Annapolis Arts Alliance & Gallery 57 West Presents
America 250:
This Is Now
A collaborative summer art experience exploring patterns, heritage, innovation, and storytelling — built by our community, one canvas at a time.
The Project
Tradition, technology, and the patterns that connect us
This quilt-inspired series examines how craft traditions and artificial intelligence both build from recognizable patterns — connecting past and present, culture and code. Patterns from across cultures are reimagined through a contemporary digital lens.
The community quilt
Community canvases
Featured Artist
Behind the exhibit: Davar Ardalan
Davar Ardalan
Davar, the artist behind America 250: This Is Now, brings together stencil traditions and handmade processes with a genuine curiosity about AI, culture, and what connects us today.
Visit Us
Two ways to experience America 250
Gallery 57 West
See the ExhibitJune – August 2026 · Closed Tuesdays
57 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Visit the gallery to see the community quilt display and original works from the exhibition. Posters and information about canvas creation at the Annapolis Visitors Center are available on site.
Get Directions to Gallery 57 WestAnnapolis Visitors Center
Make Your MarkAugust 11 – November 20, 2026
26 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 280-0445 ·
info@visitannapolis.org
This is where the community quilt comes to life. Stop by the art table, pick up a 3×3 canvas, and create your piece on-site. Selected works become part of the growing quilt installation on display through November.
Stop by the art table at the Annapolis Visitors Center
Create your 3×3 canvas on-site using acrylic markers and geometric stamps
Hand your finished canvas to staff — selected pieces join the community quilt
The art table
Creating on-site
Young artists showing their work
Exhibit visitors creating art for the quilt