CALVERT COUNTY, Md. — The Southern Maryland Art Convention (SMARTCON MD) returns for its second year, bringing together visual artists, crafters, vendors, and technology enthusiasts from across the region for a full day of STEM, art, culture, and community.
SMARTCON 2026 will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, supported by an outstanding group of community sponsors including PNC, Rod N Reel Resort, the Calvert County Minority Business Alliance, the Reel Independent Cinema Collective, The Arts Council of Calvert County, and The Town of Chesapeake Beach.
A free event for Calvert County now in its second year, The Southern Maryland Art Convention offers a platform for STEM based companies and artists to showcase their work, connect with enthusiasts and engage with a passionate creative community. Building on the momentum of its debut year, SMARTCON MD features an even more exciting lineup of exhibitors, interactive tech demonstrations and vendors offering original artwork, prints, handmade goods, and specialty creative products.
This year’s exhibitor floor reflects the rich diversity of the regional creative scene. Attendees can look forward to connecting with Futurology, whose imaginative works explore the intersection of art and ideas about tomorrow; growingSTEMS: The Hive Mind, a collaborative STEM-inspired creative collective; and LEAP Forward Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering youth through arts and education.
The convention also welcomes Anime Club DC, bringing fan art and anime culture to the Chesapeake; Flynn’s Arcade, a new destination for retro gaming and pop culture nostalgia; and IQ Fiber. Adding another dimension to the experience, interactive simulators will be available through Calvert County’s own Odyssey Mobile Adventures, giving attendees of all ages a hands-on taste of immersive technology.
Participants can also register on the evnt website to sign up for the free Create Your Bot! experience that allows you time top make your own mini robot to take home.
“We are extremely grateful for the positive energy and support this event has received,” shares event organizer Anthony Greene. “This is indeed a community event that we want to make a mainstay for the town and the county. It is important to celebrate the connection between art and technology as well as the creative minds around us. My hope is that this convention grows into a beacon for innovative minds. Whether it is coding, engineering, filmmaking or painting, we want creatives to have a home and our community’s support.”
SMARTCON MD also features the Push Play Animated Film Series, a screening of internationally curated animated films now in its 4th year of screenings. Greene adds, “Whether you’re an art collector, an anime enthusiast, a coder, a robotics engioneer, or simply an adventurer curious about STEAM, SMARTCON MD 2026 is good way to spend a couple of hours having fun and trying out different things.” Follow @smartcon_md on Instagram for the latest news, exhibitor announcements, and event updates.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Location: Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
Admission: Free
Website / Social: Instagram: @smartcon_md
About the Southern Maryland Art Convention
The Southern Maryland Art Convention (SMARTCON MD.) is an annual STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math) celebration held in Calvert County, Maryland. Serving the greater Calvert County and Southern Maryland region, SMARTCON MD provides a gathering space for local and regional artists, crafters, and creative vendors. The convention is committed to fostering appreciation for the arts and technology while supporting the growth of the creative economy in Southern Maryland.