 2025–Jan. 10, 2026, with a public reception on Sat., Nov. 22. *

Harmony Hall’s talented art students and instructors—spanning various ages, experience levels, and artistic disciplines—will showcase their creativity in this vibrant, multidisciplinary exhibition. The Main Gallery will feature diverse works, from watercolor and acrylic paintings that evolve from initial sketches to final works. Additionally, hand-built, wheel-thrown, and Japanese Raku ceramics will be showcased. This exhibition celebrates the dedication and artistic growth of more than 20 artists and their instructors, offering a diverse display of their hard work and passion.

A Brazilian vocalist known for bringing the soul of Brazilian music to audiences worldwide. She has performed at major venues, including opening for Diana Ross and presenting tributes to Antonio Carlos Jobim.

* This exhibition runs Nov. 8, 2025–Jan. 3, 2026, with a public reception on Sat., Dec. 6. *

The 37th Annual Prince George’s County Juried Exhibition draws on the vast corps of visual artists who live, work, attend college, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County. The exhibition fosters an inclusive, community spirit among the participating artists and showcases their varied talents, skills, and diverse media uses.

Celebrate the arts and the holidays at Montpelier Arts Center! Meet our talented resident artists and join them for demonstrations and artist talks in their studios. Visit exhibitions in our three galleries and enjoy our receptions for photographer Berchel Douglas and resident artist David Brosch. Groove to live music, make a holiday craft, and celebrate the season with your family and friends!

Berchel Douglas celebrates the diversity and creativity of Washington, D.C., through street photography and portraiture, focusing on friends, local creatives, business owners, and fellow artists. Together, the images are a tribute to the spirit of community, highlighting the complexity of urban life through stories that often go unnoticed but are vital to the city’s identity.

* This exhibition runs Nov. 11–Dec. 14, with a public reception on Sun., Dec. 14. *

Painter and printmaker David Brosch lived in Maryland for decades and raised his family in Prince George’s County. He takes inspiration from his surroundings for the works in this latest exhibition, featuring oil paintings, prints, and drawings. The landscapes in this show include representations of both natural and urban areas.

* This exhibition runs Dec. 20, 2025–Jan. 25, 2026, with a public reception on Sun., Jan. 11. *

Michael G. Stewart has always looked at the world in his off-kilter way, and this show presents his unique “Inner Visions.” Rooted in the real, but bordered by the decidedly surreal, Michael’s art is whimsical, weird, and sometimes unnerving. Be his guest as he passes through a slightly cracked lens into a landscape both familiar and out of this world.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 19–Mar. 8, with a public reception on Thu., Jan. 29. *

American Dreaming is a poignant exploration of the complex interplay between pursuing financial freedom and the Black experience in America. This series delves into the nuanced relationship between aspiration and the systemic barriers that persist within our society, particularly emphasizing the American lottery system as a symbol of hope in the Black community.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from Janury 19-March 8, 2026, and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 26–Mar. 7, with a public reception on Sun., Feb. 1. *

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Black History Program returns to Harmony Hall Arts Center with its annual exhibition. For close to 45 years, the Black History Program has worked to preserve, honor, and celebrate Prince George’s County’s rich African American Heritage. The annual exhibition is part of this tradition. Explore stories from our county’s past that highlight the challenges and triumphs of the African American community.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 14–Mar. 1, with a public reception on Fri., Feb. 20. *

Celebrate Black History Month with Montpelier Arts Center! This annual exhibition shows the diverse talents of regional artists. Featured artwork will highlight African Americans’ lives, stories, and experiences through painting, drawing, photography, and more.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 13–Mar. 1, with a public reception on Fri., Feb. 20. *

Emily Springer’s sewn tapestries create a space for reflection and conversation about cultural identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling through art. The pieces depict compositions highlighting the generational bonds between Black women. Through their intricate craftsmanship, they are an ode to the historical practice of quilting and its significance to Black culture.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 31–Mar. 8, with a public reception on Fri., Feb. 20. *

Primarily an oil painter, Patricia Phillips Bowden discovered a renewed interest in exploring paper, collage, and mixed media during the pandemic. She finds beauty in the old, the worn, and the rusty, and hopes to capture that elegance in her work. As an artist, she strives to maintain a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity toward this fascinating place we call Earth.

* This exhibition runs Mar. 12–May 2, with a public reception on Sat., Mar. 14. *

Amanda Spaid was inspired during the pandemic to focus on hyper-local subjects, creating detailed drawings of birds in the D.C. area. She hopes that slowing down and examining what’s happening to the planet, not just on a global level, but literally in our backyards, will inspire people to make decisions that benefit all locals — humans and birds alike.

* This exhibition runs Mar. 14–Apr. 12, with a public reception on Sat., Mar. 14. *

With pottery, there is a repetition to the craft, whether through the process, with the result, or both. In the work for this exhibition, Chris Kirages will explore and build two-dimensional imagery through the repetition of handmade clay objects arranged near others of similar size but varying in color, value, and tone, to create a ceramic wall painting.

* This exhibition runs Mar. 7–Apr. 12, with a public reception and awards ceremony on Sat., Mar. 21. *

Montpelier Arts Center strives to foster a positive, creative environment where young and emerging artists realize their full potential. Now in its 14th year, this annual exhibition spotlights the talents of visual artists ages 13-19 from the Washington, D.C., area. The juror awards prizes based on artistic excellence, with cash prizes for first, second, and third place. Beginning in winter 2025, interested teens may submit work online for consideration at MontpelierArtsCenter.submittable.com.

* This exhibition runs Mar. 23–May 17, with a public reception on Thu., Apr. 2. *

Roxana is a collage artist fascinated by the art of collage. She uses snippets of magazine paper, fabric, photographs, pencil drawings, raw pigments, and anything that enriches the texture and color of her images. Her goal is for each of her art pieces to awaken feelings in the viewer. Consolation, love, festivity, protection, happiness, innocence, and solitude are words that she has heard others use to describe her collages.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from March 23-May 17, 2026, and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

* This exhibition runs Apr. 18–May 31, with a public reception and awards ceremony on Sun., May 3. *

This annual exhibition, organized by the Laurel Art Guild, is juried by a regional professional and shows works by artists ages 18 and older in the Washington, D.C., area. The exhibit includes paintings, drawings, photographs, wall-hung sculptures, collages, and more. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place, along with three merit awards. Get involved and enjoy the support and camaraderie of your fellow local artists — more information is available at laurelartguild.org.

* This exhibition runs Apr. 18–May 17, with a public reception on Sun., May 3. *

Ceramic is clay from the earth plus fire, colored with minerals ranging from common iron oxide to gold and silver. Linda Bernard will explore forms, images, and colors that reflect our beautiful Earth. She hopes they may inspire us with fire in our hearts to take care of our amazing home and its people.

* This exhibition runs Jun. 12–Aug. 2, with a public reception on Fri., Jun. 12 and an artist talk/luncheon on Fri., Jun. 19. *

For 45 years, the Montpelier Arts Center has been proud to showcase the work of sculptors from throughout the region. The 45th annual Invitational Sculpture Exhibition will take place in the Main Gallery. To register for the Artist Talk/Luncheon, please email MontpelierArts@pgparks.com or call 301-377-7800 by Fri., Jun. 5, 2026.

* This exhibition runs May 9–Jun. 21, with a public reception on Fri., Jun. 12. *

Rashid Cornish explores the profound relationship between the natural world and spirituality through the delicate medium of pastel painting. The collection invites viewers to experience nature as an environment and a living, breathing entity with spiritual significance and a connection to something greater in the cosmos.

* This exhibition runs May 23–Jun. 21, with a public reception on Fri., Jun. 12. *

Melissa Burley combines reclaimed and found objects from the past to create illuminated sculptures that may include glass, test tubes, furniture parts, clocks, bicycle components, and resin. She sees the primary focus of her work as bringing life back into the things people once cherished and utilized, thereby communicating a strong sense of the past.

* This exhibition runs Jun. 8–Jul. 26, with a public reception on Thu., Jun. 18. *

Rosana is an Argentinian artist that explores Surrealism. She sees the universe as a powerful, vivid place of continual transformation, and her works attempt to capture glimpses of it. Every brushstroke, color, and shape gives insight into her heart and is a window to her soul.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from June 8-July 26, 2026, and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

* This exhibition runs Jun. 12–Aug. 2, with a public reception on Fri., Jun. 12 and an artist talk/luncheon on Fri., Jun. 19. *

For 45 years, the Montpelier Arts Center has been proud to showcase the work of sculptors from throughout the region. The 45th annual Invitational Sculpture Exhibition will take place in the Main Gallery. To register for the Artist Talk/Luncheon, please email MontpelierArts@pgparks.com or call 301-377-7800 by Fri., Jun. 5, 2026.

* This exhibition runs Jun. 27–Aug. 8, with a public reception on Sat., Jul. 11. *

Aaron Oldenburg creates artworks using game engines, coding languages, 2D and 3D digital art creation software, and audio sampling. This exhibition is a series of procedural software works, including interactive virtual reality, that deal with memory, climate instability, and bodily de/re-composition. Prints of screenshots taken from them accompany the works.

* This exhibition runs Jun. 27–Aug. 2, with a public reception on Sat., Jul. 11. *

This exhibition will showcase work by Montpelier Arts Center’s visiting resident artist, who has been busy all year creating one-of-a-kind pieces. The Arts Center’s one-year artist residency is a juried competition, allowing artists to join the resident artist community and conclude their residency with an exhibition.