Community Calendar

When was the last time you unplugged?

Disconnect, slow down, and rediscover what it means to be present inside the BMA’s historic Spring House, where acclaimed American conceptual artist Rachel Lee Hovnanian presents the Nature Deficit Disorder immersion room this spring. The powerful installation challenges our digital dependence and rekindles our connection to the natural world.

Inspired by journalist Richard Louv’s term “nature deficit disorder,” described as a growing disconnection from nature, often linked to diminished focus and negative moods, Hovnanian transforms the Spring House into a simulated nighttime forest.

“My work has long explored how technology shapes attention, mental health, and human connection. This installation emerged from my observations of society’s growing digital dependence, alongside my own experience of it.” –Rachel Lee Hovnanian
Away from the constant ping of notifications and endless scrolling, surrender your phone, surround yourself with fir trees, and let lantern light guide you. Hear the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and watch the flicker of a campfire casting shadows across the room.

In a world where we check our phones every other minute, Hovnanian invites you to linger for at least five minutes in the immersion room and consider what is lost when we give our attention to apps and devices rather than real-life experiences.

“What do we lose when our lives are constantly mediated by screens? I hope to offer a pause—an invitation to rediscover how it feels to be fully present.” –Rachel Lee Hovnanian

Between 1946 and 1953, Henri Matisse created 28 lithographic portraits for Poésies Antillaises (Antillean Poetry), a book of poems by John-Antoine Nau. Published posthumously in 1972, this rare volume remains one of Matisse’s least-known illustrated works.

Inspired by his brief 1930 visit to Martinique, Matisse translated Nau’s evocative poems—celebrating travel, music, and oceanic landscapes—into vibrant portraits. These reflect the artist’s collaborations with notable Caribbean and international models and are presented alongside works by two leading artists from Martinique and Guadeloupe, Germaine Casse and Serge Hélénon. This focus exhibition illuminates aspects of the transatlantic artistic circles active during the late French colonial period.

Maryland Art Place, in partnership with Hotel Indigo Baltimore, is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Maryland-based artist, Roo Taylor. The exhibition is on view at Hotel Indigo, located at 24 West Franklin St. from April 17 - July 17.
A public reception will take place on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

About the Artist:
Roo Taylor (b. 2003) is a Baltimore-based artist originally from Denver, Colorado. She earned her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and is currently a resident artist at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore. Working primarily with high-flow acrylic paint and acrylic ink, Taylor uses transparency and layered color to create abstract landscapes. Her work explores the interplay between the natural world and human relationships, exploring the emotional and atmospheric depth through fluid, natural spaces. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries across Baltimore, Denver and New York, as well as internationally at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art in Japan.

Using light and color as metaphors for energy, Roo Taylor’s work traces the through lines between the natural world and human connection. Rooted in a deep reverence for transparency and hue, each piece is meant to reflect on the connection between feeling and form. Taylor invites viewers to experience emotional resonance as something inherently natural, alive, layered, and luminous.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 PM to 7 PM for a champagne reception at Hotel Indigo located at 24 West Franklin St.

FREE children’s bike safety event: Grade school age children come on out for an opportunity to learn, practice, and demonstrate your bicycle handling skills on seven different agility stations; have your helmet checked, and earn your bike “driver’s” license. Trek Bicycle of Ellicott City will be there, as well as these two food trucks: I Scream Truck and Chesapeake Food Works.
-Sorry, but NOT SUITABLE FOR SCOOTERS
-Visit our website: https://www.ellicottcityvfa.com/
*In the case of foul weather/excessive heat, we may have to cancel, so please check our website

Join us at the opening for Janice M. Crum: Floralia. These new paintings and collage are inspired by the ancient Roman spring festival to honor Floralia, Goddess of Flowers. Crum is a multidisciplinary artist, spiritualist, and single mother.

There will be a complimentary brunch at the opening reception, in honor of Mother's Day. The exhibition runs through May 24. There will be a closing reception on Sunday, May 24, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. Gallery hours are and 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, Sunday, May 17, Saturday, May 23 and by appointment. Contact Janice M. Crum at (443) 326-8461 / [email protected].

Arthur and Friends Make a Musical!
Book and Lyrics by John Maclay
Music and Lyrics by Brett Ryback
Based on the Arthur book series by Marc Brown

Directed by Zack Callis
Choreographed by Kiersten Gasemy

Run time: Around one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes with no intermission.
This show is appropriate for audiences of all ages.

About: Mr. Ratburn's class is putting on a show – but Arthur's not so sure he's ready! With help from his family and friends, Arthur learns that being yourself is the best part of any performance. A fun, feel-good musical for the whole family!

On View February 4 - May 16 (closed March 15 - 22)

Explore the remarkable artistic journey and cultural legacy of Lain Singh Bangdel (1919–2002), widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Art” in Nepal. This collection of paintings—spanning the 1940s to the 1980s— reflects and reframes the cultural, political, and emotional realities of Bangdel’s time and traces his evolving vision as he navigated multiple worlds: colonial and postcolonial South Asia, cosmopolitan Europe, and an emerging modern Nepal.

Gallery Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The highly anticipated 8th Annual Lock House Beer and Wine Fest is set to return on May 9th, bringing together beer enthusiasts, wine lovers, and the local community for a day of tasting, entertainment, and celebration. Held at the scenic Lock House venue, this year’s festival will feature a curated selection of regional craft breweries and wineries, offering attendees the opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers and wines. In addition to tastings, guests can enjoy live music performances throughout the day, local food vendors serving up delicious bites, and interactive experiences designed to highlight the art and craft behind each pour. The festival continues its tradition of supporting local businesses while fostering a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.
We’re excited to welcome everyone back for our 8th year! The Lock House Beer and Wine Fest has become a beloved community event.
Event Details:
• Date: May 9th, 2026
• Time: 11am-5pm
• Location: Lock House Museum, 817 Conesteo St, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
• Tickets: Unlimited tasting tickets starting at $38; VIP Tickets and General Admission Tickets also available. Purchase tickets online at www.thelockhouse.org
Attendees must be 21 or older to participate in tastings.