Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

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Washington County Museum of Fine Arts We welcome everyone with free admission and access to exceptional collections and experiences. Admission and parking are free.
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Located in beautiful City Park in Hagerstown, Maryland, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts was founded 90 years ago. A vibrant center for art, the Museum offers a variety of exhibitions, art classes, lectures, concerts & special events throughout the year.

Don't miss it: Angelina Lippert, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Poster House, joins us to discuss Mucha's Paris...
10/16/2026

Don't miss it: Angelina Lippert, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Poster House, joins us to discuss Mucha's Paris-era posters and his path from struggling illustrator to the era's most in-demand commercial artist. Tickets are going — grab yours!

$8.00 Members / $10.00 Non-Members / $15 at the door
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-arts-lectures-angelina-lippert-tickets-1998546376010?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Community Arts Lecture Series is a collaboration of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Washington County Arts Council, and Valley Art Association.

Every great story begins somewhere—even Arthur’s! ✏️In 1975, author and illustrator Marc Brown began telling his young s...
10/16/2026

Every great story begins somewhere—even Arthur’s! ✏️

In 1975, author and illustrator Marc Brown began telling his young son a bedtime story about an aardvark who was worried about his nose. That little story grew into Arthur’s Nose, published in 1976, and introduced a character who would become a beloved part of childhood for generations.

Now, see the art behind the aardvark in Believe in Yourself: What We Learned from Arthur, The Art of Marc Brown.

Discover original illustrations, preliminary sketches, and a closer look at how Brown developed the characters and stories we know and love.

📅 Opens October 24 at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

Image: Marc Brown (American, b. 1946), "Arthur Writes a Story 1", 1996. Marker, watercolor and colored pencil

Why wait until the doors open to the public? Be among the first to shop the WCMFA’s 27th Annual Treasure Sale at our Pre...
10/15/2026

Why wait until the doors open to the public? Be among the first to shop the WCMFA’s 27th Annual Treasure Sale at our Preview Party!

Join us Friday, November 6, from 6–8 p.m. for an evening of early shopping, w**e, hors d’oeuvres, and great company. You’ll have the first opportunity to browse and purchase this year’s unique selection of treasures before the public sale begins.

🎟️ $45 for members | $50 for the general public
📅 Friday, November 6 | 6–8 p.m.
Registration required.

Reserve your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/treasure-sale-preview-party-tickets-1994969982922?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you to Jefferson Security Bank for sponsoring this year's Treasure Sale!

📣 SAVE THE DATE: Arthur’s Costume Party is coming to the museum!Join us Saturday, October 24, from 1–4 p.m. as we celebr...
10/15/2026

📣 SAVE THE DATE: Arthur’s Costume Party is coming to the museum!

Join us Saturday, October 24, from 1–4 p.m. as we celebrate the opening of Believe in Yourself: What We Learned from Arthur, The Art of Marc Brown.

🎃 Wear your Halloween costume or dress as your favorite Arthur character. (Please refrain from wearing masks)
📖 Enjoy storytime with the Washington County Free Library.
🍬 Look forward to treats and family-friendly activities.
🎨 Explore an exhibition filled with original artwork and the stories behind a beloved childhood character.

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of art, reading, and fun!

📍 Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
🎟️ Free admission

Image: Marc Brown (American, b. 1946), Arthur’s Halloween, 1982. Black-and-white base for color separations

Hey, grown-ups: remember watching Arthur after school or settling in with an Arthur book at bedtime? 📚For so many of us,...
10/14/2026

Hey, grown-ups: remember watching Arthur after school or settling in with an Arthur book at bedtime? 📚

For so many of us, Arthur was more than an aardvark. He was a reminder that growing up means making mistakes, learning new things, and figuring out how to be a good friend.

Now, you can revisit that world at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Believe in Yourself: What We Learned from Arthur, The Art of Marc Brown.

What’s your favorite Arthur memory? Tell us in the comments—and tag someone who grew up with you!

Opens October 24. Free admission, always.

Image: Marc Brown (American, b. 1946), "Arthur's New Puppy", 1993. Marker, gouache, and colored pencil

The hunt is on! 🛍️For 27 years, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ Treasure Sale has brought bargain hunters, co...
10/13/2026

The hunt is on! 🛍️

For 27 years, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ Treasure Sale has brought bargain hunters, collectors, and curious shoppers together to discover unexpected finds.

From artwork and furniture to jewelry, glassware, collectibles, and more, you never know what treasure might be waiting for you!

Join us November 7–8 and 10 for this beloved community fundraiser, or get first access to the treasures at our Preview Party on Friday, November 6.

🎟️ Preview Party tickets are $45 for members and $50 for the general public. Registration is required.

Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/treasure-sale-preview-party-tickets-1994969982922?aff=oddtdtcreator

Remember Arthur? The aardvark in round glasses who taught us about friendship, kindness, and growing up? 🧡This fall, a f...
10/13/2026

Remember Arthur? The aardvark in round glasses who taught us about friendship, kindness, and growing up? 🧡

This fall, a familiar childhood friend is coming to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts!

"Believe in Yourself: What We Learned from Arthur, The Art of Marc Brown" opens October 24. Explore original artwork, discover how Marc Brown brought Arthur and his friends to life, and revisit the stories that have meant so much to generations of readers.

🎉 Join us for a free opening-day celebration on Saturday, October 24, from 1–4 p.m., featuring Arthur-inspired activities, treats, and storytime with the Washington County Free Library.

Admission is always free. We can’t wait to see you!
📍 Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, MD

Image: Marc Brown (American, b. 1946), "Arthur promotional art for PBS series launch", 1998. Pen and watercolor

Big news: We're teaming up with the Washington County Arts Council, Valley Art Association, and Washington County Free ...
10/13/2026

Big news: We're teaming up with the Washington County Arts Council, Valley Art Association, and Washington County Free Library to bring inspiring, nationally significant speakers to Hagerstown. By pooling our resources and our networks, we're able to bring in voices and expertise that wouldn't otherwise make it to our community — and we're just getting started.

We're calling the series Community Arts Lectures--and you can be sure they will be interesting, entertaining, thought-provoking, and will include dessert!

First up: Angelina Lippert, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Poster House in New York City, joins us Friday, October 23, 6:30-8 pm, for a deep dive into Alphonse Mucha's Paris years as a complement to our exhibition "Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau."

More information and tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-arts-lectures-angelina-lippert-tickets-1998546376010?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Stay tuned — this partnership means more talks like this one are on the way

If you've already been through our Mucha exhibition twice (no judgment—we get it), this one's for you. October 23, 6:30-...
10/13/2026

If you've already been through our Mucha exhibition twice (no judgment—we get it), this one's for you.

October 23, 6:30-8 p.m.: Angelina Lippert, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Poster House (NYC) and one of the foremost authorities on poster history working today, is coming to Hagerstown to tell us more about Mucha's Paris years — the posters, the persona, and how a struggling illustrator became the most in-demand commercial artist of the 1890s. If you love the swirling hair, the halos, the Art Nouveau line work, this is the talk that gets into the how and why behind it. For more information and tickets: https://wcmfa.org/event/community-arts-lectures-angelina-lippert/

The Community Arts Lecture Series is a collaboration of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Washington County Arts Council, and Valley Art Association. Tickets are $8 for members of collaborating organizations, $10 non-members, and $15 at the door.

Image: Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860-1939), "Plate 14. Job," 1896
Color lithograph on paper mounted on linen

Join us for the first in our series of Community Arts Lectures! Angelina Lippert, Executive Director and Chief Curator ...
10/13/2026

Join us for the first in our series of Community Arts Lectures! Angelina Lippert, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Poster House, will trace Alphonse Mucha's rise from struggling illustrator to the most sought-after commercial artist of the late 1800s. Lippert takes a deep dive into Mucha's Paris-era posters and the history of the medium itself—a perfect complement to our current Mucha exhibition.

$8.00 Members / $10.00 Non-Members / $15 at the door, includes reception.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-arts-lectures-angelina-lippert-tickets-1998546376010?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Community Arts Lecture Series is a collaboration of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Washington County Arts Council, and Valley Art Association.

Image: Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860-1939) "Têtes Byzantines: Blonde", 1897. Color lithograph on paper.

Address

401 Museum Drive
Hagerstown, MD
21740

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13017395727

Website

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