BmoreArt’s Picks presents the best weekly art openings, events, and performances happening in Baltimore and surrounding areas. For a more comprehensive perspective, check the BmoreArt Calendar page, which includes ongoing exhibits and performances, and is updated on a daily basis.
To submit your calendar event, email us at [email protected]!
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Colin Van Winkle : Mechanick Exercises, Opening Reception
Wednesday, September 16th : 6-8pm
C. Grimaldis Gallery
523 N. Charles Street : 21201
C. Grimaldis Gallery is proud to open the 2015-2016 season with “Mechanick Exercises”, a solo exhibition of recent sculpture by Baltimore-based artist Colin Van Winkle. Using 18th and 19th century tools and techniques, Van Winkle creates contemporary sculpture that treads the line between the old and the new, the utilitarian and the aesthetic.
The exhibition takes its title from the first English-language account of the various manual arts. Published in 1703, Joseph Moxon’s, Mechanick Exercises: Or, the Doctrine of Handy-Works, laid out for future generations a cursory description of the trades and their most essential duties. These descriptions are unromantic and unconcerned with philosophizing craftsmanship, a term better known as ‘work’ at the time. However, Moxon did seek to convey the interdependence of workers between trades. Beginning with the blacksmiths iron, to the woodworkers tools, and ending with the highest arts of the time: architecture, music and astronomy. The result is a vexing account of the gaps and miscommunications between those who sought to capture the sound technique of the worker, and the everyday commotion of work.
From this primary source Van Winkle became enamored with the accomplishments of the joiner and cabinetmaker. Their tools and methods established a direct connection to the material world and our ability to affect change. By delving into the historical record, Van Winkle questions the place of the manual arts in the 21st Century and relates the aesthetics of the Joiner’s practice to that of the contemporary artist.
“Mechanick Exercies” by Colin Van Winkle is on view at C. Grimaldis Gallery from September 16 through October 17, 2015. This is the artist’s first exhibition with the gallery. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, September 16 from 6 to 8p.m.
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GBCA Arts & Culture Happy Hour
Wednesday, September 16th : 5-7pm
Still Life Gallery
8173 Main Street : Ellicott City 21043
Join the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance for our next Arts & Culture Happy Hour with Still Life Gallery! Owner Sara Arditti will discuss the gallery’s focus on premier regional contemporary artists.
Enjoy networking, drinks and light fare in the heart of Ellicott City’s charming Historic District (cited by The Atlantic as one of America’s leading Creative Class cities in 2015).
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location: Still Life Gallery, 8173 Main St., Ellicott City, MD 21043
Parking: Street parking is available. There are also several free parking lots available located just off of Main St.
Directions: Directions can be found here.
This event is open to the public, but your RSVP is required.
RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/pfcpvy4
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Kevin Sherry : Turtle Island, Opening Reception
Thursday, September 17th : 5:30-7:30pm
Top of the World Observation Deck
401 E. Pratt Street : 21202
Just in time for the Baltimore Book Festival, the Top of the World Observation Level Gallery presents “Turtle Island: The Original Artwork of Kevin Sherry,” an art exhibition from children’s book author and illustrator Kevin Sherry. The exhibition is on view from Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, November 15, 2015, with a free opening reception on Thursday, September 17 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Light refreshments will be served. Please arrive by 7pm to be guaranteed entry to the event. Top of the World is managed by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and is located on the 27th floor of the World Trade Center at 401 E. Pratt Street.
Local Baltimore illustrator, author, and puppeteer Kevin Sherry presents the full sized, original watercolor paintings from his picture book “Turtle Island” (Penguin Books 2014). Kevin uses big brushes, bright colors and smatterings of salt to depict this story of friendship and community on the back of a giant friendly turtle. It’s been called “A sweet, fantastic description of community building” by Kirkus Review, and Publisher’s Weekly says, “A new level of visual subtlety and emotional acuity.” “Turtle Island” is a special program of the 2015 Baltimore Book Festival taking place September 25-27 at the Inner Harbor.
Regular hours of operation for Top of the World Observation Level are Monday through Thursday from 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and military, and $4 for children 3 to 12 years old. Admission is free for children under 3 years old. The last ticket is sold a half-hour before closing.
For more information on “Turtle Island: The Original Artwork of Kevin Sherry,” call 443-263-4352. For more information on Top of the World Observation Level, call 410-837-VIEW or visit www.viewbaltimore.org.
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Constitution Day 2015
Thursday, September 17th : 7-9pm
Brown Center @ Falvey Hall, MICA
301 W. Mount Royal Ave : 21217
The 2015 symposium explores the various facets of the phrase, “Black Lives Matter,” a verbal and graphic retort to the publicized aggressive and violent acts overwhelmingly impacting people of color. The phrase exposes the enduring legacy of racial disparities, particularly in the criminal justice system in America. With recent scandals of police brutality and misconduct following the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott and Freddie Gray, and subsequent protests and national dialogue, panelists will discuss different analyses, approaches and strategies for understanding and challenging systemic racism in America.
Tickets: In addition to free tickets distributed in advance to the MICA and ACLU communities, a limited number of free tickets will be available to the general public starting at 3 p.m. on the day of the event.
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SHAG Presents: Hans Sachs and the Poster Revolution
Thursday, September 17th : 7pm
Towson University Center for the Arts
8000 York Road : 21252
Graphic design’s history usually refers to the practitioners, but graphic design’s evolution has been significantly influenced by other key participants—clients, teachers, critics, collectors—whose stories have generally not been part of the traditional narrative.
Hans Sachs’ name does not appear in histories of graphic design, but his influence on the development of poster design and its value as an art form is a rich, powerful and intriguing story. From his visual awakening while a Polish schoolboy, founding the Verein der Plakatfreunde (Poster Friends Association), editing the seminal periodical Das Plakat, and ultimately losing his beloved posters and homeland to world conflict, Sachs’ life was an incredible 20th century saga.
Sachs’ comprehensive poster collection
of timeless design classics, spanning the 1880s to 1930s, is being sold at auction. This program will highlight both the work and life of Hans Sachs, one of the unsung heroes of graphic design history.
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Baker Artist Awards, Opening Reception
Thursday, September 17th : 6-8:30pm
Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive : 21218
The 2014 and 2015 winners of the $25,000 Mary Sawyers Baker Prize and up-to-$5,000 b-grants present artworks that embrace a diverse range of media: sculpture, film, video, photography, music, and mixed media installations, some of which reference contemporary issues.
View winning nominations at BakerArtistAwards.org and preview the exhibition on September 17, 6-8:30 pm. The free event features live performances, light fare, and drinks. RSVP is required. Email [email protected].
The Baker Artist Awards were established by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund in 2008, and are a program of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. This exhibition is generously funded by The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund.
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City Project(ions)
Friday, September 18th : 8-11pm
YNot Lot
Corner of W. North Avenue and Charles Street : 21218
The inaugral public screening of City Project(ions) a project organized by artist Bart O’Reilly in collaboration with artists from make Studio and Project PLASE, Inc. and with support from The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts Station North Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Warnock Foundation
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15 Year Anniversary Group Show, Opening Reception
Friday, September 18th : 5-8pm
Fleckenstein Gallery
3316 Keswick Road : 21211
Fleckenstein Gallery is excited to announce the opening reception for its “Fifteen Year Anniversary Group Art Show” on Friday September 18 from 5pm to 8pm. The show will highlight some of the gallery’s most celebrated artists from throughout its years serving the Baltimore community and beyond.
Fleckenstein Gallery began in 2000 when the archival framing service and fine art gallery first opened its doors in Towson, MD. Moving to Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood in 2007, Fleckenstein Gallery has continued to function as a space for art shows, artist talks, works for sale, and unique framing challenges. Since 2000, Fleckenstein Gallery has featured over 160 artists in the Baltimore area.
The “Fifteen Year Anniversary Group Art Show” will feature work by Emily Gaines Demsky, Deborah Donelson, Mattye Hamilton, Andrea Huppert, Dan Keplinger, Jack Livingston, Nicole Parker, Pamela Phillips, Nancy Scheinman, Stuart Stein, Mary Swann, Pamela Wesolek, and Jane Ann Wynn. The show will run from September 18- October 31.
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Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Art Law Clinic
Saturday, September 19th : 1-4pm
Jubilee Arts Center
1947 Pennsylvania Avenue : 21217
Come meet with an attorney for a 30-minute consultation regarding your arts related legal issue! There is a $5 fee for clinic services. We recommend scheduling an appointment as time slots fill fast ([email protected]).
Event Website: http://www.mdvla.org
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mdvla
Event Contact: [email protected]
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Hampdenfest
Saturday, September 19th : 11am-7pm
Hampden, Hon
Hampdenfest Burlesque: The Avenue Meets the Strip
Saturday, September 19th : 8pm
Gallery 788
3602 Hickory Avenue : 21211
With an outdoor stage dedicated to variety and sideshow, an indoor stage at Gallery 788 featuring adults-only burlesque, and a big ol’ sparkly after-hours parade from the Gallery down The Avenue to the Corner Charcuterie, HampdenFest Burlesque will be an event like no other!Burlesque, sideshow and variety from with your favorite performers from in and around Charm City, including:
Bagoas
Hot and Bothered
Todd Gardner
Jim Dandy – Sideshow
Nona Narcisse
Tapitha Kix
Betty O’Hellno
Jules V Moorhead
Lizzy Falltrades
Whiskey Joy
and, of course, the women of Bawdy Shop Burlesque
Sunny Sighed
Ruby Rockafella
Giddy GoGo
Cherie Nuit
Kay Sera
We’ll see you at HampdenFest 2015!
18+ and 21 to drink
$12/$15 (no fees!)
http://hampdenfestburlesque.bpt.me/
Advance ticket sales end at 8pm on Fri 9/18
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Front Room: Sara Vanderbeek, Closing + Artist Talk
Saturday, September 19th : 2-3:30pm
Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive : 21218
Join Baltimore-born, New York-based artist Sara VanDerBeek for a talk on her exhibition, on view in the Front Room through Sunday, September 20.
The artist will discuss how memory, materials, and a sense of place come together in her artistic practice. Afterwards, take home an artist-designed memory map activity.
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Curator’s Talk : Telling Global Stories
Sunday, September 20th : 1:30-3:30pm
Walters Art Museum
600 N. Charles Street : 21201
Join us for a talk with renowned curators and museum professionals who have undertaken innovative displays in response to new ideas on “globalized” art history. What were the opportunities and pitfalls of reinstalling collections that reflect this theme? How can the Walters use its displays to reflect a broader cultural context?
Panelists:
- Tim Barringer, Paul Mellon Professor of the History of Art, Yale University
- Amelia Peck, Marica F. Vilcek Curator, American Wing, and Manager, Henry R. Luce Center for the Study of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Sara Devine, Manager of Audience Engagement and Interpretive Materials, Brooklyn Museum
- Alex Kalman, Co-founder, Mmuseumm, New York
Before the talk, we’d like your thoughts and questions on the topic. Tag your responses with #TellingGlobalStories on social media and follow the conversation. We will also live tweet the talk so follow us on Twitter.
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Thomas Dolby : ExecBreakfast
Monday, September 21st : 8-10am
DLA Piper Building
6225 Smith Avenue : 21200
Thomas Dolby was an indelible part of the electronic music landscape on both sides of the Atlantic in the ’80s. The Zelig of synthpop, he was seemingly there or thereabouts at all points of that crucial decade. He enjoyed huge solo success with the singles “She Blinded Me With Science” and “Hyperactive!,” composed and performed on hits for everyone from AOR giants Foreigner to none-more-quirky new-wave girl Lene Lovich, produced three superlative albums for Prefab Sprout, and even co-wrote the much-sampled early rap classic “Magic’s Wand” by Whodini.
In 2015, Thomas Dolby joined Johns Hopkins University’s faculty as the first Homewood Professor of the Arts. Read more about this here: http://hub.jhu.edu/2014/03/01/thomas-dolby-johns-hopkins
Registration and Details
Just $29 if you register on or before August 31, 2015. $39 after that! So sign up today if you want to attend. Registration is limited to 100 attendees!
Yes, we’re serving an upgraded, HOT breakfast at this one!
No refunds are provided for no-shows or cancellations within 72 hours of the event as we’ve already ordered the food and paid for the books.
