WHO WE ARE AND
WHAT WE STAND FOR

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR

Everything we build starts with one question

“

What do Maryland's visual artists actually need?

This is how we answer it.

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Our MISSION

Artist Open Studios, Inc. (DBA MD Artist Collective) is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect visual artists with the public while strengthening Maryland's creative community. We increase access to the visual arts by giving artists opportunities to showcase their work, develop professional skills, and build relationships.

Our primary programs include Artist Open Studios, a self-guided studio tour that invites visitors into artists' working studios, and the MD Artist Collective, a year-round community offering networking, educational programming, marketing support, and professional development.

We serve emerging and established visual artists, collectors, families, students, and community members by supporting artists' careers and bringing people together through the visual arts.

Our VISION

A Maryland where every visual artist, from emerging to established, has
the community, skills, and visibility to sustain a thriving creative practice, and where art lovers in every corner of the state can discover,
connect with, and support the artists in their own backyards.

Our VALUES

MD Artist Collective is guided by five commitments.

Community over isolation

Most Maryland artists work alone, and our programs exist to replace that isolation with statewide connection.

Access for every artist

We work to lower the barriers of cost, geography, and know-how that keep artists out, for emerging and established artists in every county.

A sustainable creative life

We equip artists with the business skills (pricing, marketing, sales) that turn talent into a livelihood.

Collaboration, not competition

We partner with Maryland's arts councils, guilds, and clubs to strengthen the support that already exists rather than duplicate it.

Abundance

Artistic success is not scarce or reserved for a lucky few. When one artist grows, the whole community grows with them.

The people
BEHIND IT ALL

The MD Artist Collective exists because a group of Maryland visual artists decided to stop waiting for the community they needed and start building it. Every program, every resource, every conversation inside The Collective traces back to one shared belief—that Maryland’s visual artists deserve better infrastructure, deeper connections, and a real support system behind them. Meet the people making it happen.

Meet our
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Close-up portrait of a woman with red hair and light skin, resting her chin on her hand, showing colorful tattoos on her hand, wearing a black shirt, in front of a gray background.

JEN Sterling
Executive Director

Open position volunteer recruitment announcement
Open position volunteer recruitment announcement

VP Sponsorship

A woman with long blonde hair smiling outdoors, wearing a blue shirt, with trees in the background.

SHERRY Hewitt
Treasurer

Close-up of a woman with dark curly hair tied with a headscarf, wearing glasses, earrings, and a denim shirt, smiling in a well-lit room with plants and furniture in the background.

KATHY Everett
Secretary

Teal graphic announcing an open volunteer position with the text “Volunteer to join us!”

VP Marketing

A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing glasses, a denim button-up shirt, and a pearl necklace, sitting indoors with artwork in the background.

FRAN Simon
VP Partnerships

A woman with gray hair wearing round sunglasses, earrings, a patterned scarf, and a green top outdoors, smiling with autumn trees in the background.

JUDITH Heartsong
Director

Committee Chairs & Advisors

Woman painting a mural of an arched stone bridge with trees and a pathway on a canvas, smiling at the camera.

SUSAN Kurtz
Grants Chair

A young woman with glasses, curly hair, and a nose ring taking a selfie. She is smiling and wearing a white shirt with a floral design.

MEGAN Alodie
Advisor–Social Media

Teal graphic announcing an open volunteer position: “Volunteer to join us!”

Ambassador Chair

A middle-aged woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes, smiling, wearing a green suit jacket, a gray top, and a necklace of silver interconnected rings.

JESSICA McGrath
General Advisor

Annapolis
AMY Holt Cline

Baltimore-North
JENNIFER McBrien

Calvert County
PARRAN Collery

Harford County
LISA Scarbath

Artist Ambassadors

Howard County
LISA Scarbath

Montgomery County
CYD Rowley

St. Mary’s County
SARAH Houde

Worcester County
ANN Coates

Maryland's visual artists deserve real infrastructure and support, and Artist Ambassadors help bring that to every county. It takes passionate artists like you to find those artists and let them know about the benefits of the MD Artist Collective and how they can be part of the AOS Tour!

BECOME AN ART AMBASSADOR
BECOME AN ART AMBASSADOR

We’re always looking for passionate arts advocates to support the MD Artist Collective, its mission, successes, and growth. If you want to be part of something meaningful for Maryland’s visual artists, we’d love to hear from you—reach out to learn more about joining our leadership team.

I'm In!