The Worcester County Arts Council’s Gallery is open Tuesdays - Sundays from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Visit the Gallery to view the exquisite artwork of our Co-Op artists and juried show entries. The Co-Op includes acrylic, collage, mixed media, watercolor artwork, blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, painting on silk, stained glass, etc.
Promoting and Cultivating Arts Since 1976
Welcome to the Worcester County Arts Council - the Home of the Arts!
The Worcester County Arts Council was designated the local arts agency for Worcester County by the Worcester County Commissioners in 1976. As a non-profit, 501 (c3) organization, the Arts Council works to lead the way in support of the Arts with programs designed to encourage diversity, access, and inclusion of everyone in the Community.
We strive to bring the Arts to under-served areas of the Community with its wealth of free, high-quality art exhibits, activities, performances, and other cultural art programming designed for children and adults alike.
Visit our charming Gallery and experience the beauty of local Arts!
TO VIEW OUR FEATURED EXHIBITS
WORCESTER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBIT/CONTEST (SPONSORED BY THE OCEAN CITY/BERLIN OPTIMIST CLUB)
BERLIN LIBRARY GALLERY
(Artwork by Kathryn Redden)
CALL FOR ART ENTRIES!
The Worcester County Arts Council invites local and regional artists to participate in a special juried art exhibition, “Roots and Reflections" – From Here: Stories of Home and Community, exploring what “home” and “community” mean in Worcester County.
Artists are encouraged to create original works that reflect personal or collective stories tied to local identity - whether through landscapes, traditions, family history, or shared experiences that capture the essence of community life in Worcester County and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This exhibition offers an opportunity for artists to interpret the theme through their own creative lens, celebrating the diverse ways we connect to the places and people that shape who we are.
The “Roots and Reflections” exhibition is part of the Worcester County Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2026, marking five decades of Arts, Community, and Connections. Since its founding, the Arts Council has championed creativity, supported local artists, and strengthened cultural life across Worcester County.
Key Dates:
Artwork Drop-Off: February 24-26; 11 am – 2 pm at WCAC Gallery (6 Jefferson Street, Berlin)
Exhibit Dates: March 1-April 30
Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony: March 13, 2026; 4 pm – 6 pm
The show is open to all artists 18 years and older, working in any visual art medium, including painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and fiber art. Artists may submit up to two pieces for consideration. Entries must be original and not previously exhibited at the Worcester County Arts Council Gallery.
All entries will be juried in and judged for the competition. Cash prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place, and Third Place, with additional Honorable Mentions selected at the juror’s discretion.
Detailed guidelines for the competition are available HERE.
Artists are requested to complete a juried exhibit ENTRY FORM and deliver it along with their entries for the competition.
ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Worcester County Arts Council’s Student Arts Scholarship award program is underway.
The scholarship awards range from $500 to $2,500 for qualifying high school seniors who are Worcester County residents interested in majoring in the arts. Scholarships are also available to college art majors wishing to continue their education in the arts.
In 2025, a total of $10,000, including the John Sisson family’s contribution, was awarded to Worcester County students who were pursuing an education in the arts.
The Worcester County Arts Council’s Student Arts Scholarship program is designed to identify, recognize, and encourage talented students who demonstrate excellence in Creative Writing, Culinary Arts, Dance, Music, Theater, or Visual Arts.
ARTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORMS
2025-2026 ARTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
2025-2026 ARTS SCHOLARHIP APPLICATION
Applications must be received by April 1, 2026.
For further information, please contact Anna Mullis, Executive Director: anna@worcestercountyartscouncil.org.
FY 2026 GRANTS
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF ART, COMMUNITY, & CONNECTIONS
SAVE THE DATE - JUNE 9, 2026
2025 SUMMER ARTS CAMP
THE WORCESTER COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL PARTNERIED WITH THE WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BRING THE BEST ART EXPERIENCE TO ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS!
MORE THAN 250 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.
2025 PAINT WORCESTER COUNTY PLEIN AIR
WAS HELD SEPTEMBER 14 - 19
THE OPEN-TO-THE PUBLIC EXHIBIT AND SALE.
WAS HELD FRIDAY, SEPT. 19 - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
BERLIN LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
(13 HARRISON AVENUE, BERLIN, MD)
Artwork submitted for the competition was reviewed and judged by artist and educator William Buchanan.
This year's event was again presented in partnership with the
Worcester County Library Foundation
The exhibit will continue to be on display at the Berlin Library Gallery until October 22, 2025
CHECK OUT ALL THE PLEIN AIR WINNERS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
50th ANNIVERSARY GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT
BERLIN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
As part of the Worcester County Arts Council's 50th Anniversary celebration, we are proud to spotlight our Grantees - local organizations whose work, made possible through WCAC grant support, has a lasting impact on our communities.
Our first featured grantee is the Berlin Heritage Foundation, which oversees the operation of the Taylor House Museum. Guided by its mission to "tell the stories of Berlin", the Foundation brings local history to the life through engaging, community-centered programming. Support from the Worcester County Arts Council plays a vital role in making this work possib
Run primarily by dedicated volunteers and supported by part-time staff, the Berlin Heritage Foundation uses Arts Council grant funding to present live music that enriches its signature events, including Summer Sundays Concerts on the Lawn and the annual August Peach Festival. The Summer Sundays Concerts regularly attract audiences of more than 125 people, while the Peach Festival draws thousands of visitors to Berlin for this beloved, town-wide celebration. Music at the Taylor House Museum is a central and cherished part of the festival experience, including a free concert on the Museum lawn featuring musicians from classical Chamber Music by the Sea.
These performances foster a strong sense of community, welcoming people of all ages - from young families to senior citizens - and creating meaningful opportunities for residents and visitors to gather, connect, and engage with Berlin's history.
"Without grant funding from the Worcester County Arts Council, providing live music at these events would not be possible" - says Donna Main, Berlin Heritage Foundation Board of Directors member.
By bringing people together on the Museum lawn, the Berlin Heritage Foundation continues to share Berlin's stories in vibrant and creative ways - demonstrating the powerful tole the arts play in preserving heritage and strengthening community connections.
ART FOR THE HEART - LITTLE FREE GALLERY
OFFICIALLY OPEN!
We are excited to invite you to visit the Art for the Heart - Little Free Gallery, a community-driven space where creativity, healing, and community come together! This new gallery is dedicated to the transformative power of art in promoting emotional well-being, mental health, and connection.
The gallery space, located at the front of the Arts Council building, opened its doors on Friday, November 29th, and serves as a free, accessible space for both viewing and sharing art.
This initiative is especially meaningful as the gallery itself was built by a World War II veteran, Mr. James Panzetta, whose personal journey of healing through craftsmanship and creativity led him to construct this tiny gallery space.
Art for the Heart is more than just a place to view and share art; it’s a space for healing through creativity, where every piece invites reflection, joy, and emotional expression. Art for the Heart Little Free Gallery is a space where everyone is welcome to share, discover, and connect.
Take home a piece that resonates with you, add your own creation to the gallery, or simply enjoy the positive energy of a space built around art, well-being, and connection.
Through local artists' works, we offer a range of pieces that can inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations around well-being, mental health, and healing.
We can't wait to share the love of art with you all as we celebrate the opening of this unique, community-driven space! Enjoy the art and maybe even take home a piece that speaks to your heart!
ARTS ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
MARYLAND’S ARTS SECTOR RANKS HIGH IN VALUE!
We are thrilled to announce that the Worcester County Arts Council is conducting an Economic Impact Study of the Arts in Worcester County to measure the economic and social value of the Arts, Artists, and Arts Council's programming and contributions to the local Community.
We are proud to work with the Salisbury University Perdue School of Business BEACON team, Salisbury University students, and our partners at Worcester County Tourism on this important research.
Several rankings announced over the last few months show the positive economic impact and strong support for Maryland’s arts and culture sector, of which the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is a primary funder.
The National Center for Arts Research, or SMU DataArts recently ranked Maryland first in public support of the arts, as well as fifth overall for the most arts-vibrant states. These first-ever rankings researched the nationwide supply, demand, and government support for the arts.
To read the full report, follow THIS LINK.
Above: Anna Mullis (center), WCAC Executive Director pictured with John Hickman, BEACON Director (right), and Dr. KwangWook Gang, Associate Professor Salisbury University Perdue School of Business.
Above: Pictured from left - Brianna Dix, Marketing Specialist and Nancy Schwendeman, Workforce Development Specialist - Office of Tourism and Economic Development; Ishmael "Bailey" Willey, John Hickman - SU BEACON Perdue School of Business; Anna Mullis - WCAC Executive Director, Dr. KwangWook GANG - Associate Professor, SU Perdue School of Business.
