** IMPORTANT UPDATE **
COMPASS ART CENTER TEMPORARILY CLOSED
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
We are sorry to report that due to a flood on April 26, Compass Art Center and all its programming within are closed to the public until repairs can be made. We hope this work can be done quickly so we can return to normal operations with our classes, exhibitions, venue rentals, and studio programming. In the meantime, some of our classes are running at our nearby 10410 Kensington Pkwy location. Thank you so much for your support during this difficult time. We cannot wait to re-emerge stronger and better in a few short weeks.
To our dear Compass community,
On Sunday, April 26 Compass Art Center sustained a major flood as a pipe burst on our upper level. All three floors were severely damaged and we have had to close our doors since. It looks like repairs will take between 1–2 months to be completed.
We are very thankful that the loss of artwork was almost nil and that there were no personal injuries. I want to thank the many people who were in the building or rushed to get there who ensured the damage to personal property was so low. Walls can be rebuilt, but artwork is one of a kind.
Many of our studio artists have found themselves unexpectedly out of a studio. We are working as quickly as we can to assist them with any logistics they need to navigate this challenging time.
Our team has been working around the clock to secure alternative venues for many of our kids and adult classes. We have been successful at finding new homes for about half. The rest will go on a brief hiatus. Instructors are reaching out to their students this week about current classes, while future classes have been updated on our website to reflect these new locations.
We will rebuild and hopefully we will re-emerge from this tragedy with a fabulous new space and renewed passion for celebrating every moment within what has quickly become a home to hundreds of artists, students, and guests each week.
People have been asking how they can help. While insurance will assist with much of the rebuild, challenges will surely exist in the days and months ahead. If anyone is available to assist us with physically moving items out of the art center into storage units we will have set up in the parking lot so that we may begin the construction repairs, we welcome you on Saturday, May 2 10 AM – 1 PM. And we might have other days upcoming where we need help too. Please click here if you’d like to be added to that email list.
Another way you can help is to donate to the Friends of Compass Art Center. This 501c3 organization assists with scholarship and programming support. Donations of any value are appreciated and 100% tax deductible. Any donation above $5000 will earn a special honor in the new art center. Checks and direct deposits/electronic fund transfers are the best way to send in your support. But you can click on this link to use credit card as well for a small fee.
Whether you’ve been part of the Compass family for decades or you just heard about us recently, you should know that the most important part of what we do is support our community. But it’s now that we look to our community for support. Whether it’s helping us out in the ways listed above or simply signing up for a class, following us on social media, or sharing us with a friend, it all helps to keep incredible places like Compass alive and thriving.
Thank you and we will see you back better than ever soon enough.
With Hope,
Glen Kessler
Director, Compass Art Center
** New program alert **
Community artS open studio
FRIDAYs-saturdays 5-9pm & Saturday 9am-1pm
Pop into the Art Center for fun and free (or low cost) art activities led by our amazing staff. Japanese calligraphy, African masks, seasonal crafts, kids projects, and other fun and exciting art activities await.
MASTER ARTIST PROGRAM
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, FEBruary 7, 2026 12-1pm
Registration for our 2026 Master Artist Programs is NOW OPEN. Join the faculty and alumni of The Compass Atelier to learn about the Master Artist Program.
This is the program that is revolutionizing how painting is taught. Accrue all the knowledge of a BFA and MFA in just 3 short years of part-time study and at a fraction of the cost of a university education. Come meet the instructors, talk to current and former students, and learn all about the program. Find out, like so many others, if this will indeed be the best decision of your artistic life.
COMPASS ATELIER MASTER ARTIST PROGRAM THESIS EXHIBITION
January 24-FEBRUARY 28, 2026
THE CLASS OF 2026 EXHIBITS THEIR THESIS ARTWORK ALL MONTH
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The graduates of The Compass Atelier's Master Artist Program, Class of 2026 will have their Thesis Exhibition at Strathmore Mansion from January 24-February 28, 2026. This exhibition will feature the work of our 25 graduating artists completed during their Thesis Year of the Master Artist Program. The Master Artist Program combines traditional painting methods with contemporary concepts in just 3 years of logical step-by-step artistic study, and has become a viable alternative to more expensive and time-consuming university education and much preferred over the buffet-style learning of typical seasonal courses. It is the brainchild of longtime Maryland Institute College of Art instructor Glen Kessler, an internationally recognized artist in his own right.
An opening reception will be held on THURSDAY, JANUARY 29th from 6:00-10:00pm. Also, on numerous Saturdays during the show, exhibiting artists will hold Artist Talks. All events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, February 7th - Ginger Browning 10:30, Kimberly David 11:00, Lauren McDanell 11:30
Saturday, February 14th - Theodora Fitzsimmons 10:30, Minhchau Nguyen 11:00, Rebecca Ravenal 11:30, Laura Oberbroeckling 12:00, Helen Huriaux 1:00, Daniel Whistock 2:30
Saturday, February 21st - Janet Shatz 10:30, Perry Chapman 1:30
Strathmore Mansion is located at 10701 Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, MD.
Mansion Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 12pm-4pm
Saturday 10am-3pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Parking
Parking is available onsite
Additional parking is available in the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Garage; the 4th floor offers guests the skybridge for easy access to Strathmore buildings. A fee of $5.20 is required Monday–Friday and may be paid using a credit card or SmarTrip card. Currently, parking on Saturdays and Sundays in the Metro Garage is free.
Limited short-term parking also is available at meters along Tuckerman Lane.Parking for the Opening Reception is very limited
Please park at the Grosvenor-Strathmore metro garage.
