Keeping Arts
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Arts in the News

The arts sector is in the news! View our latest press releases and articles to stay in the know.


Press Releases

Allegany Arts Council presents 2022 Will’s Creek Exhibition of Fine Art
Published: September 6, 2022

The 2022 Will’s Creek Competition & Exhibition of Fine Art will be on display at the Allegany Arts Council from September 3-24, 2022. The show will include the work of 43 artists from throughout the United States, chosen from nearly 450 pieces submitted to the competition. A Public Opening and Awards Presentation with 2022 juror, Ian Alden Russell, will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 6:00PM-8:00PM, and is free and open to the public.

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From Marina to Mountain Exhibition will feature work of Maryland Federation of Arts Members
Published: August 4, 2022

The Allegany County Arts Council is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Maryland Federation of Art. This "gallery swap" competition will result in two juried exhibitions featuring the work of Allegany Arts Council members at the Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD, and the work of Maryland Federation of Art members at the galleries of the Allegany Arts Council. Both exhibitions will take place August 6-27, 2022.

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Allegany Arts Council Announces Fade to Blue Exhibition
Published: July 5, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council will present the exhibition, Fade to Blue: A Photographic Journey, in its Saville and Schwab Galleries July 2-30, 2022. The exhibition showcases photographs Michael Hunter Thompson took in and around the former Allegany High School building before its demolition.

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Allegany Arts Council Presents 2022 Members Exhibition
Published: June 9, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to present the 2022 Annual Members Exhibition, May 28-June 25, in its Saville and Schwab Galleries at 9 N. Centre Street in Cumberland. The exhibit will feature the work of more than 60 Arts Council members and will include photography, painting, woodworking, sculpture, and mixed media pieces.

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2022 Schoolhouse Quilt Show comes to Allegany County Fairgrounds June 3-5
Published: June 7, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council and Schoolhouse Quilters Guild, Inc. will host the first-ever 2022 Schoolhouse Quilt Show & Competition to take place June 3-5, 2022, at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland. The event will feature three full days of quilt exhibition, programs and workshops, a quilt boutique, vendors, and much more.

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Allegany Arts Council accepting grant applications for 2022-2023
Published: May 17, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council is now accepting applications for its 2022-2023 grants program. The program, made possible by County Arts Development funding of the Maryland State Arts Council, supports non-profit organizations and individual artists in the creation of activities and programs that champion the arts in our community.

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Allegany Arts Council to Kick Off Exhibitions with Public Opening April 30
Published: April 22, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce two exhibitions which will be on display from April 30-May 21, 2022 in the Arts Council’s Saville and Schwab Galleries.

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Allegany Arts Council announces winners of 8th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition
Published: April 5, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council announced the winners of its 8th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition on Saturday, April 2, during a public opening and awards ceremony.

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Go Behind the Scenes of the 8th Annual Allegany Photo Show
Published: March 31, 2022

Join the Allegany Arts Council Saturday, April 9, from 4:00-5:30PM as we go Behind the Scenes of the 8th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition. This annual program has become an exciting part of each year's competition as Frostburg State University Associate Professor of Art Robert Hein dives deeply into the exhibit, pointing out themes and techniques in photography and speaking directly with artists and viewers about the show.

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8th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition opens April 2
Published: March 24, 2022

The 8th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition (ANPCE) will take place this year from April 2-23. The show will be available for viewing both in person at the Allegany Arts Council’s galleries at 9 N. Centre Street in Cumberland, and via digital gallery at  https://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/saville-exhibition/.

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Allegany Arts Council presents Allegany County Student Art Showcase
Published: March 2, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to once again partner with Allegany County Public Schools for its annual Allegany County Student Art Showcase which will take place from March 5-26. The show, Emerging Artists, features the artwork of Allegany County public elementary, middle and high school students working in a variety of mediums - watercolor, collage, assemblage, pottery, and more.

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Closing Reception scheduled for Reflection in Glass and Mountain Maryland Photo Show
Published: February 18, 2022

A Closing Reception for the two exhibitions currently on display at the Allegany Arts Council will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 6:00PM-8:00PM. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

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Allegany Arts Council announces 2022 Schoolhouse Quilt Show & Competition
Published: February 16, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council and Schoolhouse Quilters Guild, Inc. are pleased to announce a partnership to host the first-ever 2022 Schoolhouse Quilt Show & Competition to take place June 3-5, 2022, at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland.

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Program to Explore the Impact of Public Art on Communities
Published: February 8, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council and the Arts & Entertainment District of Cumberland are pleased to announce Making Our Case for Public Art, a special evening with February exhibiting artist, Erwin Timmers, exploring how public art transforms communities. The event will take place Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Allegany Arts Council, and will kick off with a cocktail reception at 5:30PM followed by the program at 6:00PM.

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Reflection in Glass and Mountain Maryland Photos on Display at Allegany Arts Council in February
Published: January 28, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council will present two exhibitions February 5-26, 2022.

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“If These Halls Could Talk: A Tribute to Allegany’s Campobello” Program to Take Place this July
Published: January 26, 2022

The Allegany Arts Council, Allegany Museum, Allegany High School, AHS Historical Research Methods Students, and photographer Michael Hunter Thompson are pleased to present a special program entitled, “If These Halls Could Talk: A Tribute to Allegany’s Campobello", to take place July 2-23, 2022. If These Halls Could Talk is a collaborative effort that combines the unique artistic talent of photographer Michael Hunter Thompson and the research and project development of students at Allegany High School enrolled in the Historical Research Methods class.  The project celebrates the history and legacy of the former Allegany High School located on Sedgwick Street in Cumberland and incorporates several events.

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January 8 Public Opening Canceled
Published: January 5, 2022

In light of the current COVID surge and Governor Hogan's recently declared state of emergency, the public opening originally scheduled for this Saturday, January 8, at the Allegany Arts Council has been canceled.

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Allegany Arts Council Presents the Work of Childers, Trout, and Farrar
Published: December 29, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council and its Saville Gallery are pleased to announce a group exhibition featuring the work of Washington, DC and Baltimore-based artists Travis Childers, Holly Trout, and Annie Farrar. The show, which will be on display January 8-29, 2022, will include a variety of mediums including sculpture and collage.

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Allegany Arts Council presents Cloth-Metal-Art
Published: October 28, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council will present the joint exhibition, Cloth-Metal-Art, featuring the work of artists Peggy Black and Dustin Davis. The exhibition will be on display in the Arts Council's Saville Gallery from November 13, 2021 through December 4, 2021.

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Allegany Arts Council presents Still Life Workshop as part of Young at Art Series
Published: October 26, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce the next workshop in its Young at Art series, "Being Still with Still Life - Developing Drawings through Intuitive and Experimental Practices,” which will take place Wednesday, November 10, from 1:00-4:00PM.

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Mountain Maryland Artist Studio Tours to Take Place this Weekend
Published: October 7, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council’s 2021 Mountain Maryland Artist Studio Tours will take place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10, from 11:00AM to 5:00PM each day. This annual event allows community members to visit local artists in their studios, giving visitors an opportunity to see artists’ workspaces, talk with artists about their process, and purchase one-of-a kind work.

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Allegany Arts Council to Hold Public Opening for Two Exhibitions
Published: October 6, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce the Public Opening for two exhibits featuring local artists—Conversations in Color: The Artistry of Sibyl MacKenzie, Elizabeth Blaisdell, and Michael Kenneth O'Brien in the Saville Gallery, and the Allegany Area Art Alliance Membership Exhibition taking place in the Schwab Gallery. The Public Opening is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 6:00PM-8:00PM and the event is free and open to the public.

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A Mazing City public opening rescheduled due to predicted storm
Published: September 21, 2021

A storm predicted to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to the area Wednesday evening has pushed back the public opening of the temporary public art project, A Mazing City, once again. A rain date has been set for Saturday, October 2, from 2:00-6:00PM.

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Allegany Arts Council’s Young at Art Series presents Photo Safari on the C&O Canal
Published: September 17, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce the next in its Young at Art series, an initiative specifically geared toward novice artists 55 and older and generously funded by the Community Trust Foundation. For this workshop, Young at Art: Photo Safari on the C&O Canal, participants will be transported along the C&O Canal to a series of outdoor photography shoots.

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Allegany Arts Council announces winners of 22nd Annual Will’s Creek Exhibition of Fine Art
Published: September 14, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Will’s Creek Exhibition of Fine Art at a public opening on Saturday, September 11, in its Saville Gallery.

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A Mazing City Project Opening Moved to September 22
Published: September 8, 2021

Truly A Mazing things are worth the wait!! The debut of the temporary public art project, A Mazing City, originally scheduled for September 10, will instead take place Wednesday, September 22 with a public opening from 6:00-8:00PM on the grounds of Canal Place.

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Something A Mazing is coming to Canal Place
Published: September 1, 2021

Get ready for something A Mazing!! The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce a temporary public art project in collaboration with local artists Christopher Sloan, Bill Dunlap, and Arnold d'Epagnier. The project, A Mazing City, will be installed on the grounds of Canal Place beginning September 10, 2021, and will remain through December 1, 2021.

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2021 Will’s Creek Exhibition of Fine Art to Open at Allegany Arts Council
Published: September 1, 2021

The 2021 Will’s Creek Competition & Exhibition of Fine Art will be on display at the Allegany Arts Council from September 4-October 2, 2021, and will also be available for viewing via a digital gallery on the Allegany Arts Council’s website.

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Allegany Arts Council seeks public input on public art project
Published: August 31, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council invites members of the public to participate in a community input meeting regarding a proposed Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) grant project application. The meeting will take place Thursday, September 16, 2021, at 5:00PM, at the Allegany Arts Council.

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QuiltWalk 2021 coming to downtown Cumberland and Frostburg in September
Published: August 26, 2021

The Arts & Entertainment Districts of Cumberland and Frostburg, in concert with the Downtown Development Commission and Schoolhouse Quilters, Inc., will celebrate the art of quilting in their first ever collaboration, QuiltWalk 2021.

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Allegany Arts Council Names 2021-2022 Grant Recipients
Published: August 26, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council recently awarded a total of $27,350 in grants to nonprofit organizations and artists helping to make our region a community "alive with the arts!"

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Two exhibitions to open at Allegany Arts Council
Published: August 26, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council will present two exhibitions from July 31-August 28, 2021.

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Allegany Arts Council to Host 11th Annual Mountain Maryland Plein Air Competition & Exhibition
Published: June 4, 2021

The 11th Annual Mountain Maryland Plein Air Competition & Exhibition will take place June 15-19, 2021. This exciting event will bring 27 premiere plein air painters to Western Maryland from across the United States for a week of outdoor painting.

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The Mountain Traditions Project Exhibition is on display at the Allegany Arts Council
Published: June 3, 2021

The Mountain Traditions Project Exhibition is now on display at the Allegany Arts Council. This limited exhibition will run through June 13, 2021, with a Panel Presentation & Public Opening to take place Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 5:00PM-8:00PM.

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Allegany Arts Council welcomes Alec Edwards as Program Associate
Published: May 7, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to welcome Alec Edwards to its staff. Edwards will serve as program associate, supporting program development, gallery operations, and creative projects.

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Western Maryland Watercolor Society Show Opens May 1st at Allegany Arts Council
Published: April 30, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to welcome the Western Maryland Watercolor Society for its 33rd spring exhibition, Color Harmony.

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Allegany Arts Council to feature the work of Charlene Nield
Published: April 30, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to present the work of Alexandria, VA-based artist, Charlene Nield, in an exhibition entitled, "The Art of Happenstance: Chance Meetings & Destined Friends," to take place May 1-29, 2021.

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Allegany Arts Council announces Call for Entry on theme of Creative Community Creating Unity
Published: April 16, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council, Allegany College of Maryland, Frostburg State University, Allegany County NAACP Branch 7007, and the Community Resilience Council are pleased to announce a call to artists on the theme of “Creative Community Creating Unity.”

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Public invited to attend Backbone Mountain Review Virtual Launch Party
Published: April 16, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council, in partnership with the Allegany County Library System, the Frostburg State University Center for Literary Arts, and WVU-Potomac State College, is pleased to announce the publication of the 2021 edition of the Backbone Mountain Review. Join us for a virtual launch party via Zoom on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at 2:00PM to hear directly from the contributors of this year's journal.

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Allegany Arts Council accepting grant applications for 2021-2022
Published: April 14, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is now accepting applications for its 2021-2022 grants program. The program, made possible by County Arts Development funding of the Maryland State Arts Council, supports non-profit organizations and individual artists in the creation of activities, programs, and placemaking efforts which champion the arts in our community.

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Allegany Arts Council announces winners of 7th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition
Published: April 13, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council announced the winners of its 7th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition on Saturday, April 10, during a live-streamed awards ceremony.

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Online Exhibition launches in support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Published: March 30, 2021

The Allegany and Garrett County Arts Councils, along with partners Allegany College of Maryland, Dove Center, Family Crisis Resource Center, and Frostburg State University are proud to announce a project supporting National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The digital exhibition entitled, "What Were You Wearing?" will be available online from April 3-24, 2021, and will be available for viewing beginning 11:00AM on Saturday, April 3 at https://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/schwab-exhibition/.

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7th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition opens April 3
Published: March 30, 2021

The 7th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition (ANPCE) will take place this year from April 3-24. The show will be available for viewing both in person at the Allegany Arts Council’s galleries at 9 N. Centre Street in Cumberland, and via digital gallery at  https://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/saville-exhibition/.

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Arts Council Awards Emergency Grants to Local Arts Organizations
Published: March 4, 2021

CUMBERLAND- The Allegany Arts Council has awarded emergency grant funding to five local arts organizations that have experienced losses due to COVID-19.

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Allegany Arts Council presents first program in Young at Art Series
Published: February 9, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce "Young at Art: Exploring Watercolor for the Never-Before Artist" to take place Thursday, February 18, 2021, from 2:00PM-4:00PM via Zoom.

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Paintings of Hannah K Freeman on display at the Allegany Arts Council
Published: February 9, 2021

The Allegany Arts Council is thrilled to present an exhibition of Morgantown, West Virginia artist, Hannah K Freeman, in her show, "Harmony," to take place February 6-27, 2021.

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Allegany Arts Council Accepting Applications for Emergency Grant Funds for Local Arts Organizations Impacted by COVID-19
Published: December 30, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to again offer emergency grant funding to local arts organizations in order to mitigate losses suffered due to COVID-19.

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Allegany Arts Council Announces Winners of 2020 Members Show
Published: December 30, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Members Show.

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Allegany Arts Council Announces Winners of 2020 Western Maryland Watercolor Society Exhibition
Published: November 10, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council announced the winners of the 2020 Western Maryland Watercolor Society Exhibition, Color in Motion, during a virtual awards presentation held via Zoom on Saturday, November 7, 2020.

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Allegany Arts Council presents the work the Western Maryland Watercolor Society
Published: November 4, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council and its Schwab Gallery will host the Western Maryland Watercolor Society's exhibition, Color in Motion from November 7-28, 2020. The exhibition features work by a variety of watercolor artists from throughout the region and highlights various techniques using wet-on-wet styles, color drippings, and the layering of watercolor pigments.

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Allegany Arts Council presents the work of Chris Sloan
Published: November 4, 2020

Chris Sloan's solo exhibition, Salient Points - Thoughts on the Future of Humanity, will be on display in the Allegany Arts Council's Saville Gallery from November 7-28, 2020. The exhibition, which includes oil paintings, sculpture, and digital art, explores three themes—Extinctions, The Victory of Science, and The Invisible Domain.

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Allegany Arts Council Presents Art On Demand
Published: October 22, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council is thrilled to present Art on Demand, the latest addition to its virtual programming. This collaboration with local arts educator and artist Bobby Croft, provides online art lessons for school-aged kids to enjoy whenever they feel inspired to create.

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Allegany Arts Council Presents the Work of Brad Blair in Obscure Oddities: Clay Creations
Published: October 9, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council’s Saville Gallery will show the work of Baltimore ceramics artist Brad Blair in a solo exhibition, Obscure Oddities: Clay Creations, which will be on display through October 31, 2020.

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Allegany Arts Council Presents Winners of 21st Will’s Creek Exhibition of Fine Art
Published: September 24, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council announced the winners of its 21st Will’s Creek Exhibition of Fine Art during a virtual awards ceremony and juror chat. The event took place Saturday, September 12, 2020 via Facebook Live and YouTube and included remarks from juror Jessica Beck and reactions from award winners.

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Allegany Arts Council Provides Free Creativity Kits to Kids
Published: September 1, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council, in collaboration with the Judy Center which has pledged $3,500 to the project, distributed 700 personal creativity kits to Allegany County public elementary school students receiving free lunches.

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Allegany Arts Council Names 2020-2021 Grant Recipients
Published: September 1, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council recently awarded a total of $25,000 in grant money among 15 area nonprofits that are helping to make our region a community "alive with the arts!"

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Allegany Arts Council Presents Work of the Appalachian Pastel League
Published: July 17, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce Emergence: The Artistry of the Appalachian Pastel League, a group exhibition to take place July 25-August 22, 2020 in its Saville Gallery.

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6th Annual Allegany National Photo Show Winners Announced
Published: June 30, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council launched its 6th annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition (ANPCE) with its first-ever LIVE virtual awards ceremony and juror chat. The event took place Saturday, June 27, 2020 via Facebook Live and YouTube and included an opportunity for those watching at home to ask questions of juror Brownie Harris.

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6th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition Goes Virtual
Published: June 18, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council’s 6th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition (ANPCE) is going virtual! For the first time in ANPCE history, the show—which runs from June 27-July 18, 2020—will be available via an online digital gallery.

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AAC Accepting Grant Applications for 2020-21
Published: April 23, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council is now accepting applications for its 2020-2021 grants program. The program, made possible by County Arts Development funding of the Maryland State Arts Council, supports non-profit organizations and individual artists in the creation of activities, programs, and placemaking efforts which champion the arts in our community.

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AAC Rolls Out New A&E District Logo, Video
Published: March 12, 2020

The Allegany Arts Council, in conjunction with the Maryland State Arts Council, is pleased to announce the unveiling of a new logo and video designed to promote Cumberland’s Arts & Entertainment District.

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Recent Articles

Arts & Tackling the Opioid Epidemic
Published: April 1, 2020

This is the 1st in a series of articles submitted by Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) and its Tackling the Opioid Epidemic: A Community Resilience Approach project partners. This column will focus on building strong people and a stronger, connected community during these difficult times as we deal with addiction, the COVID-19 crisis, and other challenges.

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