Events

Allen Linder is an artist whose works blend lived experience with imagination and crafts stories through daily focused discipline. Magic emerges, as experience and imagination intertwine. These narratives reveal themselves as Linder actively coaxes them from raw materials. Whether shaping stone or leaving gestural marks on canvas, form arises from the creative process. To manage stone dust, Linder maintains separate studios—one for each medium. Some days, he dedicates hours to painting or sculpture, while on others, he shuttles between studios in 15-minute intervals, immersed in his artistic journey.

Released in 2000, In the Mood for Love features two neighbors that form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. The film is set in Hong Kong, 1962. Ages 18 & up; FREE

Allen Linder is an artist whose works blend lived experience with imagination and crafts stories through daily focused discipline. Magic emerges, as experience and imagination intertwine. These narratives reveal themselves as Linder actively coaxes them from raw materials. Whether shaping stone or leaving gestural marks on canvas, form arises from the creative process. To manage stone dust, Linder maintains separate studios—one for each medium. Some days, he dedicates hours to painting or sculpture, while on others, he shuttles between studios in 15-minute intervals, immersed in his artistic journey.

Hsiang-Hsin Ching is a passionate and committed Taiwanese violist and recording engineer currently attending the Peabody Institute and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Recording Arts and Viola Performance. Dedicated to her craft, Hsiang-Hsin has played viola since age 13 and graced stages across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. with chamber music and orchestra performances.

Get ready to move and groove at this vibrant celebration of global dance! Talented dancers from across the world light up the stage with lively performances from artists representing Hawaii, Brazil, West Africa, Ireland, and Cuba. Feel the rhythm as host DJ Lidius spins the hottest international dance tracks — and jump in to learn a few new moves yourself. Enjoy an unforgettable experience, that brings our community together through the joy of dance!
Space is limited; advance registration is recommended.

This programs meets every third Tuesdaystarting in January and running through May.

Jan. 21st 2025

Feb. 18th 2025

Mar. 18th 2025

Apr. 15th 2025

May 20th 2025

Active service members and veterans of all eras are invited to join this free, monthly small group reading and discussion dinner series centered around books which relate to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective. Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and presented locally in partnership with Montpelier Arts Center. Discussions are led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former poet-in-residence at the Arts Center and discussion moderator for multiple literature groups in Baltimore. Dinner and reading materials are provided. Call 301-377-7800 for more information and to register. Spaces are limited; registration is required by Jan. 7, 2025.

Join us this month to celebrate the mesmerizing art of belly dance as a powerful fitness routine. Discover the enchanting fusion of cultural expression and physical movement that tones muscles, improves flexibility, and boosts confidence. Experience the joy of dance while reaping the benefits of a full-body workout. Let music guide you on a journey towards strength, grace, and vitality. Unleash your inner dancer this Fitness Month with the ancient art of belly dancing!

Hiroya Tsukamoto’s blend of masterful fingerstyle guitar and evocative storytelling transcends cultural barriers. Recognized for his soulful performances that create an orchestra at his fingertips, Tsukamoto draws audiences into his world of musical exploration. This is a rare opportunity to witness a performer celebrated for his ability to take listeners on an “impressionistic journey” (Boston Herald) that will resonate long after the final note is played.

* Exhibition runs May 24, 2025-Jun. 22, 2025 *
Public reception Fri., Jun. 13, 7-9 pm

When asked daily, this simple question can create a shift in perspective toward mindful awareness. Julie Polt seeks to ask and answer this question in her latest body of work, utilizing experimental printmaking and painting. She finds inspiration in daily, common moments, while searching for beauty everywhere  even in unexpected places. She looks to nature, relationships, and tiny changes that we notice only when we are mindful and carefully observing our surroundings.

Breathe in, breathe out! Relax and find your center at a yoga class featuring live jazz music, held in Montpelier Arts Center’s Main Gallery. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

Keith Kozloff, an artist, writer, and activist, delves into the intricate web of human connections and disconnections with ourselves, others, and nature. His exhibition, born from Maine beach rock photos, captures the passage of time through long-exposure shots with intentional camera movement. Subsequently, he weaves a narrative around the one-billion-year paleogeography of the lost continent of Avalonia. Kozloff invites viewers to immerse themselves in this vast temporal expanse, urging reflection on our fleeting human existence. Perhaps, within these ancient echoes, we find inspiration to be better ancestors. As a member of the Waverly Street Gallery in Bethesda, his work graces local galleries, his website Peripheral Visions, and various online publications.

Keith Kozloff, an artist, writer, and activist, delves into the intricate web of human connections and disconnections with ourselves, others, and nature. His exhibition, born from Maine beach rock photos, captures the passage of time through long-exposure shots with intentional camera movement. Subsequently, he weaves a narrative around the one-billion-year paleogeography of the lost continent of Avalonia. Kozloff invites viewers to immerse themselves in this vast temporal expanse, urging reflection on our fleeting human existence. Perhaps, within these ancient echoes, we find inspiration to be better ancestors. As a member of the Waverly Street Gallery in Bethesda, his work graces local galleries, his website Peripheral Visions, and various online publications.

Curated by Pete Duvall, The Sound of DC: A Visual History of Behind-the-Scenes presents photos of those who documented the music scene – including images of the crowds, the venues, the environments created, and the larger visual context around the DMV scene.

* Exhibition runs Jun. 3, 2025-Jul. 7, 2025 *
Public reception Fri., Jun. 13, 7-9 pm

Grammy Award winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are master musicians whose superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and more. Cathy & Marcy’s Old Time Coalition, featuring Rachel Eddy (fiddle), Becky Hill (percussive dance, vocals), and Em Hammond (bass, percussive dance), has grown out of a mutual love of Appalachian music and dance. They take the passion of a late-night porch jam session and put it on stage.

Pedrito Martinez is a Cuban percussionist, drummer, singer, songwriter, and composer originally from Havana, Cuba. A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum, he is also the world’s first call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups. Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band, Yerba Buena, with which he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid- to late-90’s. “The Pedrito Martinez Group is writing a new chapter in Cuban music history.” -NPR All Things Considered

* Exhibition runs Jun. 13, 2025-Jul. 27, 2025 *
Public reception Fri., Jun. 13, 7-9 pm
Artist Talk/Luncheon Fri., Jun. 20, 12 noon

For more than 40 years, the Montpelier Arts Center has been showcasing the work of sculptors throughout the region. The 44th 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 Sun., Jun. 8, 2025.

Sy Smith is heralded as one of the hardest working women in soul music. But she’s also one of the smartest… She has a career that spans two decades and now has 6 albums under her belt. She’s toured with some of the heaviest hitters in the industry (Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and Chris Botti, to name a few). If you’ve never been to a Sy Smith show, prepare to be entertained – not only by her multi-layered vocal virtuosity, but also by her storytelling. Funk, glamour, soul, and jams. Sy brings it all to the stage and leaves it there.

For more than 40 years, the Montpelier Arts Center has been showcasing the work of sculptors throughout the region. The 44th 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 Sun., Jun. 8, 2025.

When asked daily, this simple question can create a shift in perspective toward mindful awareness. Julie Polt seeks to ask and answer this question in her latest body of work, utilizing experimental printmaking and painting. She finds inspiration in daily, common moments, while searching for beauty everywhere – even in unexpected places. She looks to nature, relationships, and tiny changes that we notice only when we are mindful and carefully observing our surroundings.

* Exhibition runs Jun. 3, 2025-Jul. 7, 2025 *
Public reception Fri., Jun. 13, 7-9 pm

Come celebrate Juneteenth!

Join us and celebrate the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States!

Juneteenth marks the day the last enslaved people in the United States learned of their freedom. Today we commemorate this event nationwide as people come together to enjoy food, music, and the arts while learning about the history of the African American people, their culture, and achievements. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of celebration!

Featuring live entertainment, arts activities, food and shopping exhibitors, history exhibits, and more.

For more than 40 years, the Montpelier Arts Center has been showcasing the work of sculptors throughout the region. The 44th 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 Sun., Jun. 8, 2025.

* Exhibition runs Jun. 28, 2025 – Jul. 27, 2025 *
Public reception Sat., Jul. 12, 2-4 pm

Child’s Play: A Reimagination of Social Norms is a transformative exploration. Through mixed media paintings and community art, it delves into inner-child healing, reshaping societal foundations. The journey, led by artist Sasha-Loriene McClain, embraces resilience and playfulness, shaping a future that celebrates our inherent spirit.

Let’s take a trip around the world! Celebrate cultures and people from across the globe by exploring a variety of traditions and how they are preserved. Each month will feature a different heritage community, children’s book, and applicable craft. In July, we’ll focus on Muslim American heritage. We will be reading Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs by Razeena Omar Gutta with illustrations by Manal Mirza, and we’ll be making Islamic paper lanterns.

Child’s Play: A Reimagination of Social Norms is a transformative exploration. Through mixed media paintings and community art, it delves into inner-child healing, reshaping societal foundations. The journey, led by artist Sasha-Loriene McClain, embraces resilience and playfulness, shaping a future that celebrates our inherent spirit.

* Exhibition runs Jun. 28, 2025 – Jul. 27, 2025 *
Public reception Sat., Jul. 12, 2-4 pm

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Joy Nutt, a first-generation Trinidadian American born in Washington, D.C., brings her artistic vision to life. Studying at Howard University, she crafts abstract paintings using found objects, resulting in delightful layers of pattern and texture. Nutt’s work explores geometric quilt patterns infused with original fabric-inspired motifs. In her Common Thread exhibit, vibrant paintings echo traditional quilts and intricate collaged crazy quilts. Drawing from a rich Trinidadian family tradition of quilting and sewing, Nutt also finds inspiration in West African Ankara textiles. Viewers will revel in the complexity of her layered art, a tapestry of color, pattern, and texture—a celebration of cherished memories.

Joy Nutt, a first-generation Trinidadian American born in Washington, D.C., brings her artistic vision to life. Studying at Howard University, she crafts abstract paintings using found objects, resulting in delightful layers of pattern and texture. Nutt’s work explores geometric quilt patterns infused with original fabric-inspired motifs. In her Common Thread exhibit, vibrant paintings echo traditional quilts and intricate collaged crazy quilts. Drawing from a rich Trinidadian family tradition of quilting and sewing, Nutt also finds inspiration in West African Ankara textiles. Viewers will revel in the complexity of her layered art, a tapestry of color, pattern, and texture—a celebration of cherished memories.

Curated by Pete Duvall, The Sound of DC: A Visual History of Behind-the-Scenes presents photos of those who documented the music scene – including images of the crowds, the venues, the environments created, and the larger visual context around the DMV scene.

Come and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us!
Music, live entertainment, delicious ethnic food, artisan and food vendors, children and teen area, carnival games, exhibitors and much more!
Free entrance and parking!

Venga y célebre con nosotros el Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
Música, entretenimiento en vivo, deliciosas comidas típicas, vendedores de artesanías, área para niños, juegos de carnaval y mucho más!
Entrada y estacionamiento gratis!