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BmoreArt’s Picks: April 25 – May 1

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This Week:  Shawn Holmes curator talk at Motor House, Ada Pinkston, Will Pappenheimer, and Mollye Bendell at UMBC CIRCA, Jackie Milad x Fred Wilson x Nekisha Durrett exhibition opens at the BMA, The Walters’ Across Asia College Takeover, Reframing Futures II opening reception at Goucher’s Silber Gallery, the Waverly Book Festival, Alx Velozo, Saar Shemesh, RA Walden reception at Current Space, Ami Brabson’s Resilience & Joy at Baltimore Theatre Project, and the annual Ford Lecture at The Walters with Robert D. Mowry — PLUS call for nominations for the Poet Laureate of Maryland and other featured opportunities.

 

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]!

 

BmoreArt Newsletter: Sign up for news and special offers!

 

We’ll send you our top stories of the week, selected event listings, and our favorite calls for entry—right to your inbox every Tuesday.

 

 

< Events >

May GIF - May - Discover & Share GIFs
 

Art In The Hands Of Men | Curator Talk
Tuesday, April 25 :: 7-10pm
@ Motor House

Described as the Wu-Tang Clan of Baltimore’s art scene, “Art In The Hands Of Men” is a collective of premiere talent from various disciplines. The exhibit, curated by Shawn Holmes, will place emphasis on the duality in nearly every piece of art in the exhibit and is reflective of the duality of man; it is through duality that we are unified.

 

 

Ada Pinkston, The Open Hand is Always Blessed, augmented reality monument part of LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives (Volume I), 2021

AR/XR: Ada Pinkston, Will Pappenheimer, and Mollye Bendell
Wednesday, April 25 :: 5-6:30pm
@ UMBC CIRCA

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The overlaid sensory information can be constructive (additive to the natural environment), or destructive (masking of the natural environment). This experience is seamlessly interwoven with the physical world, resulting in a mixed reality (XR) environment. This panel discussion will focus on the work of three contemporary artists who each use augmented reality technologies as part of their work in unique and compelling ways.

 

 

Histories Collide: Jackie Milad x Fred Wilson x Nekisha Durrett
Wednesday, April 26 | Ongoing through March 2024
@ the Baltimore Museum of Art

Following an open call to artists based in Maryland and neighboring states, Nekisha Durrett of Washington, D.C. and Jackie Milad of Baltimore were selected by a jury to create new works in dialogue with Fred Wilson’s Artemis/Bast (1992). The sculpture joins the body of Artemis, Greek goddess of the hunt, and the head of Bast (also known as Bastet), the more ancient Egyptian cat goddess. The black feline head sits atop the white plaster body, asserting Africa as a vital source of knowledge across the ancient world. The sculpture counters narratives that erased Africa’s cultural contributions.

Durrett and Milad responded with compelling proposals that engage with the provocation: “What images and thoughts emerge when myths and histories collide?”

For her multimedia works for the exhibition, Milad will create two large-scale collaged paintings, a cut-out fabric painting, as well as a bronze statuette. Her paintings incorporate ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and ancient American figures, pictures and letters from her family, irreverent pop culture references, fragments of poems, and contemporary aesthetics. Hot pink is a dominant hue, and hip-hop lyrics swirl their way into her collages.

For her proposed installation, Durrett turned to the legacy of Harriet Tubman and will produce an abstract study of Tubman’s revolutionary and visionary way of thinking. The multi-media work will feature a 10-foot black reflective circle, mounted to the wall and bisected by a line of white light. The circumference will be ringed with soil collected from the root of a tulip poplar known as the Witness Tree at Mt. Pleasant Acres Farms in Preston, Maryland, with permission from its stewards, Paulette Greene and Donna Dear. Born into slavery near this site, Tubman escaped in 1849 but returned in 1854 to rescue her father Ben, a free laborer, and her enslaved brothers Ben, Robert, and Henry.

Co-curated by Cecilia Wichmann, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, and Dave Eassa, Director of Public Engagement

A jury of distinguished cultural workers, including Angela N. Carroll, Teri Henderson, Ashley Minner, and Ginevra Shay, consulting with George Ciscle as the jury’s advisor, selected proposals by Durrett and Milad for commission.

 

 

Across Asia College Takeover
Thursday, April 27 :: 6-7pm
@ The Walters Art Museum

Join the Walters’ inaugural College Student Advisory Group in a College Takeover of the newly installed Across Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic World. On this evening, students from local colleges and universities will create dynamic and unexpected experiences in conversation with arts across the Asian continent as represented in the Walters collection.

To learn more about the Walters’ College Advisory Group, including how to participate, go to thewalters.org/college.

 

 

Jabari Jefferson, A Moment of Silence, Archival Pigment Print, 18” x 24”, 2023, Edition of 75

Reframing Futures II: Supporting Artists Through Alternative Means | Opening Reception
Thursday, April 27 :: 6-8pm
@ Silber Gallery

Reframing Futures II: Supporting Artists Through Alternative Means Open Reception April 27th 6—8p at the Silber Gallery. Curated by Alex Ebstein & Thomas James, it features the works of Derrick Adams, a Baltimore-born, Brooklyn-based artist whose critically admired work spans painting, collage, sculpture, performance, video, and sound installations. Also included are artists who have participated in The Last Resort Artist Retreat; Jabari Jefferson, Murjoni Merriweather, Jamaal Peterman, McKinley Wallace III and Kyle Yearwood.

 

 

Waverly Book Festival
Friday, April 28 – Sunday, April 30

The Waverly Book Festival is here and we are excited to bring this wonderful literary collaboration between businesses and organizations . Highlighting Waverly and vintage Baltimore Charm; Join us Friday, April 28th through Sunday, April 30th. Stay tuned through this site, WBFestival Social medias and more for updates.

 

 

Crip Algebra | Opening
Saturday, April 29 :: 6-9pm
@ Current Space

[image description] White mathematic text on black chalkboard background reading:

Crip Algebra; Alx Velozo, Saar Shemesh, RA Walden

Current Space

421 N Howard St

Opening Sat April 29th 6-9 pm

Crip Algebra is a group show of three queer disabled artists exploring the calculations it requires to cultivate access in an ableist world. alx velozo (Baltimore, MD), RA Walden (Berlin, GE), and Saar Shemesh (Richmond, VA) have been part of a queer crip carework system with one another for years. This show explores the acrobatic math of surviving and caring as disabled people using rubber, fire, and film.

Access information:

Space: The courtyard and first floor, including restrooms, are all ground level without any steps or curbs. Masks are required.

Bathroom- details to come! ADA wheelchair accessible bathroom should hopefully be up and working for the opening.

Signage: all works are visually described and a print out is available to support low vision/ blind folks

Parking: Pay-for street parking available directly out front, If filled: Franklin St, Park Ave, or Howard St. There is also a pay lot on corner of Franklin St and Park Ave (behind Current space). If you park in this lot directly behind the back gate, be sure to pay – they tow aggressively.

Back Gate/Garden Bar Entrance: 421 Tyson St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Light Rail: Centre Street

Metro: Lexington Market

 

 

Resilience &  Joy: A Cabaret
Saturday, April 29 :: 8pm + April 30 :: 3pm
@ Baltimore Theatre Project

Enjoy live music and storytelling in RESILIENCE & JOY, a fun-filled cabaret featuring Ami Brabson. This portrait of a mother’s life, through her daughter’s eyes, brings back memories of a time when letter writing kept loved ones close. The show’s take away? Joy is within reach, even in the face of life’s most unexpected twists and turns.

Ami Brabson is an actor, singer, writer and producer. Her television credits include POWER, HOMICIDE: Life on the Streets, and LAW & ORDER SVU. Her stage credits include Kendra in Christopher Demos-Brown’s AMERICAN SON and Faye in Dominique Morisseau’s SKELETON CREW.

Ami is an accomplished soprano and cabaret singer who uses her voice to entertain and share compelling stories.

** Half-price tickets are available? When ordering tickets online, folks should enter R&JHALF in the “Promo Code” box. **

 

 

Annual Ford Lecture: Korean Ceramics: The Great Tradition
Sunday, April 30 :: 2-3:30pm
@ The Walters Art Museum

Join us for a lecture by Robert D. Mowry, the Alan J. Dworsky Curator of Chinese Art Emeritus at Harvard Art Museums and Senior Consultant at Christie’s, on Korean ceramics and their development over time. A Q&A session with the speaker will follow the lecture. After the conclusion of the lecture, we welcome you to join us for a reception on Level 1 Lobby.

This lecture is generously sponsored by John and Berthe Ford.

About the Guest Speaker

Robert D. Mowry was, for many years, the Alan J. Dworsky Curator of Chinese Art and Head of the Department of Asian Art at the Harvard Art Museums and also Senior Lecturer in Chinese and Korean Art in Harvard’s Department of the History of Art and Architecture. A specialist in Chinese art, he has also done considerable work with Korean art, publishing in the field and building a collection of Korean paintings and ceramics for the Harvard Art Museums. He also served as the founding Curator of the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at The Asia Society in New York from 1980 until 1986. Two highlights of his many publications include: the catalogue of a 1995 exhibition which pioneered the scholarly study of Chinese brown- and black-glazed ceramics; and A Tradition Redefined: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Ink Paintings from the Chu-tsing Li Collection, 1950–2000, the first comprehensive study of Chinese ink paintings from the second half of the twentieth century from all parts of the globe. Since his retirement from Harvard in 2013, he’s served as a Senior Consultant in Chinese and Korean Art at Christie’s. From 2013 through 2017, he served as the editor of the National Museum of Korea’s scholarly journal, Korean Art and Archaeology.

 

 

< Calls for Entry >

The 15 stages of panic every person who feels phone anxiety goes through - HelloGigglesHelloGiggles

 

Our Roots Are Entangled Parade Build
Sunday, April 30 – May 28
posted by Black Cherry Puppet Theatre

Help us build large puppets and prepare other puppets for the Sowebo Festival Parade on Sunday, May 28

We will also be fixing and shining up last year’s puppets!

Drop-ins welcome, Masks encouraged, no need to RSVP, just come by and lend a hand:
SUN 4/30 12-4pm
SAT 5/6 12-4pm
SUN 5/7 12-4pm
WED 5/10 5-9pm
SAT 5/13 12-3pm
WED 5/17 5-9pm
Parade Headdress Workshop SAT 5/27 12-4pm

1115 Hollins Street (south of the market), Baltimore, MD 21223

Email [email protected] for accessibility needs and info

 

 

True Inspiration Artist in Residency
deadline May 5
posted by Furman University

The Artist in Residence program at Furman University awards one residency each academic year to an artist or designer interested in developing a body of work in collaboration with students and faculty at the University. While the length of residency is flexible, with a minimum of six weeks, we encourage artists to consider staying for a full semester term, and invite them to also teach an undergraduate foundations studio art course. If approved, the teaching artist or designer would receive additional compensation, according to current adjunct rates at the university. The residency culminates in a solo exhibition and presentation of the work produced over the residency period.

The True Inspiration Artist Residency is part of The Furman Advantage, a program that aims to build educational value through tailored student experiences. Through direct engagement and collaboration with practicing artists and designers, students gain valuable experiences that help shape their education. To witness and partake in the creation of a defined work from idea to realization is the centerpiece of the True Artist Residency.

 

 

VisArts NextGen 10.0 Exhibition: Free, Open Call
deadline May 6

VisArts welcomes artists ages 17–27 in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area to submit their application for NextGen 10.0, our exhibition of works by young, local artists. The exhibit will be presented in the Kaplan Gallery from June 14-August 13, 2023.

NextGen 10.0 is a unique opportunity for aspiring artists who have little or no experience exhibition experience to show their work in a professional gallery and participate in related programming, including an opening reception and artist talks, conversations with other emerging artists, critiques with local curators and arts administrators who work with young artists, and additional professional development opportunities.

Applicants should have little or no experience exhibiting in a professional gallery. Prior NextGen participants are ineligible. NextGen applicants who weren’t selected for previous exhibitions may re-apply this year.

 

 

Emergence: Virtual Exhibition | Call for Submissions
deadline May 7
posted by Visionary Art Collective

Visionary Art Collective is a contemporary art & artist development company based in New York City. Our mission is to uplift artists through magazine features, exhibitions, podcast interviews, and our mentorship programs.

In this exhibition, we’re celebrating the true definition of emergence – a process of coming into being. For many artists, the creative practice provides a space for new ideas and discoveries to surface, grow, and materialize. Whether it be a painting, sculpture, photograph, or installation, art has the innate ability to turn the metaphysical into the physical. We’re seeking work that explores the notion of emergence by taking abstract ideas and turning them into a physical form. Our virtual exhibit will be a culmination of representational, figurative, abstract, and conceptual work.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to artists of all backgrounds and experience levels. We accept submissions from artists around the world as we are an online art platform. Must be 18+ to submit.

We accept all 2D & 3D mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, digital, prints, fiber art, collage, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, and installation art. We do not accept film or video at this time.

To submit your work, please visit: https://visionaryartcollective.submittable.com/submit/259044/emergence-virtual-exhibition?step=submission

Deadline: May 7, 2023 at 11:59pm EST

This exhibition will be curated by Jessica Libor. Jessica is an American artist, founder of the Visionary Artist’s Salon, and curator for Era Contemporary Gallery. She received her Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2014. Jessica works in her studio in the Philadelphia area while also coaching artists and hosting The Inspired Painter podcast. To learn more about Jessica Libor, The Visionary Artist’s Salon, or Era Contemporary Gallery visit jessicalibor.com + eracontemporary.com + thevisionaryartistssalon.com

Visionary Art Collective’s mission is to connect contemporary art with education. The submission fees we receive go towards funding our platform and enable us to continue providing opportunities and free educational resources for artists and educators around the world.

 

 

Poet Laureate Nominations
deadline May 12
posted by Maryland State Arts Council

The Poet Laureate of Maryland is an honorary position established by the Maryland General Assembly. A citizen poet is selected and serves at the discretion of the Governor for up to a four-year term renewable by the Governor’s consent. Ten Poet Laureates have served since the position’s inception in 1959, including (in order of service): Maria B. Coker, Vincent Godfrey Burns, Lucille Clifton, Reed Whittemore, Linda Pastan, Roland Flint, Michael Collier, Michael Glaser, Stanley Plumly, and Grace Cavalieri.

In 2023, MSAC is facilitating a selection process to make recommendations for the Governor’s selection of Maryland’s next Poet Laureate. The person selected will undertake projects that make poetry more available and accessible to citizens of Maryland of all ages and perform public readings, ensuring that people in all geographic regions of the State have access to at least one reading during the term of service. Poets Laureate are expected to seize this opportunity to expand their artistry while bridging the gap generationally and culturally through poetry. As an honorary position, the Poet Laureate will not receive compensation, though limited reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of duties is available. Poets of all types are encouraged to apply.

Poet Laureate Selection Committee | Call for Applications
deadline May 12
posted by Maryland State Arts Council

A diverse committee of qualified individuals who represent various arts and humanities communities throughout the state will convene to review nominations for the position of Poet Laureate of Maryland. The Committee will forward their recommendation to the Governor for final review and appointment.

Members of the Selection Committee will be required to attend a one-day virtual meeting which will take place in May or June. Selection members will also be responsible for reviewing nomination information in advance of this meeting.

This opportunity is open to residents of Maryland.

 

 

VisArts Solo Exhibitions 2024: Free, Open Call
deadline May 10

VisArts invites artists working in all media to apply for 2024 solo exhibitions in the Gibbs Street Gallery, Common Ground Gallery, and Concourse Gallery. All of VisArts’ calls are free.

Exhibitions in each of the galleries explore the breadth of contemporary art and feature emerging to mid-career artists. Exhibits reflect a wide range of media and experimental approaches that offer the viewer unexpected interactions with art.

The Gibbs Street Gallery is approximately 1,100 square feet with 16-foot ceilings. It’s at street level with floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall. International, national, and local artists are welcome to apply.

The Common Ground Gallery is located on Floor 2 and is approximately 300 square feet. Artists must live in the Mid-Atlantic region to apply.

The Concourse Gallery is located on Floor 2 and is approximately 500 square feet. It has curved windows along one wall. International, national, and local artists are welcome to apply.

Applicants who’ve participated in a solo exhibition at VisArts within the past two years aren’t eligible to apply.

 

 

Communities Thrive Organizational Project Grant
deadline May 13
posted by BOPA

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is excited to announce the Communities Thrive Organizational Project Grant to support small and mid-sized arts organizations in the production and presentation of artistic works, in all disciplines, accessible to the general public within the City of Baltimore. This program is made possible with the support of the Maryland State Arts Council. Project Grants support — in whole or in part — specific arts projects that demonstrate originality, vision, and benefit or interest to the community. Grant awards support projects for organizations and community groups that work in a wide array of artistic disciplines including performing arts, media arts, visual arts, literary arts, and music arts. This grant program also supports online arts projects.

Applicants may apply for a $5,000 project grant for arts/cultural activities taking place in Baltimore City between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Note: All activities associated with project grant requests for funds must take place in Baltimore City.

 

 

header image: Jabari Jefferson, A Moment of Silence, Archival Pigment Print, 18” x 24”, 2023, Edition of 75

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