Opening reception and artist talk set for Nov. 15

Adelphi, Md. — Oct. 21, 2026 — The Arts Program at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) will present Blackstraction: The Fiber Art of Sheila Crider, an exhibition showcasing fiber and painted canvas works by Maryland artist Crider. The exhibition will be on view Nov. 15, 2026, through Jan. 24, 2027, in the UMGC Arts Program Gallery in Adelphi, Maryland.

An independent artist based in Maryland, Crider began her career working with paper before expanding her practice to fiber and painted canvas. The exhibition highlights Crider’s approach to abstraction through color, texture and material while introducing audiences to contemporary textile art.

Crider has received numerous grants, commissions and awards, including fellowships from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and artist residencies at the Vermont Studio Center and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada.

“Crider has developed a visual language that is uniquely her own, using fiber, color and texture to expand how we experience abstraction,” said Eric Key, director of the UMGC Arts Program. “We are honored to celebrate her work and introduce more audiences to the depth and versatility of textile art.”

An artist talk will be held Sunday, November 15, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET in Conference Room 2110 at the College Park Marriott Conference Center at UMGC. Leslie King-Hammond, PhD, professor emerita at the Maryland Institute College of Art, will moderate a conversation with Crider. The opening reception will follow from 4 to 5 p.m. in the UMGC Arts Program Gallery. The event is open to the public.

More information about the exhibition is available on the UMGC Arts Program website.

Exhibition Details

  • Dates: November 15, 2026–January 24, 2027
  • Gallery Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET daily
  • Location: UMGC Arts Program Gallery, Lower Level, 3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, MD 20783

Artist Talk and Opening Reception

  • Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
  • Location: College Park Marriott Conference Center at UMGC, 3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, MD 20783
  • Artist Talk: 3 to 4 p.m. ET, Conference Room 2110, Second Floor
  • Opening Reception: 4 to 5 p.m. ET, UMGC Arts Program Gallery, Lower Level
  • RSVP: umgc.edu/artrsvp
  • More Information: arts@umgc.edu | 301-985-7937

About the UMGC Arts Program

The UMGC Arts Program has been a cornerstone of the university’s cultural outreach since 1978, cultivating a permanent collection that includes one of the largest compilations in the state of works by Maryland artists, along with collections featuring the work of international artists and centuries of Asian art. 

About University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 100 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit UMGC’s website. 

Media inquiries: Please email media@umgc.edu.