SOMD Photography Launches Year-Long Gallery Wall At St. Mary’s County Arts Council

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Beginning Jan. 7, 2026, SOMD Photography will curate a devoted photography wall on the St. Mary’s County Arts Council in Leonardtown, making a year-long rotating gallery designed to highlight photographers from throughout Southern Maryland.

The initiative will function month-to-month exhibitions highlighting photographers of all expertise ranges — from first-time exhibitors and youth photographers to established artists. Organizers say the objective is to create an accessible, inclusive platform that displays the individuals, locations and on a regular basis moments that outline life within the area.

The gallery program is supported by Full Frame Foundation, which offers steerage and construction to make sure the undertaking stays community-driven and open to a variety of individuals. Together, the organizations intention to make use of visible storytelling to strengthen group connection, protect native reminiscence and elevate voices from throughout Southern Maryland.

Each month-to-month rotation shall be formed by a community-focused theme, encouraging reflection and dialog across the area’s tradition, landscapes and lived experiences. The rotating format permits the house to evolve all year long whereas sustaining a constant presence for native images inside the county’s arts scene.

In an effort to additional take away monetary obstacles, SOMD Photography has coated the exhibition charges usually required by the Arts Council to show work within the gallery. The group will even cowl the prices of printing, mounting and framing images for taking part artists who might not have the means to take action themselves. Organizers say the intention is to make sure that each photographer has a chance to take part — whether or not their work is captured on a cellphone with no funds in any respect or with knowledgeable digicam setup and years of expertise behind the lens.

The gallery will debut on Jan. 7 with a particular inaugural exhibition that includes the winners of the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union 2026 Calendar Photo Contest. The opening exhibit will showcase professionally printed and framed photographs capturing the wonder and on a regular basis lifetime of Southern Maryland and can stay on show all through January.

To mark the launch, the primary 100 guests who point out that they noticed this text or the unique Facebook put up when visiting the Arts Council gallery in January will obtain a free copy of the 2026 calendar, whereas provides final.

Organizers say the gallery wall is meant to develop alongside the group, providing ongoing alternatives for photographers to exhibit their work and for residents to have interaction with native tales by images. Southern Maryland photographers eager about taking part in future exhibitions are inspired to comply with SOMD Photography for upcoming themes and submission particulars. Photographers utilizing cellphones, passion cameras or skilled gear are all welcome to use.

For extra data, inquiries might be despatched to [email protected].

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