CAMBRIDGE - Guest curator Jon West-Bey presents “State of the Art: Highlights from the Maryland Artists Collections of the University of Maryland Global Campus” in the galleries at Dorchester Center for the Arts through March and April.

Presented as a partnership with DCA, University of Maryland Global Campus and the American Poetry Museum, this extended exhibition focuses on the diverse and dynamic collections of UMGC and runs through April 29.

UMGC has a long history of support for the arts throughout Maryland. Its artist collections focusing on Maryland artists feature a wide array of artists shedding light on the various mediums through which artists from Maryland portray their unique perspectives.

Some of Maryland's most influential artistic minds will be showcased through painting, drawing and collages from artists such as Paul Reed, Samella Lewis, Alma Thomas and many more.

The exhibition will also include both youth and adult poetry workshops on Saturday, April 29, in honor of National Poetry Month, conducted by Sami Miranda, whose art is included in the exhibition. Workshop participants will learn how to interact, analyze and spark conversations about the exhibited artwork to create group poems based on their individual responses. The poems are then organized into a cohesive piece which will be creatively presented as a group. The youth workshop for ages 13-17 will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the adult workshop for ages 18 and up, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Workshops are free, donations welcome.

Jon West-Bey is an independent curator and museum consultant based in Washington, D.C., and the founder of the American Poetry Museum. During his over 20-year career, Jon has curated over 50 exhibitions and produced and managed numerous award-winning public, educational and multimedia programs.

Sami Miranda is a visual artist, poet and teacher who uses his craft to highlight the value of everyday people and places. His work is heavily influenced by Puerto Rican culture and family history, as well as his interactions with his students, people he encounters in his travels, and DC locals.

For more information on exhibits and additional activities at the Dorchester Center for the Arts, stop by 321 High St., call 410-228-7782 or visit online at dorchesterarts.org. Dorchester Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to enriching Maryland’s Eastern Shore community through high quality, engaging programming in the visual, literary and performing arts. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council.