News & Events

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 6:30-9:30pm. Also, on numerous Saturdays TBA during the show, exhibiting artists will hold Artist Talks. A full calendar of speakers will be listed below when it becomes available. All events are free and open to the public.

Saturday, February 7th - Ginger Browning, Kimberly David, Lauren McDanell

Saturday, February 14th - TBA

Saturday, February 21st - TBA

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.