Event Information
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts
Ticket Price: FREE
Age: All ages
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Welcome spring and delight in the sights and sounds of nature, art, and history at this fun festival for the entire family, hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier House Museum! Explore the vendor marketplace, relax to live music, attend a talk on gardening, tour the House Museum, and indulge in a picnic tea box (available to order after April 1).. At the Arts Center, visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and create spring-themed crafts. Stroll the galleries and view the exhibitions of Barbara Ziselberger, Bao Yen Nguyen, and the Laurel Art Guild. At 1 pm, join us the Main Gallery for a performance by classical guitarist Penelope Shvarts.
Subject to change
Performances sponsored by the Maryland State Arts Council
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Uasuf Gueye
Using his extensive knowledge of West African history and culture, Uasuf will introduce popular Manding instruments, demonstrate their construction and use. An interactive experience for all ages with a blend of education and entertainment.
12:30 pm – 1:00 PM | Jasmina Rae and Friends Lillian and Yannah
Showing different forms of movement and self-expression to improve strength, posture, flexibility, and balance. Jasmina is the founder of Sensual Soul Belly Dance and co-founder of Sacred Hips in Motion. Now in her seventies, she is amazingly vibrant – physically and mentally. Join in a low-impact, full body workout to loosen up those hips!
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Penelope Shvarts
Art Center Classical Recital in main gallery. Penelope has been playing classical and flamenco guitar since she was five years old. Currently, she is studying at the Peabody Institute, with an award to continue researching women composers and their works for guitar, hoping to diversify the standard classical guitar repertoire and make music more inclusive.
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Jasmina Rae and Friends Lillian and Yannah
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Earth Music Effects (EME)
EME creates soothing soundscapes using multiple world instruments. They have performed at Washington National Cathedral, yoga retreats, festivals, corporate, and church events. Members include Gary Hardnett, Karen Marshall, and John Wubbenhorst. Gary is a versatile musician, playing African harp (Ngoni), Native flutes, lap Tibetan bowls, hang and moyo drums, and more. Gary also performs with his original band – Maji. Karen plays a variety of hand percussion instruments like Middle Eastern drums, Native drum, Turkish spoons, among others. She leads women’s drum circles and mindful meditation sessions. John has an eclectic background. Originally a singer and flutist, his preferred genres were jazz and western classical music. He later studied the classical music of India and has become world-renowned expert on the enchanting bansuri flute.
FESTIVAL TALKS
Subject to change*
Herbal Mocktail Demo
11:15-11:45 AM | Brittany Williams
Join Brittany Williams to learn about crafting refreshing herb-infused drinks that support well-being, leaving you with a pleasant feeling, not a hazy one. Brittany will demonstrate the art of mixing botanicals, teas, and natural flavors to create balanced, energizing mocktails. Brittany is the founder and owner of Eudemonia Herbs, a holistic wellness brand dedicated to empowering individuals through thoughtfully crafted herbal products, and workshops that incorporate herbs into everyday life.
Chamomile, herb of the year, and Calendula
1:15-1:45 PM | Donna Koczaja
“Chamomile, herb of the year, and Calendula,” two herbs that go well together in the garden and medicinally. Learn about these two bright, lovely daisy family flowers and how they can enhance health and wellbeing. Donna is a Master Gardener and earned Registered Herbalist status from the American Herbalists’ Guild. Originally a mechanical engineer, she combines the rigor of her scientific training with the traditional healing of herbal medicine. Her primary goal is inspiring others to improve their health through the joys of gardening and the power of natural medicine.
Herbal Mocktail Demo
2:15-2:45 PM | Brittany Williams
With Brittany Williams of Eudemonia Herbs – see 11:15 am demo for details.
Subject to change *
Art
- Femme Prints
- Artz Planet Studio
- Hortensia cards
- Studio Kayama
Jewelry
- Ashby’s Agates
- K & K Products
- Michelle Ink
- Silverbird
Food
- Chef Dad Pot Pies
- Deelightfully
- Herbalicious
- Max’s Degrees
- McDaniel Honey Farm
- Middleton Sweet Munchies
- Nina’s Cookies
- Papa’s Kettlekorn
- The Tea Trolley – Tea Food Boxes (Order in advance for pickup at the Festival starting at 11 am. See link in Festival main page)
Herbs & Plants
- God Scent Herbs
- Jack Creek Plants
- Elements of Nature
- Meetwe Farms & Briar Rose Herbs
Household
- A Little Pottery
- Clayful Creations
- J D Art & Décor
- MLE Arts & Crafts
- Monica Creates Daily
- Passiondale
- Serving Up Sparkles
- With Love by JC
Fabric
- Kyra’s Kreations
- Paiges Pieces
- Swifty Designs
Self-Care
- Bees by the Bay
- Eudemonia Herbs
- Mystic Water Soap
- Remedies from Nature
COMMUNITY GROUPS
- M-NCPPC Black History Program
- Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage
- Prince George’s County Herb Society
- Prince George’s County Master Gardeners
- Side by Side
- Uhuru Quilters Guild
ON THE GROUNDS
- Chesapeake Woodturners
- M-NCPPC Archaeology
- Laurel Art Guild
- Sankofa Mobile Museum
- Create and Play – history & art make & take for all – Activities Tent
