ArtWalk is a 501-c3 non-profit public art initiative based in Annapolis, Maryland
Artwalk is a community public art project
bringing grand scale art to the walls of exterior buildings, using the city of Annapolis itself as an open air gallery. The purpose of ArtWalk, a 501-3c non-profit, is to add beauty and interest to our historic community. ArtWalk exposes a diverse and broad population of residents and visitors alike to public art outside the normal venues of museums and art galleries.
ArtWalk 250 is supported in partnership with the following entities
Smartlink
Admiral’s Cup Annapolis, Atlas Restaurant Group
Maryland State Arts Council
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
The City of Annapolis
Annapolis 250 Commission
Annapolis Art in Public Places Commission
RBC Wealth Management
Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area
The Walsh Family
Art at Large, Inc.
WRH Illustration
Shore Sign Company
Isacson Creative Works
The Annapolis Collection Gallery
ArtWalk is Celebrating America’s 250
in Annapolis
In observance of the 250th Semiquincentennial Celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, ArtWalk embarked on a mission to utilize visual art as a means of celebration and interpretation of Annapolis’s significant role within our country’s larger history.
The State House
Annapolis is the United States’ first peacetime capital. Our historic State House was the backdrop for our early Congress and for the resignation of General George Washington from the Continental Army, signaling the end of the Revolutionary War. The war officially ended weeks later in the same State House with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
The Maryland Gazette
One of our young nation’s early newspapers, The Maryland Gazette, was printed by Anne Catharine Green, one of the first female publishers of the American Colonies. Green overcame great adversity to continue the periodical after the death of her husband Jonas, and her perseverance helped sustain a free press—one of the cornerstones of our democracy.
The Gazette remains publicly accessible through our treasured Maryland State Archives building.
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis is home to the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, where we recognize historic figures such as John Paul Jones and the role the country’s early naval operations played in the Independence we celebrate today.
ArtWalk is featuring the works of nationally acclaimed artists
Greg Harlin, Sally Wern Comport, and George “Lassie” Belt.
Installed
Maryland State Archives
350 Roscoe Rowe Blvd.
June 15, 2026
Art by Sally Wern Comport
Anne Catharine Green was one of the first female publishers of the American Colonies. Anne took over the publishing ofThe Maryland Gazette after the death of her husband Jonas, leaving her to raise her six children alone and in debt. She turned the newspaper into a profitable business within three years, never missing an issue including the week her husband’s obituary was printed.
The Gazette, housed within the Maryland State Archives building where the art permanently resides, was Maryland’s first newspaper and bears witness to the commentary and events that led to the Revolution War and beyond. The Maryland Gazette is the predecessor to the Capital Gazette which remains in circulation today. The art faces Roscoe Rowe Boulevard, which is dedicated to the Capital Gazette Five. This site celebrates Anne Catharine Green’s perseverance in the face of adversity and Annapolis as a backdrop for the free press that represents a cornerstone of our democracy.
Installed
Mills-Hillman Garage
150 Gorman St
May 14, 2026
Art by Greg Harlin
George Washington’s Resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the Maryland State House Chambers (.2 miles from artwork site)
This moment signaled the unofficial end to the Revolutionary War when George Washington returned the power of the U.S. Military to the American People. The war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris just weeks later in the same State House Chambers.
Installed
Smartlink
10 Church Circle
April 17, 2026
Artwork by Greg Harlin & Matthew Frey of WRH Illustration
Maryland’s Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Matthew Frey
We the People, Watercolor by Greg Harlin
George Washington Portrait by Greg Harlin
The Annapolis Convention,Watercolor by Greg Harlin
September 1786 held at Mann’s Tavern (original site destroyed by fire in 1919)
With America’s victory in the Revolutionary War, the young nation set in place the Articles of Confederation to serve as the first constitution of the United States, with Maryland as the last state to ratify on March 1, 1781. Not far into the nation’s founding, George Washington and James Madison (shown foreground right) feared for the country’s future. With the states retaining most of the power and no strong central government, interstate disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart and bring about economic collapse. The sparse attendance of this gathering—12 delegates from 5 states—underscores the lack of faith in the central government felt at the time, and inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation as a governing doctrine.
In the moment depicted in this artwork, a frustrated Alexander Hamilton (shown standing near the window with the State House dome near completion in the background) calls for a stronger central government and proposes a bold new plan for Constitutional convention to address it. Madison urges restraint but is seriously considering the idea.
Ultimately, James Madison leaves the Annapolis Convention dedicated to the realization of a Constitutional Convention and earns George Washington’s backing of support. States convened by the following spring, May 1787 and by mid-summer the convention completely redesigns the government.
The convention results in the United States Constitution that remains in place today.
Other delegates shown include St. George Tucker and Edmund Randolph, along with Madison from Virginia (Left to Right foreground), Egbert Benson from New York (back table seated at right) along with Hamilton, and Convention Chairman John Dickinson from Delaware (back table seated left).
Interpretation Sources: National Archives, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, National Constitution Center, statement from the Artist
John Paul Jones’ Ranger by Greg Harlin
U.S. Naval Academy Entrance, King George Street
Originally installed as part of the Charter 300 Celebration in 2007, to be restored Summer 2026
Past Projects
ArtWalk I
The first exhibition of ArtWalk highlights the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the City of Annapolis to gain independence for its governing body. Artwork and sites were chosen specifically to honor the communities and residents within the city who have contributed to its rich history.
Crosswalks
In collaboration with professional and student artists from Annapolis, ArtWalk worked with the office of Public Works to embark on a city-wide Tactical Urbanism initiative. The endeavor utilizes public art as a means for making pedestrian crosswalks safer, and spawning economic growth by visually connecting the Arts District to promote foot traffic.
ArtWalk II
Inspired by the Stanton Center community artists in ArtWalk’s First Exhibition, ArtWalk II continues its mission to spotlight the talent and pride of artists within diverse community organizations through public art.
Tree of Life
Incorporating the work of 62 artists from all walks of life, The Tree of Life spans six stories of the Brightview West End facade in the cultural hub of Rockville Town Center. ArtWalk worked with Art at Large, Inc., Hord Coplan Macht, the Shelter Group, VisArts, and the City of Rockville to produce this landmark piece of public art.