Free Kensington Art Walk Lets You Explore Beautiful Murals

Kensington has many works of commissioned art located in public places throughout Town. Murals and carvings are located in parks and on buildings large and small. Put on your walking shoes, grab your bike, or drive your car to take in all the culture. Click here to access an ART WALK MAP that shows the location of each work of art. See the murals and an explanation of each below:

1894

Artist: Matt Corrado and Meaghan McNamara
Location: M&T Bank | 10420 Montgomery Avenue
Details: 75-by-28 foot mural
Inspiration: Celebrating the community’s local history
Date of Installation:
October 2017, Kensington’s first major mural

BabyCat

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: BabyCat Brewery | 10241 Kensington Parkway
Details: A fun, colorful celebration of our Town’s new Brewery Mascot. Come have a beer in our own Kensington jungle.
Inspiration: Owner, Sam Mussomeli, named the brewery after his cat Alice, a.k.a, “Baby Cat,” whose life consisted of hiding, until the first day she smelled Sam brewing beer in the kitchen. From that day forward Baby Cat became the supervisor.
Date of Installation:
2022

Book Plants

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: Kensington Row Bookshop | 3786 Howard Avenue
Details: Whimsical, colorful, growing book plants in terra-cotta pots and on balconies reminiscent of Kensington Row Bookshop owner’s native Barcelona.
Inspiration: Commissioned by Kensington Row Bookshop to express a way of sharing the magic that is happening inside the shop. 
Date of Installation:
2021

Butterfly

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: Jubilee Association of Maryland | 10408 Montgomery Avenue
Details: 20-by-25 feet. Nicole painted this mural with the help of…
Inspiration: Inspired by Robert G. Ingersoll’s quote, “We Rise by Lifting Others” includes a scene of a migration of monarch butterflies using vibrant purples and blues and will have taken about ten days to complete.
Date of Installation:
Setpember 2019, Kensington’s second mural

Dog Columns

Artist: Jason Swain,Thomas Ruttkay, Max Stumpf, & Beth Meyer
Location: Dog Run Park | 10450 Metropolitan Avenue
Details: Concrete piers were remnants from a previous concrete plant. Once the Dog Run was complete, the Town wanted to them, but they were full of graffiti. The Town decided to paint dog art and enlisted local artists to enhance them.
Inspiration: Well dogs, of course!
Date of Installation:
2019

Eyes Open

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: Frederick Avenue Bridge | Near 10251 Frederick Avenue
Details: Native plants, wildflowers, and an epigraph are painted on the side of the bridge.
Inspiration: Commissioned by the Town of Kensington’s Greenscape Committee. The mural concept was drawn from a line from the journal of one of the Town’s original residents, Ms. Bertha Clum. She wrote, “Finding wildflowers is not all luck. You have to keep your eyes open”. 
Date of Installation:
2020

Giraffe

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: Blick Building | 3720 Farragut Ave
Details: This five story high giraffe was painted with just two paintbrushes!
Inspiration: Commissioned by John Blick, owner of The Blick Building. The artists inspiration came from ‘Love over Fear.’ Put in the work, let go and thrill in the ride.
Date of Installation:
2022

Hold Your Light

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: Summit Avenue Bridge | Near 4000 Howard Avenue
Details: Residents used a glow-in-the-dark paint to “light” the lanterns on each of the buildings depicted in the mural. The mural serves as a call to hold a light to every person we meet, to really see one another’s humanity and to treat each other with dignity and respect
Inspiration: Commissioned by the Town of Kensington, MD in recognition of neighboring Ken-Gar, a tiny, close-knit neighborhood of strong souls, many of whom are descended from formerly enslaved people.  The mural title comes from one of the older African American spirituals traditionally sung call-and-response style. 
Date of Installation:
2020

Musical

Artist: Kasey Ott & Ricky Sears
Location: GIGS Studio | 3762 Howard Avenue
Details: Mural designed by Sean Gaiser and family, and brought to life by amazing friends and KTown neighbors.
Inspiration: Information coming soon.
Date of Installation:
2022

Silver Creek

Artist: Nicole Bourgea
Location: Silver Creek Senior Living | 3910 Knowles Avenue
Details: This 50-foot mural  is integrated with a green screen located at the lower 20 feet. This green screen will fill with climbing vines planted at the base.
Inspiration: The Silver Creek Senior Living logo is a majestic tree that is reflective of the importance of maintaining our tree canopy in the Kensington Community and  Rock Creek Regional Park. The artist and the owner worked together to reflect ideas for a majestic tree mural.
Date of Installation:
2022

Summer Days

Artist: Meaghan McNamara and Kasey O’Boyle
Location: Old Town Market | 10251  Kensington Parkway
Details: Commission by the owner of Old Town Market to add a splash of color and interest to the front of the shop.
Inspiration: Summer days of biking, sun and soft ice cream.
Date of Installation:
2021

Pets are required to be leashed at all times when visiting both Town and County Parks. Pet waste is the responsibility of the pet owner/handler. Pet waste must be picked up and disposed of either in trash or pet waste containers provided within the park or removed from the park and properly disposed of by the pet handler. Visitors to Town and County parks are responsible for adhering to any posted rules or regulations within the parks.

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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival

Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you're an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.

Let the enticing aromas of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes tantalize your taste buds. Feast on traditional delicacies prepared by expert chefs, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Indulge in flavorful jerk chicken, succulent seafood, and delectable plantain dishes that will transport you straight to the islands.

Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.

As the sun sets, get ready to groove to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean music. Feel the pulsating beats of reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso, moving your body to the lively melodies. Live performances by talented musicians and performers will keep the energy high, ensuring a night of unforgettable entertainment.

Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.

LIVE PERFORMANCES By: CULTURE Feat. Kenyatta Hill, EXCO LEVI, IMAGE BAND, RAS LIDJ REGG'GO with Special Guest SUGAR BEAR FROM E.U. & MORE! & MORE!

MUSIC By: DJ ABLAZE, DJ SMALLY & NAJ SUPREME

2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES

KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE!!!

Bethesda Film Fest

The 2024 Bethesda Film Fest will feature five short documentary films made by filmmakers from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Screenings will be held Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6 at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema.

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