Photo credit M-NCPPC
M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department with the 2026 Maryland Planning Award from the APA MD.
M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department Wins 2026 Maryland Planning Award
Planning Department Receives Best Community Engagement Award for Walker Mill CDC Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
LARGO, Md. (Oct. 22, 2026)—The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) won the 2026 Maryland Planning Award from the American Planning Association Maryland Chapter (APA MD) for Best Community Engagement for the Walker Mill CDC Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment. Derived from a community-driven initiative and guided by youth voices and adult stakeholders, the assessment addresses the needs of nearly 2,400 youth across three communities in Prince George’s County, Maryland—who are often underrepresented in planning processes. The recommendations and lessons learned over the course of the two-year study can be applied countywide. The award was presented at the 2026 APA MD Conference on Monday, October 19, 2026, in Ellicott City, Maryland.
“This recognition from our industry peers reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusive and equitable engagement with the youth, community stakeholders, and residents to realize the vision outlined in Plan Prince George’s 2035 Approved General Plan and the Subregion 4 Master Plan,” said James Hunt, Acting Director of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department. “The robust and intentional community outreach for the Walker Mill CDC Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment focused on health, wellness, and opportunity goals to produce an implementation-ready framework and matrix to guide Walker Mill CDC and its partners in carrying out the recommendations.”
The Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment was developed for the Walker Mill Community Development Corporation (CDC) by the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department through the Planning Assistance to Municipalities and Communities (PAMC) program. With funding approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Board, the assessment aims to highlight community-identified challenges and propose solutions to reduce crime, violence, mental illness, and addiction while improving health and educational outcomes for nearly 2,400 historically underserved youth between the ages of 13 and 24 across three communities within Prince George’s County. The youth-driven assessment produced a Vision for Youth and identified six priority areas:
• Jobs and Career Success
• Health, Mental Health, and Wellness
• Community Safety
• School and Educational Opportunity
• Quality of Life and Community Spaces
• Family Engagement and Support
For more information on the PAMC program and to view and download a copy of the publication, visit https://pgplan.org/pamc
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is responsible for preserving, protecting, and managing the county’s resources through high-quality planning services and growth management guidance. Our mission is to promote economic vitality, environmental sustainability, design excellence, and quality development that promotes healthy lifestyles in Prince George’s County. Visit our website, www.pgplanning.org, to learn how you can become engaged in shaping the future of your community. Assistance: The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. Register two weeks in advance to receive a disability accommodation. Call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-3038, email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org
TOP OF PAGE
Friday, October 30:
An Evening of Sax, Spoken Word & Soulful Vocals
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council
Let’s Celebrate The Arts!
Live Music. Powerful Words. Soulful Performances.
Looking for a little inspiration to close out your week?
Join us at Arts’tination Gallery in National Harbor on Friday, October 30, for an evening celebrating the creativity and cultural expression that bring our community together.
In recognition of National Arts & Humanities Month, PGAHC presents Sax, Spoken Word & Vocals—Let’s Celebrate!, a free, 90-minute showcase featuring four talented artists.
Meet the Performers
Johnny Jones—Saxophonist
Tatiana Figueroa Ramírez—Prince George’s County Poet Laureate
Dinahsta “Miss Kiane” Thomas—Spoken Word Artist
Leilani Clendenin—Vocalist
Moderated by Sistah Joy
From smooth saxophone melodies and expressive poetry to engaging spoken word and soulful vocals, this evening offers a little something for every arts lover.
Event Details
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 6–7:30 p.m.
Location: Arts’tination Gallery, 162 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745
Free Admission | All Ages Welcome
Bring a friend, enjoy an evening at National Harbor, and experience the artistry of some of our community’s creative voices.
Whether you’re a lover of live music, poetry, spoken word, or simply looking for an inspiring cultural experience, we invite you to join us.
RSVP on Eventbrite. Reserve your free spot and celebrate the arts with PGAHC!
TOP OF PAGE
Pyramid’s Gallery Goes Rogue With OUTLAW PRINTMAKERS
On view through Nov 15, 2026
By KATE TAYLOR DAVIS
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center
Hyattsville, Md. (Oct. 21, 2026)—Pyramid’s gallery has gone rogue with work by 15 artists in the Outlaw Printmakers collective. Known for working outside “the system,” and for art rich in political satire and social narratives, the Outlaw Printmakers is a collective of artists that enjoys breaking art norms and challenging conventions. Pyramid’s gallery is full of meticulous woodcuts, layered screenprints, print collages, and more with subjects including monsters, devils, skulls, robots, and Pez dispensers.
OUTLAW PRINTMAKERS MMXXVI: is on view through November 15, 2026 in Pyramid’s Helen C. Frederick Gallery. Gallery hours are Wed & Thu, 10 –8 p.m. and Fri–Sun, 10–6 p.m. Pyramid is located at 4318 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, Maryland 20781. For more information, visit pyramidatlantic.org or call 301-608-9101.
Law breakers or not, many of the artists have work in collections of major museums, professorial teaching positions, and a slew of national and international exhibition credentials. This group of Outlaws includes artists from around the country, Mexico, Canada, and Scotland. Tom Hück and Carlos Hernandez selected 13 additional artists for the exhibition, some like Sue Coe and Bill Fick have been long outlaw affiliates and some like Violeta Juárez and Claire Roberts are very new to the group.
“It’s a tremendous group of artists and work. Some of it is beautiful, some political, and some repellent, and it is all compelling,“ remarks Executive Director Kate Taylor Davis. “It’s exciting to have these important printmakers and their work represented here and available for up close and personal viewing at Pyramid”.
ARTISTS: Paul Bonelli | Sue Coe | Bill Fick | John S. Hancock | Carlos Hernandez | Tom Hück | Violeta Juárez “Niña Calavera” | Dennis McNett | Ryan O’Malley | Kathryn Polk | Claire Roberts | Artemio Rodriguez | David Sandlin | Sean Starwars | Ericka Walker
Founded in 1981, Pyramid Atlantic is a nonprofit contemporary art center. Our mission is to sustain and elevate a welcoming arts hub in Hyattsville. MD that champions contemporary printmaking, papermaking, and book arts. We equip, educate, and exhibit while prioritizing artistic integrity, creative growth, and inclusivity. Our vision is to anchor an arts community that recognizes and uplifts the importance of artists, the intrinsic values of working with your hands, and the economy of artist-made work. Visit www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
TOP OF PAGE
