America 250: This Is Now

From quilt blocks to circuit boards, patterns have always shaped how humans tell stories, share knowledge, and build community. This summer, the Annapolis Arts Alliance’s Gallery 57 West invites the public to explore that connection through America 250: This Is Now — a collaborative art experience inspired by traditional craft, contemporary design, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday life.

Launching Sunday, June 7, during the First Sunday Arts Festival, the project will continue throughout the summer at Gallery 57 West in downtown Annapolis. Inspired by quilt traditions, maritime imagery, and contemporary digital design, participants are invited to create original artwork on 3-by-3-inch canvases using geometric, nautical, floral, or abstract patterns. The community-created pieces will become part of a growing quilt-style installation displayed in the gallery.

Led by Gallery 57 West artist and Annapolis Arts Alliance member Davar Ardalan, America 250: This Is Now explores how patterns connect cultures, generations, and modern technologies such as artificial intelligence. Ardalan’s featured installation blends quilt-inspired designs, global stencil traditions, and tech motifs such as binary code, reflecting the diverse cultural histories and evolving innovations woven into the American story.

“Patterns are one of humanity’s oldest storytelling languages,” Ardalan said. “From quilts and maritime symbols to the logic of code, patterns connect memory, culture, and innovation.”

Gallery 57 West artist Stephanie Kilchenstein added, “Each small canvas represents one individual perspective, but together they create something far greater — a vibrant collective artwork that reflects the creativity, connection, and spirit of our community.”

Visitors may pick up canvases beginning June 7 or create artwork onsite using provided materials. Canvases may be returned throughout the summer through August 15. Selected pieces will become part of the final collaborative installation. Original works created for the series will also be available for purchase throughout the exhibition. Annapolis Arts Alliance member and poet Lailee McNair Bakhtiar contributed this reflection, ANNAPOLIS BORN:

“From gray ship’s harbor to circle born trueaa
An American town quaint, a seaport bluea
Silver waves Sailor’s heart, distant dreams
Noble spirit nurture her lapis streams
Oh! Annapolis!”

America 250: This Is Now will be presented and available for purchase from June 7 through August 31 at Gallery 57 West in Annapolis. The Gallery is closed on Tuesdays.