The Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel will host an exhibition presented by the Latino Art League of Greater Washington, D.C. through September 19. The gallery also features Baltimore-based artists Rene Trevino and Cat Gunn.

Prince George’s County has hosted a multitude of events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission states on their website that as Prince George’s County grows and changes, they want to “celebrate the amazing diversity of art and culture that people of Hispanic or Latin descent have added to the rich tapestry of our neighborhoods.”

This month, the Montpelier Arts Center, a facility of the Commission, has helped share Hispanic culture. The art center is located on the property of the historic Montpelier Mansion, a Georgian-style plantation house. The surrounding acres of land filled with trees and wooded paths fuel the imagination before one even steps into the galleries.

At the art center, the Latino Art League of Greater Washington, D.C, an advocacy group that promotes education about Latin American art and culture, is displaying paintings by artists from Latin America, many from Peru. Beth Crisman, technical director at the Montpelier Arts Center, said that she reached out to Marco Cuba-Ricsi, the president and founder of the Latino Art League, to be able to share the exhibition presented currently.

The Montpelier Arts Center is now also hosting two other exhibitions: “Gran Fury” by Rene Trevino and “Take Time” by Cat Gunn. “Gran Fury” catches the eye with its bright neon colors, shifting patterns and designs. Trevino, a gay and Mexican-American artist, explores history and identity in his works.

Following Trevino, Gunn exhibits abstract paintings through the lens of a queer, non-binary perspective. “I was pleasantly surprised, I came here to ask about the art classes, but found these great exhibitions and these beautiful surrounding areas,” Rebecca, a woman assisting the gallery said.

The Montpelier Arts Center continuously changes up its exhibitions, and it also hosts resident artist galleries, a yearly competition for artists to submit work to get a solo exhibition and various classes for children and adults in painting, drawing and ceramics.

Featured Photo Credit: Luciana Perez Uribe/Bloc Reporter.

Luciana Perez Uribe is a masters multiplatform journalism student and can be reached at Lperezu@umd.edu.