March 21 at 7 p.m., DCA welcomes David Mercier, M.S. L.Ac., Acupuncturist for a talk on mindfulness and creativity. This talk is part of the “100 Choptanks” exhibit that showcases mindfulness and art through photographs by John Lewis.

Mr. Mercier is the author of award-winning A Beautiful Medicine, which is also used as the text for three courses Mr. Mercier teaches as a part-time lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. David has been practicing acupuncture and life coaching since 1983.

His education and experience include:
• Master’s degree in acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health
• M.S. in organization development from Case Western Reserve University.
• Developed and managed University of Maryland Medical System’s Center for Integrative Medicine in Easton, 2000-2009. The talk is free, donations welcome to benefit DCA.

On March 30, Cambridge resident, teacher, and renowned musician Anne Watts will close out the exhibit with a special concert in the Performance Hall at DCA featuring original music inspired by “100 Choptanks.” The performance begins at 5 p.m. Until then, John Lewis will continue adding a new photograph of the Choptank to the window at DCA each day during his exhibit. Stop by! Regular exhibit hours are Tuesday – Thursday noon-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

March 23, 5-7 p.m., Dorchester Center for the Arts will host the latest in the new Art Party series, “Painting on Glasses,” led by Lori Uncapher, Light refreshments will be served. $30 per person. Please call 410-228-7782 for reservations.
March 29, the Coffeehouse Open Mic returns to the gallery from 7-9 p.m. Share your talents, or just come be amazed and entertained. Open Mic is free, but donations benefitting the DCA are appreciated.

A keyboard and refreshments will be available. If you can’t make it for March, keep in mind that the Coffeehouse Open Mic is the last Friday of every month, managed and hosted by Maris Wicker.

Next up in the Galleries
April 6-27, Dorchester Center for the Arts, in partnership with the Dorchester County Opioid Intervention Team, is pleased to present “Wellness in the Storm,” a public awareness initiative using arts programming to engage the Dorchester County community and challenge the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorder.

Organized by artist Peter Bruun, the project includes several events throughout the month, free and open to the public. All events include resource tables with information about behavioral health support services.

The exhibit at DCA will be full of stories in three parts; dozens of drawings by Dorchester County residents caught up in the storm of substance use accompanied by captions sharing their experiences; a photo essay spotlighting people and places in and around Cambridge in the eye of the opioid epidemic; a group exhibition of Maryland artists whose works represent a spectrum of hurting and healing, featuring artists Raymond Bartock, Peter Bruun, Pat Dennis, Gloria Garrett, Phylicia Ghee, Nancye Hesaltine, Ursula Cain Jordan, Valerie Paulsgrove, Rebecca Perkins, Jamie Schulz, Yemonja Smalls, John Viles, Grace Weltman, and a special memorial section for Cambridge artist Ruth Andrews. For complete details visit the event website at www.wellnessinthestorm.org.

For more information on activities at Dorchester Center for the Arts stop by 321 High St., call 410-228-7782 or visit online at www.dorchesterarts.org. Find us on Facebook! Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council.

Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Barbara J. Seese, executive director.