Nature Quest Arts Contest: East Coast Adventures! Calling all youth ARTIST!
Explore your backyard, a local park, or other outdoor environments and tell your nature story by drawing, painting, photography, or poetry. Highlight plants, animals, and habitats that are all along the East Coast! The Eastern Coast of the United States offers a massive diversity of stunning natural environments, with Maryland being one of the few states where you can genuinely experience all four distinct seasons and a unique mid-Atlantic geography that packs diverse lands from rugged granite coastlines, ancient mountain ranges, and dense maritime forests. Explore the eastern coasts and share your views of these beautiful landscapes and native animals with the Nature Quest art contest!
Artwork Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Finalists must drop-off their artwork to a designated location (TBD) any day between November 30 - December 11, 9am-4pm. Location for artwork drop-off will be sent directly to winners and finalists.
Eligibility Requirements:
- This contest is open to Prince George's County residents that are 18 years old and under. No purchase is necessary.
- Entries must be inspired by nature.
- Content of the work must be original. Use of another artist’s work is not eligible.
- You may enter as many categories as you want!
Awards
For the drawing/painting, photography, and poetry categories 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be chosen from each age group. 1st place is awarded $300, 2nd place is awarded $200, and 3rd place is awarded $100
*Drawings & Paintings are all in the same category. Elementary School: K - Grade 5 Middle School: Grades 6 – 8 High School: Grades 9 - 12
Important Dates & Deadlines:
Submissions Open: July 1 – November 1, 2026
Artwork Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Winners & Finalists Announced: November 23, 2026
Artwork Drop-off: November 30 - December 11, 2026
Opening Reception Date: Friday, January 8, 2027 6:30-8:30pm
Exhibit Open from January 8 – 21, 2027
Questions? If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Shaiday Dancy (Shaiday.dancy@pgparks.com)
The 2027 Nature Quest Art Contest is a program of The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks & Recreation, Prince George’s County, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division.
We’re looking for Teen Arts Council Members to be the leaders and voice of the teen arts community!
Tell us what you wish to see, create, and be a part of in our Department’s art programming.
Teen Arts Council members can expect to receive community service opportunities, be involved in curating art projects, attend bi-weekly council meetings, and may receive a stipend upon the completion of the 8-month term (June 2027). Those interested must be residents of Prince George's County and 13-18 years old. Apply today to be a Teen Arts Council ambassador for the arts!
Benefits of being on the Teen Arts Council:
· Honorarium/Stipend upon completion of term
· Build leadership skills
· Earn community service-learning hours
· Enjoy traveling and attending youth conferences
· Attend performances presented by Arts PGParks
· Organize exhibitions and events
· Build policy knowledge for leadership
· Engage with artists and arts professionals
· Expand knowledge of careers within art administration, visual arts, and performing arts
Eligibility Requirements:
- Teen Arts Council is open to Prince George's County residents that are 13 - 18 years old
- For the duration of their term members must attending high school, grades 9 - 12
- Must attend bi-monthly meetings for the duration of the 8-month school year term
Application Process:
- Must complete online application
- Essay response, 500 word minimum, to the prompts " What makes you an artistic leader in your community? What is one art program you envision for your peers and community to enjoy? In what ways do you see yourself making an impact by being apart of the Teen Arts Council? What do you wish to receive by being apart of the Teen Arts Council?"
- Resumes and recommendation letters are accepted but not required
- All applications/essays are due on Sunday, October 4 by midnight
- Selections are made at the discretion of the interview panelists. Newly appointed members will be notified between October 19 - 23, 2026 to accept their position as a TAC member. Meetings will commence at the end of October.
- Council member roles/titles will be set by peer-to-peer presentations and a council vote during the first two months of the term.
Interested but have questions? Come out to our Interest Meeting!
Interest Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Location: Prince George’s Ballroom
2411 Pinebrook Ave
Landover, MD 20785
Have Questions? Email shaiday.dancy@pgparks.com
Calling Local Artists and Vendors: Holiday Marketplace at Harmony Hall Arts Center
Are you a local artisan or vendor with unique, high-quality products to offer? We invite you to join us at Harmony Hall Arts Center for our festive and vibrant Holiday Marketplace! This is your opportunity to showcase your holiday-themed creations and engage with a broad audience of local residents looking for one-of-a-kind gifts.
We are seeking vendors who specialize in handmade crafts like ornaments, jewelry, and candles; holiday décor such as wreaths, table centerpieces, and lights; curated gift baskets and handmade toys; clothing and accessories; art and collectibles; and wellness and beauty supplies like skincare products, bath items, and essential oils.
Take advantage of the holiday shopping season to boost your sales and be part of a community-driven event that celebrates local talent and supports small businesses. Let’s work together to make this holiday season unforgettable!
Event Information:
- Holiday Market Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 10:00am-4:00pm
- Location: Harmony Hall Arts Center, 10701 Livingston Road, Ft. Washington, MD
- Vendor Application Deadline: November 16, 2026, by 11:59 PM
- Table Fee: $40.00 (no charge to apply)
- Limited Spots Available: The arts center will review all applications, and selected vendors will be informed by November 20, 2026.
The Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is a program of the Arts & Cultural Heritage Division of The-Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. The exhibition will be on display at Brentwood Arts Exchange from November 16, 2026, through January 9, 2027.
SHIFTING GROUNDS: The 38th Annual Prince George’s County Juried Exhibition
Change moves through our lives in waves—sometimes gradual, sometimes sudden, always deeply felt. Shifting Grounds invites Prince George's County artists to reflect on transformation across our personal lives, communities, technology, and environment. As identities and ideologies reconfigure, how do we adapt, resist, or redefine ourselves? We invite artists to interpret this theme broadly and share their perspectives on navigating an ever-changing world through 2D and 3D media, including but not limited to painting, drawing, assemblage, photography, fiber arts, video, print making, encaustic, glass, metal work, collage, mixed media and more. Please note that artwork made with generative AI will not be selected for the exhibition.
ABOUT THE JUROR – Chris Combs:
Chris Combs is an artist based in Washington, D.C and Mount Rainier, Maryland whose sculptural artworks both incorporate and question technologies. Chris was the 2025 Artist in Residence at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, and is a five-time recipient of the DC Commission on the AH Arts and Humanities Fellowship. He is a graduate of the Corcoran College of Art + Design and was a photo editor for National Geographic.
ABOUT BRENTWOOD ARTS EXCHANGE
The Brentwood Arts Exchange, located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood, Maryland, is a vibrant community arts center and the anchor institution of the Gateway Arts District. As a facility of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), it supports regional and national talent through a rotating schedule of contemporary art exhibitions across its gallery spaces. Beyond visual arts, the exchange serves as a cultural hub by hosting live performances like the First Fridays Listening Room, screening films, and providing affordable art classes and workshops for all age groups. It also features a dedicated Fine Craft Store where visitors can purchase handmade, functional artwork like ceramics, glass, and jewelry directly from local artisans.
ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION CRITERIA
This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Only artists that have completed the one-time, online vendor registration for M-NCPPC will be eligible to participate. If you have previously registered and received payment for an exhibition, you are already a vendor and eligible to participate. If you are not a vendor yet, please have a filled and signed W-9 form ready to upload when you register using this link:
At the end of the registration you will receive a 5 digit Supplier number, please follow up with it by writing to Sharmayne Hager, Administrative Specialist, at Sharmayne.Hager@pgparks.com.
Artists may submit a maximum of three (3) artworks for consideration, 2D and 3D media, including but not limited to painting, drawing, assemblage, photography, fiber arts, video, print making, encaustic, glass, metal work, collage, mixed media and more. All works must be original (no reproductions, no AI generated artworks). Images of works should be high quality and with enough resolution to see significant details. There are no restrictions on artwork size. Works submitted must not have been displayed in the Prince George's County Juried Exhibition previously. A bio, artist statement with current contact information, and a list of the works submitted, with titles, media, date, dimensions, and price are also required with submission.
Applications must be submitted online at: https://m-ncppc.submittable.com/submit/368156/shifting-grounds-the-38th-prince-georges-county-juried-exibition
EXHIBITION TIMELINE
Deadline to apply online, art call closes:
Friday, October 23, 2026, 11:59 pm
Selected artists notified by:
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (COB)
Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange:
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am -4pm
Monday, November 9, 2026, 10 am -7 pm
(Artworks will NOT be accepted after these dates)
Exhibition start date:
Monday, November 16, 2026
Reception date, meet the artists and the curator:
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 3 -5 pm
Last day of exhibit:
Saturday, January 9, 2027
Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange:
Tuesday, January 12, 2026, 10 am -7pm
Wednesday, January 13, 2026, 10 am -7pm.
GALLERY LOCATION & HOURS
Brentwood Arts Exchange is located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood, MD 20722. The center welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
PURCHASE AWARDS & ARTIST COMPENSATION
On the recommendation of the Juror, the Arts & Cultural Heritage Division may purchase select works of art for inclusion in the M-NCPPC Permanent Art Collection overseen by the Visual Arts Program. Furthermore, each artist selected to participate in the exhibition will receive a $150 compensation in appreciation of their participation. These stipends are processed after the end of the exhibition and may take more than 30 business days for artists to receive payment.
DELIVERY & INSTALLATION
Artists are responsible for transporting work to and from the Brentwood Arts Exchange gallery. Artwork must be delivered ready to hang and appropriately presented. No sawtooth hangers or riveted d-rings will be accepted. Framed works or canvases must have D-rings with screws and wire on the back. Artworks that differ significantly from the images submitted for judging or are not ready for gallery installation may be rejected. If you need to ship the work, please call or email to let us know what arrangements you have made. Art must be labeled with artist's name and art title on the back. The exhibition will be designed, installed and de-installed by Arts & Cultural Heritage Division staff. All work accepted for the exhibition must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
INSURANCE & SALES
The M-NCPPC insures all consigned artworks under The M-NCPPC self-insurance fund as specified on the loan agreement. The M-NCPPC will insure all consigned artwork in the custody of Brentwood Arts Exchange for 75% of its sale value, from the time they are received by delivery, until the pickup date only. The M-NCPPC will retain a 25% commission on all art works sold during the exhibition. Sold art can not be removed until after the exhibition closes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact:
Visual Arts Specialist, Sandra Pérez-Ramos at Sandra.PerezRamos@pgparks.com
Participation implies agreement with all aforementioned conditions.