November's Spotlight on the Arts features painter and winner of the 2026 Art Walk, Layna Rye. Layna is a resident of St. Mary's County and has been a painter since her childhood. Her entry—Carpe Diem—was displayed at Vintage Collective during the month of September. Read the full article here.

This monthly spotlight is in partnership with The Southern Maryland Chronicle.

SoMD Photography at St. Mary's County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop!

Works by SoMD Photography are featured at the St. Mary's County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop for a one-year exhibit. Stop by the Gallery at 22660 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD, to experience it.

November's theme is: Southern Maryland Nonprofits.

Passport to the Holidays 2 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM

(times and events vary per location)

Every First Friday of the month, historic Leonardtown's art galleries, restaurants, gift shops, antique shops, etc. open their doors to showcase local artists and/or serve specials at their establishments. Find details on Facebook and also at Visit Leonardtown MD.

Color & Light Society Reception

22660 Washington St, Leonardtown, MD

(SMCAC Gallery & Gift Shop)

Opening Reception November 6 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM 

This show features works by the Color & Light Society artists in a wide variety of fall themes! For details click here.

North End Gallery: Reflections in Color Reception

41652 Fenwick St, Leonardtown, MD

Opening Reception November 6 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM

Featuring artists Mary Ida Rolape, Bea Poulin, and Jane Rowe, with works in fused glass, mosaics, sculpture, photography, and oil painting. The exhibition runs November 3–22. Find more details at the NEG website or on Facebook.

Old Jail Museum & Leonardtown Visitor Center

41625 Courthouse Dr, Leonardtown, MD

November 6 from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Take a FREE tour of this fascinating historical site and the Visitor Center! Learn more here or call 240-925-3427.

Port of Leonardtown (POL) Winery - Live Music by Mariah Jean & Taylor with food by Mouth of the Bay

23190 Newtowne Neck Rd, Leonardtown, MD

November 6 from 5:30 - 8:30 PM

View and purchase artwork by Jami Faith during the month of November! See POL Facebook page and event calendar for details.

Watercolor Blooms Painting Party

22694 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD

November 10 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM

Celebrate the beauty of autumn at the Watercolor Blooms Painting Party at Antoinette's Garden in Leonardtown. This is a beginner-friendly class creating colorful fall-inspired floral paintings. For event details, click here.

SMCM Jazz Ensemble Concert

47645 College Drive, St. Mary's City, MD

November 13 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Join the St. Mary's College of Maryland Jazz Ensemble for a recital/concert for this free public event. For tickets/information click here.

Southern Maryland Film Festival

R/C Lexington Exchange Movies 12

44800 Oak Crest Dr., California, MD

November 14 starting at 1:00 PM

The Southern Maryland Film Festival is offering a “Best of the Fest” featuring a variety of favorite films from past festivals. All films were produced by local filmmakers. For details click here.

Historic St. Mary's City New Visitor Center

47373 Old State House Rd., St. Mary's City, MD

November 14 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Beginning November 14, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the new facility during its inaugural season and explore exhibits that connect past and present in meaningful ways. This is the first opportunity to step inside and experience this important new chapter. For details click here.

SMTMD Contra Dance

37497 Zach Fowler Rd., Chaptico, MD

November 14 starting at 7:00 PM

The evening starts with a half hour beginner’s dance workshop followed by live music performed by the SOMD Open Band and dancing starting at 7:30 pm. For more information click here.

An Evening with Filmmaker Missy Bell

St. Inie's Coffee

46915 S Shangri La Dr., Lexington Park, MD

November 19 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Filmmaker Missy Bell is screening a selection of her short films at St. Indie's Coffee, Nov. 19. This is a free event. Her full-length feature film—Erased—will be screened Friday, Nov. 20, at Great Mills High School. For details and to purchase tickets to the GMHS showing of Erased, click here.

A Night of Elegance

47645 College Drive, St. Mary's City, MD

December 7 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Step away from the holiday rush and into an evening of Christmas beauty, music and celebration at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park—all while supporting the preservation, programs and educational experiences that keep our local history alive. For more information click here.

Sotterley Descendants Portrait Project: Sharing our Common Humanity - The Descendants' Project is to grow an official registry of all people whose ancestry is connected to Historic Sotterly.

Artist Nicole Stewart has embarked on a two-year journey to paint as many registered Sotterley descendants as possible—somewhere between 50 and 100—for upcoming museum exhibitions. (Dates and locations of exhibitions to be announced.) You can follow Nicole Stewart on this journey here.

Art Exhibit - Swati Umare

37600 New Market Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD

October - November

Visit the Lexington Park Library to see Swati's paintings at this limited run show! Click here for the library's open days and hours.

Art Exhibit - Sarita Pandey

23630 Hayden Farm Ln., Leonardtown, MD

October - November

Visit the Lexington Park Library to see Sarita's paintings at this limited run show! Click here for the library's open days and hours.

Art Exhibit - Pat McGrath

21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park, MD

October - November

Visit the Lexington Park Library to see Pat's paintings at this limited run show! Click here for the library's open days and hours.

Eric Jackson

25500 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD (ER Department)

Show runs November - January

Our gallery collaboration at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital features artwork by Eric Jackson. This gallery is open 24/7 to the public.

These opportunities are ideal for Boy or Girl Scout troops, or any other group or organization interested in helping to beautify our community.

Projects include construction and painting of park benches, creating boxes for the Little Free Art Gallery Project, drives to collect art supplies for schools/senior centers/soup kitchen art programs, and other projects! Email Susie Glauner at director@smcart.org for additional details!

Engage Your Business & Community Through Art!

Your business or organization can create unique, eye-catching public art led by a top-notch local artist! This wonderful team-building activity will enrich our county parks with beautiful artwork while building your team's cohesion and resilience. Click here for additional details!

St. Mary's County Arts Council is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, 

the St. Mary's County Government, and also through generous donations and sponsorships from individuals and corporations.