Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now
Pop-Up Exhibit at Chesapeake Arts Center
March 17-March 31, 2026
Main Education Building
Protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, freedom of the press is crucial for the functioning of a healthy American democracy. The press provides diverse perspectives on important issues, empowering the public to make informed decisions. In this way, a free press supports the very foundation of American democracy by ensuring an informed and engaged citizenry.
The current rise in hate speech, disinformation, and deadly attacks against journalists threaten freedom of the press on a global level. The Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now traveling exhibition explores the evolution of one of our most important American freedoms from its earliest incarnation in the Maryland Colony to its role in contemporary society. This exhibit is one element of a multi-pronged project designed to encourage all citizens to think critically about the roles of a free press to self-government in democracy.
Over the course of 2026, the exhibition will travel to eight locations across the state and will feature complementary humanities programs and educational initiatives about this essential American freedom.
Learn more and stay up to date on related events on Maryland Humanities website.
Growing Forward
Showcasing the Creative Success of AACPS Visual Arts Seniors Exhibition
Patricia Barland Gallery and Hal Gomer Gallery I April 16-May 10, 2026
Reception: April 23, 2026 5-7 pm
Growing Forward: Showcasing the Creative Success of AACPS Visual Arts Seniors is a celebration of the AACPS seniors who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of artistic growth. This exhibition includes representation from every high school and spans a wide range of media. The selected artworks highlight the artistic critical thinking, expression, risk-taking, and perseverance of these 2026 graduates.
This exhibition is on view in both our Hal Gomer Gallery and Patricia Barland Gallery from April 16-May 10, 2026.
Disassociations
A solo exhibition by Lillian Chun
Patricia Barland Gallery I May 16-June 14, 2026
Reception: May 21, 2026 6-8 pm
Blending painting, sculpture, and photography, Disassociations by Artist Lillian Chun, explores the tension between stillness and overwhelm. Using found objects, remnants of photographic prints, fabric, old paintings, 3D printed pieces and intuitive mark-making, these layered pieces reflect on the psychological residue of burnout and the invisible labor that often consumes women’s inner worlds.
This exhibit is on view in our Patricia Barland Gallery from May 16-June 14, 2026.
The Weight We Carry
Mental Health Awareness Month Group Exhibition
Hal Gomer Gallery I May 16-June 14, 2026
Reception: May 21, 2026 6-8 pm
The Weight We Carry explores the complex, often unseen experiences of mental health through the lens of art. This exhibition features powerful works by artists who confront, express, and transform personal and collective struggles into visual narratives. By illuminating the challenges embedded in mental health journeys, The Weight We Carry invites us to reflect, foster empathy, and engage in conversations that reduce stigma and celebrate human strength.
This exhibit is on view in our Hal Gomer Gallery from May 16-June 14, 2026.