Community Calendar

More than 50 works on paper investigate how artists working in Europe and French-occupied northern Africa watched and participated as nature became a resource for people to hoard or share.

Drawn from the BMA’s George A. Lucas Collection, this exhibition of 19th-century art foregrounds the many ways that human relationships, including imperialism and capitalism, affect the environment. Deconstructing Nature is organized thematically, focusing on five environments and the ways artists explored them in their work: The Desert, The Forest, The Field, The City, and The Studio.

Born and raised in Baltimore, George A. Lucas (1824–1909) spent most of his adult life immersed in the Parisian art world and amassed a personal collection of nearly 20,000 works of art. In 1996, the BMA, with funds from the State of Maryland and the generosity of numerous individuals in the community, purchased the George A. Lucas Collection, which had been on extended loan to the Museum for more than 60 years.

In this focus exhibition of approximately 20 photographs, prints, drawings, and textiles, the natural environment is a source of creative inspiration worth celebrating and protecting.

Works by artists such as Winslow Homer, Richard Misrach, Charles Sheeler, and Kiki Smith, among many others, depict the elements of air, water, earth, and fire and address broader themes of ecological awareness and preservation. These themes range from how artists have used visual language to convey the act of locating oneself in nature; works that depict natural forms through the physical integration of environmental components; and artists’ commentary on sites of environmental disaster, the sociopolitical ramifications of human impact, and the potential of symbiotic healing for this planet and its occupants.

For thousands of years, East Asia’s cultures have viewed human life as part of a much larger system that encompasses the natural world. Drawn from the BMA’s collection, this exhibition boasts more than 40 objects—from magnificent ink drawings to beautifully crafted stoneware and poignant contemporary photographs and prints. They bring into the galleries the mountains and seas, wild and supernatural animals, and plant life that are extensive across East Asian imagery and often carry symbolic meaning.

Works on view include robust 13th-century ceramic vessels, delicate porcelain, carved jade, intricately sewn textiles, and large-scale photography; collectively, these artworks represent the impulse to fully understand the natural world as foundational to our existence, as shaped by human life, and as an enduring metaphor of survival.

Celebrate the holiday season with the gift of art for your loved ones! Our annual utilitarian ceramics holiday invitational, Winterfest 2025, features 13 established and emerging ceramic artists. This exhibition is perfectly paired with our Annual Holiday Sale where resident and associated artists join together to fill the galleries and the Shop with hand-crafted gifts.

The items in Winterfest become available through our Online Shop on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 10:00 am.  

All items are available for immediate purchase and can be taken home the same day.

Winterfest 2025 Invited Artists
Andrew Boswell (NY), Katie Fee (IL), Casey Hanrahan (AZ), Margaret Kinkeade (MO), Colleen McCall (NY), Reiko Miyagi (NC), Sean O’Connell (NC), Shawn O’Connor (VA), Ian Petrie (PA), Justin Paik Reese (OH), Taylor Sijan (NJ), Olivia Tani (MN), Caleb Zouhary (OH)

The 2nd Annual Maryland Holiday Light Spectacular features over a million spectacular lights, larger-than-life holiday scenes, including Mistletoe Marina, Jinglebell Junction Farm, the Symphony of Illumination, a Winter Wonderland Carnival complete with a Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, and other rides plus many more attractions. New this year, guests can enjoy new scenes on the ½ mile walking trail along with the Cosmic Heat Zone and Buddy’s Holiday Bar in VIP. Advance Tickets are strongly encouraged as some nights will SELL OUT.

Pathways will be safe and accessible, making them suitable for scooters, strollers, and wheelchairs.

The charming Holiday Village will be bustling with boutiques, shops, and rotating food trucks, offering seasonal treats and unique gifts. Little ones will have plenty to enjoy with activities and other fun attractions, such as the Carnival rides and seesaws. And, of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa, who will be making nightly appearances through December 23rd. NEW THIS YEAR – The festive atmosphere will be enhanced by special performances every night from ballerinas, other entertainers, and Elves (from the North Pole), adding a touch of elegance and wonder to the experience.

Experience the Magic of the Holiday Season
Climb aboard a festively decorated modern trolley for a 90-minute, family-friendly tour filled with dazzling light displays and a touch of Baltimore history.
Led by a knowledgeable guide from Baltimore Rent-A-Tour, the journey begins at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court in downtown Baltimore and winds through some of the city’s most charming holiday-lit neighborhoods:

Be a part of something new! This holiday season, experience the world premiere of Annapolis’s own Nutcracker with Ballet Theatre of Maryland. 

The familiar story takes on local significance through vibrant dancing, historic costumes, and festive sets. Beloved characters like Clara, her enigmatic Uncle Drosselmeier, and the brave Nutcracker Prince return with new depth as their stories weave into the history of 19th-century Annapolis.

Whether you’re starting a family tradition, planning a festive date night, or celebrating with friends, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride brings the spirit of Christmas to life—for all who believe. Your adventure includes live performances, hot chocolate and a sugar cookie, a special moment with Santa presenting the First Gift of Christmas, and continued magic at the North Pole with holiday crafts, cozy s’mores, and festive shopping.

Celebrate the holiday season with the gift of art for your loved ones! Our annual utilitarian ceramics holiday invitational, Winterfest 2025, features 13 established and emerging ceramic artists. This exhibition is perfectly paired with our Annual Holiday Sale where resident and associated artists join together to fill the galleries and the Shop with hand-crafted gifts.

The items in Winterfest become available through our Online Shop on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 10:00 am.  

All items are available for immediate purchase and can be taken home the same day.

Winterfest 2025 Invited Artists
Andrew Boswell (NY), Katie Fee (IL), Casey Hanrahan (AZ), Margaret Kinkeade (MO), Colleen McCall (NY), Reiko Miyagi (NC), Sean O’Connell (NC), Shawn O’Connor (VA), Ian Petrie (PA), Justin Paik Reese (OH), Taylor Sijan (NJ), Olivia Tani (MN), Caleb Zouhary (OH)

The 2nd Annual Maryland Holiday Light Spectacular features over a million spectacular lights, larger-than-life holiday scenes, including Mistletoe Marina, Jinglebell Junction Farm, the Symphony of Illumination, a Winter Wonderland Carnival complete with a Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, and other rides plus many more attractions. New this year, guests can enjoy new scenes on the ½ mile walking trail along with the Cosmic Heat Zone and Buddy’s Holiday Bar in VIP. Advance Tickets are strongly encouraged as some nights will SELL OUT.

Pathways will be safe and accessible, making them suitable for scooters, strollers, and wheelchairs.

The charming Holiday Village will be bustling with boutiques, shops, and rotating food trucks, offering seasonal treats and unique gifts. Little ones will have plenty to enjoy with activities and other fun attractions, such as the Carnival rides and seesaws. And, of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa, who will be making nightly appearances through December 23rd. NEW THIS YEAR – The festive atmosphere will be enhanced by special performances every night from ballerinas, other entertainers, and Elves (from the North Pole), adding a touch of elegance and wonder to the experience.