SOMD Photography Launches Year-Long Gallery Wall At St. Mary’s County Arts Council

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Beginning Jan. 7, 2026, SOMD Photography will curate a dedicated photography wall at the St. Mary’s County Arts Council in Leonardtown, creating a year-long rotating gallery designed to spotlight photographers from across Southern Maryland.

The initiative will feature monthly exhibitions highlighting photographers of all experience levels — from first-time exhibitors and youth photographers to established artists. Organizers say the goal is to create an accessible, inclusive platform that reflects the people, places and everyday moments that define life in the region.

The gallery program is supported by Full Frame Foundation, which provides guidance and structure to ensure the project remains community-driven and open to a wide range of participants. Together, the organizations aim to use visual storytelling to strengthen community connection, preserve local memory and elevate voices from across Southern Maryland.

Each monthly rotation will be shaped by a community-focused theme, encouraging reflection and conversation around the region’s culture, landscapes and lived experiences. The rotating format allows the space to evolve throughout the year while maintaining a consistent presence for local photography within the county’s arts scene.

In an effort to further remove financial barriers, SOMD Photography has covered the exhibition fees typically required by the Arts Council to display work in the gallery. The organization will also cover the costs of printing, mounting and framing photographs for participating artists who may not have the means to do so themselves. Organizers say the intention is to ensure that every photographer has an opportunity to participate — whether their work is captured on a cellphone with no budget at all or with a professional camera setup and years of experience behind the lens.

The gallery will debut on Jan. 7 with a special inaugural exhibition featuring the winners of the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union 2026 Calendar Photo Contest. The opening exhibit will showcase professionally printed and framed images capturing the beauty and everyday life of Southern Maryland and will remain on display throughout January.

To mark the launch, the first 100 visitors who mention that they saw this article or the original Facebook post when visiting the Arts Council gallery in January will receive a free copy of the 2026 calendar, while supplies last.

Organizers say the gallery wall is intended to grow alongside the community, offering ongoing opportunities for photographers to exhibit their work and for residents to engage with local stories through photography. Southern Maryland photographers interested in participating in future exhibitions are encouraged to follow SOMD Photography for upcoming themes and submission details. Photographers using cellphones, hobby cameras or professional equipment are all welcome to apply.

For more information, inquiries can be sent to gallery@somdphotography.org.

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