This Week: Video works from Martha Rosler + Pipilotti Rist at m/ Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Museum, Asia North Minute Monologues at SNF Parkway, 2026 Sondheim Semifinalist exhibition at the Lewis Museum, a conversation with Louis Fratino at the BMA, Forum Festival 2026 at Baltimore Center Stage, Scout Art Fair, Christine Stiver and Dominic Terlizzi in conversation at SBM Gallery, Artscape 2026, and CPM’s 5th anniversary show — PLUS submissions open for BAD’s Creative Placemaking RFQ and more featured opportunities!
BmoreArt’s Picks presents the best weekly art openings, events, and performances happening in Baltimore and surrounding areas. For a more comprehensive perspective, check the BmoreArt Calendar page, which includes ongoing exhibits and performances, and is updated on a daily basis.
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Abjection and Alienation: Video Works of Martha Rosler and Pipilotti Rist
Ongoing through June 28
@ /m Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Art Museum at St. John’s College
A visceral comparison of two influential works of video art: Blutclip (1993) by Swiss visual artist Pipilotti Rist and Vital Statistics of a Citizen, Simply Obtained (1977) by American conceptual artist Martha Rosler.
This exhibition invites you to explore how each show the female body as transmogrified by society into a thing both abject and alien. Of equal importance, we invite you to interrogate the different ways human beings are systematically controlled and dehumanized—not only women, but also ‘foreigners’ and ‘citizens’. These works dare to ask how a person can feel both alien and native at the same time, bound or unbound, home or not-at-home. They challenge the societal forces that create this rending state of being.
Thematic questions we encourage you to consider while viewing these works include: Why do we otherize people? How can an objectified person reclaim feeling human? How can I be whole again?
Wednesday, May 20 :: 6pm
@ SNF Parkway Theatre
Registration is encouraged. Limited to 20 participants.
Create and share 1-minute monologues inspired by the Shoes at the Door art exhibit at the SNF Parkway Theatre. In this workshop, participants will be invited to explore their imaginative responses to the artwork exhibited through a series of writing prompts to create original short monologues. Starting with a contemplation of the theme “hospitality” and its practice across cultural traditions, the workshop will culminate in a reading of the monologues generated over the course of the evening. Facilitated by Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi, Adjunct Professor in Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts.
Sondheim Art Prize 2026 Semifinalist Exhibition | Opening Reception
Thursday, May 21 :: 5-7pm
@ Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Celebrate the 2026 Sondheim Art Prize Semifinalists at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum with art, culture, and refreshments.
Join us for the Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize 2026 Semifinalist Exhibition Opening Reception at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. This special evening celebrates the extraordinary breadth of talent represented within this year’s semifinalist cohort and offers guests an opportunity to experience bold contemporary artwork from emerging and established creative voices across the region and beyond.
This immersive exhibition highlights experimentation, cultural expression, and artistic innovation while inviting audiences to engage with a wider range of perspectives shaping the future of contemporary art. By placing semifinalists at the forefront, the exhibition reinforces Artscape’s commitment to discovery, dialogue, and elevating diverse artistic voices.For the first time, the semifinalist exhibition will be presented at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, marking a new partnership that expands Artscape’s footprint while situating the exhibition within one of Baltimore’s most respected cultural institutions.Light refreshments will be provided.
In Conversation with Louis Fratino
Thursday, May 21 :: 5:30-7pm
@ Baltimore Museum of Art
Artist Louis Fratino and BMA Curators Virginia Anderson and Katy Rothkopf will take the stage for an exciting and unguarded conversation, examining the exhibition Fratino and Matisse: To See This Light Again, which juxtaposes artworks by both artists to create an intergenerational dialogue, showing the influence of one of the most important painters of the 20th century on a celebrated contemporary artist.
Learn about the artist’s practice, selecting works for the show, and the curatorial process that shaped the exhibition.
Friday, May 22 :: 6pm
@ Baltimore Center Stage
What if theatre didn’t just reflect the world—but helped rewrite it? Forum Festival is where Baltimore works it out—out loud.
This year’s original forum play takes on the not-so-simple art of keeping a home, blending humor, honesty, and lived experience from community members who know it firsthand. Bringing together residents, artists, and policymakers in one shared space, the event invites the city to step into the story, speak back, and see what might shift.
On May 22nd, we invite YOU to join us in supporting this cause by engaging with this interactive performance. We use a play to play our way forward.
Tickets are free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to come, take action, and be part of the change our community needs!
Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24
@ The War Memorial
Taking place May 21–24, 2026, at the War Memorial Building in Baltimore in partnership with Artscape, the fair features work from emerging and established regional artists, priced between $150 and $5,000. Scout invites both seasoned collectors and newcomers to discover and invest in exceptional contemporary art.
Founded on the belief that art should be part of everyday life, Scout supports Baltimore artists while creating an inclusive, engaging platform that fosters art appreciation and ownership across all levels. The inaugural fair was conceptualized by Baltimore native and renowned artist Derrick Adams, with assistant curation by Teri Henderson.
An invitation-only preview night on Thursday, May 21, offers early access to explore and acquire works ahead of the public opening.
This art fair is designed to build a strong reputation while fostering success for both the fair and the festival. Unlike traditional fairs that charge tiered booth fees to galleries and exhibitors, we are waiving exhibition fees to create a more accessible platform. Instead, a 35% commission will be applied to all art sales, with proceeds supporting the 501(c)(3) Create Baltimore and its operational costs. Create Baltimore will facilitate sales and taxes, while artists are responsible for delivering purchased works to collectors.
Artists in Conversation: Creative Collaborations Christine Stiver & Dominic Terlizzi
Saturday, May 23 :: 11am
@ SBM Gallery
In this conversation, Christine Stiver and Dominic Terlizzi explore how they collaborate as a married couple, balancing individual studio practices within the intimate setting of a shared bedroom studio in their NYC apartment.
Saturday, May 23 + Sunday, May 24 :: 11am-9pm
@ Holliday Street, Downtown
ARTSCAPE 2026: DREAMING BIGGER & BOLDER. STILL UNAPOLOGETICALLY BALTIMORE.
Artscape is more than a festival — it’s a force. A dynamic collision of art, culture, and community impact, transforming Baltimore into a living, breathing canvas of creativity. For over 40 years, Artscape has been a catalyst for artistic expression, economic impact, and cultural transformation. Now, as part of Mayor Scott’s Downtown Rise Initiative, Artscape is located in the heart of Downtown Baltimore, reimagining how a weekend festival can fuel long-term impact through creative placemaking and sustainable community investment.
In 2025, we redefined the festival model and Artscape became a tool for city transformation, turning underutilized spaces into vibrant hubs of artistic energy. In 2026, we are going even further to deliver immersive public art, high-impact installations, and curated experiences that elevate and celebrate Baltimore’s creative industry like never before.
Here & Now : CPM 5-Year Anniversary Show | Opening Reception
Saturday, May 23 :: 6-8pm
@ CPM
Featured Opportunities
2026-2027 Pilot Artist Residency Program
deadline May 22
posted by 1708 Gallery
1708 Gallery announces its call for applications for the third year of its pilot Artist Residency Program, open ONLY to artists residing within a 600-mile radius of Richmond, Virginia. Must be a United States resident to apply or be residing in the United States with a valid visa at the time of the residency. Must be 21 years of age or older.
The pilot Artist Residency Program is located on the second floor of 1708’s building at 319 W. Broad Street in Richmond’s downtown Arts District. The pilot will help 1708 further define the full vision for its future program, which will expand our mission to empower and support diverse artists’ voices. The pilot residencies are free, and 2 months in length running from November 2026 through August 2027.
1708 is seeking candidates who are working towards a specific outcome (a future exhibition, public art project, community engagement program, or other), and willing to participate in regular dialogues during their tenure about their experience and provide feedback upon their exit. This residency does NOT provide an exhibition in the gallery.
Saturday Visiter Awards
deadline May 30
posted by Poe Baltimore
The Saturday “Visiter” Awards are named for the local periodical that helped launch Edgar Allan Poe’s illustrious literary career by awarding his short story, “MS Found in a Bottle” a prize. In recognition of a new generation that is continuing his legacy, we created an annual award that celebrates up-and-coming artists of all genres across the globe who derive inspiration from Poe.
The awards are presented every October at the annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards in Baltimore, Maryland. Additionally, important “Poe Places” such as the Poe Museum, Poe Cottage, and Poe House will highlight exceptional entries specific to their region.
Entries accepted each year from January 19 – May 30.
Regional Non Equity Auditions
May 30 + 31
Posted by Baltimore Small Stage Coalition
The Baltimore Small Stage Coalition is proud to offer regional auditions supporting the local non-equity theater community. In the past as many as 30 theater organizations have attended from all across the state and more than 100 auditions have been seen over two days.
There is never a cost for performers to audition. Auditors are charged a small fee to cover the cost of refreshments, technical support and accompaniment.
With consent from participants, auditions are recorded and made available to registered attendees for future casting opportunities.
Activate the Avenue Creative Placemaking RFQ
deadline May 30
posted by Black Arts District (BAD)
The Black Arts District (BAD) is seeking to create a talent pool of experienced, Baltimore-based public artists or teams of artists. For the next year and beyond BAD will be investing in building on a legacy of public art in our arts district footprint, which journeys along and branches out from Pennsylvania Ave. See map. We would like to build a short list of qualified artists with community engagement experience that we can call on to implement public art installations as projects arise.
Projects on the horizon include themes from afrofuture to historical legacies. Project opportunities include murals with compensation packages of $25k+.
2026 AHL-T&W Foundation Contemporary Visual Art Award
deadline May 31
posted by The AHL Foundation
Established in 2003, the Contemporary Visual Art Awards is an annual competition open to all contemporary artists of Korean descent active in the United States and is part of AHL Foundation’s core program. The awards recognize the work of exemplary emerging contemporary artists of Korean descent and provide them with a monetary prize and the opportunity to have their work presented at a group exhibition in New York. Since 2016, the award has been generously supported by the T&W Foundation, established by Wonsook Kim and Thomas Park Clement; the T&W Foundation is a private organization that supports charitable, cultural, and educational initiatives, including significant gifts to arts programs and scholarships.
Project Grant
deadline June 1
posted by Working Assumptions
At Working Assumptions, we believe that visual storytelling can play a pivotal role in illuminating the complexities of family life today and fostering compassion for the experiences of others. As part of our mission, we support projects that employ photography and photo-based art to spur reflection and dialogue around caregiving, family, interdependent communities, and belonging.
In Cahoots Residency
deadline June 1
In Cahoots Residency is a place of collaboration and creative energy, a rare opportunity for uninterrupted work time as well as dialog with other artists. The residency provides housing and studio space to emerging and professional artists working in a variety of mediums. Our pastoral location and light-filled studios for book art, letterpress, writing, and printmaking inspire artists to make new discoveries and leave with a renewed passion for their work.
Open Call: BJC FOCUS: Steady Hands
deadline June 21
posted by Baltimore Jewelry Center
Is there something about your work that you want to share with the world? A way of making that matters to you?
We are currently seeking proposals for the speaker portion of our annual symposium on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The theme of the symposium, Steady Hands, coincides with Handwork 2026, a year-long initiative presented by Craft in America that encourages organizations, educators, and makers to celebrate the diversity of the crafts that define America, bringing compelling stories and underrepresented art and artists into the spotlight.
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