Maryland Art Museums – Summer Exhibits
There’s no better time to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of creativity and culture than at Maryland Art Museums. This summer, these artistic havens are showcasing diverse exhibits that promise to inspire and captivate visitors of all ages. From contemporary masterpieces to historical treasures, each museum offers a unique glimpse into the artistic spirit of the region and beyond. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply looking for a delightful day out, exploring the summer exhibits at Maryland Art Museums is an experience that will enrich your appreciation for the arts and leave you with lasting memories. So gather your friends and family, and embark on a journey through the creative landscapes of Maryland this summer!
“I highly recommend the two fine art museums in Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum. Free admission and world-class collections. They are treasures, and I wish more people visited them,” says Debbie Funk, a Facebook Group: Things To Do In Maryland member.
Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA)
The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) focuses on acquiring contemporary art while maintaining and reinterpreting its historic collection. The museum has a significant collection of 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century art. Admission to the BMA is always free. However, some special exhibitions may be ticketed.
Closing June 22: Heavy with History: Devin Allen and the Baltimore Uprising
Explore powerful black-and-white photography by Devin Allen, capturing the emotions of the Baltimore uprisings after Freddie Gray’s death in 2015. These rarely displayed images honor Gray’s life and the resilience of Baltimore’s people.
Closing July 27: The Baker Artist Awards
This exhibition features works by five artists: 2019 winner Selin Balci, 2023 winners Oletha DeVane and Jordan Tierney, and 2024 winners Stephen Towns and Kelley Bell. Their art reflects spirituality, place, and identity themes tied to Baltimore’s history and ecology.
Closing July 27: Watershed: Transforming the Landscape in Early Modern Dutch Art
View around 40 paintings, prints, and drawings that highlight the significance of water and landscape in the early modern Dutch Republic.
Closing August 17: Earth as Medium: Extracting Art from Nature
This exhibition examines the connection between art and nature, exploring sustainability and the impact of artmaking on the environment.
Sculpture Garden
Featuring 33 sculptures across 3 acres, open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore
Free admission, closed Monday & Tuesday.
Closing August 3: If Books Could Kill
Discover the toxic materials used in manuscript illuminations through 24 rarely displayed examples, revealing the human stories behind them.
New Exhibit: Latin American Art
Over 200 artworks from the museum’s collection of Latin American art are now displayed together for the first time, showcasing 40 cultures over four millennia.
Read about the unique exhibits at Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum
Hammond Harwood House, Annapolis
Closing August 31: In the Shadow of a Legacy: The Peale Women Painters
This exhibition features 22 works by seven unrecognized female relatives of Charles Willson Peale, highlighting their contributions to American art.
National Museum of the American Indian, Washington D.C.
Opening June 1: Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains
This exhibition combines historical artifacts with over 50 contemporary works, showcasing diverse narratives of Native identity and culture.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
Closing June 22: We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists
Closing August 17: “Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo”
The National Gallery of Art
Closing July 6: Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist
Catlett’s work centers on social justice and art for the people.
Closing November 2: Little Beasts: Art, Wonder and the Nature World
Experience nature through art depicting insects and animals alongside real specimens.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
Closing August 10: “Uncanny”
Art that encapsulates the unreal feeling of the word ‘uncanny.”
