The Arts at
Montpelier 2014-2015
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Welcome to an exciting new season of the
Arts at
Montpelier! Montpelier Arts Center has inspired thousands of individuals through our dedication to creating an accessible arts experience for all. In this upcoming season, we have lined up wonderful, new and returning artists for our celebrated concert series, and added interactive programs in addition to our popular art exhibitions, musical performances, film screenings, master workshops, and more. Join us on Sunday afternoons for inspirational documentaries and engaging dialogues with local jazz masters, and explore the arts with us during special holiday celebrations throughout the season. There are also many exhibition and professional development opportunities for artists. Thank you for taking the time to read about the programs we offer at Montpelier. I hope you’ll feel inspired to visit us and enjoy the arts more!
Sonya Kitchens, Director of Montpelier Arts Center
Art intersects life at Montpelier Arts Center, a multi-faceted, community-oriented facility that has been a complete arts destination for more than 30 years, offering exhibitions, classes, performances, and studios. Sixteen professional artists maintain open studio hours for the public from 10 am–5 pm daily, seven days a week. The three galleries housed at Montpelier introduce changing exhibitions by local and national visual artists who work in a variety of media and styles. Nationally and internationally recognized performers hold concerts in a quaint, intimate setting. Classes in the visual and literary arts are offered year-round for adults, teens, and children. For more information or to receive Montpelier Arts Center’s e-newsletter,
Gallery Hours: Seven days a week, 10 am–5 pm (closed major holidays) Admission is FREE to the galleries and gallery receptions.
David R. Daniels September 5–October 26, 2014 Reception: Friday, September 5, 7–9 pm Nationally recognized watercolorist and former botanist David Daniels brings a unique personal sense of composition and color to watercolor, revealing the natural world through light and color, soaring with the delight he finds in the wonder of nature. His bold, impressionistic style gives freshness to the beauty of nature, and his inspired sense of color reveals his love and reverence for nature in his work.
All Hung Open Exhibition November 2–30, 2014 Reception: Sunday, November 2, 2–4 pm In the antithesis of a curated show, artists answer a general call for entries, and every piece of art is accepted and hung until the walls are full. This exhibition is open to all Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia artists, ages 18 & up. To receive a prospectus, contact Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800.
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main gallery
send an email to montpelier.arts@pgparks.com.
Annual Patuxent Art League Juried Exhibition December 7–31, 2014 Reception: Sunday, December 7, 2–4 pm Juried by a regional professional, this annual exhibition is organized by the Patuxent Art League and showcases work from artists 18 & older who live in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia; it includes painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, collage, and more.
black history month celebration & exhibition Glancing Back & Looking Forward: 100 Years of African American Culture and History in Prince George’s County, Maryland January 18–February 28, 2015 Reception: Sunday, February 1, 12 noon–2 pm This exhibition features information about the lives of selected Prince Georgians who had a variety of occupations and community roles. Through photographs, artifacts, and excerpts from interviews, Everyday People Making History will convey the personal stories of participants and highlight the ways in which they were and still are a part of history in Prince George’s County over the past century.
46th Annual Laurel Art Guild Juried Exhibition March 7–29, 2015 Reception: Sunday, March 8, 2–4 pm Organized by the Laurel Art Guild, this annual exhibit is juried by a regional professional and showcases works by artists ages 18 & older who live in the Washington metropolitan area, and includes paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, collages, and more.
Ellyn Weiss April 4–May 31, 2015 Reception: Sunday, April 12, 2–4 pm With monoprints, acrylics, encaustic paint, oil bars, and other media, Ellyn Weiss strives to create art that speaks directly to the heart without mediation or explanation.
34th Annual Invitational Sculpture Exhibition June 12–August 2, 2015 Reception: Friday, June 12, 7–9 pm
This annual exhibition will take place in the Main Gallery at Montpelier Arts Center.
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a juror. John Paradiso, program manager at the 39th Street Gallery and facility manager of the Gateway Arts Center in the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District, served as the juror for the 2014-2015 Library Gallery Competition.
Play by Stephen Boocks September 5–October 26, 2014 Reception: Friday, September 5, 7–9 pm Play, a solo exhibition of acrylic paintings on canvas and works on paper, is the logical convergence of art and music, Boocks’ two life-long passions. Works are accompanied by music that shares the same compositional structure as the painting. Through manipulation of tempo and effects processing, the music slowly changes over time. Boocks’ paintings investigate the viewer’s response to both the paintings and the music.
Growing Dilemma by Megan Van Wagoner November 2–December 28, 2014 Reception: Sunday, November 2, 2–4 pm Van Wagoner’s sculptural work captures moments in a narrative and expresses them as artifacts that reminisce about weekends on dairy farms and amongst rolling fields of corn. In this series of current works made from steel, cast aluminum, cast iron, blown glass, clay, and other materials, Growing Dilemma reflects the changing value placed on land, agricultural practices, and food in our culture.
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library gallery
The Library Gallery at Montpelier Arts Center highlights local artists selected by
celebrate youth art month Third Annual Artists on the Rise: Juried Teen Exhibition March 7–29, 2015 Reception: Saturday, March 7, 1–3 pm Montpelier Arts Center strives to foster a positive, creative environment in which young and emerging artists realize their full potential as creative individuals. In honor of National Youth Art Month, Montpelier presents this juried exhibition in the Library and Resident Artist Galleries, spotlighting teens (ages 13–18) in the Washington metropolitan area and their talents in the visual arts. Contact staff at montpelier.arts@pgparks.com in the fall for a prospectus.
Visages/Vignettes by Wayson R. Jones April 4–May 31, 2015 Reception: Sunday, April 12, 2–4 pm Wayson R. Jones explores the idea of implicit association between imagery, memory, and emotion through manipulation of texture, shape, and color (or lack thereof). His new work evokes abstracted figures, imaginary landscapes, faces, and objects. They represent the “vignettes”: subjective snapshots of events, persons, or objects in motion, and “visages”: abstract faces combined with objects that symbolize parts of childhood.
Andrei Trach June 12–August 2, 2015 Reception: Friday, June 12, 7–9 pm Through the tactile nature of thick, action-filled paint strokes, Andrei Trach expresses moods and ideas through color, texture, and movement. Each work is a distinct orientation, enabling the viewer to see an optical mix of colors and textures. Three-dimensional aspects accent the dramatic and the bold in his paintings, which are a visceral response to and expression of his world.
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September 5–28, 2014 Reception: Friday, September 5, 7–9 pm Williams draws, paints, and constructs paintings, which depend on elements of surprise and surrealism to inject humor into what would otherwise be a relentless descent into the shadow side of human life.
Tarnish by Barbara Talbott October 3–26, 2014 Reception: Sunday, October 5, 2–4 pm The need to replicate the texture and surface of an object propels Barbara Talbott to discover new ways to use materials and processes in everything she makes. In Tarnish, every dent, every scratch, every layer of patina builds upon each other to create the fabric of the surface; it tells the story of a life lived.
Lori Ulmer-Hanson November 2–30, 2014 Reception: Sunday, November 2, 2–4 pm Lori Ulmer-Hanson’s debut solo exhibition at Montpelier displays current works that reflect a passion for creating faces and figurative forms using a diverse array of media and provoking different moods–sometimes with laughter and other times, with quiet force.
Annual Holiday Group Show December 7–31, 2014 Reception: Sunday, December 7, 2–4 pm
Montpelier’s resident artists showcase their work in this group holiday exhibition, highlighting their diversity and talent.
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resident artist gallery
Steven Williams
Patrick Cromwell April 4–26, 2015 Reception: Sunday, April 12, 2–4 pm
Intaglio printmaker Patrick Cromwell presents his first solo show at Montpelier Arts Center with works from his time at Yale University and in the studio at Montpelier.
Patricia Phillips Bowden May 1–31, 2015 Reception: Sunday, May 3, 2–4 pm Patricia Philips Bowden, who holds a BFA from the Corcoran College of Art & Design, continues her explorations of art making by utilizing mixed media to create this salon-style exhibition.
David Brosch June 6–28, 2015 Reception: Friday, June 12, 7–9 pm
David Brosch received his BA in fine arts and BS in architecture from the University of Maryland. While his concentration was in printmaking at school, he paints as well today. Regardless of the media, his artwork usually comprises of representational imagery and strong colors.
Rug Hooking Student Show July 5–August 2, 2015 Reception: Sunday, July 19, 2–4 pm
The skillful rug hooking students at Montpelier Arts Center transform their unique personal stories into original works of art in this group exhibition. Creative and imaginative, each piece stands as an independent statement.
Montpelier Arts Center welcomes aspiring creators and appreciators of art! Schedule a field trip to visit the galleries and artist studios at the Arts Center! Call Montpelier at 301-377-7800 for detailed information or to schedule a guided tour. Montpelier Arts Center galleries are open seven days a week, from 10 am–5 pm. Customize your Montpelier tour by calling ahead of time. 8 | 2014–2015 SEASON
Enjoy concerts featuring local, national, and international artists in a quaint, intimate setting. The acoustics make every performance a special experience for the ears.
Customize your own series! Buy tickets for any six concerts ($25 or more) from the Live! at Montpelier series, and get a seventh concert ticket FREE (up to $25). Higher price prevails. For details, call 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664.
Friday, September 12, 2014, 8 pm
Dick Morgan Reunion Band
Dick Morgan was a favorite at Montpelier, delighting fans of all ages with his pianistic virtuosity. Since Dick’s passing, his group has remained together to honor his memory by playing the music for which he was known. For this special performance, they are joined by Japanese pianist Tadataka Unno. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, September 19, 2014, 8 pm
The Cheikh Ndoye Group
An accomplished musical artist whose music is a rich fusion of jazz and world music, bassist Cheikh Ndoye’s musical influences stem from his Senegalese heritage combined with his love for classic and contemporary American jazz. Ndoye will also be performing with violinist Karen Briggs, guitarist Dan Leonard, drummer Tosin, saxophonist Tedd Baker, and pianist Eli Staples. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, September 26, 2014, 8 pm
Brazil Project featuring Leonardo Lucini
It has been 52 years since Americans first fell in love with samba and bossa nova, and the love affair continues. Brazil Project marries authentic and compelling Brazilian rhythms with contemporary jazz in a memorable way. This performance features virtuoso seven-string bassist and composer Leonardo Lucini from Rio de Janeiro and Canadian saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk, known for his mastery of West African rhythms that fuel the music of both continents. Expect ensemble playing and out-of-sight solos! Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors live! at montpelier | 9
Live! at montpelier
Live! at Montpelier
Saturday, October 4, 2014, 7 pm
Harold López-Nussa Trio
Havana native and accomplished jazz pianist/composer Harold LópezNussa has received significant national and international awards, including first place winner in the Solo Piano Competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival (2005), the French Music Association (ADAMI) “Jazz Talent 2011” Prize, and winner of the Best Original Soundtrack at the 9th New Filmmakers Exhibit for his music in the Cuban documentary Salvador de Cojímar by director Ernesto Sánchez. López-Nussa fuses his classical training and love of jazz with his Cuban roots, playing with dazzling technique and an abundance of soul. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, October 10, 2014, 8 pm
Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams
Audience favorites husband-and-wife duo Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams bring their soulful blend of jazz and original songwriting back to the Montpelier stage. Davey is a music studies teacher at Duke Ellington School for the Arts, and Esther is a long time musical stage actress. They have performed up and down the east coast, including the Kennedy Center, the Savoy in New York, and the East Coast Jazz Festival. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, October 17, 2014, 8 pm
Bill Charlap Trio
One of the world’s premier jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many leading artists of our time, ranging from jazz masters Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved... no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” Since 1997, he has led Bill Charlap Trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors Credit: Carol Friedman 10 | 2014–2015 SEASON
Friday, October 24, 2014, 8 pm
Veronneau
International band Veronneau has captivated festival, concert, and club audiences across North America and Europe with their unique world jazz sound, deliciously blending bossa nova, gypsy jazz, samba, swing (performed in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese). Based in Washington, D.C., Veronneau attracts large crowds to venues like the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, and Blues Alley. Their two CD releases have earned rave reviews and made local and regional top 10 charts in scores of North American cities. Credit: Bill Crandall
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Sunday, December 14, 2014, 4 pm
An A Cappella Holiday with The Capital Hearings
Since 2010, the lush a cappella harmonies of The Capital Hearings have delighted Washington audiences, large and small. With repertoire ranging from Renaissance motets to modern hits, this dynamic ensemble is praised for its versatility. The Capital Hearings make spirits bright with a festive, family-friendly program of seasonal favorites, vocal jazz, and contemporary arrangements. The perfect holiday concert! Tickets: $15/person Credit: Britt Olsen-Ecker
“Once again, The Capital Hearings had stolen the show.” ROLL CALL
celebrate black history month Friday, February 27, 2015, 8 pm
James Cotton
Blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter James Cotton has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time. Although he played drums early in his career, Cotton is most famous for his work on the harmonica. In 1965 he formed the James Cotton Blues Quartet, and in the 1970s, Cotton played harmonica on Muddy Waters’ Grammy winning 1977 album Hard Again, produced by Johnny Winter. Credit: Jason Marck After battling throat cancer in the 1990s, Cotton released two studio albums and continued to tour with his band. He won a Grammy in 1996 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his album Deep in the Blues, and was nominated in 2014 for a Blues Music Award as Best Instrumentalist in the Harmonica category. Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors live! at montpelier | 11
Friday, March 13, 2015, 8 pm
Sharón Clark
Standout Washington, D.C. jazz vocalist Sharón Clark has brought festival and concert audiences to their feet across the U.S. and Europe. A winner of the Gold Medal and $10,000 top prize in the Savannah Music Festival’s American Traditions Competition, Ms. Clark has headlined the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, the historic Lincoln Theater, and the Cape May Jazz Festival. She has appeared with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and has performed by invitation for President William Jefferson Clinton. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
“powerful yet supple… soulful, swinging… wonderfully nimble… dreamy” The Washington Post
Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 8 pm
St. Patrick’s Day Concert: RUNA
Most recently recognized in the 2013 Irish Music Awards and the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards, RUNA draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members and offers a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Their repertoire of highly energetic and graceful acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the U.S., gives their arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, March 20, 2015, 8 pm
Ron Kearns Quintet
The Ron Kearns Quintet has been a favorite at jazz festivals and venues all over the United States. Led by veteran recording artist, producer, and educator Ron Kearns on saxophone, with Paul Wingo on guitar, Kent Miller on bass, Mark Prince on drums, and Michael Thomas on trumpet/fluegelhorn, the Washington, D.C.-based group performs acoustic jazz in the style of the Old Blue Note Records recordings of Be Bop and Hard Bop. The Ron Kearns Quintet has delighted audiences at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, and London’s 100 Club, to name a few, with their own style of elegant, lyrical, and often playful melody. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors 12 | 2014–2015 SEASON
Friday, March 27, 2015, 8 pm
The Sweater Set
Since their early years as teens in a Washington, D.C. church choir, Maureen Andary and Sara Curtin have developed a unique musical relationship. Intricate harmonies soar over multi-instrumental arrangements of ukelele, guitar, flute, hand percussion, accordion, banjo, glockenspiel, and the occasional kazoo/mouth trumpet solo. The Sweater Set was awarded 2013, 2012, and 2011 WAMMIES for Best Contemporary Folk Duo and in 2011, they were Artists-in-Residence at the Strathmore Center for the Performing Arts. Listeners are invited into their joyful friendship as their songs play out like musically elaborate gossip about the perils of courtship, lust, and heartbreak.
Credit: Shervin Lainez
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, April 10, 8 pm & Saturday, April 11, 2015, 5 pm
The Freddy Cole Quartet featuring Freddy Cole
With a career spanning over 50 years, Freddy Cole sounds a lot like his legendary brother Nat King Cole, yet has his own vocal personality that is darker, smokier, and jazzier. He debuted in 1952 with the single “The Joke’s on Me” and has since recorded and performed prolifically, gaining him a broad homegrown and international following. Cole was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and nominated for a Grammy for Best Vocal Jazz Credit: Clay Walker Album in 2010. He leads the Freddy Cole Quartet, which regularly tours throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
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Friday, April 17, 2015, 8 pm
Tony DeSare
Credit: Vincent Soyez
Named a “Rising Star” Male Vocalist in Down Beat magazine’s 2009 Critics Poll, DeSare has lived up to the distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concerts throughout the U.S., Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. “Two parts Sinatra to one part Billy Joel” (New York Times), Tony DeSare performs with infectious joy, wry playfulness, and robust musicality, bringing his old-school class from jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to headlining with Don Rickles in Las Vegas. With three Top Ten Billboard jazz albums and features on the CBS Early Show, NPR, and the Today Show, Tony is also an award-winning composer; his compositions range widely between romantic, funny, and soulful. Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, April 24, 2015, 8 pm
Ian Walters
Ian B. Walters plays spirited, updated blues and standards, as well as contemporary tunes and is known for his unique piano sound, dripping with soul vocals and all-around good vibes. Classically trained and influenced by the likes of Jelly Roll Morton, James Booker, Memphis Slim, and Mississippi John Hurt, Walters’ inventive interpretations refresh great old songs. One of the most sought-after performers in the Washington, D.C. area, he can often be spotted playing blues festivals and clubs solo or with his backup band, The SwampKeepers. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, May 1, 2015, 8 pm
Albert Castiglia
Credit: Jim Zielinski
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Albert Castiglia is an artist who sings from the gut, shoots guitar licks from the hip, and writes songs that articulate one’s hopes, fears, and heartaches. Having opened for ZZ Top, Elvin Bishop, and The Radiators, Castiglia’s colorful history includes touring the U.S. and Europe as the legendary Junior Wells’ lead guitar player before Wells’ death in 1998, and then joining Atlanta vocalist Sandra Hall for national tours. His unique style of modern day blues with a traditional core has made him a favorite high-energy performer at festivals across the country. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Saturday, May 2, 2015, 8 pm
Ewan Dobson
As a classical and fingerstyle guitarist, Ewan Dobson has established himself as one of Canada’s most brilliant and exhilarating young guitarists. He has won numerous awards at local, national, and international competitions, including the Kiwanis Music Festival, the International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and the Montreal Guitar Grand Prix. Dobson is noted for the intensity and virtuosity of his fingerstyle playing, and his music is influenced by video game music, extended technique, bluegrass, classical, folk, techno, heavy metal, and trance.
Credit: Tim Serbert
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
Friday, May 8, 2015, 8 pm
Ken Navarro
Over the past 25 years, Ken Navarro has performed in every major U.S. city and has had numerous Top 5 hits on national radio. He began his recording career in Los Angeles performing and recording with artists like Doc Severinsen, Nell Carter, John Patitucci, Ann Jillian and Alex Acuna, and has shared the stage with artists such as Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, Najee, Chris Botti, The Rippingtons, Jean-Luc Ponty, Keiko Matsui, David Benoit, and many others. Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
celebrate asian pacific american heritage month Saturday, May 16, 2015, 5 pm
Sounds of Bamboo
Share in the Vietnamese culture through wonderful music! Explore the sounds of heaven and earth as the Sounds of Bamboo Musical Ensemble masterfully brings the whistling orchestrations of Nguyen Dinh Nghia to life through meditative music played on the bamboo flute, monochord, zither, and t’rung, a traditional bamboo xylophone from Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Immerse yourself in this cultural experience, and let the sounds of bamboo lead you into your inner worlds and emotions. Tickets: $20/person, 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors
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Smooth Sounds for Seniors
Smooth Sounds for Seniors Visit Montpelier this spring for a fun series of special programs designed just for seniors ages 60 & better! Concerts begin at 12 noon and tickets are $12/person.
Thursday, March 12, 2015, 12 noon
Ethel Ennis
A favorite at Montpelier, Ethel Ennis returns to open the second annual Smooth Sounds for Seniors series! The incomparable Baltimore-based artist has sung to critical acclaim all over the world. Ennis’ voice possesses a smooth, buttery tone heavily vested in swing, and versatile enough to deliver from the classic songbook, original material, and the occasional rarity. Tickets: $12/person
Thursday, April 9, 2015, 12 noon
Indigo Sings Sarah Vaughan
Classy, sophisticated, and nostalgically beautiful “Indigo Sings Sarah” is a walk down memory lane for those who remember Sarah “Sassy” Vaughan, and an enlightening experience for those meeting her for the first time. Complete with music, photography, costume changes, and an interactive Brazilian dance troupe, Indigo Love’s poignant delivery of many of the songs synonymous with Sarah Vaughan is sure to please even the most discriminating audience. Tickets: $12/person
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 12 noon
Karen Lovejoy and the Lovejoy Group – Jazz and the American Songbook
The Lovejoy Group is an east coast aggregate that brings experience and soulfulness to the jazz arena. Their songbook concert of sweet saxophone and sultry vocals is a loose historical sketch of how jazz met Broadway, creating musical magic. This concert is a tribute to that era — a time of elegance, glamour, and all things refined! But “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” and this performance does! Tickets: $12/person
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The annual recital series of classical music is a juried competition open to all classical musicians in the United States. All recitalists are winners of the 2014–2015 Classical Recital Competition, chosen this year by Mr. Stefan Scaggiari, renowned classical and jazz pianist. Recitals take place in the Main Gallery at Montpelier. Classical recitals are free, but a $5 donation is appreciated.
Sunday, October 19, 2014, 3 pm
Beau Soir Ensemble
The Beau Soir Ensemble is a flute, viola, and harp trio dedicated to the performance of standard and contemporary repertoire spanning a variety of genres. In recent years they have performed at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, An die Musik LIVE! in Baltimore, the Arts Club of Washington, Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and the MidAtlantic Harp Conference in 2011.
Sunday, November 23, 2014, 3 pm
La Vita Duo
New York-based classical guitar and soprano duo Jeanai and Giacomo La Vita have performed in concert series throughout the U.S. and Europe, where they gave a concert at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, at the invitation of the United Nations. Individually, they have active careers as soloists, having performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and the Ravinia Festival. With the assistance of a Creative Grant from the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, La Vita Duo released their latest album Nightfall in 2012.
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classical recital SERIES
Classical Recitals
Sunday, March 22, 2015, 3 pm
Gemini Piano Trio
This trio of violin, cello, and piano has been praised as “mind readers, anticipating each other’s every move,” and “epitomized the idiom of chamber music” by the Taipei Times. They have performed at prestigious venues in the United States and abroad, including sold-out debut concerts at the Taipei National Recital Hall in 2008 and Carnegie/Weill Recital Hall in 2010 to rave reviews. This year, the Gemini Piano Trio celebrates its 20th anniversary of making music together as a family, with a special 2014-2015 celebration season.
Sunday, April 19, 2015, 3 pm
Stefan Scaggiari presents an “I Love Paris” Concert on Piano
Stefan Scaggiari puts together an assemblage of Frédéric Chopin, Maurice Ravel, and George Gershwin, all of whom studied, lived, or worked in Paris. Delighting audiences with dazzling versatility, Scaggiari is at home with Ellington, Gershwin, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff alike. He has performed as both a jazz and classical pianist at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Concord Pavilion, and Baltimore Artscape. Scaggiari has collaborated as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Florida Orchestra, and the Calgary Philharmonic, and also in crossover classical/jazz concerts with his trio at the Shriver Hall Concert Series.
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 1 pm
Keesun Kwon
Having performed in many regional and national venues in the U.S., soprano Keesun Kwon has appeared as Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Gilda in Rigoletto, and Madame Heart in Der Schauspieldirektor. Dr. Kwon has sung oratorios from Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore with various ensembles.
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Saturday, September 27, 2014, 2 pm
One Maryland One Book Discussion The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande
In its seventh year, One Maryland One Book is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. The 2014 One Maryland One Book selection is The Distance Between Us, a poignant memoir by Reyna Grande of life before and after entering the U.S. from Mexico as an undocumented immigrant. Join us for this inspirational book discussion. FREE
Saturday, October 11, 2014, 11 am – 2 pm
Montpelier Fall Festival
Celebrate fall at the second annual Montpelier Fall Festival! Paint pumpkins, create autumn-themed crafts, have your face painted, skate in the skate mobile, and have loads of family fun! Bring a large paper shopping bag and carry it with you as you create fun art projects at different stations throughout the arts center. You’ll go home with a bag full of souvenirs to remember this day of art!
All ages; FREE; bring your own pumpkin and large brown paper bag to decorate and carry projects
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 7 pm
Historic Haunt
Participate in a spooky scavenger hunt in and around Laurel, led by staff from Montpelier Arts Center, Snow Hill Manor, and the Laurel Historical Society. Starting at Montpelier, sample food and cocktails along the way and learn about historical trivia, ghostly activity, and spooky tales. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Ages 21 & up. Fee: Resident $15/person; Non-resident $18/person
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special events at Montpelier
Special Events
Saturday, November 8, 2014, 1 pm
Steamboy
From the anime pioneer Katsuhiro Otomo, Steamboy is the most expensive Japanese anime film production to date. Go on an epic adventure with inventor prodigy Ray Steam in Victorian England as he realizes his dream to build a steam castle, overcoming obstacles, fighting evil, and saving London along the way. An open discussion about anime will follow the screening of the film, led by Montpelier instructors George Kochell and Joe Holliman. All ages; FREE
Sunday, December 7, 2014, 1–4 pm
Annual Holiday Open House
Montpelier Arts Center invites families to a fun holiday celebration! Resident artists open their studios for tours and offer works priced specially for holiday giving in the Gallery Shop. Attend the opening reception for the annual exhibitions featuring Patuxent Art League and Montpelier resident artists, and stop by for a pottery sale, holiday music, art demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and refreshments. FREE
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 11 am
Frozen Sing-A-Long
Join us for a sing-a-long version of Disney’s Frozen. Belt out popular tunes such as “Let It Go” and “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?” with Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf as the words appear on the screen. All ages; FREE
celebrate black history month Mondays, February 2, 9, & 16, 2015, 7 pm
Alice Walker: American Icon
Join us for a three-week series exploring the life and works of Alice Walker, with a special emphasis on her groundbreaking novel, The Color Purple. A multi-media approach to Ms. Walker’s power and originality as a woman and writer includes the film, her poetry, and discussion of The Color Purple and its significance as a work of art that forever changed the topic of the African American experience and stamina. Sharing ideas about art and Ms. Walker’s approach to storytelling will give participants a chance to explore their own thoughts about personal identity and expression. These sessions will be led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former poet-in-residence at Montpelier Arts Center and current teacher at the Johns Hopkins Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning. FREE
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Saturday, April 18, 2015, 1 pm
Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier!
Show the earth some love! Come to Montpelier for an afternoon of fun, creative, and educational Earth Day activities for the whole family. FREE
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 10 am–4 pm
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts Hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site, celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family! Listen to live music, visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and enjoy other creative activities. Stroll the Arts Center’s galleries and view exhibitions by Ellyn Weiss, Wayson R. Jones, and Patrick Cromwell. At 1 pm, enjoy a classical recital with soprano Keesun Kwon. Adjacent to the Arts Center is Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site. Visit the Mansion and stroll the beautiful grounds where you can purchase art, crafts, food, herbs, plants, and more. Selfguided tours are available year-round from 11 am–3 pm. Held rain or shine. FREE
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National Fitness Month
Celebrate National Fitness Month Saturday, May 9, 2015, 11 am
Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing
Yoga and writing both use literal and metaphorical vehicles to discover parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, illuminating pathways to feelings, memories, images, and stories embedded within our tissues, and helping us reflect, heal, and build community. In this workshop, we’ll get in touch with our bodies through breath work and poses; mindfulness techniques will slow the mind and create a sense of the sacred and writing exercises will help excavate what gets buried inside. Wear comfortable clothing, and bring a yoga mat and your favorite notebook and pen. Ages 18 & up; FREE
Friday, May 15, 2015, 7 pm
Yoga & Jazz
Breathe in... breathe out! Breathing connects yoga, jazz, and life to achieve the perfect balance between hard and soft, the firm and flexible, and the give and take. Get some relaxation and find your center this evening at a yoga class with jazz music. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Ages 18 & up; FREE
Saturday, May 23, 2015, 11 am
The Art of Yoga
Enjoy an hour-long yoga class in the beautiful galleries of Montpelier Arts Center. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Following the class, explore the art exhibitions in the galleries and discover the gorgeous grounds of Montpelier. Ages 18 & up; FREE
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Jazz Talks SERIES talks about jazz, music, and life, followed by Q&A sessions and refreshments.
Sunday, October 26, 2014, 2 pm
“The Evolution of Modern Jazz” with Willard Jenkins
Beginning in the 1940s, a core of restless musicians became weary of the creative restrictions of performing in the style of the Big Bands. In that large ensemble context, otherwise known as the Swing Era, even the greatest soloists were restricted in improvisational expression, sometimes to just one feature spot per show. After their Big Band shows in downtown venues, a small group of musicians began jamming, creating, and expanding their sense of the music at late-night after-hours sessions in Minton’s Playhouse and Monroe’s Uptown House in Harlem. This resulting evolution eventually shifted the music called jazz from dance halls to listening environments, into what became known under the general rubric as Modern Jazz, which is the essence of the art of the improvisers and a broad universe of expression that extends to today.
Sunday, November 9, 2014, 2 pm
“Jazz Giants of Washington, D.C.” with Rusty Hassan
Washington, D.C. has a rich jazz history. It is the birthplace of Duke Ellington, but many other prominent musicians have called D.C. their home. This session will touch upon the Duke and examine the music of Washingtonians Shirley Horn, Buck Hill, Andrew White, Keter Betts, and Rick Henderson. We’ll view excerpts from two documentaries: Oxygen for the Ears: Living Jazz and Seventh and T; reminisce about Bohemian Caverns, the One Step Down, Blues Alley, Twins, and Harold’s Rogue and Jar, among others; and talk about where to hear live jazz music in the District today.
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jazz talks SERIES
Join us at Montpelier Arts Center for a new series of interactive, educational artist
dinner and a movie
Dinner and a Movie Enjoy the annual gastronomic and cinematic Dinner and a Movie film series! Dinner is served at 6 pm and matched with some aspect of the evening’s film, which is shown immediately after dinner. Tickets for both dinner and film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening. Film only tickets are available for $10/person on the day of the screening. Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available. Tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329.
celebrate black history month Saturday, February 21, 2015
Bird (1988, Rated: R)
Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood, a well-known, long-standing jazz aficionado, delivers a compassionate portrait of jazz visionary Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. Eastwood, who also won a Golden Globe for Best Director for this film, paints a vivid portrait of the jazz world in all its complexity. As Parker, Forest Whitaker paints a multi-faceted performance that facilitates an understanding of the man’s genius and tragedy. This music-driven film was an Academy Award winner for Best Sound.
in honor of remembrance day Saturday, April 18, 2015
Life is Beautiful (1997, Rated: PG-13)
Roberto Benigni directs and stars as Guido in this extraordinary Academy Award-winning tale about the power of humor and imagination set against the stark reality of World War II Europe. Guido, a charming but bumbling Jewish-Italian waiter with an imagination and an irresistible sense of humor, arrives in the Tuscan town of Arrezzo, wins the heart of the woman he loves, and creates a beautiful life for his family. But when World War II threatens that life, Guido must rely on that very same humor and imagination to save his beloved and his son from an unthinkable fate. Saturday, May 9, 2015
Beat the Drum (2003, Rated: NR)
Winner of many national and international film festival awards, Beat the Drum is a film “with a big heart and a vital message” (Entertainment Tonight). Young Musa is orphaned after a mysterious illness strikes his village in KwaZulu Natal. To help his grandmother, Musa sets out for Johannesburg with nothing but his father’s last gift, a tribal drum, in search of work and his uncle. The journey confronts him with the stark realities of urban life, but his indomitable spirit never wavers; he returns with a truth and understanding that his elders have failed to grasp. 24 | 2014–2015 SEASON
Documentaries Discover the stories behind some of the greatest music ever made. Following the screening, participate in an audience-led discussion about the film. Tickets are $5/person and include snacks & beverages.
celebrate black history month Sunday, February 22, 2015, 1 pm
A Band Called Death (2012)
Before there was punk, there was a band called Death. In the early ‘70s, three teenage brothers formed a band in their spare bedroom and began playing a few local gigs, and even pressed a single in the hopes of getting signed. But this was the era of Motown and the emerging disco. Record companies found Death’s music–and band name–too intimidating, and the group was never given a fair shot, disbanding before they even completed one album. Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family love story, A Band Called Death chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first black punk band (or the first punk band), and are finally receiving their long overdue recognition as true rock pioneers. Tickets: $5/person and includes snacks & beverages
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Sunday afternoon documentaries
Sunday Afternoon
Sunday afternoon documentaries
celebrate women’s history month Sunday, March 15, 2015, 1 pm
The Girls in the Band (2011)
They wiggled and jiggled, wore low-cut gowns and short shorts, they kowtowed to club owners, and smiled at the customers. In the thirties and forties, these women did it all, just to play the music they loved. Yet, by the mid-fifties, female jazz musicians had literally disappeared from the workplace, their names and contributions to music completely forgotten. The Girls in the Band tells the poignant, untold stories of female jazz and Big Band instrumentalists and their fascinating, groundbreaking journeys from the late-thirties to present day. These talented women endured sexism, racism, and diminished opportunities for decades, yet continued to persevere in a field that seldom welcomed them. Today, there is a new breed of gifted young women taking their rightful place in the jazz world, which can no longer deny their talents. Tickets: $5/person and includes snacks & beverages Saturday, May 17, 2015, 1 pm
Twenty Feet from Stardom (2013)
Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. Award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, this film is both a tribute to their unsung voices and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices, and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others. Each gifted artist has a uniquely fascinating personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, 2014 Academy Award winner Twenty Feet From Stardom boasts intimate interviews with world-famous figures like Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, and Sting, who take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the film. Tickets: $5/person and includes snacks & beverages
Pack a Picnic! The grounds of Montpelier Arts Center are the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic prior to joining us for a concert or program. Bring your basket and blanket for an old-fashioned picnic in the great outdoors. Please be kind and pick up your trash. 26 | 2014–2015 SEASON
Montpelier Arts Center is proud to support the arts and welcomes artists of all ages to showcase their work in our exhibitions and programs. For detailed information on the programs listed, contact Montpelier Arts Center by phone at 301-377-7800 or by email at montpelier.arts@pgparks.com.
All Hung 2014
Montpelier Arts Center is delighted to offer an opportunity for all artists to exhibit their work during the biennial All Hung Open Exhibition, which will be on view in the Main Gallery from November 2–30, 2014. Bring one piece of artwork to Montpelier on October 29, 10 am–8 pm. Artwork must be appropriately matted, framed, and wired for exhibition, and may not exceed 36 inches in any direction. Artists must be 18 years of age or older to participate. There is no hanging fee. Please contact the Arts Center for a Drop Off Release Form.
Artists on the Rise: Third Annual Juried Teen Exhibition The third annual Montpelier juried teen exhibition will take place in March 2015 in the Library and Resident Artist Galleries. This competition is open to all artists 13-18 years of age who reside in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. Jurors will award prizes and cash honoraria based on artistic excellence.
Credit: Jessica Whitacre, 2014 Artists on the Rise First Place Winner
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artist Opportunities
Artist Opportunities
artist Opportunities
Main Gallery Call for Proposals
Montpelier Arts Center aims to showcase a diverse array of art from different genres, media, and cultures to stimulate public interest, excitement, and dialogue about the arts. We welcome interested artists and groups to submit exhibition proposals for the Main Gallery at Montpelier Arts Center. (Please note that this is an open call for proposals and there is no guarantee that submitted proposals will be selected for exhibition.)
Library Gallery Competition
Montpelier Arts Center is pleased to invite artists to enter its annual competition to be selected for 4–6, two-month-long exhibitions to be held in the Library Gallery for the 2015–2016 season. Artists must reside in Maryland and may apply for solo or group exhibitions. An honorarium will be awarded to each artist/group selected for exhibition.
Classical Recital Competition
Classical musicians are being sought for the 2015–2016 Montpelier Arts Center Recital Competition. These Sunday afternoon recitals are free to the public and will take place in the Main Gallery. The competition is open to all musicians residing in the United States, and will take place in spring 2015; winners will be awarded honoraria and presented in recital during the 2015–2016 season.
Take a Class or Workshop at Montpelier!
Montpelier Arts Center offers many workshops and classes for children, teens, and adults. Spark a new passion or rekindle an old love for animation, ceramics, drawing, glass design, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, rug hooking, sculpture, sewing, watercolor, writing, and much more! There are several ways to view class offerings. All classes are listed in SMARTlink at www.pgparks.com, and can be located by browsing under Visual Arts, Performing Arts, or Lifestyle and Learning. Using the Advanced Search feature allows you to search for classes specific to Montpelier Arts Center and occuring within a selected date range. Contact the Arts Center at montpelier.arts@pgparks.com to receive the full class booklet either as a PDF or by mail.
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Resident Artist Program Montpelier Arts Center houses resident artists who work in a diverse variety of media and styles. All are professional artists, and several teach Montpelier’s classes and programs. Artists work in their studios throughout the week and can be visited by groups or individuals interested in purchasing their work, or learning more about the artistic process. On a revolving basis, resident artists exhibit new work in the center’s Resident Artist Gallery.
Current Resident Artists n
Linda Bernard, Ceramics*
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Patricia Phillips Bowden, Painting
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David Brosch, Traditional Etching*
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Melissa Burley, Sculpture
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Patrick Cromwell, Printmaking
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Barry Goldstein, Sculpture
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Judith Kornett, Ceramic Sculpture*
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Roslyn Logsdon, Fiber Arts*
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Karen Mesinger Miller, Jewelry
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Sahomi Naka, Experimental Printmaking
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Sushama Parikh, Sculpture, Ceramics, and Batik
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Irene Sylvester, Watercolor and Collage
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Barbara Talbott, Printmaking
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Lori Ulmer-Hanson, Sculpture
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Steven Williams, Mixed Media
* These artists are also class instructors at Montpelier Arts Center.
Jurying for Studio Space Join a thriving community of professional artists in the Montpelier Resident Artist Program. Reasonably priced studios that vary in size are rented to qualified artists. Individual studio spaces at Montpelier Arts Center are located on the first floor and the second floor. The printmaking studio is a shared workspace on the first floor. Resident Artists who maintain studios at Montpelier are also eligible for solo exhibitions in the Resident Artist Gallery on a rotating basis and have access to the studios seven days a week. If space is available, Montpelier holds an annual jury for studio space at the Arts Center every May. All interested are encouraged to visit the center, call 301-377-7800, or email montpelier.arts@pgparks.com for the application. resident artist program | 29
Information & Directions Contact: Phone 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329; http://arts.pgparks.com Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm (Closed major holidays) Gallery Hours: 10 am–5 pm seven days a week Visitor Guidelines: The galleries and studios at Montpelier are free and open to the public
seven days a week. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the galleries. No photography or videography is allowed in the galleries without permission of the artists or the Arts Center. Accessibility: The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participa-
tion of individuals with disabilities. Register at least at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. Tours: Guided tours of the Arts Center include the exhibitions on view and visits with artists
working in their studios. Tours can be arranged by calling the Arts Center during office hours (8:30 am–5 pm). A tour of the Arts Center can often be arranged in conjunction with a tour of Montpelier Mansion. To schedule a tour with the Montpelier Mansion, call 301-377-7817; TTY 301-446-3302 or email montpeliermansion@pgparks.com Directions: Montpelier Arts Center is located off Route 197 and Muirkirk Road in Laurel,
Maryland, one quarter mile west of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295) North, and exit at Route 197 (LaurelBowie Road) North towards Laurel. Continue on Route 197 to Crystal Plaza Shopping Center/ Muirkirk Road. Turn left onto Muirkirk Road; Montpelier Arts Center Drive is the first right. Parking: There is plenty of free parking available at the Arts Center. MAILING LIST: Join the Montpelier Arts Center mailing and email lists, and be the first to hear
about exciting programs, performances, and unique opportunities for artists. Send an email to montpelier.arts@pgparks.com and tell us what announcements you’d like to receive from us!
Montpelier Arts Center Ticket Order Form Name Address city state
zip
Email Telephone
Alternate Phone
Event
Example:
Dick Morgan Reunion Band
Date
9/12
Time Tkt Type # Tkts $ Each $ Subtotal
8 pm
senior
2
$22.50
$45
Live! at Montpelier tickets: $25; except $30 for Bill Charlap, James Cotton, Freddy Cole and Tony DeSare. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Order Total $__________________
Payment q Check enclosed: (Made payable to M-NCPPC) Charge to: q Visa Account #
q MasterCard Expiration date
Cardholder signature
FAX: 301-377-7801 ORDER BY PHONE: 301-377-7800 for credit card orders (Visa and MasterCard only) Mail to: Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708 To receive email updates about special events, programs, and performances, please send an email to montpelier.arts@pgparks.com. order form | 31
Cover painting by Andrei Trach
PPC PR-ACHD-10/14
The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
Montpelier Arts Center is a facility of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division.
pgparks.com
9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708 301-377-7800, 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329 http://arts.pgparks.com
Montpelier Arts Center
Permit #1083 Riverdale, MD
PAID
FIRST CLASS U.S. Postage