BmoreArt

This week’s news includes: good neighbor’s Shawn Chopra, Peabody announces new Hip Hop Bachelor’s Degree with Wendel Patrick and Lupe Fiasco, LAYERS collage exhibition comes to MICA, MCHC receives grant from Lilly Endowment, MLK Day events, Dave Portnoy’s Baltimore pizza party, John Waters book bonanza, MOCA Arlington announces performance by Elisa Harkins, news from MFA Washington County, Jabari Jefferson at BDTM, new dates for MDFF, Full Circle Dance Company at the Gordon Center, Decolonized Beatz Indigenous World Pride 2025, Baltimore Watercolor Society digital billboard exhibition, and remembering BSA’s Anthony M. ‘Tony’ Carey — with reporting from Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Fishbowl, Baltimore Brew, and other local and independent news sources.

Header Image: Baltimore writer, filmmaker and actor lends his voice to a fortune-telling pigeon named Pigeonthia, as well as other characters in a campaign at Nordstrom’s flagship department store at 225 West 57th Street in Manhattan. Photo credit: Brian Bills.

Peabody Conservatory to Launch First-of-its-Kind Bachelor’s Degree in Hip Hop Led by Wendel Patrick, with Lupe Fiasco as First Faculty Appointment
Press Release :: January 8

In recognition of the enduring cultural importance of hip-hop, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University announced it will launch the first-ever Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program, fittingly bringing the first undergraduate hip-hop degree to the first conservatory in the United States. Led by composer, producer, beatmaker, pianist, and professor Wendel Patrick, inaugural faculty will include Grammy Award-winning rapper, songwriter, and record producer Lupe Fiasco as a distinguished visiting artist. The new program will combine the resources and strengths of Peabody’s industry-leading Music Engineering and Technology (MET) programs with the Conservatory’s long history of innovation and excellence in performance training.

Originating from a single class in hip-hop first introduced by Patrick in 2016, the new degree builds upon the strength of Peabody’s MET program, which has grown from 50 students five years ago to more than 150 today. The Hip Hop curriculum will center on the skills of rapping, beatboxing, turntablism, and producing, alongside classes on the cultural history and evolution of hip-hop style, technique, and technology. Hip Hop students will hone their talents and performance skills with private instruction from world-class professional practitioners under the one-on-one studio teaching model that has long been at the core of the Conservatory’s artistic training. Students will also have opportunities to collaborate and engage with the vibrant hip-hop scene in Baltimore, and Peabody’s signature Breakthrough Curriculum career development program will equip them with the professional and promotional skills to succeed in a rapidly changing, increasingly entrepreneurial arts landscape.

“With Wendel Patrick’s thoughtful leadership, a burgeoning interest in programs at the intersection of music and technology, and Peabody’s dedication to expanding the definition of 21^st-century artistic training, this is an important opportunity to direct Peabody’s strengths toward an essential American cultural movement that has been a driving artistic force for more than half a century,” said Peabody Institute Dean Fred Bronstein. “Peabody has been a leader at the intersection of art and education for over 150 years, and we couldn’t be more excited to foster and support the talents of future generations of hip-hop artists in collaboration with those who are pushing the art form forward, and to do so in a city, Baltimore, that itself has long been fertile ground for the voices of hip-hop.”

Wendel Patrick, who also performs classical and jazz piano under the name Kevin Gift, is known internationally as a music producer of remarkable vision, skill, and talent. His five albums—Sound, Forthcoming, JDWP, Passage, and Travel—were all produced with Patrick playing every instrument electronically. The co-founder of the Baltimore Boom Bap Society and co-producer of the nationally syndicated NPR program Out of the Blocks, Patrick was chosen as a Nasir Jones Hip Hop Fellow at the Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute at Harvard University for the 2021-22 academic year. He majored in music and political science at Emory University and earned his Master of Music in piano performance at Northwestern University. Patrick won the 2015 Baker Artist Awards’ Mary Sawyers Baker prize and is currently the host of Artworks on Maryland Public Television.

“I’m thrilled to work with my colleagues at one of the top conservatories in the country to advance the training of young rappers, turntablists, producers, and beatboxers. Students in this rigorous yet collaborative program can expect to share ideas, perform with others, and develop their skills through private study with professional practitioners on the cutting edge of music,” said Patrick. “I’ve seen the growing demand for a degree program since my first hip-hop class, and Peabody’s diverse repertoire and curriculum provide opportunities for students to appreciate, explore, and engage with a wide range of styles, techniques, critical perspectives, and artistic traditions—from new media where performance meets technology to established forms that have historically been excluded from the conservatory setting.”

Lupe Fiasco, born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, earned multiple Grammy nominations for his critically acclaimed debut album, Food & Liquor, which quickly established him as one of hip-hop’s most distinct voices. Known for his intricate lyricism, complex storytelling, and socially conscious themes, Fiasco has consistently used his platform to tackle issues ranging from systemic racism to political corruption and social justice. His deep passion for philosophy, technology, and education has made him a sought-after voice beyond the world of music, and he has spent time as a visiting scholar at Yale University.  He has also collaborated with Google on the groundbreaking project TextFX, an AI-driven tool designed to help artists, songwriters, and creators explore the creative potential of language. He continues to record and perform, with his most recent studio album, Samurai, being released in 2024 to critical acclaim.  Fiasco is currently a visiting scholar and professor at MIT as well as a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute.

“I’m honored to be joining the faculty of the prestigious Peabody Conservatory doing what I love most, rap,” said Fiasco. “I look forward to advancing the study and practice of rap and hip-hop into the upper echelons of higher education within a program that will surround the core performance training with coursework in the cultural history and sociopolitical environment that gave rise to hip-hop and the genre’s popularity and influence.”

Founded in 1857 as the first conservatory in the United States, the Peabody Institute has remained a leader at the intersection of arts and education by focusing on excellence and innovation, expanding how music and dance are taught today. Peabody’s transformation of the 21^st-century conservatory experience brings new artistic traditions and creative practices into the curriculum while reducing barriers to access and affordability to create a vibrant and thriving professional arts landscape. Patrick and Fiasco are among a distinguished faculty of world-class performers and teachers providing rigorous, personalized, supportive instruction and guidance to help students excel artistically and professionally.

The Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program is accepting applications through January 24, 2025. Please visit peabody.jhu.edu/hip-hop for more information.

About the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University advances a dynamic, 21st-century model of the performing arts, building on its rich history of innovation and leadership as the first conservatory in the United States. Comprising both a Conservatory for undergraduate and graduate studies and the Preparatory, Baltimore’s largest community performing arts school, Peabody empowers musicians and dancers from diverse backgrounds to create and perform at the highest level. Courses of study range from classical and jazz performance, ballet, and modern dance to cutting-edge programs in acoustics, recording arts and sciences, and music for new media, taught alongside the Conservatory’s signature Breakthrough Curriculum, a career development framework that prepares citizen-artists to help shape the future of the field and serve their communities.

A division of Johns Hopkins, one of the world’s preeminent research universities and medical institutions, Peabody is the largest conservatory in the U.S. committed to meeting full financial need for domestic undergraduate students, and provides opportunities for interdisciplinary study through its dual degree program and important initiatives in both arts-in-healthcare and clinical care for performing artists. A leading voice at the intersection of art and education, Peabody is also a convener of critical discourse, providing platforms for a broad range of artistic perspectives to engage with current issues and critical ideas in the cultural sector. To learn more about the Peabody Institute, visit peabody.jhu.edu.

In Memory of Tony Carey, Co-Founder of BSA
Newsletter :: January 8

It is with deep sadness that the Baltimore School for the Arts shares the news of the passing of Founding Board Chair, Anthony M. ‘Tony’ Carey, on December 25, 2024.

For 45 years, Tony dedicated his life to nurturing and guiding the artistic talents of countless students, leaving an indelible mark on the BSA community and beyond. His leadership was instrumental in establishing BSA but also in shaping the future of the arts in Baltimore.

“Tony Carey embodied the very essence of leadership and generosity,” said Shanae Williams McLean ’98, BSA Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His vision and commitment to the school have shaped generations of students and artists. His passing leaves an immeasurable void, but his legacy will forever light the way for those who follow in his footsteps.”

Mark Joseph, former Chair of the Baltimore City School Board and fellow BSA co-founder, reflected on Tony’s leadership during the school’s founding. “As chair of the Baltimore City School Board in 1975, I championed the founding of the Baltimore School for Arts. Having secured then-Mayor Schaefer’s commitment to buy the 100-year-old empty Alcazar hotel at Madison and Cathedral, we formed a board to supervise the new school. I asked Tony Carey to chair that board, which he took on with gusto. He was perfect for the job: smart, calm, and dedicated.”

Mark continued, “Tony researched the country’s very few public arts schools, including a visit to the North Carolina School for the Arts, and concluded that first we needed a director for the school. This led him to convince David Simon, Dean of the Manhattan School of Music, to move to Baltimore as the first head of the BSA. It was a brilliant choice as David nourished and built the school over his 16 years as director. With Tony’s board’s approval, we brought in one of Baltimore’s best volunteers, Sally Michael, and founded Expressions, the yearly show demonstrating the terrific talent of our students. Several years later, Tony was instrumental in expanding the school by acquiring and financing the Brownstone adjacent to the BSA. Tony was a sensational, thoughtful leader who left a record of great success for one of America’s finest arts high schools.”

In addition to his work with BSA, Tony played a pivotal role in the W. P. Carey Foundation, an organization founded by his family to support educational initiatives that strengthen America’s global standing. Through the Foundation, which has granted over $405 million to educational institutions since its founding, Tony extended his legacy of leadership and dedication to education, inspiring countless lives.

“Tony Carey was a cornerstone of support for the Baltimore School for the Arts,” said Rosiland Cauthen, Executive Director of the Baltimore School for the Arts. “A founder of the school, helping to not only build a strong foundation, but continually contributed to the success of the school. His legacy lives on in the halls of BSA. He will be greatly missed by our community.”

At this time, funeral and wake arrangements are pending. Details will be shared as they become available.

Good Neighbor’s Shawn Chopra Uses His Creative Powers for Good
by Janelle Erlichman Diamond | Photography by Micah E. Wood
Published December 31 in Baltimore Magazine

Excerpt: Despite the early hour and wet September morning, it’s standing room only at Creative Mornings, a monthly breakfast lecture series for local creatives. Shawn Chopra, the creative director and owner of coffee and home goods store Good Neighbor, is the featured speaker and even thought he looks like the coolest person at the party, he seems nervous.

But once Chopra starts talking about “shedding a lifetime of going through the motions,” his voice gets steadier and easily fills the room at Sandtown Furniture in Pigtown. Chopra ends the talk by handing out pieces of papyrus, a thick paper that was used in ancient times. For Chopra, papyrus has come to represent the connection between roots and growth.

Chopra’s parents grew up in Chandigarh, India, the dream city of India’s first prime minister, Sh. Jawaharlal Nehru, and planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. It’s known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the 20th century. But Chopra himself was born in Winnipeg—“the cold middle part of Canada,” he sighs—after his parents immigrated there in 1985.

Maryland Center for History and Culture Receives $2.5M Grant to Explore Religious Diversity and Tolerance in Maryland
Press Release :: January 7

The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) has received a $2.5M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The grant will support development of a 5,000-square-foot exhibition and a larger programming and research initiative that will interpret the history of religious diversity and contested stories of religious tolerance in our state.

Often called “America in Miniature” for its unique convergence of geography, history, lifeways, and ethnic groups, Maryland and its role in the story of religious tolerance and pluralism in the United States are particularly relevant today. With the passage of the Religious Toleration Act in 1649, the colony of Maryland became the first government in the Western world to codify a version of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Despite its revolutionary premise, this legislation only applied to Christians and was later repealed. The proposed exhibition will pull that thread from the 17th century to the present, exploring inflection points when religious tolerance was tested throughout the state. Focus areas include early colonization and connections with Indigenous spiritual practices, the American Revolution, the political achievements of Baltimore’s early 19th century Jewish community, and demographic shifts caused by waves of immigration in the 20th century.

“We envision this initiative as MCHC’s legacy project for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, planning toward a public opening in October 2026,” explained Katie Caljean, MCHC President and CEO. “Because of the support from Lilly Endowment, we will be able to collaborate with partners from across the state of Maryland to share important stories and perspectives on religious thought and spiritual life that have not yet been explored in a comprehensive way.”

Working closely with the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) based in Baltimore, MCHC plans to hire an endowed Lilly Curator of Religious History, launch a major exhibition, produce an exhibition publication, design educational activities for K-12 students and teachers, and organize public programs aimed to engage religious leaders and the general public.

“As an organization dedicated to increasing interreligious understanding, ICJS is honored to partner with MCHC to share the history of religions in Maryland,” said Heather Miller Rubens, ICJS Executive Director and a Roman Catholic scholar. “We are fortunate to live in such a religiously diverse state, with a rich religious history that is important not only locally, but also nationally. With this generous support from Lilly Endowment, we will be able to advance national conversations on religious tolerance and freedom of conscience as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026.”

MCHC is one of 33 organizations from across the United States receiving grants through the latest round of the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to support museums and other cultural organizations as they strengthen their capacity to provide fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the role religion has played and continues to play in the United States and around the world.

“The United States is widely considered to be one of the most religiously diverse nations today,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for Religion. “Many individuals and families trust museums and other cultural institutions and visit them to learn about their communities and the world. We are excited to support these organizations as they embark on projects to help visitors understand and appreciate the diverse religious beliefs, practices and perspectives of their neighbors and others in communities around the globe.”

MoCA Arlington and AU’s Studio Art MFA Program present Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ, a live performance by Elisa Harkins
Press Release :: January 8

Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington and American University’s Studio Art MFA Program are thrilled to present Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ, a performance by artist, singer, and electronic music composer Elisa Harkins. Taking place on Friday, January 17 at 7pm at American University’s Katzen Arts Center, this event marks Harkins’ debut performance in the Washington, DC metro area. The performance will be followed by a talkback session with Harkins.

Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ is an exuberant, electropop performance animated with Native languages and fashion. It features the artist performing original music she has composed and written, with lyrics in English, Cherokee, and Muscogee (Creek). Deeply informed by Harkins’ knowledge of Indigenous music, the performance also reflects the influences of electropop, techno, disco, and other contemporary, popular musical genres. Merging these influences into an energy-filled, pop concert, Harkins asserts the continued vibrancy of Native culture and traditions.

The performance is presented through a partnership between MoCA Arlington and American University’s Studio Art MFA Program and takes place in conjunction with Assembly 2024: Horizon Scanning, MoCA Arlington’s 2024 national biennial exhibition. The exhibition features thirteen artists and one artist collective hailing from 14 states whose work offers strategies to navigate and reimagine the future. Harkins’ work is included in the exhibition, which is currently on view at MoCA Arlington through January 26, 2025.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Elisa Harkins: Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ

Date: Friday, January 17, 2025, 7pm-8pm

Admission: Free admission

Location: American University’s Katzen Arts Center

Abramson Recital Hall

4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Elisa Harkins (b.1978, Tahlequah, OK, Cherokee / Muscogee) is an artist, singer, electronic music composer, and curator. Her work is concerned with the body, language revitalization, and Indigenous music. She has exhibited and performed at Crystal Bridges (Bentonville, AK), The Getty (Los Angeles, CA), Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (Portland, OR), Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY), Spoleto Festival (Charleston, CA), and REDCAT (Los Angeles, CA) among other venues. Harkins has received awards from Creative Capital, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, the Harpo Foundation, and the Mid-America Arts Alliance. In addition to her artistic practice, she serves as a visiting lecturer at various institutions, fostering dialogue around Indigenous music and arts. Harkins is an enrolled member of the Muscogee Nation and lives and works on the Muscogee Reservation.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Assembly 2024: Horizon Scanning

September 28, 2024 – January 26, 2025

Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

3550 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

Curated by Blair Murphy and Jared Packard

Featured artists: Nyame O. Brown (Oakland, CA), Everything is Collective (Chicago, IL, Salt Lake City, UT, & Lubbock, Texas), Allegra Hangen (Omaha, NE and Mexico City, Mexico), Elisa Harkins (Tulsa, OK), Marnie Ellen Hertzler (Baltimore, MD), Jesús Hilario-Reyes (New York, NY and New Haven, CT), Cesar Lopez (Kansas City, MO), Jovencio de la Paz (Eugene, OR), Kenya (Robinson) (Gainesville, FL), Benjy Russell (Dowelltown, TN), Shelby Shadwell (Laramie, WY), Keith Tolch (Los Angeles, CA), Lily Xie (Philadelphia, PA), and X (Los Angeles, CA)

BOPA Shares Application and Details for MLK Jr Day Parade
Press Release :: January 8

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) announces the step-off time for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on Monday, January 20, 2025. The parade will begin at noon at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and N. Eutaw Street and disband at Baltimore Street.

Embodying the theme Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers – the Grand Marshal leading this year’s parade is Baltimore City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson. Nearly a year ago, the Baltimore City Council made history when they unanimously confirmed Thompson as the first woman and openly gay person to serve in this role.

A proud graduate of Baltimore City College and University of Baltimore School of Law, Thompson has received numerous awards in her time as a dedicated public servant, including being named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2022, acknowledged as Ones to Watch by The Best Lawyers in America in 2021, and selected as a Leadership Academy Fellow of the Maryland State Bar Association. In her role, Solicitor Thompson represents and advises the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, boards and commissions, department directors, and employees in their official capacities in all legal matters before the City. She is also currently leading the largest case in the City’s history, which has secured over $668 million in damages from opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Groups and organizations interested in marching as part of the parade can submit an application here:

https://bopaspecialevents.submittable.com/submit/316153/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-2025-parade-application.

Community and civil rights organizations, music and dance performance groups, fraternities and sororities, and more are invited to apply. The deadline is Monday, January 13, 2025. Groups and organizations that are selected to be in this year’s parade will be notified of their acceptance by email.

Baltimore’s Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd was completed on December 9, 1982, and the first MLK Jr Day parade organized on his namesake street was held in the year 2000, growing in size and celebration every year. This year, we invite all Baltimoreans of every age, race, creed, and walk of life to attend the parade in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy.

This year’s parade is supported by APG Federal Credit Union, WJZ TV Baltimore, and Radio One: 92Q, Magic 95.9, Spirit 1400 and WOLB 1010.

Learn more by visiting promotionandarts.org and following BOPA on social media (@promoandarts).

Dave Portnoy releases more ratings of Baltimore’s pizza scene
by Christina Tkacik and Caitlin Moore
Published January 6 in The Baltimore Banner

Excerpt: Dave Portnoy, the controversial media mogul labeled “the most influential person on the American pizza scene” by The New York Times, is continuing to size up of Baltimore’s pies.

Portnoy was spotted in mid-December at several Maryland eateries, including Pizza John’s in Essex, Angeli’s Pizzeria in Little Italy, Matthew’s Pizzeria near Patterson Park and Frank’s Pizza & Pasta on Belair Road in Baltimore.

The Massachusetts native and founder of the blog Barstool Sports began filming his pizza reviews in 2013. His “One Bite” channel has more than a million subscribers on YouTube and has since grown to include an app and a festival of the same name.

Portnoy uploaded his first review of Charm City’s offerings on Dec. 23. He rated TinyBrickOven on Light Street in Federal Hill a 7.9 and, after learning the business was planning to close on Christmas Day due to struggles with getting a liquor license, Portnoy committed to gifting them $60,000.

… this story continues. Read the rest at The Baltimore Banner: Dave Portnoy releases more ratings of Baltimore’s pizza scene

LAYERS: The Art of Contemporary Collage
Press Release :: January 3

The Decker Gallery at MICA presents “LAYERS: The Art of Contemporary  Collage,” a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the diverse approaches to collage by contemporary artists worldwide.  “LAYERS” will be on view from January 31st to March 9th, 2025.

The exhibition explores the multifaceted nature of collage, highlighting its potential to merge disparate elements,  challenge visual perceptions, and create new narratives. From traditional cut-and-paste techniques to digital manipulations  and mixed media assemblages, “LAYERS” showcases the breadth and ingenuity of contemporary collage practices.

“LAYERS” brings together a diverse group of artists, from those represented by blue-chip galleries to emerging talents,  emphasizing the inherent accessibility of collage as a medium that transcends backgrounds and experiences. The  exhibition celebrates the power of collage to reflect diverse worldviews and attitudes, transforming paper, photographs,  and found objects into intricate and evocative compositions.

“In a world where art-making can come with preconceived notions and prohibitory barriers, collage offers a chance for  us to reconnect with the inner artist within all of us,” says Teri Henderson, co-curator of the exhibition.” Additionally, “LAYERS” highlights the magic and potential of collage as a liberatory art-making and world-building practice, making  space for the work of artists from marginalized backgrounds, including artists of color, women, and queer artists.”

LAYERS: The Art of Contemporary Collage Featured Artists

Derrick Adams
Marsha Balian
Susana Blasco
Andrea D’Aquino
Trevor Davis
Giana DeDier
Delano Dunn
John Fields
Anthony Grant
Khanh H. Le
Alina Helmcke
Alexis Hilliard
Martha Jackson
Jarvis Cydne
Jasmin Coleby
Jeffrey Kent
Danielle Krysa
Yannick Lowery
Katherine Mann
N. Masani Landfair
Helina Metaferia
Jackie Milad
Devin N. Morris
Athena Petra Tasiopoulos
Nancey B. Price
Dana Robinson
Xochi Solis
Bria Sterling-Wilson
Evita Tezeno
Mairi Timoney
SHAN Wallace
Adolphus Washington
Della Wells
Isaiah Winters

Additional programming to accompany the exhibition includes:

Collage-A-Thon: Saturday, February 15th, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. MICA LAYERS: The Art of Contemporary Collage Panel

Wednesday, February 19th, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. MICA, Falvey Hall LAYERS | Black Collagists Workshop + Talk at good neighbor, Feb. 22, 2025

About Andrea Dixon

Andrea Dixon has over 30 years of experience in exhibitions and public programming.
As director of the Exhibitions Department at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Dixon manages a diverse  exhibition schedule – installing approximately 80 exhibitions per year, campus-wide. As of 2006, she has been integral  to shows such as Migrations and Meaning(s) in Art, curated by Deborah Willis, PhD., Lenore Tawney, Wholly Unlooked
For, Queer Threads, curated by John Chaich and Follies, Predicaments, and Conundrums: The Work of Laure Drogoul developed by MICA’s Exhibition Development Seminar. As director, she aims to integrate the Exhibition program  with the academic curriculum and views it as an extension of the classroom. Through engaging exhibitions and public programming, she has brought significant new work to campus and shared the abundant talent of the MICA community to  Baltimore and beyond.

Before joining MICA, Dixon served as the Maryland Science Center’s (MSC) technical director for their major expansion  and renovation in 2004. She was also MSC’s exhibit project manager for the nine-institution consortium national traveling  exhibition The Changing Face of Women’s Health, among other traveling exhibits. Early in her career, Dixon coordinated  public educational programming such as family days, auditorium events, and lectures at the Baltimore Museums of Art.
Ms. Dixon attended Parsons School of Design in Paris and holds a degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

About Teri Henderson

Teri Henderson is the Arts and Culture Editor of Baltimore Beat. She is the author of the 2021 book Black Collagists.  Previously, she was a staff writer for BmoreArt, gallery coordinator for Connect + Collect, and served on the Maryland  Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Board or Directors. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Art+Feminism.  Henderson was a 2020 Momus Emerging Critics Resident, a 2024 Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellow,  and a 2024 Maynard Institute for Journalism Education Fellow. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Art+Feminism.

In 2020, Henderson started an Instagram account called @blackcollagists. This platform features the work of emerging  and established collage artists to raise awareness about the history of Black collage art. Black Collagists: The Book,  published in 2021, is a physical record of her research. Henderson focuses her work as a writer and curator on Black  artists and creatives.

In 2024, she served as a consulting curator for the acclaimed exhibition “New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024” at the  National Museum of Women in the Arts. Her expertise was also recognized by the Baltimore Museum of Art, where she  served as a jury member for the 2023 exhibition “Histories Collide: Jackie Milad x Fred Wilson x Nekisha Durrett.”
In addition to her curatorial work, she is a contributing writer for Plastikcomb Magazine, and her writing has appeared in  numerous publications, including the Washington Post, Artforum, BmoreArt, Justsmile Magazine, Kinfolk Travel, and the  St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture.

www.blackcollagists.com

About The Maryland Institute College of Art

Acknowledged nationally as a premier leader in art and design education, MICA is deliberately cultivating a new  generation of artists—one capable of seamlessly integrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative citizenship with  contemporary approaches to art, design, and media.

MICA is redefining the role of artists and designers as creative, solutions-oriented makers and thinkers who will drive  social, cultural, and economic advancement for our future.

Founded in 1826, MICA is the nation’s oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design. MICA is located  in Baltimore City and is deeply connected to the local community. It is a regionally leading contributor to the creative  economy and a top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers.

Mining the archives: John Waters has three books coming out in May
by Ed Gunts
Published January 7 in Baltimore Fishbowl

Excerpt: Baltimore filmmaker John Waters has three books coming out in May, all screenplays he wrote more than 40 years ago.

In addition to “Flamingos Forever: A Screenplay,” the never-filmed sequel to Waters’s 1972 movie “Pink Flamingos,” the books include “Pink Flamingos: A Screenplay,” and “Desperate Living: A Screenplay,” written for Waters’ 1977 comedy.

This is not the first time the screenplays have been published. In 1988, Random House USA published them in one book entitled “Trash Trio: Three Screenplays by John Waters.” A first edition, first printing paperback copy in Very Good+ condition is currently selling for $56.25 on rarebookseller.com

See also:

In New York City, John Waters takes on a new role: fortune teller
by Ed Gunts
Published January 2 in Baltimore Fishbowl

Art Museum Hosts Master Art Copyists
Press Release :: January 6

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so the saying goes, and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts (WCMFA) in Hagerstown, MD, is going to be offering six months of sincere flattery.

“The Sincerest Form: Master Art Copyists” is a new cooperative project, held in collaboration with the independent regional art organization Master Art Copyists (MAC). From January 18 through May 11, 2025, eight copyists will be at work in the museum painting their interpretation of works of their choice from the museum’s collection. Artists will be at work every Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., during which time visitors may observe them at work and ask them questions.

WCMFA executive director Sarah H. Hall said the museum is using this project as an opportunity to focus attention on some of its own high-profile copies.

“Copying has a long history in the visual arts that goes back to the Renaissance,” she explained.  “It was a way to disseminate images in the pre-photography era and in the early days of the Louvre, it was a way to produce art to hang in official buildings.  Primarily, though, it has always been a way for artists to perfect their skills.”

Hall pointed out there’s a big difference between art copyists and forgers.

“Forgers aim to fool the viewer so they may try to mimic the effect of aging by distressing their work or even by using old materials, while copyists are working for personal and professional improvement.”

While not affiliated nor endorsed by the National Gallery of Art (NGA), MAC members have all been authorized as copyists by the NGA, which requires a rigorous approval process for its Copyist Program applicants.  Additionally, all museums that allow copying, including WCMFA, have strict rules to ensure the protection of their collections; for example, the copy may not be the same size as the original, it has to be marked as a copy, and the original artist’s signature may not be reproduced.

In addition to the copyists working on-site, the museum has created a special installation to evoke the environment of a traditional artist studio, and is offering a free lecture by Master Art Copyist group president Chris Madden on February 5th at 5:30 p.m., on the history of the organization and his own approach to copying.  He will also be offering a class for beginning and intermediate artists in March on master copyist techniques in oil.”

“There’s a huge fascination for the ‘magic’ of painting, those technical skills that are required in order to create illusion,” Hall said, “and this project is a way for us to engage with a broader cross-section of regional artists, use our collection in a new way, and foster a different kind of appreciation for art.”

The artists, their on-site schedule and the WCMFA works they will be copying are:

January-Mid-March

Seana Gallager (Thursdays), “Sewing Girl” by Charles Webster Hawthorn

Gillian Collins (Fridays), “Michael” by Robert Henri

Christopher Madden (Saturdays), “Fish, Plate and Copper Container” by William Merritt Chase

Robert O’Brien (Sundays), “Nymph” by Henri Fantin-Latour

Mid-March to May

Sonia Gadra (Thursdays), “Scene on the Catskill Creek” by Frederic Church

Lesa Cook (Fridays), “Yellow Moon” by Edward Steichen

Tracy Donnelly (Saturdays), “A Summer Sky” by William H. Singer, Jr.

Renee Lachman (Sundays), “Portrait of a Scholar” by Marco Antonio Bassetti

*Photographs of original artwork are available from the museum.

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, located on Hagerstown’s historic City Park lakeside, was established in 1931 by William H. Singer, Jr. and Anna Brugh Singer and has an extensive, world-class permanent collection of paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures from the 18th century to the present, featuring celebrated and diverse artists.  The Museum offers tours, classes, educational programs and community events and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.  Closed Mondays and major holidays.  Admission is free and free parking is available. For more information: wcmfa.org.

See also:

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts Plans 2026 Cumberland Valley Exhibitions as Part of America250 Celebration
Press Release :: January 3

In honor of the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of the U.S., the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts is planning its 2026 Cumberland Valley exhibitions around national themes.

“A big part of our involvement in the national celebration will be our annual Cumberland Valley Artist show,” WCFMA executive director Sarah J. Hall announced, “and we’d like artists to think about their subject matter now. Instead of our usual show, where artists submit any work of their choosing,” she explained, “this exhibition will require submissions to be in line with four specific themes of national significance, some of which have been established by the American Association for State and Local History: Unfinished Revolutions, The Power of Place, Tell Everyone’s Story, and American Experiment.”

Hall pointed out that while the formal call for submissions won’t be until spring and summer of this year, “We want to make sure artists have enough time to think about, plan and execute works that illuminate or are made in response to the themes selected because of the power of their meaning to our country.”

The Cumberland Valley Artist 250th U.S. anniversary exhibition will run from November 8, 2025 to March 1, 2026. The specific time period for submissions will be released at a later date but will be between May 1 and June 30, 2025

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, located on Hagerstown’s historic City Park lakeside, was established in 1931 by William H. Singer, Jr. and Anna Brugh Singer and has an extensive, world-class permanent collection of paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures from the 18th century to the present, featuring celebrated and diverse artists.

The Museum offers tours, classes, educational programs and community events and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.  Closed Mondays and major holidays.  Admission is free and free parking is available. For more information: wcmfa.org.

The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Presents “Sacred Spaces” featuring Jabari Jefferson: A Groundbreaking Exhibition Honoring African American Heritage and Sustainability Opens February 2025
Press Release :: December 23

The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum proudly announces “Sacred Spaces,” Jabari Jefferson’s debut museum exhibition, opening on February 8, 2025. This exhibition will feature never-before-seen works on canvas, striking sculptures, and a large-scale community installation created in collaboration with local Annapolis students and residents. Through his innovative approach to oil paint, mixed media, and augmented reality, Jefferson masterfully transforms salvaged materials, including textiles, books, soil, and clothing, into provocative artworks that challenge our notions of value and disposability.

This new body of work by Jefferson is a powerful meditation on history, memory, and the continuing power of Black cultural spaces. By drawing parallels between the throwaway culture of fast fashion and the historical marginalization of Black scholarship, Jefferson exposes systematic patterns of devaluation. His practice serves a dual purpose: breathing new life into discarded materials while asserting the fundamental importance of Black intellectual and spiritual traditions.

“As people lose their land, homes, and livelihoods, and as elders—the custodians of memory, stories, and wisdom—pass on, gaps emerge in our collective record,” says Martina Dodd, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. “In this precarious moment, ‘Sacred Spaces’ emphasizes the urgency of recording, preserving, and engaging with the spaces, objects, and histories that embody sacredness. By honoring places  like the former Mt. Moriah AME Church (now the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum) and the stories they hold, the exhibition calls for collective action to protect and sustain the cultural and historical legacies of Black communities for future generations.”

‘Sacred Spaces’ celebrates African American heritage while advocating for sustainability in art. This exhibition bridges history and innovation, offering Maryland and the broader DMV area a transformative year-long experience.  Chanel C. Johnson, Executive Director of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture that operates the museum shares,”My hope is that our visitors are inspired to learn more about their own family history and Black history in Maryland in its shaping of America.”

‘Sacred Spaces’ Exhibition Highlights:

Interactive Elements:

Throughout the exhibition, visitors can engage with Jefferson’s sustainable practices through an Augmented Reality (AR) installation created in collaboration with Baltimore artist Scott Tucker.

Community Partnerships:

Community artmaking workshops and collaborations with the youth of the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis & BDTM Robinwood Arts Leadership Program will provide unique educational opportunities and strengthen ties to the Maryland community.

Public Programming:

Stay tuned for exhibition-related public programming throughout the year that dives into exhibition themes and annual celebrations through engaging and interactive experiences.

Jabari Jefferson comments regarding his first museum exhibition, “I developed this relationship with the museum starting in 2020, which exposed me to the behind the scenes of Black history and its juxtaposition with racial tension and hyper gentrification. It was essential to collect lived-with material in abundance from Maryland communities in order to create one-of-a-kind artworks that tell stories of overlooked narratives. I am honored to celebrate legacies and be a part of Maryland’s art history!”

Sacred Spaces Opening Reception & Black History Month Celebration: February 8, 2025, 12:00 PM EST – 4:00 PM EST

About Jabari Jefferson:

Jabari Jefferson (b. 1994) is a Washington, D.C., DMV-based mixed media oil painter whose vibrant works blend painting, sculpture, and found materials such as fabric, paper, books, ink, and paint. His creative process revolves around recycling, repurposing, and recontextualizing discarded items, transforming them into contemporary art. Jefferson collects materials like clothing, children’s books, and other found objects sourced throughout his travels, incorporating them into richly layered compositions of painted figures and mixed media environments. He actively seeks out previously owned items from his surrounding communities, repurposing them into meaningful components that enrich his dynamic palette of materials.

Guided by the belief in the transfer of energy from a material’s previous owners, Jefferson’s work draws inspiration from ritualistic practices. His subject matter explores themes of self-discovery, the African Diaspora, Afro-past and futures, spirituality, mythology, and racial politics. Centering Black subjects, Jefferson’s pieces depict them in solitude as well as within community, surrounded by expressive, abstract, and figurative elements.

With a distinctive maximalist approach, Jefferson seamlessly integrates shapes, landscapes, and recognizable objects, leaving subtle clues to his influences within his dynamic compositions.

Maryland Film Festival 2025 – New Dates Announced!
Press Release :: January 3

Under the leadership of KJ Mohr, the Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) is excited to announce a significant change to its annual schedule. Traditionally held in the spring, the festival will now take place from November 5-9, 2025, embracing the vibrant fall season in Baltimore. This strategic shift is designed to align with the academic calendar, greatly enhancing our interaction with students and educational institutions and continuing our commitment to celebrating independent film and emerging filmmakers.

This year’s move builds on the momentum from a landmark 25th anniversary, during which Governor Wes Moore declared May 2nd as Maryland Film Festival Day, recognizing the festival’s cultural significance and impact. The festival will continue to honor this day with special activities, maintaining a connection to our springtime roots while we transition to a new autumnal tradition.

KJ Mohr, recently appointed Director of Maryland Film Festival & Year-Round Film Programming at the SNF Parkway Theatre, is instrumental in these new developments. “Notably, the move to fall gives us the opportunity to better engage with student filmmakers and college film programs in Baltimore and beyond, and we will be inaugurating a new student film sidebar in 2025, in keeping with our commitment to emerging filmmakers and our role as a preeminent discovery festival. We remain committed to the short form and to our role as a hub for emerging filmmakers, as well as cinematic discovery, be it through new formats or innovations in moving image storytelling,” states Mohr.

Highlights of the 26th Maryland Film Festival include a dedicated student film section, a return to the beloved opening night shorts program, and continued emphasis on cutting-edge discussions and technological innovations in film through the CineTech showcase.

The SNF Parkway Theatre will remain the heart of the festival, hosting a variety of screenings, panels, and events that showcase local and international talent. This
expansion to a five-day festival format is part of MdFF’s ongoing efforts to be a destination for both filmmakers and film lovers, emphasizing its role as a significant cultural event in the region.

See also:

Maryland Film Festival announces dates for 2025
by Aliza Worthington
Published January 6 in Baltimore Fishbowl

Ground and Sky: An Ephemeral Premiere Explores Forces that Bind and Free Us
Press Release :: January 2

On February 2, 2025, an audience at the Gordon Center for the Performing Arts will witness the premiere of an extraordinary collaborative work, created live by some of the region’s most accomplished ballet dancers, modern dancers, and improvisational musicians. The work, entitled Ground and Sky, celebrates gravity and flight, the powerful forces all dancers harness to create their art.

This event marks the second creative collaboration between two companies that are pillars of Maryland professional dance. Baltimore’s Full Circle Dance Company has created work, across 25 years, grounded in history, social justice, and challenging real-world issues. With a rich 46-year history, Ballet Theatre of Maryland is the state’s premiere ballet ensemble, and its work features both classics and innovative pieces that stretch the boundaries of the art form.

For the February 2 performance, each company will present works from its repertoire, creating a diverse program that highlights the strengths of both. And in the new collaborative work Ground and Sky, dancers from both companies will share the stage with violinist Melissa Hullman and percussionist Christopher Payne, whose musical composition, created specifically for this occasion, will include responses to the dancers in real time. A small number of young dancers, drawn from each company’s school, will enrich the visual and kinetic tapestry.

For the youth artists selected to participate in Ground in Sky, it will be an opportunity to work creatively with others from different training backgrounds and communities. They will learn about artistic cooperation and innovation while gaining performance experience alongside professional dancers.

Because the piece brings together so many artists and includes elements of improvisation, Ground and Sky will be a wholly unique audience experience. Full Circle Artistic Director Donna L. Jacobs and Ballet Theatre of Maryland Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch both relish the opportunity to reunite their companies on the Gordon Center stage in a work of innovation and exploration. “These companies work so well together,” says Jacobs. “There is such generosity of spirit and mutual respect among our dancers, and they are always ready for a challenge.” Kelsch adds, “This collaboration has already proved fruitful and artistically energizing, and I cannot wait to share Ground and Sky with a new audience.”

Performance Details

Ground and Sky

Ballet Theatre of Maryland & Full Circle Dance Company
Sunday, Feb 02, 2025
4:00 pm

Gordon Center for Performing Arts
3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue
Owings Mills, MD 21117
https://gordoncenter.com/event/ground-and-sky/

About the Artists

Genre-spanning violinist Melissa Hullman has been invited to share the stage at such diverse venues as the Kennedy Center, Canadian Music Week, the World Bank, Bethlehem Musikfest, Maryland Artscape, and Brooklyn’s Jalopy Theatre. At home playing notes on the page or off the cuff, her musical collaborations range from classical solo, chamber, and orchestral playing to tango, jazz, folk, free improv, and Balkan, African, and Indian music. Her ongoing solo project series  VIO/LUMINA plays on the edge of possibility by using improvised and composed solo works to illuminate the current state of violin playing as an art form, fusing the depth and breadth of music now with the brilliance of the classical tradition.

Multi-faceted drummer and percussionist Christopher Payne fuses ethnic hand percussion, orchestral percussion, and drum set to create soundscapes across a multitude of musical genres. He has performed with jazz luminaries Charlie Haden, Bob Sheppard, and Slide Hampton, as well as rock legend Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins), and has toured with the Grammy nominated band DeVotchka, the ska-punk band Streetlight Manifesto, and the Arabic orchestra MESTO. Christopher was a faculty accompanist at The Colburn School, The California Institute of the Arts, and Los Angeles City College, and has worked with an array of choreographers, including Holly Farmer, Julie Bour, Heidi Duckler, John Pennington, and Jessica Kondrath.

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland, under the direction of Nicole Kelsch, is Maryland’s premier professional ballet company. Located in Annapolis, MD, the company provides audiences with over 20 full-length performances each season in both classical and contemporary ballet. Along with a trainee and apprentice program, the BTM Conservatory of Dance offers training and education to aspiring dancers of all ages. BTM believes in the power of dance to inspire and enrich lives, which is why the company partners with numerous local community organizations to make dance accessible to all regardless of background or socioeconomic status. Through these collaborations, the company continues to inspire and uplift diverse audiences across the state.

Full Circle Dance Company, under the direction of Donna L. Jacobs, is a multiracial professional ensemble that performs exciting choreography from a variety of modern dance traditions. Based in Baltimore, the company draws on the diverse backgrounds of its dancers and works in a collaborative spirit to create meaningful dance with universal appeal. Founded in 2000, the company’s signature way of working involves exploring a theme for up to a year, commissioning work from multiple choreographers on that theme, creating opportunities to involve members of the community in the creative process, and presenting the new works together to offer audiences varied perspectives on each topic. Full Circle has extensive experience incorporating community groups into its creative process and has given workshops at Roland Park Elementary Middle School, Irvine Nature Center, Maryland School for the Deaf, and Baltimore City Cancer Program as well as public workshops at its home studio. Full Circle is in residence at The Morton Street Dance Center. The important partnership between school and company creates opportunities for professional dancers to share their knowledge with young dancers in training.

Decolonized Beatz Indigenous World Pride 2025: Celebrating Indigiqueer Creativity and Resilience
Press Release

On May 30 and June 1, 2025, Decolonized Beatz Indigenous World Pride 2025 (DBIWP) will take center stage at The Kennedy Center and the Atlas Theater as part of Washington, D.C.’s hosting of World Pride. This landmark event will amplify the voices of Indigenous and multiply-marginalized 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, celebrating their beauty, creativity, and defiance in the face of colonialism.

“For too long, the voices and stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous people have been marginalized and erased,” said Founding Executive Director, Jen Deerinwater. “DBIWP aims to change that narrative by centering the self-determined voices of Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans Indigenous artists, performers, and storytellers from around the world.”

DBIWP will unite artists and performers from across mediums, providing a powerful platform for self-determination and storytelling. This event prioritizes Indigenous communities’ right to share our narratives on our own terms, elevating grassroots creativity while fostering cultural pride and connection. The lineup includes artists and speakers from The Gambia, Finland, Australia, Fiji, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, making DBIWP an international and intersectional celebration.

“This event is about thriving as the prismatic beings we are and have always been,” Deerinwater added. “It’s a space where we can connect, celebrate, and redefine what it means to be proud of our intersecting identities.”

DBIWP addresses the systematic erasure of Indigiqueer, trans, and Two-Spirit communities by tackling the cultural disconnection and isolation imposed by colonialism. Through art and storytelling, the event creates a movement that embraces Indigiqueer identities, offering spaces for integration, healing, and pride. The event’s blend of music and dance performances, panel discussions, and film screenings challenges colonial narratives while celebrating the strength and resilience of Indigenous Queer and Two-Spirit communities. Core values of accessibility and inclusion ensure that disabled, chronically ill, and multiply-marginalized Indigenous voices are prioritized throughout the event.

The lineup will feature an extraordinary array of Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, including Tony Enos, a Two-Spirit Cherokee performer; Theo Cuthand, a trans and Two-Spirit filmmaker from the Little Pine First Nation; Rivolta Sata, an artist of Halpulaar and Lokono heritage; Geni Núñez, a writer and activist from the Guarani-Kayowá tribe in Brazil; Rebecca Nagle, an activist, writer, and public speaker of the Cherokee Nation; Tsaitami Duchicela (Thunderboi Tsai), a trans and Two-Spirit artist from the Inka-Puruhá people; and Ritni Ráste Tears, a trans Deanu River Sámi traditional dancer and drag artist.

Attendees will enjoy a wide variety of events, including movie screenings, live music and dance performances, drag shows, moderated discussions with audience Q&A, and art exhibitions by Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ creators. One highlight is the debut of the “Hope” album, a 100% Indigiqueer-created music project featuring seven tracks by Indigenous musicians from around the globe. This album, performed live at DBIWP, showcases the richness and diversity of Native musical traditions.

Empowering the next generation of storytellers, DBIWP will also host the premiere of the movies created during our Indigiqueer Youth Video Production Workshop — We are teaching aspiring Indigenous Two-Spirit LGBTQIA+ youth (18 to 25 years old) how to make a short film (5-10 minutes), and their work will be screened in 2025 at Decolonized Beatz Indigenous World Pride.

The event will also provide extensive support to multiply-disabled individuals, trans, Two-Spirit, and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and attendees. Accessibility is not an afterthought but a central principle of justice, ensuring that everyone can participate equitably. Crushing Colonialism will provide Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese translation, captions, and American Sign Language interpretation for all events.

Crushing Colonialism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the so-called United States, uplifts and tells the stories of Indigenous people through media and traditional storytelling. Join us in Washington, D.C., on May 30 and June 1, 2025, as we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and brilliance of Indigiqueer communities during World Pride.

Winning Artwork of Baltimore Watercolor Society’s “Pigment to Pixels” to appear on Baltimore’s LED billboard
Press Release :: January 3‭From January 12-15, you can see images by four winners of the Baltimore Watercolor Society (BWS)‬ “From Pigment to Pixels” competition revolve on a giant LED billboard at 1700 North Royal Street in the‬ heart of downtown Baltimore.‬
Leslie Ann Baldwin’s “Working through Lunch (Again)” brings beauty to a cluttered restaurant table.‬ Nishita Jain of Columbia, MD, offers “Silent Vigil,” a misty, shining harbor view. Sharon Boyle’s “Primary‬ Color” is a sensitive portrait of a young child, smiling but “sharing the difficulties we all face.” And Frank‬ Spino of Havre de Grace, with his bright “Colossal Citrus,” is spinning back to his roots–he started out‬ in the 1960s as owner of Spino’s Signs, a billboard painter who could cover a‬‭ 10′ x 30′ board‬‭ in a day.‬
Try the URL appearing with all the four images (bws-art.org) and connect to the society’s fully online‬ exhibition of new work by 131 artists from around the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Technology and‬ numbers never dreamed of by the group’s founders 140 years ago.‬

BWS was established in 1885 as the‬‭ Baltimore Water Color Club and is one of the oldest art groups in‬ America. A handful of women artists, largely students at the Maryland Institute of Art, were responsible‬ for its beginnings as a place where they were able to paint and exhibit, being excluded from many other‬ forums because of their gender.‬
By the time of the group’s 1940 exhibit (held at the Baltimore Museum of Art), BWS had become a‬ virtual Who’s Who of watercolor artists of both genders, including such national names as Andrew‬ Wyeth. Founder Christiana Bond, 96 and still exhibiting, commented how much “more vigorous” the art‬ had become.‬
Today the organization continues to thrive. With over 700 members, it is the third largest watercolor‬ association in the nation. It has held 118 big annual exhibitions with few breaks (most notably during‬ World War II when group monies were patriotically used to fund a Red Cross mobile kitchen serving the‬ soldiers). Members benefit from year-round exhibit opportunities and a variety of programs from plein‬ air events and manufacturer sample distributions to watermedia workshops. Both local members and‬ those elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic benefit from free Zoom presentations. BWS also shares information‬ on those members who take commissions or teach.‬

BWS plans to repeat and expand upon the community watercolor class/tour it held this year in conjunction with its Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition. Another area for growth is its discounted Student Member category for individuals aged 16 to 25, established last year, with continued involvement in Maryland public school art programs.

To learn more about BWS, visit their website.

AVAM to Host Free MLK “Dare to Dream” Day Event!
Press Release :: January 8

Baltimore’s internationally-acclaimed museum for self-taught, intuitive artists will host an all-day event celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—MLK Dare to Dream Day—on Monday, January 20, 2024 from 10 AM–5 PM, featuring an engaging and imaginative schedule of events and activities for visitors of all ages. MLK Dare to Dream Day marks the one day each year AVAM is open on a Monday, returning with live music and dance performances, an open mic and poetry slam, docent-led museum tours, art workshops, and more. All festivities and museum admission are FREE on the day of the event.

There will be several interactive, family-friendly activities to take part in throughout the day’s events in the Jim Rouse Visionary Center (JRVC). The Open Mic and Poetry Slam is an opportunity for artists of all ages to showcase their talents before a wide audience of museum visitors for a chance to win a cash prize of $25, $50 or $75! While the event will take place on the JRVC 3rd floor, participants may sign up at the desk at JRVC First Floor prior to 1 PM.

Among the many highlights of the day include the ability of visitors to dive into the mind and heart of artist Jess Owens-Young, as she leads two artist talk sessions beginning at 2 PM in the JRVC Classroom. Ms. Owens-Young’s work is currently on display in the “Good Sports: The Wisdom & Fun of Fair Play” MEGA-Exhibition on the 2nd floor of AVAM’s main building.

Throughout the day-long celebration of Dr. King, the AVAM Café will be open from 11 AM-3PM, featuring a variety of food options available for purchase provided by Absolutely Perfect Catering!

During the event, visitors will be able to donate new, unused toiletries, and self-care items for House of Ruth: one of the nation’s leading intimate partner violence centers, which provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their children.