LEONARDTOWN, Md. — March is Youth Art Month (YAM), an annual observance highlighting the importance of art education and its role in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in young people. This year, St. Mary’s County Arts Council invites youth artists from St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles Counties to showcase their work in a community gallery show throughout March.
This year’s gallery exhibition will be held at the St. Mary’s County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop, located at 22660 Washington Street in Leonardtown. The show will run from March 1 through March 31, 2025, with an opening reception scheduled for Friday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Call for Youth Artists
The Arts Council is accepting submissions from youth artists aged 18 and under. Each artist may submit one piece for display. Eligible participants must reside in St. Mary’s, Calvert, or Charles Counties.
Key Dates:
- Submission Deadline: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.
- Artwork Delivery: Accepted pieces must be delivered by appointment between February 8 and February 22 during regular gallery hours.
Artwork Guidelines
- Maximum size: 36 inches in any direction.
- Wall art must be framed and include a sawtooth or wire hanger. Canvas pieces are not required to be framed but must also have appropriate hangers.
- Sculpture submissions must include their own stand and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis due to space limitations.
- All artwork must be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
Exhibited pieces will remain on display throughout March unless purchased by a gallery visitor. Purchased items will be taken by customers at the time of sale. Artists will be contacted in early April to arrange for pickup of unsold works, which must be retrieved within 30 days of the show’s conclusion.
How to Apply
Interested artists can apply online by February 5, 2025. For detailed guidelines and submission forms, visit www.smcart.org/youth-art-month-2025.
For questions, contact the Gallery Manager at gallery@smcart.org. Submissions will be reviewed by Arts Council staff, and accepted artists will receive instructions for scheduling their delivery appointments.
Youth Art Month is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talent of young artists in Southern Maryland while emphasizing the critical role of art in education and community life.
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