The Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin, Maryland, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a juried art competition and exhibition titled “Threads of Connections.” The show invites artists to submit original works exploring relationships across communities, cultures, and shared experiences, with submissions accepted in all media. Local artist and muralist Olga Deshields will serve as juror, selecting pieces for the exhibition running May 1 through June 28 at the Arts Council’s Berlin gallery. Artwork drop-off is scheduled for April 28-30, with an opening reception on May 8.
This milestone exhibition matters because it underscores the Arts Council’s half-century role in fostering community bonds through visual art in a small Maryland town. By centering the theme of connection, the show highlights how local arts organizations sustain cultural dialogue and creative expression at the grassroots level, reinforcing the importance of community-based arts programming in an era of national cultural shifts.