Not only is the C&O Canal National Historical Park known as a world class recreation destination with plenty of outdoor activities , the historic Canal Towns adjacent to the C&O Canal offer a variety of art destinations sure to please the culture loving side of any visitor.
The Canal Towns embrace a long, storied history of transportation achievements and cultural heritage including art. The natural beauty that surrounds the towns and the quiet charm within their boundaries appeals to artists making homes here and pursuing their art inclinations. Although popular today as quaint and welcoming stations for trail adventurers to reset with unique food and drink offerings, breweries, and old-fashion ice cream parlors; the towns have much more to offer as well.
Expand the adventure by planning your trip to include visits to local art galleries, handcraft shops, theaters, museums, and areas of outdoor public art displays. Allow some time to stop in the towns and enjoy each unique art scene. Take in a concert or live theater. Special events with a variety of art and craft vendors occur in the towns throughout the year.
Visit www.canaltowns.org for a complete listing of arts in the Canal Towns stretching from Poolesville to Cumberland and begin planning your trip!
Poolesville
Artist in the House Gallery
Located at Locals Farm Market (cafe & restaurant), 19929 Fisher Ave in historic Poolesville, MD 20837 Gallery is open for viewing during Locals’ normal business hours, Wed, Thurs, Sun 7am – 3pm, Fri, Sat 7am – 8pm. (Please note that part of the gallery is on the 2nd floor, accessible only by stairs.)
Alden Farms Sculpture Garden
Riverworks Art Center Studios at Alden Farms
19215 Beallsville Rd., Beallsville, MD 20839
Open daily
Local art is on display in restaurants such as Locals, Basset’s and K-2 Cafe.
Upcoming Events
Countryside Artisans 2024 Fall Gallery | Studio Tour ~ Fri – Sun, October 4 – 6, 2024 https://www.countrysideartisans.com/artisan-tours
Outdoor concert series- Located at the outdoor Riverworks Stage – 17617 W. Willard Road in Poolesville, MD. Visit https://www.riverworksart.org/events for upcoming concert dates.
Photo from Locals Farm Market Facebook
Photo by Jon Wolz
RiverWorks Stage
Point of Rocks
Art at the Point
September 28, 2024
10am-5pm
3700 Commerce St.
Point of Rocks, MD.
Art exhibits, food, live music, and family fun
Photo by Julie Olsen
Brunswick
Brunswick Heritage Museum
40 West Potomac St.
Open weekends Sat. 10am-4pm Sunday 1-4pm
Large murals, paintings, and photography displays
Public Art
- Large River Mosaic mural depicting the Potomac River- S. Maple
- Large mural in Square Corner Park
- Large mural at corner of N. Maryland and W. Potomac
- Sculpture at the Railroad Station
- New archway from the canal
Photo by Abbie Ricketts
Harpers Ferry
Magpie Pottery Studio and Gallery
Washington Street Studios
1441 W. Washington St.
Bolivar, WV 25425
Photo by Jerry Knight
Sharpsburg
BonnArt Fine Art Studio
101 West Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, United States, Maryland
(240) 291-2831
Art instruction
Tues – Sat 10am – 5pm
Antietam Gallery
17320 Shepherdstown Pike
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
301-432-5868
Art and framing
Sharpsburgh Museum of History
106 East Main Street • 2nd Floor
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Original historic art and artifacts
Open Monday – Saturday, 9 AM – 4 PM
Photo by Abbie Ricketts
Shepherdstown
Chamber Music
The Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra is the only professional chamber orchestra in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and one of only three in the state. It was established by the Friends of Music in 2007.For more information and a concert schedule, contact Friends of Music at [email protected] or visit Friends’ website at www.friendswv.org. The season will run from September 14, 2024, through June 1, 2025, and include a total of five concerts.
Phase 2 Gallery
92 West Campus Drive
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday 2-8 p.m., and Saturday noon-5 p.m.
The Bridge Gallery
Exhibits by the area’s leading artists and art framing.
8566 Shepherdstown Pike
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Badgerhound Studio & Gallery
Art exhibits and workshops, original art and prints for sale.
110 W. German St
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Cooper Captures & TLC Photography
Art Gallery & Photography Studio.
107 E. German St.
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery
Crafts, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, & decorative home accents.
121 E. German St
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
The Gallery at 105
Exhibiting & selling contemporary art by Shepherdstown artists.
105 S. Princess St
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
KimoPics Gallery
Photo gallery and music composing studio of Kimo Williams – with his artwork, prints & music available.
129 E. German St.
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Public Art
- The Celebrate Shepherdstown mural project is located on the side of the building that houses Betty’s Restaurant, located at 112 East German Street.
- ROCS Local Market in Shepherdstown
- 8272 Martinsburg Pike, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
- Large mural depicting a view of the bridge over the Potomac River
- Handcrafted benches hand painted by local artists adorn the downtown area.
Mural by Shepherd University Painting Students
Williamsport
Byron Memorial Park
Williamsport is home to an art gallery containing many fine oil and water color paintings, many depicting the canal, inside the Williamsport Museum located in the tenant house next to Springfield Barn.
2 Springfield Ln, Williamsport, MD 21795
https://wmspthistory.org/work
Williamsport Museum Facebook page
Hancock
Off70Studio
39 West Main Street
Hours vary
41WEST Gallery
41 West Main Street
Hours vary
Flannel on the Trail
45 W Main St, Hancock, MD 21750
Handcrafted items and art
Flannel on Main
38 West Main St.
Arts and crafts workshops
Located near Flannel on the Trail
Public Art
- Sculpture at Veterans Memorial in Widmyer Park
Photo by Sinclair Hamilton
Paw Paw
September 14, 2024
10am-5pm
Celebrating the pawpaw, the unique and elusive fruit that the town is named after. There will be educational presentations, kids’ activities, local craft vendors, live music, and delicious food.
Cumberland
Gilchrist Gallery and Museum
104 Washington St, Cumberland, MD, United States, Maryland
(240) 580-1070
[email protected]
Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 1-4pm
Allegany Museum
3 Pershing St, Cumberland MD.
Museum 2024 Hours
(April – December): Wednesday -Saturday 11am-5pm Sunday 1-5pm
Loft 129
A non-profit corporation that operates Cumberland’s newest live entertainment and special events venue.
129 Baltimore St.
Cumberland, MD 21502
Ferleman Gallery
9 North Centre Street
Cumberland, Maryland 21502, United States
(240) 609-0077 | [email protected]
Open Tuesday thru Thursday 12-7pm. Fri. and Sat. 12pm-9pm
The Gallery Stage, located within the Ferleman Gallery, stands out as one of Western Maryland’s premier music venues, meticulously designed for acoustic performances.
Public Art
Cumberland has many outdoor public art projects including large murals and sculptures throughout the downtown area. For more information on locations visit https://www.mdmountainside.com/blog/post/art-for-the-people-a-public-art-tour/
Climb and Glide by Scott Cawood
We Are Swept By Parris Ashley
