BmoreArt

This week’s news includes: Inviting Light initiative comes to Station North, Deyane Moses and the 5th annual Tom Miller Week, environmental focus at the BMA, The Atlantic’s postcast epidode with Annie Leibovitz and Amy Sherald,  remembering Alonzo Davis, chef Jasmine Norton’s James Beard nomination, that guy in the White House installs himself at the Kennedy Center, news from Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Visit Baltimore’s transition, and John Waters in LA — with reporting from Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Fishbowl, The Baltimore Banner, and other local and independent news sources.

Header Image: Faith Ringgold. Judson 3. 1970. Baltimore Museum of Art: Purchase with exchange funds from the Pearlstone Family Fund and partial gift of TheAndy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. BMA 2019.5

Illuminating Baltimore: Artists selected to create artworks as part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $1M “Inviting Light” initiative in Station North
by Ed Gunts
Published February 10 in Baltimore Fishbowl

Excerpt: Five artists or teams have been selected to create light-based works of public art as part of the $1 million ‘Inviting Light’ initiative planned to help revitalize Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District.

Baltimore is one of eight cities that were selected in 2023 to receive up to $1 million in funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge to develop temporary public art projects that address important civic issues.

The five Baltimore installations will be completed and unveiled one by one over the course of 2025, and each one will be up for at least a year.

WATCH: The Inviting Light 10 Minute Video Documentary

Watch on Youtube: Video Documentaries for Inviting Light featuring the curators and artists.

Illuminating Baltimore With Art

At the crossroads of Baltimore is its heart – the Station North Arts District which spans across the neighborhoods of Barclay, Charles North, and Greenmount West. It’s here where we converge and come together as a community to appreciate rich and varied cultural offerings spanning many artistic disciplines. In a sense, Inviting Light is a project that will reflect on our public space today, and help shine a light on what it can become.

ARTISTS & CREATIVES: Inviting Light Open Call

Inviting Light is an ambitious public art project that will bring the vibrant glow of cultural activity to Baltimore’s Station North Arts District (Station North) with five site-specific public art installations and numerous curated events throughout 2025.

Five artists, selected by artist and curator Derrick Adams, are currently developing site-specific temporary outdoor artworks that will be installed on a rolling basis from February to August in Station North. Each work will remain on view for one year.

Beginning in March, these sites and adjacent areas will be further activated by ephemeral works and public programs organized by curator José Ruiz.

This Open Call seeks proposals from artists of all kinds to be considered for this programming. Accepted activities will be staged outdoors from March–June and September–December 2025.

The Fifth Annual Tom Miller Week Celebrates the Local Artist’s Enduring Legacy
by Lydia Woolever
Published February 5 in Baltimore Magazine

Excerpt: Just south of North Avenue, two murals face each other in a flash of primary color on Harford Road.

On the west corner, a three-story painting depicts a man reading a book, its pages inscribed with the words of an African proverb: “However far the stream flows, it never forgets it origin.” On the east, there is a block-long scene of city life: children riding bicycles, sitting on stoops, eating ice cream cones.

Despite their size and splendor, these artworks can be easy to miss amidst the zoom of traffic at this busy crossroads and the lurking shadow of the Eastern District Courthouse, especially since some of their yellows and blues have faded in the sun. But not for Deyane Moses who vividly remembers the first time she saw them.

“They were larger than life,” says the 38-year-old artist and archivist, who was visiting the area on a field trip to the nearby National Great Blacks in Wax Museum from her native Northern Virginia in the 1990s. “I remember stretching my neck way up, like, ‘Wow!’ I had never seen a mural that big before, much less of a Black person.”

BMA to Open Reinstalled Contemporary Wing in February with a Focus on Nature and Environment
Press Release :: February 5

On February 26, 2025, the BMA will open its reinstalled contemporary wing with new narratives illuminating its growing global collection. The new presentation, titled Crosscurrents, explores the different ways that artists working across the past six decades have engaged with, challenged, and found solace in turbulent times. The galleries feature 67 works and nearly half are on view for the first time.

Highlights include Under Other Skies, a new commission of ten evocative steel sculptures by interdisciplinary artist Abigail Lucien; Peace Keeper (1995/2020) by Nari Ward, one of the artist’s most important installations; Justen Leroy’s three-channel video installation Lay Me Down in Praise (2022), which features slow-moving footage of geological events set to a transfixing soundtrack informed by blues, R&B, gospel, and jazz music; and Dreamseeds, an interactive installation by Baltimore-based artists Hannah Brancato and Sanahara Ama Chandra on the upper floor of the museum’s East Lobby that invites visitors to share their wildest dreams for the earth. >Read full release

The previously announced exhibition, Watershed: Transforming the Landscape in Early Modern Dutch Art, is on view from February 9–July 27, 2025. It features approximately 40 paintings, prints, and drawings from the BMA’s collection that explore the role of water and landscape in defining the early modern Dutch Republic.

BMA Debuts Three Exhibitions and Installations Connecting Art and the Environment in February
Press Release :: February 6

On February 9, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) will open a focus exhibition that explores the relationship between burning fossil fuels and the development of European modernist styles. Air Quality: The Influence of Smog on European Modernism presents a selection of paintings and works on paper by Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, James McNeill Whistler, and others to consider the ways that their artistic practices were impacted, in part, by widespread pollution in London and Paris. The exhibition includes data from climate scientists about the amount of fine particulate matter in the air at the time several works were created. Air Quality will be on view at the BMA in two installations from February 9-August 3, 2025, and August 13, 2025–February 22, 2026. It is presented as part of the museum’s ongoing Turn Again to the Earth initiative, which explores environmental and sustainability issues.

“Air Quality offers an intriguing look at the significant influence of environment on the work of several renowned artists at the turn of the 20th century,” said Dr. Asma Naeem, the BMA’s Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director. “Smog and the effects of industrialization—whether it inspired or repelled the featured artists—was a significant characteristic of a range of European Modernist works. Today, as we consider the role of artists and creatives within climate dialogues, it is fascinating to reflect on the longstanding impact of the environment on creative production.”

During the 19th and 20th centuries London and Paris were choked by smog—a combination of fog, smoke, and atmospheric pollutants. The widespread burning of coal was both a nuisance and a health hazard that blocked the sun, soured the air, and increased the deathrates of city dwellers. As we know now, it has also contributed to the warming of our planet. For artists working at the time, this polluted, hazy air had a dramatic impact on the artworks they produced. Smog was visually stimulating and helped Monet see his urban environment in new ways. The amount of particulates in the air in London when his Waterloo Bridge (Sunlight Effect with Smoke) was created in 1903 has been estimated to be around 570 micrograms per cubic meter—more than double the amount that is today considered hazardous according to the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Index Rating.

In contrast, it was only when Matisse left Paris and encountered the bright, clear light of the Mediterranean coast that his palette began to fill with the bold and vibrant color for which he is known. This is vividly demonstrated with the gloomy painting The Dam at Pont Neuf (1896), contrasted with The Maintenon Viaduct (1918) and other later works.

Air Quality: The Influence of Smog on European Modernism is curated by Dr. Kevin Tervala, BMA Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Chief Curator. It is presented in the Jay McKean Fisher Gallery in the Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies. All of the featured works are drawn from the BMA’s extensive holdings in modern art, including more than 1,400 works by Matisse. […]

PROCESS | Annie Leibovitz with Amy Sherald [Audio]
hosted by Jeff Chang
aired on The Atlantic’s Edge of Reason Podcast

Excerpt: PROCESS uncovers how vulnerability and intuition come together in the creative journey, revealing the humanity behind the art.

In this special bonus episode, celebrated artists Annie Leibovitz and Amy Sherald join Ford Foundation President Darren Walker in a candid conversation about the complexities of process. Leibovitz reflects on her journey as one of the most iconic portrait photographers of our time, balancing intimacy and theatricality, while Sherald shares insights into her luminous reimaginings of identity and culture through painting. Together, they explore the intersections of their crafts, their shared reverence for intuition, and the beauty found in the messiness of creating. Moderated by Walker, their discussion offers an inspiring look at how art evolves from life and transforms our understanding of humanity.

Alonzo Davis (1943–2025)
by Michael Janis
Published January 31 in East City Art

Excerpt: Alonzo Davis, a trailblazing visual artist, art educator, university administrator, and co-founder of the Brockman Gallery, passed away on January 27 at the age of 82. Known for his vibrant mixed-media works and advocacy for Black art and artists, Davis leaves behind a legacy that bridges generations and inspires creativity across disciplines.

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and raised in Los Angeles, California, Davis grew up surrounded by the rich cultural mix that would later influence his artistic journey. After attending Los Angeles City College (LACC), he earned his BA from Pepperdine University in 1964, followed by a BFA and MFA from Otis Art Institute. His career as an educator began at Manual Arts High School and Crenshaw High School, where he not only taught art but also co-managed the groundbreaking Brockman Gallery. Established in 1967 in Los Angeles with his brother Dale Davis, the gallery became a pivotal space for promoting Black artists during an era when their work was often overlooked.

Davis was best known for his monumental Eye on ’84 mural, a dynamic work created to commemorate the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. His work was deeply influenced by his global travels, drawing inspiration from cultural centers such as Brazil, Haiti, West Africa, and the American Southwest. As he once wrote, “I seek influences, cultural centers, energies, new terrain, and the power of both the spoken and unspoken.”

Chef Jasmine Norton Reacts to Her James Beard Award Nomination
by Ana Bak
Published January 30 in Baltimore Magazine

Excerpt: I first met chef Jasmine Norton in June 2022, when I interviewed her about her dreams for The Urban Oyster on the Avenue in Hampden just a few months after she signed the lease. She was just coming off of cooking at the Preakness that year alongside Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson. Not bad for a self-taught chef.

Today, despite the nomadic journey she’s had since starting The Urban Oyster in 2017—debuting with chargrilled oysters at the Baltimore Farmers Market under the JFX, running seven pop-ups at R. House, opening her first Urban Oyster brick and mortar in Locust Point and closing due to COVID-19, running ghost kitchens from Hyatt’s properties during the height of the pandemic, operating a burger bar spinoff at Whitehall Mill, and waiting 18 long months to reopen The Urban Oyster as a full-service dining concept—she’s excited to be coming up on the one-year anniversary of her permanent home in Hampden.

“There’s a natural embedding that happens when you have control,” Norton says, “When you are the writer of your own destiny, you have your resources. I never realized how strong my network was in the city, and it’s important for me to give back to the place that loves and supports me.”

Trump posts that he is replacing Orioles owner David Rubenstein as chairman of Kennedy Center
by Andy Kostka
Published February 7 in The Baltimore Banner

David Rubenstein, the Orioles control person and owner, was removed from his position as chairman of the board of trustees at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday by President Donald Trump, who announced the move in a Truth Social post.

In the post, Trump named himself chairman of the Kennedy Center. Rubenstein, who co-founded the Washington-based private equity firm The Carlyle Group, has been the chairman since May 2010. He announced last year that he would step down in January. However, the board asked Rubenstein to extend his leadership of the Kennedy Center board until September 2026, pausing a national search for his successor.

Through his spokesperson, Rubenstein declined to comment.

Rubenstein, who purchased the Orioles last year, reveres the nation’s history and has written several books on the country and its leaders, including “The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency,” in which he interviews presidents, including Trump. A Baltimore native, Rubenstein served in Jimmy Carter’s administration earlier in his career as the deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy. And recently, Rubenstein received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Joe Biden.

“The presidency is still the most important job in the entire world,” Rubenstein told The Baltimore Banner in October. “Having known presidents, I know their flaws. But we all have flaws as humans. Some of these people have really changed the world for the better. Some make terrible mistakes. Some, we’re lucky they became president. Some, we’d be much better off had they never gotten involved in politics.”

In Trump’s post, he wrote that he plans to make the Kennedy Center “great again.”

“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” Trump wrote.

Trump did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors while he was in office during his first term. At the most recent edition last December, Rubenstein noted how Biden always attended.

“There’s no law that requires the president of the United States to host the Kennedy Center Honors at the White House or to attend this,” Rubenstein said. “But for four years, President Biden and Dr. [Jill] Biden have been gracious hosts to us and have attended the Kennedy Center Honors.”

Rubenstein then thanked Biden for “50 years of service” to the United States, which prompted a standing ovation.

This story was republished with permission from The Baltimore Banner. Visit www.thebaltimorebanner.com for more.

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum Brings Powerful Black History Exhibit to Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
Press Release :: February 4

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is proud to partner with the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City to present “Shaping a Nation’s Destiny: A Black History Month Salute.” Running from February 1–28, 2025, this compelling exhibit will feature life-sized wax figures and historical narratives that honor African Americans whose courage, talent, and perseverance have shaped the destiny of the U.S. and the world.

Located on the Second Level across from Apple, the exhibit offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the legacies of Black leaders, innovators, and change-makers across multiple
fields, including:
● Civil Rights & Labor – A. Philip Randolph, Julian Bond
● Military – General Colin Powell
● Education – Mary McLeod Bethune
● Science & Innovation – Granville T. Woods, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
● Arts & Literature – Alexandre Dumas, James Baldwin
● Women’s History – Mary Elizabeth Bowser, Mother Mary Lange

“This exhibit is more than a tribute—it is an invitation to engage with the uncompromising truth about Black history in North America and the Diaspora,” said Dr. Joanne Martin, Co-Founder of The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum. “By showcasing these lifelike figures and historical narratives, we continue our mission to educate, inspire, and ensure that these powerful stories are never forgotten.”

As a pioneering institution in the preservation of African American history, The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum remains committed to illuminating the resilience, ingenuity, and impact of Black figures throughout history. This Black History Month showcase stands as a testament to their lasting contributions and the museum’s ongoing dedication to historical truth.

The exhibit is free and open to the public during Fashion Centre at Pentagon City’s
regular hours:

● Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m.– 9 p.m.
● Sunday: 11 a.m.– 6 p.m.

For more information, visit https://greatblacksinwax.org.

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum Brings Black History Exhibit to the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis
Press Release :: February 4

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is proud to present “Shaping Maryland’s Legacy: A Black History Month Salute” at the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis, Maryland. The exhibit will be on display starting Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Miller Building, located at 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

The exhibition will feature five life-sized wax figures representing African Americans whose
courage, talent, and perseverance helped shape the destiny of the U.S. and the world. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the legacies of Black leaders, innovators, and change-makers across multiple fields, including:

● Civil Rights & Labor – US Congressman Parren Mitchell, Sen. Verda Welcome, Sen.
Troy Brailey
● Arts & Literature – Dr. Nathan Carter
● Women’s History – Cathy Hughes

“This exhibit is more than a tribute—it is an opportunity to engage with the uncompromising truth about Black history in North America and the Diaspora,” said Dr. Joanne Martin, Co-Founder of The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum.

“By showcasing these lifelike figures and historical narratives, we continue our mission to educate, inspire, and ensure these powerful stories
remain at the forefront of history.”

“The Senate of Maryland is proud to honor and recognize the immense contributions of Black
Marylanders this month,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson.

“As thousands of Marylanders visit the Miller Senate Building to make their voices heard during the Legislative Session, I am thrilled they will get the chance to experience this critical exhibition that will be on display throughout Black History Month.”

“Black history is Maryland’s history, and it is an honor to celebrate the legacies of those who have shaped our state and nation.’Shaping Maryland’s Legacy: A Black History Month Salute’ is more than an exhibit—it is a testament to the strength, brilliance, and lasting impact of Black leaders who paved the way for progress. The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum continues to be a cultural pillar, preserving these stories and ensuring that future generations understand the power of their history. As we walk these halls, may we be inspired not just to reflect, but to act in ways that honor their sacrifices and achievements.”
— Senator Cory McCray

As a pioneering institution in the preservation of African American history, The National
Great Blacks In Wax Museum remains committed to illuminating the resilience, ingenuity, and impact of Black figures throughout history. This Black History Month exhibit will be open to the public through the end of February 2025 at the Miller Senate Building.

For more information, visit https://greatblacksinwax.org.

About The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is one of the nation’s premier institutions dedicated
to preserving and celebrating African American history through lifelike wax figures and immersive exhibits. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the museum has educated and inspired
visitors for over four decades, ensuring that the stories of Black leaders, trailblazers, and
revolutionaries are preserved for future generations.

Visit Baltimore President & CEO Al Hutchinson Announces Long-term Transition Plan After More Than Eight Transformative Years
Press Release :: February 6

Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the city of Baltimore, announced today that President & CEO Al Hutchinson has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on June 30, 2025. A committee made up of several members of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board (BCTB), led by Board Chair Charles “Chuck” Tildon, III, has been established to help ensure a smooth transition. Hutchinson has agreed to stay on in a consultant role to assist with the transition at least until his successor is identified. Additional details will be made available by the committee in the coming weeks.

“Serving as President & CEO of Visit Baltimore has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Hutchinson.  “It has been the most challenging job that I’ve ever had and also the most fulfilling. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to step back from full-time executive leadership to focus on other personal interests and opportunities, once my existing contract concludes. Baltimore’s potential as a premier destination continues to flourish, and the foundation we’ve built over the past several years ensures that our city’s tourism industry will continue to thrive.”

Under Hutchinson’s leadership, Visit Baltimore achieved numerous milestones that transformed the city’s tourism landscape, including:

• Record-breaking visitation of 27.5 million visitors in 2023, with domestic travel generating $4 billion for the city’s economy

• Winning the bid to host the prestigious 2033 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting and Exposition, projected to generate $15-$18 million in economic impact for Baltimore

• Establishing a Tourism Improvement District, which provides additional resources directly from the city’s hotels towards sales and marketing efforts that generate tax revenue from visitors

• Leading a full marketing rebrand and launching “Smalltimore,” an innovative mobile visitor center that showcases Baltimore’s arts, history and culture

• Fostering initiatives built on social inclusion, such as the Warm Welcome Program, BoP Pass, Apprenticeships and an enduring National HBCU Scholarship

• Securing Baltimore as the host city for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, which generated $32.5 million in economic impact, $3.1 million in state and local taxes, and created 1,315 part-time and full-time jobs in 2024. CIAA will return to Baltimore February 25-March 1 for the fifth year and is committed to the city through 2026.

“Al’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in elevating Baltimore’s profile on the national stage,” said Tildon. “Under his leadership, we’ve seen Baltimore transform into a destination that not only attracts significant leisure visitation but also draws marquee conventions and events that drive critical economic impact for the city. His most enduring legacy is the world-class team he has built and the collaborative culture he has fostered within the organization.”

During Hutchinson’s eight years in Baltimore, the organization has strengthened community partnerships by highlighting local artists and makers while celebrating local visionaries who have enhanced the city’s cultural landscape and tourist appeal.

“Under Al’s transformative leadership, Baltimore’s tourism industry has thrived, bringing visitors, investment and new opportunities to our city,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “We are grateful for Al’s many contributions to Baltimore. His commitment to telling positive, community-focused stories that showcase the breadth and diversity of our neighborhoods has set the stage for a bright future.”

Baltimore’s tourism and hospitality industry has shown remarkable growth during Hutchinson’s tenure, and with a dedicated team in place, Visit Baltimore is well-positioned to build on this momentum and continue its positive trajectory.

John Waters honors costume designer Van Smith in LA: “He invented a new kind of radical beauty”
by Ed Gunts
Published February 7 in Baltimore Fishbowl

Excerpt: Filmmaker John Waters this week credited the work of costume designer Van Smith as “one of the main reasons my old films resonate today with young fashion rebels.”

Waters, 78, was at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday to present the Costume Designers Guild’s prestigious Edith Head Hall of Fame Award posthumously to Smith, who died in 2006 at age 61.

One of several craft-specific ceremonies held during awards season in Hollywood, the 27th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards recognizes the talent and artistry of costume designers in film, television, short-form projects and costume illustration.