Events

* This exhibition runs Jan. 14–Mar. 1, with a public reception on Fri., Feb. 20. *

Celebrate Black History Month with Montpelier Arts Center! This annual exhibition shows the diverse talents of regional artists. Featured artwork will highlight African Americans’ lives, stories, and experiences through painting, drawing, photography, and more.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 13–Mar. 1, with a public reception on Fri., Feb. 20. *

Emily Springer’s sewn tapestries create a space for reflection and conversation about cultural identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling through art. The pieces depict compositions highlighting the generational bonds between Black women. Through their intricate craftsmanship, they are an ode to the historical practice of quilting and its significance to Black culture.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 31–Mar. 8, with a public reception on Fri., Feb. 20. *

Primarily an oil painter, Patricia Phillips Bowden discovered a renewed interest in exploring paper, collage, and mixed media during the pandemic. She finds beauty in the old, the worn, and the rusty, and hopes to capture that elegance in her work. As an artist, she strives to maintain a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity toward this fascinating place we call Earth.

Through art making and storytelling, this workshop aims to redefine shelter as a space of security, warmth, safe space, and family, fostering empathy and understanding. Resident artist Nikki Brooks will lead participants in guided meditation, an art activity, and open conversations about home, neighborhood dynamics, gentrification, and family tradition, sparking deep reflections and meaningful exchanges.

* This exhibition runs Jan. 20–Mar. 14, with a public reception on Sat., Jan. 24 and an artist and curator talk on Sat., Feb. 21. *

Curated by Asha Elana Casey in honor of Black History Month, Genuine celebrates the depth, resilience, and authenticity of Black artistic expression. Featuring works by Lionel Frazier White III, Khaleelah Harris, Jessica Valoris, and Desmond Beach, this exhibition explores themes of identity, heritage, and truth through a range of materials and perspectives. Genuine highlights the power of storytelling and cultural reflection, offering a compelling tribute to the legacy and future of Black artistry.

In Glimpses of Heaven, Mame Ndiaye invites viewers into a dazzling world of mixed media works that sparkle with vibrancy and imagination. Using glitter as a central medium, Ndiaye creates otherworldly pieces that evoke a sense of transcendence and wonder. Each artwork is a luminous exploration of light, color, and texture, offering fleeting moments of beauty that transport viewers into a dreamlike space. Through Glimpses of Heaven, Ndiaye captures the ephemeral nature of joy and the magic found in the simplest, most radiant elements of life.

This riveting, narrated recital takes audience members back to America’s colonial period to explore the music, instruments, voices, and lives of enslaved Africans and forgotten patriots. The music will include period instruments, traditional folk songs, patriotic selections, and Negro spirituals performed by Black musicians. Produced by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA).

A live tribute to American singer and songwriter Frankie Beverly. He was best known for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze and was a consistent hitmaker on the R&B charts for almost 50 years. His music is known for its authenticity and emotional depth. This concert highlights the early years of Maze and the transition to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. We Are One X-Perience performs all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves, including: “Back in Stride,” “Too Many Games,” “Can’t Get Over You,” “Before I Let Go, Running Away,” and many more. They pride themselves on giving the audience an incredibly high-energy performance each time they take the stage.