McDaniel College Unveils Spring 2026 Lineup of Arts and Cultural Events
Free public events across art, music, theatre, film, lectures, and community programming in Westminster.
McDaniel College has announced its full schedule of cultural activities for Spring 2026, featuring a wide range of art exhibitions, concerts, theatre productions, film screenings, literary events, lectures, and community programs. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
McDaniel College is located at 2 College Hill in Westminster, Maryland. Additional information about the college is available at mcdaniel.edu.
SPRING 2026 SCHEDULE
* Denotes cost associated
Art Exhibitions
The Esther Prangley Rice Gallery is located in Peterson Hall at McDaniel College. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturday, noon–5 p.m. For more information, visit www.mcdaniel.edu/rice-gallery or call 410-857-2595.
Beyond the Objects: The Grammar of Things
Tuesday, Jan. 27–Friday, Feb. 27
Opening reception: Thursday, Jan. 29, 5:30–7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.
This exhibition is curated by McDaniel College Art Professor Steven Pearson, the Joan Develin Coley Endowed Chair in Creative Expression and the Arts, and Danielle Silva, senior Art major from Gaithersburg, Maryland. The exhibition features paintings and sculptures by Scott Brodie, Chris Feiro, Hans Habeger, Matt Klos, John Lee, Sarah Méndez (McDaniel Class of 2024), Scott Noel, Steven Pearson, Clarissa Pezone, Erin Raedeke, Nicole Santiago, and Kourtney Stone, along with works by Alexandra Combass, Marissa Riddle, Abigail Rubin, and Danielle Silva created during the 2025 Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research Program.
Honors Art Exhibition
Tuesday, March 3–Friday, March 20
Opening reception: Thursday, March 5, 5:30–7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.
The McDaniel College Art Department showcases works by Honors Art students, including Camellia Codd, Alexandra Combass, Kathleen Heard, Cara Olson, Marissa Riddle, Danielle Silva, Maya Stone, and Laura Vonella.
Kathryn E. Wentz Juried Undergraduate Exhibition
Tuesday, March 24–Friday, April 10
Reception: Thursday, March 26, 5:30–7:30 p.m., awards presentation at 6 p.m.
This annual exhibition highlights outstanding undergraduate work in painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Juror for the exhibition is Kourtney Stone.
Senior Capstone Exhibition One
Tuesday, April 14–Friday, April 24
Reception: Thursday, April 16, 5:30–7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.
Featuring works by Lily Coburn, Daryn Gluck, Alena Hemphill, August Jankowski, Kiersten Lang, Tyler McDaniel, Abby Proctor, Mikey Simmons, and Zero White.
Senior Capstone Exhibition Two
Tuesday, April 28–Thursday, May 14
Reception: Thursday, April 30, 5:30–7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.
Featuring works by Camellia Codd, Alexandra Combass, Kathleen Heard, Cara Olson, Marissa Riddle, Abigail Rubin, Danielle Silva, Maya Stone, and Laura Vonella.
Visiting Artist Lecture
Visiting Artist Lecture: Clarissa Pezone
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall
McDaniel’s Art Department presents a lecture by Baltimore-based sculptor Clarissa Pezone. For more information, visit www.clarissapezone.com or call 410-857-2595.
Music Concerts and Recitals
For more information, visit www.mcdaniel.edu/music-events.
Student Solo Recital
Friday, April 10, 7 p.m.
Recital Hall 101, Levine Hall
Monday Night Music: “Gems from the Violin and Piano Repertoire”
Monday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Baker Memorial Chapel
College Choir Concert
Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m.
Baker Memorial Chapel
Student African Drum Ensembles
Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m.
Baker Memorial Chapel
Singing on Stage
Sunday, May 3, 7 p.m.
Dorothy Elderdice Studio Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall
A Cappella Ensemble
Monday, May 4, 7 p.m.
Baker Chapel
Jazz Night
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall
College Band Concert
Friday, May 8, 7 p.m.
Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall
Theatre Performances
Performances are held in WMC Alumni Hall. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, active military members, veterans, and those with a McDaniel College ID.
9 to 5: The Musical *
Thursday, March 5–Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m.
Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall
One-Act Play Festival *
Thursday, April 30–Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
Dorothy Elderdice Studio Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall
Film
McDaniel Cinema Showcase
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.
Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science
Literary Events
Bothe Poetry Reading: Poet and Essayist Bernard Jankowski
Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall
Shakespeare in the Square
Thursday, April 23, 4:30 p.m.
Memorial Plaza (rain location: Baker Chapel)
Lectures
Carroll 250 Conversation: “Doing History: An Archivist’s Approach to Uncovering the Past”
Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.
Wahrhaftig Room, Hoover Library
McDaniel Women’s Leadership Network: “Winter Wisdom: Women Navigating Entrepreneurship”
Thursday, Feb. 19, noon
Virtual
Ira G. Zepp, Jr. Memorial Lecture: Ruha Benjamin
Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.
Naganna Forum, Roj Student Center
“Endometriosis: The Social and Medical Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight”
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7–8 p.m.
Virtual
Wenner-Wingate Memorial Lecture: Dave Zirin
Tuesday, April 7, 7 p.m.
Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall
Rembert Lecture in Enterprise Economics
Thursday, April 9, 4 p.m.
Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science
McDaniel Women’s Leadership Network: “Spring into Health: Mind, Body, Community” *
Saturday, April 18, 11:30 a.m.
Baker Memorial Chapel
Admissions and Community Events
(Graduate Program information sessions, Open Houses, Alumni Weekend, Commencement events, Earth Day Fair, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge, Juneteenth in Carroll, and Common Ground on the Hill Traditions Week continue as listed above with dates, times, and locations unchanged.)
Videos