Laurel Arts Council

04/29/2026

The Preakness is here! Our YEAR OF THE HORSE art exhibit celebrates the wild spirit of the horse, bridled and unbridled. Through May in the lobby of the Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Rd, 20707.

04/22/2026

POETRY MONTH UPDATE: POEMS IN PARKS.

With Laurel for the Patuxent, we celebrated the installation of our second nature poem in city parks. Visit Riverfront Park to see “A Blessing for the Woods” by former Maryland Poet Laureate Michael Glaser (1943–2025), whose son read this lovely poem at our gathering.

Thanks to Councilmembers James Kole and Adrian Simmons for joining us and to Laurel Parks & Recreation for the installation. Thanks to writer Jennifer Shannon for selecting this poem.

04/21/2026

POETRY MONTH UPDATE! First came the workshop. Laurel writer Jennifer Shannon led the community in “Mining Your Memories” with prompts, historical photos, and nature walks that inspired us to composing poems. We discovered, we created, and we read our poems aloud.

Thanks to Laurel for the Patuxent for partnering, to Laurel Historical Society for archival photos, and to Laurel Parks & Rec for supporting us. Also to Councilmember Kyla Clark for writing with us and to Councilmember James Kole for encouraging words.

04/16/2026

POEMS IN PARKS for National Poetry Month! Poemas en los Parques!

Come to our poem installation at Riverfront Park picnic pavilion (Avondale Street at the river)
- Saturday April 18, 2 PM
- Poetry readings, refreshments (Se aceptan poemas en español!)

Laurel’s Poems in Parks program places poems by Maryland poets in city parks. This is a joint project with Laurel for the Patuxent.

04/05/2026

April is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. Come make poems with us!!

- Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m., Municipal Pool meeting room, Main St. and 9th.
- Acclaimed poet Jennifer Shannon will lead us in creating our own nature poems.
- Please let us know you're coming: Message us or RSVP to [email protected]

04/04/2026

HELP LAUREL CELEBRATE THE PREAKNESS, coming to town on May 16! Send us your equestrian art! Deadline for Year of the Horse art contest extended to Friday April 10.

We’ll display your 2-D artwork around the city and link our artscape with county and state sites promoting the race!

Please submit your art here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xYZ2JjDwXcblc35MDBCYVDp6r2uuavl1mybuKRy-oy4/edit

04/03/2026

At Laurel Library this Saturday!

April marks Autism Awareness Month! At this special event with Kyle's Art for Autism World, families and children of all abilities, including those with autism or other exceptional needs, are invited to celebrate neurodiversity! Through hands-on activities that spark creativity and foster kindness and community, families can connect with each other in a fun, inclusive environment.

Info & registration: https://ow.ly/bsGa50YAOBQ

03/29/2026

LAUREL WRITE NOW! A new writers’ group to help you get your stories on paper and get them out there! First meeting is Wednesday, April 1.

When: 1st & 3rd Wed, 6:30pm-8pm.

Where: DiPietro Community Center, 7901 Cypress St, Laurel, MD 20707

We'll share venues, opportunities, and places to publish that we discover with each other. Think of us as exercise buddies for writing!

03/28/2026

Laurel's own Valerie Nicholas wraps up Women's History Month at Montpelier Museum with her powerful story of triumph over trauma.

1 PM on Saturday, March 28
9650 Muirkirk Road
Laurel, MD

The Honorable Valerie Nicholas has been a Laurel history maker. She is the first and only African American woman appointed to serve as a member of the Laurel City Council in 2011.

03/23/2026

Youth-driven open mic at Laurel Library this Friday at 4 p.m.! Come tell it! Register here: https://ww1.pgcmls.info/event/15627941