WASHINGTON — The Greater Washington region is stepping into history with the launch of Women Artists of the DMV, the largest curated fine arts exhibition ever dedicated to contemporary female artists in the United States. Featuring more than 500 artists across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., the landmark survey spans 16 galleries and cultural venues from late August through January 2026.
Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County will be well represented, with local painters, glass artists and mixed-media creators joining nationally recognized names on the regional stage. For residents, the exhibition is not only a chance to see world-class art, but also to support neighbors and community members whose work is helping shape the DMV’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Curated by Florencio Lennox Campello, the multi-venue exhibition highlights both established and emerging voices across genres — from painting and sculpture to glasswork, textiles and public art — offering a sweeping view of the creativity and innovation thriving in the capital region.
“This region is not only home to some of the best art museums in the world, dozens of commercial art galleries, nonprofit art spaces, alternative art venues, embassy art spaces, etc., but it also supports and fertilizes some of the most unique and creative visual art scenes in the nation,” said Campello.
Serving as the central hub for the project is the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, D.C., where more than 60 works will be on display. The Katzen exhibition anchors the multi-venue survey, which spans 17 locations across the region and brings together established and emerging voices in contemporary fine art.
According to curator Florencio Lennox Campello, the initiative is “the largest curated survey of contemporary living women artists in the nation and the first survey of female visual artists working across the DMV.”
Local artist Margaret Dowell, who is exhibiting at the Katzen Center, described the undertaking as “a Herculean effort by Florencio Lennox Campello,” noting the scale of organizing more than 500 artists across multiple venues.
Local Artists Representing Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County
Several women with ties to Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County are among the artists featured in the exhibition:
Jenny Davis grew up in Southern Maryland and studied at the College of Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Now based in Virginia, Davis paints watercolor portraits and still life. Her work will be shown at Artists & Makers Studios, Sept. 4 – Oct. 29, 2025.
Kate Barfield of Mount Rainier, Prince George’s County, is a glass artist exhibiting at Artists & Makers Studios, Sept. 4 – Oct. 29, 2025. Her piece, “A Tribute to Ms. Lois Mailou Jones,” honors the late Howard University professor and acclaimed painter.
Kimberly Nesci, originally from Hollywood in St. Mary’s County and now based in Montgomery County, is presenting an encaustic piece at Artists & Makers Studios, Sept. 4 – Oct. 29, 2025.
Ellen Cornett of Prince George’s County creates narrative drawings that illustrate fairytales and folklore. Her featured piece, “My Sister She Buried My Bones,” is part of a triptych interpreting the Brothers Grimm tale “The Juniper Tree.” She is exhibiting at the American University Katzen Center, Sept. 6 – Dec. 7, 2025.
Margaret Dowell, Ph.D., is a Calvert County native and former art professor at the College of Southern Maryland. Known for her social commentary works (“Self Portrait With Concerned Bunny” appears in this exhibit), her more recent paintings are inspired by her upbringing on her family’s 77-acre Sunderland tobacco farm. She is exhibiting at the American University Katzen Center, Sept. 6 – Dec. 7, 2025.
Lauren Lay of Prince George’s County/Bowie is contributing textile and mixed media work at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, Sept. 13 – Nov. 2, 2025.
Tinam Valk of Prince George’s County is presenting Frolic, a mixed media painting on canvas at Maryland Hall in Annapolis, Oct. 4 – Dec. 18, 2025.
If you are local to Southern Maryland and wish to be included in this list, please email The BayNet at jessica@thebaynet.com.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Dates: Aug. 29, 2025 – Jan. 21, 2026
Venues: 17 locations across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, including American University Museum at the Katzen Center, Pyramid Atlantic, Maryland Hall and Strathmore Mansion.
Exhibition Contact: Lenny Campello, lenny@lennycampello.com, 301-437-1054
For the full schedule of locations and opening receptions, visit participating gallery websites.
Visit american.edu/cas/museum/upcoming.cfm to learn more.
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