Art League of Ocean City

Monthly Newsletter — October 2026

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

October at the Art League: Fall Into Creativity!

Fall has arrived, and the Art League is buzzing with creativity! October brings an exciting mix of art, film, celebration and a glimpse into our future.

 

Feminessence — opens Oct 2

Celebrate the power and diversity of women artists in this inspiring exhibition showcasing unique voices and perspectives.Curated by Deborah Rolig and sponsored in part by a grant from the Women’s fund of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the month long programs include a panel by women authors and an opportunity to share recipes and stories of cultural heritage.


Party of the Year — October 6 — The Hobbit Restaurant

Join us at The Hobbit for our biggest celebration of the year! It’s an evening to celebrate our artists, supporters and the incredible creative community we’ve built together. Join in our online auction and raffle to win $5,000 or a trip of a lifetime sponsored by Oasis Travel. (need not be present to win)


Plein Air Painting with Maryland Coastal Bays at Assateague — Oct 17 

Join a certified naturalist and paint with artist Rebecca Morgan on Assateague State Park. Learn about the fauna and flora and be guided to create a painting “en plein air”—FREE but registration required. Register for this and lots of other classes this month at ocart.org/classes 


Horror Film Night — Oct 17 — Ashore Hotel

Get ready for a spooky evening of films, fun and a few surprises! It’s a great reminder that creativity comes in all forms.


Beyond the Walls

We’re also looking ahead. Our Beyond the Walls campaign will help create much-needed additional space for classes, exhibitions and community programs. As the Art League grows, so does the demand for what we offer — especially from children and families.


There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the Art League. Whether you attend an event, take a class, support an artist, become a member or contribute to Beyond the Walls, you are helping us build a bigger, more vibrant future for the arts in Ocean City. You can donate directly on our website OCart.org/donate


See you at the Art League in October!


Rina Thaler

Executive Director

Art League of Ocean City

Featured Exhibitions


Thaler Gallery: “Fem-in-essence” Women’s Exhibit


Sisson Galleria: “Fem-in-essence” Women’s Exhibit


Studio E: The Painting Picassos: Jocelyn Briddell, Sarah Cooper, Sandy Kurka, Brookellen Rider


Schwab Spotlight Gallery: “Fem-in-essence” Women’s Exhibit


Felber Artisan Showcase: Deb Rolig & Dee Gray



Offsite Galleries


Princess Royale: Mason D'Aleo 


Coffee Beanery: Kathy Denk

Upcoming Events

PARTY OF THE YEAR

An extraordinary evening awaits…


Join the Art League of Ocean City at The Hobbit Restaurant for our annual pARTy of the Year fundraiser.



This year’s celebration will transport guests to an enchanting setting inspired by The Hobbit story, with an elegant atmosphere, a sit-down dinner, and a memorable evening in support of the arts in our community.


Tuesday, October 6, 2026

6 - 9pm


Limited Seats Available.


Sponsorship Tables Available: Click here for more information

or email Jessica to reserve a table.

 

A CHANCE TO WIN $5,000


Trip of a Lifetime Raffle – Tickets On Sale NOW!

Don't miss your chance to win BIG while supporting the arts!


Grand Prize: $5,000 CASH or the trip of your dreams!


Only 350 tickets will be sold — giving you incredible odds!

1 ticket for $100

6 tickets for $500 (Best Value!)


Winner will be announced at the pARTy of the Year on October 6.

You do not need to be present to win!


Get your tickets today before they're gone!

sponsored by Oasis Travel


CLICK HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN

 

SUPPORT THE BEYOND THE WALLS

We have already received incredible support to kickstart this vision. The project is supported by the Maryland State Arts Council and a significant matching partnership from the Town of Ocean City. While these investments are vital first steps, community support is what will truly bring this vision to life.


We invite our donors, local businesses, and friends of the arts to join us in leaving a lasting legacy. Your contribution to the Beyond the Walls Capital Campaign is an investment in a vibrant, accessible space that inspires creativity, strengthens our community, and enriches lives for years to come.


Every act of support—whether through a donation, sharing our story, or becoming a member—helps us build more than just an addition; it helps us build the future of the arts in Ocean City.


Naming Opportunites Available


If you are interested in making a transformative gift contact Jessica

 

FIRST FRIDAY

Fri. October 2, 5pm–7pm

FREE

Join Us for First Friday!


This exhibit celebrates resilient, nurturing, and empowered women through art. Artists are challenged to express an aspect of the feminine experience that is uniquely their own through their chosen art form.


Funding for this event is provided in part by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts—organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.


LEARN MORE

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS

Fri. October 9th, 11am–1pm

FREE

Registration encouraged but not required.


Monthly Art Club designed for individuals aged 60+ who believe that creativity has no retirement date.


NEXT SESSION


AI in the Arts


Dr. Mary Ann Wangemann will present AI in the Arts, an engaging look at the growing role of artificial intelligence in the creative world.


Discover how AI is being used across both creative and business applications in the arts, as well as important considerations surrounding artists’ rights and protections.


Following the presentation, attendees are invited to take part in a group discussion exploring the pros and cons of collaborating with AI and what this evolving technology could mean for artists and the future of creativity.


Registration is encouraged but not required.



CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

FEMINESSENCE: EASTERN SHORE STORIES

Wed. October 14th, 6pm–8pm

FREE

Registration encouraged but not required.


Join us for Feminessence: Eastern Shore Stories, an evening celebrating the voices, experiences, and stories of local female authors.


This special author panel will bring together women writers from the Eastern Shore to discuss their experiences as authors and share insight into writing from the female perspective. Hear about their creative journeys, the stories that inspire them, and the unique experiences that have shaped their work.


Following the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, purchase books from participating authors, and have their books signed.


Featured Authors

Stephanie Fowler

Gwen Lehman

Dr. Clara L. Small

Cathy Schmidt

Joan Cooper


Come discover new voices, connect with local writers, and celebrate the women whose stories help capture the experiences, history, and character of our region.



CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


HORROR NIGHT: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

Sat. October 17th

Doors Open: 6 PM | Film: 7 PM

Ashore Oceanfront Hotel

10100 Coastal Highway

FREE

Registration encouraged but not required.


Join the Ocean City Film Festival for a special Horror Night celebrating George A. Romero’s groundbreaking 1968 classic, Night of the Living Dead!


Experience this legendary zombie film the way it was meant to be seen with a rare 16mm screening on the big screen.


Come dressed for the occasion and enter our horror-themed costume contest, with prizes awarded for the best costumes. Refreshments will also be available for purchase throughout the evening.


Admission is FREE and open to the public.

Seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.



CLICK HERE TO REGISTER



Presented by the Ocean City Film Festival, an Art League of Ocean City production.

OUR KITCHEN, OUR STORIES: HERITAGE FAMILY & RECIPES

Sun. October 25th, 1pm–3:30pm

FREE

Registration encouraged but not required.


Join us for a special afternoon celebrating the recipes, stories, and traditions passed down through generations of women.


Our Kitchen, Our Stories: Heritage, Family & Recipes explores the powerful ways food connects us to our families, our heritage, and one another. Through recipes and the stories behind them, we’ll celebrate the memories, traditions, and experiences that find their way from one generation to the next.


Food, Family & Community

The afternoon will feature a lecture exploring food, family, and community, followed by a tasting and storytelling experience featuring selected community participants.


Hear the stories behind treasured recipes, discover the traditions they represent, and enjoy prepared dishes shared by their recipe authors.


Preserving Our Stories

Selected recipes, personal stories, and artwork from the Our Kitchen, Our Stories project will also become part of a community storytelling cookbook, preserving and celebrating these meaningful connections through food.


Come gather around the table for an afternoon of food, storytelling, heritage, and community at the Art League of Ocean City.


This project is made possible through a grant from the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.



CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION

Sat. October 31st, 11am–1pm

FREE

Registration encouraged but not required.


Halloween at the Art League!

Get ready for a frightfully fun and creative Halloween at the Art League of Ocean City!


Join us on Saturday, October 31 from 11 AM–1 PM for a FREE Halloween Celebration filled with spooky, hands-on fun!


Activities Include:

Make your own Halloween slime!


Come dressed in costume and show off your Halloween spirit!


Go on a Halloween Arty Spy adventure!

Follow the clues throughout the Arts Center to discover candy bowls along the way.



CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


 
 

New & Noteworthy Classes

Watercolor: Lighthouses

Gerilyn Gaskill

Oct. 1 & 8, 1:30pm–3:30pm

$35 Members, $42 Non-Members

Register Here

Oil Painting: 6-week (Beg.– Int.)

David Hollander

Oct.1, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 1pm–4pm

$263 Members, $315 Non-Members

Register Here

How to win a Pumpkin Carving Contest

(pumpkins and materials provided)

Nancy Baker from The Food Network!

Oct. 18, 12pm–2pm

$75 Members, $90 Non-Members

Register Here

Kids Classes

Kids Pottery

Sarah Halcott

Oct. 14, 5pm–6pm

$25 Members, $30 Non-Members

Register Here

Little Arty's Art and Storytime

Mary Anne Cooper and Essence Zekoll

Oct. 28, 10am–11am

FREE

Register Here

 

Recent Highlights and News

2026 Hondo's Gladiator Golf Tournament

What a night on the green!


On Thursday, September 17 at 6 PM, Al “Hondo” Handy, our Gladiator for the Arts, brought everyone together for a fun-filled evening of mini golf at Indoor Old Pro Golf on 136th Street, benefiting the Art League of Ocean City!


A huge congratulations to our winning teams!


1st Place

Andrew Sanderson, Scott Holdren, Jayne Burleson, and Paul Burleson


2nd Place

Cody Davis, Chad Davis, Chris Davis, and Eric Hewitt


3rd Place

Brooke Borrelli, Matt Borrelli, Frank Borrelli, and Chad Rogers


Most Creative Outfit

Congratulations to the team that took home this fun-filled honor!


From friendly competition and creative outfits to complimentary snacks, drinks, and plenty of laughs, it was a fantastic evening celebrating community and supporting the arts.


As Hondo says, “Art isn’t just something you look at on a wall; it’s the heartbeat of our town.”


Thank you to everyone who came out, played, sponsored a hole, dedicated a hole, and helped make the evening such a success. Your support helps the Art League of Ocean City continue to champion the arts and make a difference in our community.

2026 Artists Paint OC

Congratulations to our 2026 Artists Paint OC Award Winners!


Another incredible Artists Paint OC is in the books! Talented plein air artists spent the week capturing Ocean City and the surrounding area, and we’re excited to celebrate this year’s award-winning works.

1st Place – $2,500: Between the Pilings — Watercolor by Jessica Schlegel (Sponsored by PNC Bank)


2nd Place – $1,500: Delaney on the Bay — Oil by Kathryn Engberg

(Sponsored by the Art League of Ocean City)


3rd Place – $1,000: Hope Rises — Oil by Mary Veiga

(Sponsored by the Art League of Ocean City)


Spirit of Ocean City – $1,000: Wishful Thinking — Pastel by Catherine Homens (Sponsored by the Town of Ocean City)


Beach to Bay Heritage – $500: The Lizzie Bishop House — Pastel by Al Richards (Sponsored by Beach to Bay Heritage)


Best Hospitality – $500: Cup or Cone — Oil by Siobhan Duggan

(Sponsored by OCMD Hospitality Assoc)


Best Agribusiness – $250: The Plein Air Painter — Watercolor by Mick McAndrew (Sponsored by Agriculture Families)


Best Use of Light – $200: Sailor Bay Produce — Oil by Gavin Bromell

(Sponsored by Crystal Collins)


Best Maritime – $200: Harbor Sunbreak — Oil by John Eiseman

(Sponsored by Emmy Challenger)


Best Nocturne – $200: Welcome to Grove Market — Oil by Donna Brumbergs (Sponsored by Ginny Outten)


Honorable Mention #1 – $150: Marsh Magic — Acrylic by Mimi Little

(Sponsored by Berta Maginniss)


Honorable Mention #2 – $150: Almost in the Water — Acrylic by Jacki Yamin (Sponsored by Marian Bickerstaff)


Honorable Mention #3 – $150: Protecting My Baby — Watercolor by Greg Cannizzaro (Sponsored by Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Assoc)


Honorable Mention #4 – $150: Berlin Pines — Oil by Liz Maynes


Honorable Mention #5 – $150: Dunes to Beach — Oil by Nancy Fine

Artists Choice in Memory of Ray Ewing – $500: Donna Brumbergs and Kathryn Engberg (Sponsored by Laura Jenkins)

A huge congratulations to all of our award winners and participating artists! Thank you to our generous award sponsors for helping us recognize and celebrate the incredible talent that makes Artists Paint OC so special.


And a special thank you to this year’s juror, Kevin Fitzgerald, for selecting our 2026 award winners.

2026 Artists Paint OC : Quick Paint

Congratulations to our 2026 Quick Paint Award Winners!


Artists took to the south end of the Ocean City Boardwalk for our annual Artists Paint OC Quick Paint, where they had just two hours to capture the sights and energy of Ocean City!


Congratulations to this year’s winners:


1st Place: Daze at the Beach — Oil by Mary Veiga


2nd Place: Ocean View — Watercolor by Ronaldo Dorado


3rd Place: Ray's View — Oil by Maggii Sarfaty


Honorable Mention: Thrashers Corner — Watercolor by Jose Ramirez


A huge congratulations to our winners and all of the artists who participated in this fast-paced plein air tradition! Thank you to everyone who came out to the Boardwalk to watch the artists at work and joined us afterward to see the finished pieces.


A special thank you to Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) for generously sponsoring the Quick Paint awards and supporting the arts in our community!

Have you visited our Free Little Art Gallery yet?


Just look at all the creativity that has found a home inside this tiny gallery—from hand-painted shells and miniature pottery to colorful crafts and one-of-a-kind treasures. Every item has been shared by someone in our community for others to enjoy.


Located on the Art League of Ocean City patio, the Free Little Art Gallery is open to everyone:


  • Take a small piece of art.
  • Leave a small handmade creation.


Stop by, explore, and help keep the gallery stocked with creativity and kindness. All ages welcome and all items are completely FREE!

 

Discover a One-of-a-Kind Shore Treasure!


Looking for something special, colorful, and truly unique? You never know what treasure you’ll discover at the Felber Gift Shop!


Located inside the Art League of Ocean City, Center for the Arts, the Felber Gift Shop is filled with handcrafted creations by talented local artists—perfect for gifting, collecting, or bringing a little piece of the Eastern Shore home with you.


Meet Two Featured Artists


Steven Sirota

Wood, wire, imagination—and a whole lot of creativity! Steven Sirota transforms these unexpected materials into whimsical mixed-media creations that capture the spirit of the shore in wonderfully unexpected ways.


Deborah Maklowski

Add a splash of coastal color to your home with Deborah’s gorgeous beadscape artwork. Each framed piece is ready to hang and features intricate textures, vibrant colors, and plenty of seaside inspiration.


The Perfect Gift—or a Treat for Yourself!


From unique artwork to handcrafted treasures, the Felber Gift Shop offers something you won’t find in a typical souvenir shop. Every piece has its own story, and every visit brings the possibility of finding something new.


Shop local. Support local artists. Take home a little piece of the Eastern Shore!


Stop by the Felber Gift Shop at the Ocean City Center for the Arts and see what treasures are waiting for you.


Come discover your next favorite piece of shore-inspired art!

 

Subscribe to our Special Interest Newsletters

Creative Connections Newsletter is a monthly digest dedicated to our community members aged 60 and better. Rather than searching through a full calendar of events, this newsletter brings a curated selection of opportunities directly to your inbox.

What you’ll find inside:

  • Health & Vitality: Proactive wellness tips for healthy aging.
  • Creative Connections Club: A first look at the social gatherings specifically designed for 60+.
  • Artistic Inspiration: Classes, programs, & activities to spark your next creative project.


Young Artists Monthly is designed for busy parents and guardians, this is your "cheat sheet" for youth programming. It’s the easiest way to keep track of registration dates and family-friendly activities without the clutter.

What you’ll find inside:

  • First Access: Register for camps. classes, and programs your kids will love.
  • Upcoming Calendar: A list of events to mark which family member wants to create first.
  • Program Spotlights: Be the first to know about special programs for the family.


Select Your Email Interests



Tell us what you want to see in your inbox. Update your profile to select the specific types of Art League news and events you want to receive.


*For your security an email to verify you are making changes will be sent to you first*

 
 

Support the Art League of Ocean City

Join/Renew Your Membership

Become part of our creative community or renew your support to enjoy exclusive benefits while helping the arts thrive year-round.

Click Here To Join


Make a Donation

Your generous gift directly supports exhibitions, education, and outreach programs that make the arts accessible to all.

Click Here To Donate


Volunteer with Us

Share your time and talents by volunteering with the Art League and help bring our programs, events, and mission to life.

Click Here For More Info


Download Our App

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Click Here to Download

 
 

Thank You Corporate Partners & Donors


Thank you to our generous donors and corporate partners whose support makes our exhibitions, education programs, and community outreach possible. 

 

Free Admission

Open Year Round

9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm Sat-Sun

(410) 524-9433

The Art League of Ocean City is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting artistic expression and appreciation for the creative arts in our community. Financial support comes primarily through membership dues from individuals and corporate partners. Funding is provided in part by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

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