The Art League of Ocean City will host its May First Friday reception on May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. Highlights include Patrick Leib's participatory "Little Free Art Gallery" installation, a new utility box mural by Brandon Bell, and several gallery exhibitions: "Saltwater Taffy" (fiber arts) at the Thaler Gallery, "Flora and Fauna" (juried photography) at the Sisson Gallery, "Celebrating the Year of the Horse" by Joanne Guilfoil and Lynn Yockelson at Studio E, and mosaic works by William Camelio at the Spotlight Gallery. Satellite exhibits are also on view at The Princess Royale and The Coffee Beanery.
This event matters because it showcases a wide range of local and regional artistic talent, from participatory installations to juried shows, while activating multiple venues in Ocean City. The inclusion of a utility box mural and a free art exchange installation underscores a community-focused approach to public art, making visual art accessible beyond traditional gallery spaces. Such First Friday events help sustain local arts engagement and support the Art League's mission to foster creativity in the area.