This week’s news includes: Jerrell Gibbs solo exhibition opens at the BMA in September, Baltimore chef Joe Burton and James Hemings’ legacy, Terri Freeman on her upcoming retirement from the Lewis Museum, NGA receives artwork from the Berezdivin Collection, Pro-Democracy dance parties at Penn Station, America 250 at the museums, Dan Ortiz Leizman’s repurposed musical creations, DJ Quicksilva named executive vice-president of The National Hip-Hop Museum (NHHM), Professor Trash Wheel and Katie Pumphrey, the Giant Peach glows where it is planted, Made in Baltimore closing Harborplace store, and Paul Menzer announced as Folger Chair in Shakespeare Studies by The Folger Shakespeare Library.
BMA to Open Major Solo Exhibition of Baltimore-based Artist Jerrell Gibbs in September
Press Release :: June 25
This fall, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) invites visitors to experience a solo exhibition of new works by celebrated Baltimore-based artist Jerrell Gibbs. Featuring approximately 35 paintings, Jerrell Gibbs: Come home with me draws on the artist’s life and memories to explore the universality of human experience. The exhibition evokes the home of the artist’s Aunt Ella as a vital site of gathering—revealing how moments of childhood joy, connections to family and friends, and a sense of home transcend the barriers between people. In a moment of deep national division, Come home with me is a powerful and poignant invitation to uplift and engage with what unites us. The exhibition will be on view from September 16, 2026, through May 2, 2027.
Gibbs’s expressive, gestural paintings embrace the language of figuration and abstraction. The artist often draws inspiration from family photos to create works that reflect both elements of the original image and the emotive qualities of the moment it holds. Through painterly interpretation, Gibbs amplifies and hybridizes aspects of his source material to evoke particular feelings and draw the viewer into the complex nature of memory, as it is reshaped by time and experience. For Come home with me, Gibbs also expands his frame of reference to major European and American paintings by such artists as Jean Siméon Chardin, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Henri Matisse, and Grant Wood. Reimagining elements of these works through his own lens, Gibbs captures the continuity that exists among artists and communities across time, place, and culture, and creates new entry points into his practice.
The Dish: This chef shaped American cuisine. Do you know his name?
by Christina Tkacik
Published July 1 in The Baltimore Banner
Chef Joe Burton had traveled from Baltimore to Charleston, South Carolina, to eat at one of its most famous restaurants, run by an acclaimed White chef. On the menu was a macaroni and cheese dish attributed to founding father, foodie and President Thomas Jefferson, sometimes credited with popularizing America’s favorite pasta dish.
Only later did it occur to Burton, the erasure. “The credit was given to Thomas Jefferson,” Burton said.
As Americans prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — authored by Jefferson — it’s an apt time to revisit the legacy and contributions of the people who made the country possible. That includes those who did the cooking. In reality, there’s no evidence the third U.S. president ever cooked macaroni and cheese himself. He relied on his enslaved chef, James Hemings, who trained for years in France and died a free man in Baltimore.
It’s James Hemings’ macaroni.
AFRO Exclusive: Terri Freeman, president of Reginald F. Lewis Museum, speaks on upcoming retirement
by Kendra Bryant
Published June 25 in The AFRO
Freeman began serving in 2020, becoming the seventh director of Maryland’s largest African- American museum.
“It has really been a joy serving in the capacity of president and executive director,” said Freeman. “It’s been a full circle moment. I never thought that I would actually have the opportunity to serve and to be a steward of the history of so many important people, but also important situations, circumstances and events that have occurred in Maryland.”
Freeman, who earned a master’s degree in organizational communication management from Howard University, served as an early board member of the museum alongside her late husband, Bowyer G. Freeman.
National Gallery of Art Receives Gift of Contemporary Art from the Berezdivin Collection
Press Release :: June 25
The National Gallery of Art announced today that it has received a major gift of nearly 50 works from the Berezdivin Collection, a major private collection of contemporary art. The acquisition substantially deepens the National Gallery’s representation of artists working across the Americas and strengthens its commitment to presenting an expansive view of contemporary art.
Spanning painting, photography, mixed media, and conceptual art, the gift includes significant works by leading contemporary artists working in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. These include Allora & Calzadilla, the Puerto Rico–based duo who represented the United States at the 2011 Venice Biennale, as well as Pedro Álvarez, Emilia Azacárate, Luis Cruz Azaceta, José Bedia, Fernando Bryce, Rafael Ferrer, Luis Gispert, Kcho, José Morales, Jesús “Bubu” Negrón, Dámian Ortega, Luis González Palma, Manuel Piña, Ernesto Pujol, Sandra Ramos, and Rosângela Rennó. Many of the works in this gift are the first by the artists to enter the collection.
At Penn Station, Our Pro-Democracy Dance Parties Spark Joy During Divisive Times
by Gabriella Souza
Published July 2026 in Baltimore Magazine
One Friday a month, I don an American-flag cape, heart-shaped sunglasses, and a neon boa, then wait outside Baltimore Penn Station for rush-hour passengers to exit like kids on the last day of school. Music swells from speakers behind me, and signs held by our band of merry protestors proclaim what we dance for: More Boogie Less I.C.E. No Kings, No Wars, No Camps. Democracy: I Still Dig It.
Our group of 50 or so doesn’t resemble the image of angry protestors conveyed across the news and social media. Some carry tambourines or wear rainbow skirts. Others don inflatable costumes (my favorite is a hippo wearing a tutu) and one dancer always dresses as Lady Liberty. We aren’t afraid of becoming spectacles, because, the way we see it, joyfully expressing who we are and what we stand for is the strongest act of resistance against a world lurching toward tyranny.
As the Country Turns 250, Why Won’t Its Museums Meet the Moment?
by Greg Allen
Published June 7 in Art News
The Ultimate Fighting ring had not yet been erected on the White House lawn. The National Mall had not yet been repaved into an IndyCar race track for the Freedom 250. But the entertainment programming of America 250, the semiquincentennial celebration of the birth of a nation, was nevertheless well underway.
Banners three stories tall with Donald Trump’s menacing portrait were being stretched accross federal office buildings around the Mall, including the Department of Justice. A similarly glowering headshot of Charlie Kirk, the right-wing polemicist and college dropout who encouraged America’s online youth to harass teachers out of their jobs and who, though shot at a school, technically didn’t die in a school shooting, appeared on the facade of the Department of Education.
Musical chairs: UMD professor elicits ethereal tunes from plastic seats
by Julie Scharper
Published June 27 in The Baltimore Banner
Dan Ortiz Leizman’s hands flashed over the strings, each one summoning separate yet interwoven melodies.
The sound was evocative and poignant. The instrument was unexpected: two plastic chairs.
“It doesn’t matter where in the world you’re from, everyone knows these chairs,” said Ortiz Leizman, 27, of the utilitarian objects they transform into musical instruments.
For nearly a year, the University of Maryland, College Park, arts instructor has been outfitting these ubiquitous plastic chairs known as Monoblocs with harp strings, tuning pegs, mics and pedals.
DJ Quicksilva Named Executive Vice President of National Hip-Hop Museum
Press Release :: July 1
The National Hip-Hop Museum (NHHM) – the world’s first Hip-Hop museum and home to one of the largest collections of Hip-Hop artifacts and memorabilia in existence – has appointed DJ Quicksilva – two-time Global Spin Award winner and the DMV’s No. 1 DJ for more than 20 years – as executive vice president.
In his new role, Quicksilva will serve alongside Executive Director Master Gee of The Sugarhill Gang and President Jeremy Beaver as the nonprofit organization embarks on its next chapter: opening its permanent headquarters in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the District government and community partners.
Together, the trio will lead fundraising efforts, cultivate strategic partnerships, and raise national awareness about the museum’s historic collection of more than 5,000 artifacts and its seven-year legacy of honoring the pioneers and legends of Hip-Hop through the acclaimed National Hip-Hop Honors induction ceremonies.
“DJ Quicksilva’s passion, influence and commitment to preserving Hip-Hop’s legacy make him the ideal leader to help guide the museum into its next era,” says Master Gee.
“A nationally recognized tastemaker, he has spent more than two decades elevating culture, inspiring communities and building platforms that empower others,” says Beaver. “His presence signals the Museum’s exciting new era of growth, visibility and cultural impact.”
Class is back in session with Professor Trash Wheel and special TA Katie Pumphrey
by Aliza Worthington
Published July 1 in Baltimore Fishbowl
Professor Trash Wheel has been on a short sabbatical, but she returns to the Baltimore Harbor on Thursday, July 2, and she will be accompanied by a very special teaching assistant: Katie Pumphrey.
After several weeks away for repairs, Professor Trash Wheel will resume her post with the help of Pumphrey, an ultra-marathon open-water swimmer, artist, and founder of Baltimore Open Water Swimmers. This will be a one-of-a-kind moment bringing together two of Baltimore’s most iconic clean-water champions.
‘Giant Peach’ sculpture on Ellicott City’s Main Street squeezes out a fruitful legal victory
by Aliza Worthington
Published June 30 in Baltimore Fishbowl
Art lovers clinging to hope were probably juiced to learn the “Giant Peach” sculpture by artist Jan Kirsh, which sits outside Georgia Grace Café on Main Street in Ellicott City, can remain where it is.
In September 2025, the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission ruled the shiny, eye-catching piece of art needed to be taken down or moved. The commission’s reasoning was that neither the café owner (Jacko LLC) nor the Fund for Art in Ellicott City, who commissioned the sculpture, had followed the process required for installing it in the historic district.
Even if they had properly followed procedures, commissioners said they would have rejected the application for the sculpture’s placement based on its size, and how much of the front of the café it obscured. The commission did reject the Fund for Art’s application eventually filed retroactively for the “Giant Peach” sculpture.
Made in Baltimore store at Harborplace is closing after Sunday, June 28
by Ed Gunts
Published June 26 in Baltimore Fishbowl
Made in Baltimore, a store that showcases the creativity and craftsmanship of local makers and artists, is saying goodbye to Harborplace.
A representative for the store said on Friday that the last day it’s open will be Sunday, June 28. He said the business, a program of the Baltimore Development Corp. (BDC), will likely have pop-up sales events around the city once its Harborplace location is closed.
The store is located on the first level of the Light Street pavilion, 301 Light Street. It feeds into other two retail spaces, the BOOST (Black Owned and Operated Storefront Tenancy) Boutique and The Official CIAA Store, which sells officially licensed collegiate apparel. Representatives for those operations say they will be open past Sunday.
Folger Shakespeare Library Announces Paul Menzer Selected as Inaugural Folger Chair in Shakespeare Studies
Press Release :: June 24
The Folger Shakespeare Library has announced Paul Menzer as the Folger Chair in Shakespeare Studies, a new fellowship sponsored by the Folger Institute providing research and programming opportunities for mid-career or well-established academics. During his time at the Folger, Menzer will be researching a project entitled ‘Shakespeare’s Enemies.’
“The Shakespeare Chair formalizes a long-standing custom at the Folger of working closely with and supporting the research of the most impactful Shakespeare scholars in the world,” stated Director of the Folger Institute Patricia Akhimie. “Welcoming Paul Menzer, a seasoned scholar of Shakespeare studies and performance, an experienced mentor and administrator, and a kind and generous colleague is such a pleasure. We are very lucky to have this opportunity to work more closely with him during his fellowship.”
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