Celebrating Art and Community

Join us in celebrating creativity and community at Harmer's Town Art Center.

Explore our diverse programs, workshops, and events that inspire and connect individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Experience the transformative power of art in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Dear Friends, Donors, Sponsors, Supporters, and Community Partners,

As we step into a new year, we want to begin by sharing our heartfelt thanks. Your generosity, encouragement, and partnership made 2025 a truly transformative year for Harmer’s Town Art Center and Graw Alley. Because of you, this space continues to grow as a vibrant hub for creativity, community connection, and cultural celebration.

Celebrating the Impact of 2025

Together, we accomplished so much in the past year.

We expanded both the number and variety of events in Graw Alley, welcoming new audiences and deepening engagement with our community. We proudly hosted the 3rd Annual Alley Art Youth Art Challenge and are already looking forward to building on its success next year. Our partnerships flourished, including a meaningful collaboration with the University of Maryland Master Gardeners and the Havre de Grace Green Team, blending art, sustainability, and education.

We opened our 3D Printing Studio, creating new opportunities for hands-on learning and innovation. We hosted the Havre de Grace 8th Grade Scavenger Hunt for the second year in a row, welcomed our very first wedding in Graw Alley, and introduced the Mural Audio Tour, allowing visitors to experience the stories behind the murals while giving supporters a new way to sponsor and invest in public art.

Organizationally, 2025 was a milestone year. We hired our first Executive Director, added three new board members, held a strategic planning session, and launched a new website to better share our story and mission. We also became a member of the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways program, recognizing Graw Alley as part of a nationally significant network of cultural and historic places.

Our programming continued to expand in exciting ways. We introduced film screenings in Graw Alley, hosted public art tours, launched a mascot program, and served as a site for Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, part of a national historic commemoration. With sponsor support, we installed four new concrete benches and secured sponsorships for benches in the Winners Circle, enhancing comfort and accessibility throughout the park. We also invested in sound equipment, WiFi, and a park-wide sound system, allowing us to stream films, provide instruction, and improve performance conditions for artists and musicians.

Most importantly, we continued our commitment to serving artists and the community. Graw Alley remained a free platform for artists and musicians at every First Friday Art Party, typically featuring 16 to 20 artist vendors and two musical acts. We partnered with the City of Havre de Grace and local businesses to create beloved community events such as Holly Jolly and the Mother’s Day Market, supported the Havre de Grace Arts Festival and Upper Bay Pride Festival, and provided space for community classes including yoga, Soundbath Sundays, and drawing instruction. We also formed a volunteer programs and events committee made up of artists and community members, ensuring local voices help guide our future direction.

By the Numbers

Thanks to your support, Graw Alley hosted more than 10,000 visitors across public events and programs in 2025, along with many thousands more through near-constant daily foot traffic throughout the year. These numbers represent more than attendance. They reflect moments of inspiration, learning, celebration, and connection made possible through your belief in our mission.

Looking Ahead to 2026: A Year of the Arts

As we look forward, we are filled with excitement for 2026, our Year of the Arts. We have an ambitious calendar ahead with expanded programming, new collaborations, returning favorite events, and fresh opportunities for artists, families, and visitors to engage with Graw Alley and Harmer’s Town Art Center in meaningful ways.

None of this would be possible without you. Your continued support allows us to imagine boldly, plan responsibly, and deliver arts experiences that are accessible, inclusive, and impactful.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We look forward to creating, celebrating, and growing together in 2026.

Warmly and with gratitude,
Nikki Snyder
Executive Director