Art is what makes a town a community and Annapolis has no shortage of artistic creativity! Discover the visual arts almost everywhere you look: historic architecture on Main Street to contemporary murals on West Street, whimsical chicken sculptures on the streets of the Arts District to the refreshing galleries that offer us all an escape. In a city with a vibrant arts scene, you will find a gallery to whet your palette. Here we share a curated list of galleries to get you started.
Circle Gallery
Photos are Courtesy Executive Office of the Governor.
The Circle Gallery, operated by Maryland Federation of Art, embodies two of Annapolis’ best assets -- history and art. At 50 years old, it is the oldest continuously operated non-profit gallery in the state of Maryland and features two exhibit spaces. You’ll find it across from the oldest continuous use State House in the country in adaptive reuse of a 1820s era warehouse. Their mission is to feature current works by living artists. The Federation also curates traditional and non-traditional gallery spaces throughout the area including restaurants, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, Hospice of the Chesapeake and even the online Curve Gallery.
The Galleries at Maryland Hall
Photos are Courtesy Executive Office of the Governor.
A gallery tour of the area would be incomplete without a visit to the region’s cultural hub. The Chaney and Martino Galleries feature new exhibitions throughout the year ranging from community exhibits to juried group shows to solo exhibitions. Art created on-site by Artists-in-Residence, In-House Artists, students and Co-Ops can often be found on exhibit too. The Openshaw Balcony Gallery is dedicated to emerging artists...there’s always something new to discover! The Galleries are an active part of MD Hall; stop in for a performance in the Main Theatre and you’ll find the evening’s bar set up inside the Galleries. Or grab a coffee from the Cafe at Maryland Hall and take a stroll through three floors of art.
A current exhibit features botanist and botanical illustration artist Hye Woo Shin.
The Mitchell Gallery
Image courtesy of St. Johns College
The Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Gallery is a peaceful gallery located inside Mellon Hall at St. John’s College. Each year the Gallery features four traveling exhibitions which, in the past, have included works of celebrated artists such as Bruegel, Calder, Rembrandt, Matisse, Miro, Rodin, Warhol, Motherwell, and Johns. Community and regional artists are showcased in 1-2 additional exhibits each year. Enjoy the beautiful campus of St. John’s where students are inspired by the Great Books and visitors are inspired by the historic architecture and art.
Jo Fleming Contemporary Art
Jo Fleming Contemporary Art is proof Annapolis is more than just one thing. If the cobblestone streets of quaint Maryland Avenue make you feel like you’re back in time, take a step inside this gallery to come back to the current day. The studio art gallery features rotating solo and small group exhibitions of contemporary 2 and 3-dimensional works by regional and local artists. A recent exhibit featured works made of glitter!
Annapolis Collection Gallery
The Annapolis Collection Gallery is devoted to six Annapolis masters who've achieved recognition for their artistic talents, here and abroad. The Masters are Greg Harlin, Roxie Munro, Ann Munro Wood, and Yoo Mi Yoon. The Master Photographers are Charles E. Emery, Marion E. Warren, and Bo Zaunders. Works by newer notables like photographer Jay Fleming also make the cut. Located on the upper block of West Street, keep an eye out for the life-size Marion E. Warren photographs that adorn the parking lot a few spaces down.
Galleries are a great place to take time for yourself or meet new friends. Most of the galleries in our area offer free opening receptions (and more!). Check out these Upcoming Gallery Events:
- Gallery Reception for Floral Images in Digital Medium - July 21, 4-6 pm - Jo Fleming Contemporary Art
- Artist Open Studios Summer Celebration - July 24, 6-8 pm - Maryland Hall
- Exhibit Opening: Doing the Work, Celebrating 50 Years of MCAAHC - August 10, 3-5 pm - Banneker Douglass Museum
- 29th Annual Annapolis ArtWalk - Thursday, August 15, 5-9 pm - Multiple Sites, Downtown & West Annapolis
