SOLOMONS, Md. – Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center has been selected as one of nine institutions nationwide to participate in the Artful Movement® program, bringing new opportunities for mindful learning and creative wellness to Southern Maryland students and community members.
The announcement came March 24, 2026. The program is an innovative arts-and-mindfulness initiative developed by the nonprofit Create Calm, Inc. in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art and Smithsonian Affiliations. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate located on the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, will integrate the program into its education offerings.
Artful Movement combines mindful movement, slow looking at artworks, and structured thinking routines. Participants use their bodies and minds to explore art, helping develop social-emotional skills, connection and collaboration. The approach encourages deeper engagement with artworks through physical movement and reflection rather than passive viewing.
At Annmarie, education specialists will lead classes centered on the sculpture “A Tribute to the Oyster Tonger, A Chesapeake Waterman” by Antonio Tobias Mendez. The 1994 bronze and granite work stands seven and a half feet tall on a granite boat base and depicts a Chesapeake waterman, highlighting themes of labor, resilience and connection to the bay. Guided movement and thoughtful observation will help participants connect with the sculpture’s physical presence and the story it tells about regional heritage.
The program aligns with Annmarie’s mission to provide accessible, interdisciplinary learning that links art, nature and well-being. By embedding the sculpture in a natural garden setting, sessions will allow students to experience art in an outdoor environment that enhances mindfulness and emotional learning.
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center has served Southern Maryland since 1992 as a 30-acre public sculpture park and arts facility. Its collection and programs draw thousands of visitors annually for exhibitions, workshops and community events. Selection for Artful Movement expands its role in creative education, particularly for schools seeking evidence-based social-emotional learning opportunities.
The initiative builds on the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art’s established Artful Movement program, which has shown success in helping students improve focus, empathy and collaborative skills through museum-based experiences. Expansion to nine partner institutions, including Annmarie, aims to bring these benefits to more communities across the country.
Participation will allow Annmarie to offer structured field trips and classroom extensions that connect Chesapeake Bay heritage with mindfulness practices. Education staff plan to tailor sessions for various age groups, incorporating the garden’s natural surroundings to reinforce themes of resilience and environmental connection.
Southern Maryland residents and educators interested in the program can contact Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center for details on upcoming sessions. The selection highlights growing recognition of the facility’s educational impact and its strong partnership with the Smithsonian Affiliations network.
This development adds to Annmarie’s 2026 programming calendar, which already includes exhibitions such as “Rhythm: Movement in Art” and “Artists in Action.” The Artful Movement classes will complement these offerings by emphasizing active, embodied learning experiences.
By focusing on a locally significant sculpture, the program strengthens cultural ties to the Chesapeake Bay while introducing students to practices that support mental and emotional health. Officials at Annmarie expect the partnership to increase engagement among local schools and families seeking enriching arts experiences in a scenic setting.
