Gumdrops, candycanes, and frosting await as we build "gingerbread" houses at the library. This event is designed for creative builders of all ages and we will be using graham crackers rather than real gingerbread. All Ages. Registration Required. This event is being held at all three KCPL locations. Please be sure you are registering for… Continue Reading Gingerbread Houses

Come to the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment District’s ART WALK. Dozens of artists and artisans will be selling works at galleries, storefronts, restaurants and around town. Live music will also be happening throughout town.For information email hester@kentculture.org or call the Kent Cultural Alliance at 410-778-3700

Open FRIDAY morning before Christmas. 8am-12pm Our bonus Pre-Christmas Farmers' Market will have both farm and artisan vendors. Please note: There will be no market on Saturday Dec. 24th or December 31st. The market will resume Jan. 7th. Happy Holidays!

From January 1-31, Kent County Public Library is participating in “All the Feels,” a Winter Reading Challenge. We challenge our community to collectively read at least 100,000 minutes during the month of January and track their reading on our Beanstack site or using the Beanstack mobile app. Thousands of other libraries across the nation are… Continue Reading Winter Reading Challenge 2023: All the Feels

Do you have a piece you’ve created but just have not found the perfect venue to show it? Something a bit quirky or just not quite the right fit for the themes of past exhibits? Then this is the show for you! RiverArts invites all artists to submit one or two pieces to our ‘Anything… Continue Reading Anything Goes – January 2023 – opening reception

The class will be held at the Clay Studio from 6 - 8:30 pm on Tuesdays, running from January 10th through February 14th. (6 weeks) This course introduces basic pottery wheel techniques to beginning students with a focus on throwing bowl and cylinder forms. Students will be shown the step-by-step process of wedging, centering, throwing,… Continue Reading Beginners Wheel with Chris Neiman

The class will be held at the Clay Studio from 6 - 8:30 pm on Wednesdays, running from January 11th through February 15th. (6 weeks) This 6 week course is intended to be a "next step" for returning beginners. Students will expand and refine their skillset through skills instruction and weekly project assignment. It is… Continue Reading Beginner Plus! Wheel with Chris Neiman

Join Dr. Bill Schindler on for a start to finish approach to baking hand-built, real, traditional long-fermented sourdough bread. Long, slow fermentation that utilizes wild bacteria and yeasts transforms difficult, and dangerous to digest grains into nutrient dense, bioavailable, delicious bread. Dr. Bill will discuss harnessing hyper-local bacteria and yeast to start your mother culture… Continue Reading Sourdough Bread Making Class

Do you have a piece you’ve created but just have not found the perfect venue to show it? Something a bit quirky or just not quite the right fit for the themes of past exhibits? Then this is the show for you! RiverArts invites all artists to submit one or two pieces to our ‘Anything… Continue Reading Anything Goes – January 2023 – artists' talk

You have been asking for an intensive cooking class where you can commit to learning how to eat like a human over a few days with like-minded community members focused on nutrition. This 4-day, 7-class intensive workshop will teach you everything you need to know to nourish your family with the most nutrient dense and… Continue Reading 4-day Intensive Cooking Class to Learn to Eat Like a Human

The Mobile Wellness Team (MWT) from Shore Medical Center Chestertown, University of Maryland Shore Regional Health will be visiting KCPL. Stop by for free health screenings and information about local health resources!

The Chestertown Environmental Committee is collecting the following items for recycling during the Farmer's Market: • Christmas light strands Alkaline batteries A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt • Lithium-ion batteries (button type batteries) • CFL - Spiral shaped lightbulbs • Plastic razors and blades • Deodorant containers • toothpaste tubes • floss containers • Plastic… Continue Reading Recycle batteries, toothbrushes, and more

Make mochi and learn about Japanese New Year traditions! Pizza will be provided. Ages 13-17 Space is limited. Please register!

Looking to get rid of leftover art supplies cluttering up your creative space? Searching for supplies for a new project? Come to KCPL's Community art supply swap! Refresh your art supplies, pick up something new-to-you, and share the creative wealth with the community. We're going through our craft closets to find items that are ready… Continue Reading Art Supply Swap

Like many forms of craft, Quilling can trace its origins back hundreds of years to 15th century France and Italy when it was created to decorate religious objects. Join artist Marjorie for a fun class and create your own decorative piece in this historic art form. Learn the foundations of Quilling including how to roll… Continue Reading Quilling with Marjorie Caraway

Will it be easy or difficult? Will you be hot or cold? Find out at this here-and-there, up-and-down, back-and-forth scavenger hunt all around the library as we celebrate National Opposite Day! When you complete the hunt, choose a prize from the the Mystery Prize Box.

Wednesday, January 25, 6-8 pm - on Zoom Are you an artist that would like to teach art? Are you an established teaching artist, but want to refine your class? This webinar, hosted by artist and experienced teacher, Kris Kelley, will review how to create a class to share your expertise with interested students. This… Continue Reading Artist Professional Development: Teaching for Artists w/Kris Kelley

OPEN MIC is back at THE GARFIELD,! PARTICIPANTS and SPECTATORS wanted!! Contact Ford Schumann at schumannford@gmail.com to participate.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Rose O’Neill Literary House. 

Kohl Gallery & the Rose O'Neill Literary House present Kameelah Janan Rasheed. Lecture: The Erotics of Translation In this lecture which opens her exhibition in Kohl Gallery, SmooOOoOoooooOooth Operator: the eternal outlays ennoble and rekindle an unlikely savior, Rasheed will build on her September 2022 Poetry Project presentation to explore translation as a container to… Continue Reading Kameelah Janan Rasheed Lecture & Opening

Literary House & Kohl Gallery Present:Artist & Writer Kameelah Janan Rasheed Workshop: Feral Play Please bring a mask, pen, and paper--and your voracious intellectual curiosity! In this workshop, Kameelah Janan Rasheed invites participants to play! Participants will be invited to perform a series of writing and drawing prompts encouraging us to think about the relationships… Continue Reading Kameelah Janan Rasheed Multimedia Writing Workshop

Join us for Part I of WC's Polar Expedition Speakers Series—a Conversation and Reception with Arctic Ecologist Dr. Susan Natali. Hear her insight into the local to global impacts of Arctic thaw, as well as how to connect science, people and policy for just and equitable climate responses. A wine and cheese reception with the… Continue Reading "The Local to Global Impacts of Arctic Thaw," a Conversation with Arctic Ecologist Dr. Susan Natali

February 1st is the beginning of Love Your Library month! Visit KCPL during Love Your Library Month and pick up a custom-made Love Your Library punch card! Each time you visit any library branch during February, you can get your card punched. After 6 visits, turn in your filled punch card and choose a small… Continue Reading Visit KCPL During Love Your Library Month!

Join CES to welcome the Center's newest director, Dr. Valerie Imbruce, at a riverfront reception held in her honor. Enjoy music, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and tours of the new environmental hall. This event is free and open to the public. R.S.V.P. to environment_society@washcoll.edu.

In celebration of Black History Month the February exhibit, “Merging Perspectives” will feature both local and regional black artists who work in a broad range of media. To complement the exhibit there will be two additional chances to hear from special artists. On Saturday, February 4, at 1pm Kyle Hackett will present “Circular Narratives.” Kyle… Continue Reading Merging Perspectives – Opening Reception

Happiness Hour is a time for grown-ups to explore their powers of creativity. Join us to try your hand at something new and leave a little happier than you arrived! Featured Project: Valentines Show your love for friends, family, and anyone who's special to you by making them a handmade valentine! Enjoy delicious cookies from… Continue Reading Happiness Hour: Creative Time for Grown-Ups – Cookies & Cards

Kyle Hackett (b. Still Pond, MD) Artist, Professor, and RiverArts Board Member returns home to share the influences and autobiographical connections to his artwork and journey. Hackett will address painting tradition, contemporary image-making, and concepts of identity rooted in the communities that shaped him.

Join CES for a free, exclusive screening of a thrilling environmental documentary, following three scientists during their research adventures on the Greenland ice sheet. This film screening is a precursor to the second exciting guest in WC's Polar Expedition Speaker Series, Arctic Climatologist and Glaciologist, Dr. Jason Box, who stars in this film. Watch the… Continue Reading Into the Ice, a Screening of an Environmental Documentary, Presented by WC's Center for Environment & Society

We've turned some of our favorite stories into crafts full of love! Share your love of picture books and create a unique Valentine for someone special. All ages welcome.

In celebration of Black History Month the February exhibit, “Merging Perspectives” will feature both local and regional black artists who work in a broad range of media. To complement the exhibit there will be two additional chances to hear from special artists. On Saturday, February 4, at 1pm Kyle Hackett will present “Circular Narratives.” Kyle… Continue Reading Merging Perspectives – Artists' Talk

Kameron Fields is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader for the Core Technology Division at W.L Gore & Associates. He believes diversity and inclusion are essential to innovation, and he is passionate about engagement and support of underrepresented minorities in STEM. Overall, we'll discuss the intersections of race, sexual orientation, gender, homophobia, and transphobia within… Continue Reading Kameron Fields: "What's the Tea, Cis?"

What a perfect way to spend Valentine’s Weekend with the one you love – making mozz and drinking wine! During this hands-on Friday evening class, each couple will have a bottle of wine of their choice to enjoy as Bill walks them through the art of cheesemaking and breaks it down so each couple can… Continue Reading Couples Cheesemaking Class

The Chestertown Environmental Committee Booth is collecting the following items for recycling during the Farmer's Market: • Plastic bottle caps • Britta filters • Alkaline batteries A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, lithium button batteries • CFL lightbulbs • Razors and blades • Deodorant containers • Empty toothpaste tubes • Plastic floss containers • Plastic… Continue Reading Recycle Britta filters, batteries, plastic bottlecaps, and more

Let's make fudge! Join us for a special chocolatey treat at the library. Ages 13-17 Space is limited. Please register! Pizza and Make a Thing is a program series for teens where we eat pizza and make a thing.

Cindy King, Certified Professional Horticulturist at The Mill in Kingstown, MD will speak on the topic "TAKING CARE OF AN OLDER GARDEN." Cindy's talk will be proceeded by a 1:00 PM business meeting whose single agenda item will be the May 2023 ALL SEASONS GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SHOW.

Join us at Sumner Hall for a community celebration of African-American authors! The National African-American Read-In is the nation’s oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature. This interactive, multigenerational program that will celebrate black authors, literacy, reading, and diversity in literature through readings from a wide variety of authors shared by members of the community.… Continue Reading African-American Read-In: Community Celebration of African-American Authors

The Communication and Media Studies Program invites you to this month's screening in the Washington College Film Series. In February, we'll be watching Before the Flood (2016). This documentary film, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, looks closely at the devastating effects of climate change around the globe. This month's event is co-sponsored by the Center for… Continue Reading Washington College Film Series: Before the Flood

The Washington College Concert Series presents Lori Kesner (flute) and Maria José Parker (piano). Daydreams of the Flute takes the audience on a musical journey of the flute fantasia repertoire. The program includes a broad range of styles in this free-form genre, including the Baroque Fantasies of Telemann, the gypsy-inspired Airs Valaques, the dance-themed Fantasía… Continue Reading Lori Kesner (flute) & Maria José Parker (piano)

February 17 - 20 You have been asking for an intensive cooking class where you can commit to learning how to eat like a human over a few days with like-minded community members focused on nutrition. This 4-day, 7-class intensive workshop will teach you everything you need to know to nourish your family with the… Continue Reading 4-day Intensive Cooking Class to Learn to Eat Like a Human

Have you ever wondered what kids around the world snack on? Join us to find out – and to try a variety of snacks! At this global snacking showdown we'll explore treats, share fun facts, and bring the rest of the world closer to home one tasty bite at a time. Please note: Due to… Continue Reading Snack Around the World Club: Try snacks from around the globe!

Kent Attainable Housing, Inc. (KAH) invites you to join them for an OpenHouse and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to commemorate the opening of their new office location in downtown Chestertown. This event is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be available.

Maren Gimpel, Field Ecologist and Outreach Coordinator at Foreman's Branch Bird Observatory, shares the basics of backyard birding and answers your bird-related questions! You'll leave this program ready to explore your own backyard (just in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count, which takes place Feb 17-20) and with lots of new information, including FBBO's… Continue Reading Early Birds & Ducks in Water: An Intro to Birding & Avian Research

BC Productions proudly announces the premiere of the staged reading of A Brief History of Man, the latest script by Chestertown playwright Earl Lewin. Chester River Country Club offers this one night only opportunity for dinner and show to experience the premiere of Lewin’s latest script. On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 4pm dinner is… Continue Reading DINNER AT CRCC AND STAGED READING OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF MAN – A NEW PLAY BY EARL LEWIN

OPEN MIC is back at THE GARFIELD,! PARTICIPANTS and SPECTATORS wanted!! Contact Ford Schumann at Fordo1@aol.com to participate.

Please come out to BSU's end-of-Black History Month celebration, Lift Every Voice and Sing. This event will take place Next Friday, February 24th at 7 pm in Decker Theater. This event will highlight performances from students and others, so please come out and help us end Black History Month in celebration.

Join us for Jason Patterson’s afternoon lecture on his artwork that’s focused on the Black history of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Jason Patterson is the Arts & Exhibitions Fellow at Washington College’s Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, as well as the Board Vice President of the Kent Cultural Alliance. To… Continue Reading Artist Talk: Jason Patterson: Portraiture, Woodworking, Historic Text & The Archive

He has appeared in three films (one produced by Leonardo DiCaprio), was dubbed "The Ice Maverick" by Rolling Stone Magazine, made 30 separate expeditions to Greenland, camped on the ice for over a year, and was even arrested in front of the White House while protesting a pipeline project. After learning all of this, one… Continue Reading "Arctic Climate & Greenland Ice," a Talk with Arctic Climatologist and Glaciologist Dr. Jason Box

Chestertown RiverArts invites artisans and artists to submit work to this exhibit. We seek to showcase the fine craftmanship and incredible talent of our regional artists. 2D & 3D work is encouraged so we can fill our newly renovated gallery space with pieces in a wide variety of colors, textures and mediums. Work submitted may… Continue Reading Fine Art & Craft Exhibit opening reception

An exhibit of art quilts, wall quilts and other small works.

Do you need seeds for your garden? Do you have seeds you could share? Join us for a Seed Swap in celebration of gardening and growing things. If you didn't save seeds last year, you are still welcome to attend! You do not have to bring seeds in order to receive seeds. If you do… Continue Reading Seed Swap

Learn how to start, maintain, feed, and cook with sourdough mother. Our mother is the backbone of our Rise line of sourdough products and allows us to cook everything from bread to crackers to waffles. This class will specifically focus on the sourdough mother process so participants will learn the science behind the: - fermentation… Continue Reading The Art of Sourdough Mother

The library is not a standalone organization, it's a vital part of the community! KCPL Cares is a monthly free giveaway initiative that lets us connect with and support the community in a variety of ways. This month, our giveaway features items to help you get ready for spring gardening. Care packs are available during… Continue Reading KCPL Cares Giveaway – Garden Prep!

At RiverArts Education Center -- 200 High St (Door B) in downtown Chestertown, MD (next to the Clay Studio & across from Evergrain Bakery). Considered by many to be a "sacred magical art", the creation of a talisman with specific intentions written into the life-giving egg, the Pysanky is an ancient means to celebrate the… Continue Reading March 4: Pysanky: Ukrainian Egg Decorating with Coreen Weilminster

Calling all plant enthusiasts and newbies to start this year's growing season with your very own seedling. We will have flower seeds and all the supplies needed to make sure your seedling gets a great growing start! Beth Hill from Kent County 4-H will offer care instructions and share all sorts of information about the… Continue Reading Plant a Seedling with Beth Hill from 4-H!

Acclaimed journalist, bestselling author, and former Starr Center Fellow Wil Haygood will return to Washington College to discuss his recent book "Colorization: 100 Years of Black Films in a White World." The event will be followed by light refreshments. "Colorization" examines the struggles and triumphs of Black actors and filmmakers as a window into Black… Continue Reading A Century of Black Film with Wil Haygood

Chestertown RiverArts invites artisans and artists to submit work to this exhibit. We seek to showcase the fine craftmanship and incredible talent of our regional artists. 2D & 3D work is encouraged so we can fill our newly renovated gallery space with pieces in a wide variety of colors, textures and mediums. Work submitted may… Continue Reading Fine Art & Craft Exhibit artists' talk

LOCATION: Casa Carmen Wines, 312 Cannon St, Chestertown, MD 21620 FEE: Must be 21 years of age with ID. $25 for Washington College students and RiverArts Members, $35 for all other registrants Join RiverArts and Casa Carmen Wines for a night of crafting and wine! All supplies are included! Enjoy Casa's premium selection of wine… Continue Reading Uncorked Creations at Casa Carmen

The Communication and Media Studies Program invites you to this month's screening in the Washington College Film Series. In March, we'll be watching Spike Lee's classic 1989 film Do The Right Thing. This film explores the complex racial politics of the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on a single hot summer day. This month's event is… Continue Reading Washington College Film Series: Do the Right Thing

Join us to paint terracotta pots with paint pens! If time permits, we'll also create origami flowers to fill them up. All supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity! Ages 13-17 Space is limited. Please register!

Stop by KCPL's Chestertown Branch to visit with a representative from the People's Insurance Counsel Division (PICD) of the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, and ask all your questions about your rights as a consumer of homeowner's insurance.

LOCATION: Casa Carmen Wines, 312 Cannon St, Chestertown, MD 21620 FEE: Must be 21 years of age with ID. $25 for Washington College students and RiverArts Members, $35 for all other registrants Join RiverArts and Casa Carmen Wines for a night of crafting and wine! All supplies are included! Enjoy Casa's premium selection of wine… Continue Reading Uncorked Creations at Casa Carmen

Join Dr. Bill Schindler for a start to finish approach to baking hand-built, real, traditional long-fermented sourdough bread. Long, slow fermentation that utilizes wild bacteria and yeasts transforms difficult, and dangerous to digest grains into nutrient dense, bioavailable, delicious bread. Dr. Bill will discuss harnessing hyper-local bacteria and yeast to start your mother culture all… Continue Reading Sourdough Bread Making Class

Adults and teens welcome! Learn to indigo dye during the “blue” hours! We will learn about indigo and explore various Shibori resist methods while creating some great gifts. When you’re ready to dye you will see the wonder of indigo as your creation emerges from the dye bath colored green and turns blue before your… Continue Reading Indigo at Night

Sunday, March 19: 9 - 11:00 am (and return from 12:00 to finish) Cost: $50 per participant for RiverArts members (non-member price is $60) Material fee: $20 for a silk scarf, cotton bandana and eucalyptus, instructor will collect material fee at class. Adults and teens welcome! Join us to naturally dye a one-of-a-kind scarf. We’ll… Continue Reading Eucalyptus Magic in the Morning

Learn to natural dye with dried Marigolds. Students will use Shibori resists to create a large cotton scarf dyed golden. You’ll learn how to mordant cotton, prepare the dye and care for your naturally dyed textile. While the scarves are dyeing, we’ll explore the magic of indigo and dye a cotton bandana blue. Adults and… Continue Reading There's Gold in Those Petals