Events

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.

Cedric Williams is interested in the ways in which buildings, surfaces, and structures change once they are abandoned. This series deals with the decaying Konterra Cement Plant in Kensington, Maryland, which closed in 2001. Williams uses his own photographs and, in some cases, materials found at the site to create works that become an assemblage of materials that provide texture and depth.

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.

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

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, giving artists the opportunity to be a part of the resident artist community and conclude their residency with an exhibition.

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.