Arts Council of Anne Arundel County

Clare's Parent & Child: Nightlights workshop
2026-05-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Saturday, 5/16, 10:00am-11:30am, Room:117A, Price: $83.00 (WS26CS16)
Together with a parent, a child will learn how to decorate and layer the art glass to form a beautiful glass nightlight. No experience necessary for this 1.5-hour class. Each person registers individually.
Teaching Artist: Clare Shepherd
(For more information, please contact the instructor at clare.p.shepherd@gmail.com)
Supplies: All supplies are provided and included within the class pricing.
Minimum Enrollment for class to run: 3

Double Exposure: Intermediate Photography
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-30 10:00 - 12:00 | ArtFarm Studios, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd. Suite 200, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Do you want to take your photography to the next level? Do you have a solid photography foundation and want to hone your craft?
Join photographer Kaitlyn McQuaid for “Double Exposure,” a 4-week digital photography workshop that will build on the foundations covered in the “First Exposure” workshop.
Primarily taking place on-location with real-time problem-solving and feedback, this workshop will cover photographing in low light, composition, using a flash, and elements of portraiture. Completion of the “First Exposure” workshop, or a solid foundational understanding of your DSLR, is required.

The Weight We Carry: Mental Health Awareness Month Exhibition
2026-05-16 10:00 - 2026-06-14 18:00 | Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Studio 194, Brooklyn Park, MD, MD, 21225, United States
Mental Health Awareness Month Group Exhibition
Hal Gomer Gallery I May 16-June 14, 2026
Reception: May 21, 2026, 6-8 pm
Complimentary drinks and light snacks will be served during the reception.
All Ages!
Free to attend
Hal Gomer Gallery
The Weight We Carry explores the complex, often unseen experiences of mental health through the lens of art. This exhibition features powerful works by artists who confront, express, and transform personal and collective struggles into visual narratives. By illuminating the challenges embedded in mental health journeys, The Weight We Carry invites us to reflect, foster empathy, and engage in conversations that reduce stigma and celebrate human strength.

African Americans in the Revolutionary War
2026-05-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Hogshead, 43 Pinkney Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Step onto Pinkney Street and meet soldiers, camp followers, and musicians and experience the Revolutionary War through living history.
Learn how African Americans served on both sides of the conflict and explore the military equipment they used.
Discover the essential roles women played in military camps and hear fife and drum music that guided troops on the battlefield.
This program highlights service in integrated units such as the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, who shaped the fight for independence.
This is a drop-in style program. Visitors may join at any time during program hours and explore at their own pace through informal interaction and demonstrations. Advance registration recommended, but not required.

Yoga in the Gallery
2026-05-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-31 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-06-07 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-06-14 09:30 - 10:30 | ArtFarm Annapolis, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd., Suite 200, Maryland, Annapolis
AND Relax… Yoga Series Sundays | 9:30 AM | AND Creative Gallery
Come as you are, leave inspired — AND Relax is your monthly gallery-inspired yoga series designed to move your body, spark your creativity, and recharge your mind. Each Sunday session blends mindful vinyasa, playful flows, and meditative stretches in the beautiful space of AND Creative Gallery, surrounded by art that inspires movement and imagination.
Once a month (last Sunday of each month), we turn up the volume on creativity with our themed flows:

AND Bend Ova – Afrobeat-inspired flow: let rhythm guide your body and loosen your edges.
AND Drop It Low – Hip-Hop / R&B flow: grounded, bold, and full of attitude.
AND Twist & Shout – Rock ‘n’ Roll yoga: energizing, dynamic, and full of power.
AND Stretch – R&B Slow It Down: deep stretch, meditative, and restorative.
AND Pop & (un)Lock – Pop music + movement yoga: playful, upbeat, and fun.
AND Chill Out – Lo-fi / Chill Hop restorative yoga: slow, restorative, and fully zen.

Whether you’re here for sweat, stretch, or stillness, AND Relax invites you to move at your own pace, explore your creativity, and connect with a community’s curious and playful minds.

Colonial Garden Party
2026-05-17 12:00 - 15:00 | William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Drop in and visit the Paca Garden, a charming respite in the heart of bustling Annapolis. On this day, you’ll encounter the colonial gentry of Annapolis enjoying a garden party at the Summer House, portrayed by the Annapolis Living Historians.
Interact with finely-dressed ladies and gentlemen as they delight in this idyllic garden setting.
Advance registration recommended; program included with admission to the Paca Garden. Please Note: This event is a living history program; food is not included, and outside food is not permitted.

Try it! Irish Dance for Teen/Adult
2026-05-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Monday, 5/18, 6:00-7:00 pm, Room 302, PRICE: $25 (WS26SC14)
Try something new! This one-time Irish dance class for teens/adults will allow students to explore the basics of Irish dance while working up a sweat and having fun! Dancers should wear comfortable athletic or dancewear, and ballet slippers or Irish dance shoes. If you have any questions regarding the class, please contact the instructor.
Instructor: Sheila Wilson
sheilamarydance@gmail.com
For registration questions, email lzetterlucas@marylandhall.org

Watercolor Pop Up Workshops (Monthly)
2026-05-18 18:00 - 20:30 | ArtFarm Annapolis, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd., Suite 200, Maryland, Annapolis
A Pop-Up Experience for Beginners and Those that want to Keep Painting
Teens and Adults are welcome!
Watercolor – 4th Mondays 6-8/8:30 pm
Discover the joy of watercolor painting in our welcoming, laid-back studio! This beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect opportunity to explore a new creative outlet with no pressure or prior experience needed, and those with experience are welcome to join us and just paint!
Each monthly pop-up workshop will focus on a different theme.
Taught by:
Lindsay: https://www.lbocraft.com/
Cat: https://justeh.com/
Em: Emilyteachesart.com
What to expect:

Demonstration and guided practice to learn essential techniques
Open studio time to experiment and create your own piece
Line drawn designs to use as guides for those of us that don’t feel comfortable drawing on our own. Please let us know if you’d like this!
Personalized support from our instructor whenever you need it – just ask!
All materials provided
A relaxed, judgment-free environment to unleash your creativity
Feel free to bring your own sips to enjoy!

Whether you want to complete a finished piece or simply play with colors and techniques, this workshop offers the freedom to explore watercolor painting at your own pace. Our experienced instructor will be available throughout to offer tips, tricks, and guidance whenever you hit a snag or want to dive deeper.

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: Mommy Time
2026-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 | William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.
Mommy Time by Monique James-Duncan
Rollicking rhyme and playful illustrations record a day in the life of two rambunctious children and their stay-at-home mother. As fun as it is being a kid, it can be hard work being a mom. When Dad heads to his job, the joyful chaos of getting ready for the day begins. To the children, that day is a happy blur of school and playdates, singing and dancing, supermarket walks and library stops, bath time, story time, bedtime. But Mommy’s time is filled with a whole lot more sweeping, laundry, stinky diapers—tiring work achieved with love in her eyes and care in her smiles. An authentic catalog of precious moments in the life of an ordinary family, this warm, revealing story builds a bridge of empathy between parent and child and celebrates the value of “Mommy time.”
Celebrate Mother’s Day in the garden! Join us for a song and a unique craft!
Advance registration required, space is limited.

Art Bar: Create, Sip + Socialize
2026-05-21 06:00 - 20:00 | ArtFarm Annapolis, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd., Suite 200, Maryland, Annapolis
Skip the Bar, Create at Art Bar!
Third Thursdays | 6-8 PM
Trade your typical night out for something extraordinary. Welcome to Art Bar – where creativity meets community in a candlelit studio that feels more lounge than classroom.
How It Works

Set the Scene: Soft candlelight transforms our studio into an intimate, lounge-like atmosphere
Choose Your Adventure: Our friendly “waitress” will visit your table with an activity menu – pick whatever speaks to you that evening
Create & Connect: Spend two blissful hours making something beautiful while enjoying great company

Menu Might Include: subject to change

Watercolor on Paper
Includes 5 medium sheets of watercolor paper and watercolor paints, blue painters tape, black sharpies
Friendship Bracelets
Includes supplies for 3 bracelets. Choose from a mix of colorful and alphabet beads. Want to level up? Choose from our premium bead selection for an additional $5.
Premium beads: pearl, wood, or stone beads.
Collage
Includes one bin of magazine pages, solid and patterned paper, 3 backing boards, 1 pair of scissors, and 1 glue stick.
Canvas Painting w/ Acrylics
Includes one 8×10 canvas, one 5×7 canvas, and a choice from 5 color palettes
Air Dry Clay or Model Magic
Includes one pound of air-dry clay (white) or model magic (multi-color), equipment, and a mini guide with 3 examples.
Perfect for:

Friend groups looking for something different
Date nights with a creative twist
Anyone wanting to unwind mid-week
Solo Adventure to meet new people through shared creativity

Why Art Bar?
Instead of another loud restaurant or crowded bar, enjoy meaningful conversation while your hands stay busy creating. It’s the social connection you crave with the satisfaction of making something uniquely yours.

Gallery Reception for The Weight We Carry: Mental Health Awareness Month Exhibition
2026-05-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Studio 194, Brooklyn Park, MD, MD, 21225, United States
Mental Health Awareness Month Group Exhibition
Hal Gomer Gallery I May 16-June 14, 2026
Reception: May 21, 2026, 6-8 pm
Complimentary drinks and light snacks will be served during the reception.
All Ages!
Free to attend
Hal Gomer Gallery
The Weight We Carry explores the complex, often unseen experiences of mental health through the lens of art. This exhibition features powerful works by artists who confront, express, and transform personal and collective struggles into visual narratives. By illuminating the challenges embedded in mental health journeys, The Weight We Carry invites us to reflect, foster empathy, and engage in conversations that reduce stigma and celebrate human strength.
Deadline for applications – Friday, March 6, 2026. For more information and where to apply, please visit our application here – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPQEEnOFqRIivZSjmrzrS35Ixlljulelyq7vjrb6ax5CEonA/viewform

Friday Night Kids Club: Pizza, Art, Games & Movies (Ages 6-10)
2026-05-22 05:30 - 20:30 | ArtFarm Annapolis, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd., Suite 200, Maryland, Annapolis
🎉 The Not Slumber Party: The Ultimate Friday Night Kid-Free Escape! 🎉
Looking for a fun, safe, and hassle-free way to enjoy a date night or mom’s night out? Look no further! The Not Slumber Party is back again this month – the perfect solution for parents who want to enjoy a Friday night out while their kids have a blast with friends.
✨ Details:

Ages: 6-10 years old
Max Kids: 12 (so your child gets plenty of attention!)

What’s Included:

🍕 Pizza, juice boxes, and snacks to fuel all the fun
🎲 A game activity table to keep little hands busy
🎨 An art station to get those creative juices flowing
🍿 A cozy movie & wind-down time to end the night just right

What to Bring:

💧 Water bottle (stay hydrated!)
Favorite games to share (Optional)
🧘‍♀️ Yoga mat, blanket, or sleeping bag to snuggle up during the movie (Optional)

✅ Drop them off in their PJs, and enjoy your night out while we handle the fun!

Clare's: Parent & Child Fused Glass Pet Portraits
2026-05-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Saturday, 5/23, 10:00am-11:30am, Room:117A, Price: $69.00 (WS26CS9)
Together with a parent, kids will draw a picture of their favorite animal or pet, then construct the same portrait on a 4-inch square tile of glass using fusible glass. Projects will require overnight firing and will be available for pick up the following week. Please bring a picture of your favorite animal or pet. Each person registers individually.
Teaching Artist: Clare Shepherd
(For more information, please contact the instructor at clare.p.shepherd@gmail.com)
Supplies: All supplies are provided and included within the class pricing.
Minimum Enrollment for class to run: 3

Paca Garden Guided Tour
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 | William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Join us for a guided garden tour of the Paca Garden, a beautifully restored colonial English garden. A knowledgeable docent will share its history from its Revolutionary beginnings during the time of William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence, to today.
Explore the two-acre terraced landscape and formal parterres, as well as the wilderness garden, kitchen and medicinal gardens, and orchard. Along the way, you’ll see features such as the fishpond and the Summerhouse folly and learn about the garden plants, wildlife, and ongoing care.
Advance registration recommended, space is limited. Walk-ins will be accommodated only as space permits.

Sketch Night 2026
2026-05-28 06:30 - 20:00, 2026-06-11 06:30 - 20:30 | ArtFarm Annapolis, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd., Suite 200, Maryland, Annapolis
Teens and Adults Welcome!
Live figure drawing meets killer playlist. A unique life drawing experience featuring models ranging from burlesque performers to professional life models, in both costume and nude.
BYO supplies. We do have drawing boards, easels, and basic drawing supplies available if you need them. Feel free to bring a snack or a drink to enjoy during the session.
Sketch Nights always start with some short warmups, then 5-10 minute sessions, and end with 20-minute drawing sessions as the model moves through a variety of poses.
New Monthly Schedule for 2026:

Second Thursdays – Themed costume sessions with creative concepts (Jan-December)
Fourth Thursdays – Dedicated nude figure drawing (January, March, May, September)

2026 Themes to Inspire You:
From “Winter Luxe” fur coats and vintage ski wear in January to “Steampunk” adventures in November, we’ve curated twelve unique themes, including Valentine’s Romance, Navy Nautical, Afrofuturism, Gothic Halloween, and Holiday Elegance. Each month brings a fresh visual story to sketch!

Greater Annapolis Ballet Presents: Playlist En Pointe
2026-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Classical ballet meets the songs you know and love. Walk the red carpet. Explore pre-show
experiences. Take your seat as GAB’s dancers bring your favorite music to life through ballet
and contemporary. Featuring live musicians, student choreography, and faculty works. Every
guest can play our song-guessing game — can you name the playlist?

When the Call Came: Civilians and the Maryland Flying Camp
2026-05-30 11:00 - 16:00 | Hogshead, 43 Pinkney Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Marylanders organized a rapid-response militia to defend liberty during the early days of the American Revolution. Known as the Maryland Flying Camp, this force was more than a military unit; it was a civilian experience that transformed daily life in 1776.
Stop by Pinkney Street to meet living historians and experience how Marylanders lived, worked, and served during a pivotal moment in the fight for independence. The war was fought not only on battlefields, but in homes, shops, taverns, and fields!
Visitors of all ages can take part in period games and a hands-on activity from the Revolutionary era.
This is a drop-in style program. Visitors may join at any time during program hours and explore at their own pace through informal interaction and demonstrations. Advance registration recommended, but not required.

Paint Annapolis
2026-05-31 - 2026-06-07 | MD
Now in our 26th year, Paint Annapolis brings over 110 artists for a week of painting out on the streets of our beautiful historic city. Paint Annapolis, hosted by MFA is a unique painting event that brings thousands of artists and art lovers to Annapolis the first week of June, and puts international professional visual artists from the US, Canada, and Europe in the streets of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
As the premier plein air painting event for this historic sailing town, Paint Annapolis is the backbone of Annapolis Arts Month – a month-long celebration of visual and performing arts.

Creative Circle - Monthly Meetup (Fall 2025)
2026-06-04 18:00 - 20:00 | ArtFarm Annapolis, 111 Chinquapin Round Rd., Suite 200, Maryland, Annapolis
Class Experience
Take some time to yourself to use your hands, create and socialize with like-minded creatives. No experience necessary – just the willingness to get out of the house, open your mind and have some fun.
Play in art and creativity is so important, this is a great way to spend at least one evening a month tapping into that part of your brain and maybe even leaving with a new skill, art piece or new friend.
The goal of this monthly gathering is to build friendships and community through art, discussion, making and experimenting.
On hand at each meetup will be Kate Thomas, a creative coach and playful artist. (www.katetheartcoach.com). Kate will open each meetup with an optional:

A juicy prompt you can sink your teeth into.
A surprise art material to give you limitations (this helps with creativity!)
A multi-level approach to help you enter into something new or find depth to something old.

Topics for Fall Semester: You also have the option to bring your own projects and stay accountable to investing in your art.
September 4 (Thursday) – Mystery Box
October 2 (Thursday) – Circular Weaving
November 6 (Thursday) – Chalk Pastel Murals
December 4 (Thursday) – Artist Trading Cards & Potluck Party
This class provides:

Access to a variety of art supplies at the studio for you to experiment with.
Ideas and feedback from other creatives.
Help working through a hang up, including the white page.

All arts are welcome, but please no oil or spray paints.

Let's Go! Music Festival
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-06 | Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, 1450 Generals Hwy, Crownsville, MD, 21032, United States
Let’s Go Music Festival is the official kickoff to summer in Maryland. Created by a brother-and-sister duo from Annapolis, Let’s Go! was built by music lovers, for music lovers — and is heading into its 6th year as one of the region’s most anticipated live-music weekends.
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Since day one, they have focused on bringing top-tier national talent to their hometown while delivering a festival experience that feels personal, intentional, and fan-first. Let’s Go offers something you rarely get with acts of this caliber: room to breathe, room to dance, and real access to the music. Whether you’re holding a GA or VIP ticket, you’re never lost in a sea of tens of thousands — and even GA fans can still get right up front at the stage (and maybe you’ll end up on stage!).
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The result is a festival that combines big-name performances with the intimacy, comfort, and community feel of a hometown event — a weekend designed to feel just as unforgettable as the music itself.

Linen and Liberty: Meet Catharine Futier
2026-06-06 11:00 - 15:00 | Hogshead, 43 Pinkney Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
It’s the spring of 1776 and the American Revolution is underway. British occupation of several colonies, combined with Congress’s non-importation policy on British goods, makes essential supplies increasingly scarce for tradespeople.
Catharine Futier, a free Black woman who earns her living as a laundress and seamstress, is among those deeply affected by these restrictions. Step into her shop and journey into the past to discover how everyday people endured hardship, adapted, and made sacrifices in support of the revolutionary cause.
This is a drop-in style program. Visitors may join at any time during program hours and explore at their own pace through informal interaction and demonstrations. Advance registration recommended, but not required.

Arts Annapolis 2026
2026-06-13 12:00 - 22:00 | 53 West Street, 53 West Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
The 2026 Arts Annapolis event is a prototype for a future multi-day annual Arts and Cultural event to come in 2028. The testival will serve as a means for artists, arts organizations, local governments, hotels and businesses to work together in developing unique Multi-Art and -Culture performances and venues that celebrate the area’s multitude of arts and cultures. The event will include all formal practices of art, culture, music and entertainment.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. We are seeking visual and performing artists, including street entertainers and buskers as well as arts organizations to help create this future event please apply.

Queer Annapolis: A Historical Walking Tour of Love, Resistance, and Community
2026-06-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Museum of Historic Annapolis, 99 Main Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Long before the Stonewall Uprising, and far beyond New York and California, queer people have lived, loved, and shaped American history. From the nation’s earliest days, LGBTQ+ individuals have been part of Maryland’s story, even when their lives were pushed into the shadows. This guided walking tour explores over three hundred years of LGBTQ+ history, pairing familiar landmarks with often-overlooked stories: from a Revolutionary War general to an African American schoolteacher. Join historian Dr. Chris Mielke as we honor those who challenged norms, built community, and were brave enough to be themselves.
The tour will begin at The People’s Park at 44 Calvert Street and end at the Museum of Historic Annapolis at 99 Main Street. At the conclusion of the tour, a small reception will be held at the Museum, featuring light refreshments and an opportunity to continue the conversation.
Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as the tour is held rain or shine. The tour route is approximately 1.25 miles long and includes elevation changes and uneven walking surfaces.
Advance registration required; space is limited. Recommended for ages 13+.
