This week’s news includes: Luxury & Loss at The Walters, Culture on Wheels exhibition at Eubie Blake, MICA appoints four new Board of Trustee members, Thomas Dolby’s Requiem for the 80s to debut in 2027, special guests announced for Center Stage’s Charmz production, a review of Eubie Blake’s 5×5 in Art Africa, and Howard County Arts Council’s Celebration of the Arts.
What is the true cost of luxury? A new Walters art exhibit aims to find out.
by Wesley Case
Published November 7 in The Baltimore Banner
What is the true cost of luxury, the toll that can’t be seen on a price tag?
“Luxury & Loss,” an exhibition opening at the Walters Art Museum on Saturday, explores this question through specific animal materials highly sought by humans for generations: kingfisher feather, tortoiseshell, elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn.
“I chose these four to focus on because they were, historically, very appealing to consumers,” Dany Chan, the Mount Vernon museum’s associate curator of Asian art, said during a recent walk-through of the exhibit. “However, the hunting of these animals led to either their endangerment or extinction.”
Chan isn’t looking to win points with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, but her goal is to remind visitors that the natural goods and artwork we covet come with a price.
‘Culture on Wheels’ exhibition reframes dirt bike riders as artists, engineers, and cultural storytellers
by Aliza Worthington
Published November 6 in Baltimore Fishbowl
The Eubie Blake Cultural Center will host a multimedia exhibition about dirt bike riders called “Culture on Wheels: Power. Escape. Ride.”
It opens on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027.
Gallery Reimagined collaborated with B-360 and The Eubie Blake Cultural Center to present the exhibition. B-360 is a Baltimore nonprofit founded by Brittany Young that uses dirt bike culture to teach STEM skills and to create career pathways for city youth. The Eubie Blake Cultural Center is Baltimore’s historic home for African American artistic legacy, open since 2000.
MICA Welcomes Four Distinguished Leaders to Board of Trustees
Press Release :: November 10
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished alumni, Jeremie D. Talbot ’98 (Illustration BFA) and Juliana Diaz ’04 (Graphic Design BFA), along with attorney Nicholas B. Hawkins and investment leader Heather McPherson, to its Board of Trustees. Together, they bring extensive experience in creative industries, technology, design leadership, intellectual property, investment management, and corporate and nonprofit governance, strengthening the College’s commitment to innovation and excellence in art and design education as MICA celebrates its bicentennial and enters its third century.
The Board of Trustees serves as MICA’s governing body, providing oversight and strategic guidance to ensure the College’s long-term health and success. Trustees help align the institution’s strategic direction, educational policies, finances, and operations with its mission and vision.
“Jeremie and Juliana represent the breadth of creative careers pursued by MICA graduates, bringing perspectives from two of the world’s most influential companies in animation and technology,” said Cecilia M. McCormick, J.D., president, MICA. “Together with Nicholas, whose expertise includes intellectual property, business law, and nonprofit governance, and Heather, whose leadership in investment management and philanthropy, they will help inform the College’s continued evolution and its preparation of future generations of artists and designers.”
British MTV Legend Thomas Dolby to Premiere Sweeping Orchestral Work “Requiem for the 80s” in 2027
Press Release :: November 11
British MTV legend, synth pioneer and singer-songwriter Thomas Dolby is set to unleash his sweeping new orchestral work, “Requiem For The 80s,” in 2027. The piece will have its world premiere in London at the Barbican Centre on July 13th. The North American premiere is set for September 26th in Baltimore, Maryland at The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Baltimore holds a very special place in Dolby’s heart as he has called the city home for more than a decade, while London was his birthplace. More dates in the United Kingdom and North America will be announced in coming months.
Blending the anthems of the MTV era with the decade’s defining cultural events and Dolby’s own remarkable story, “Requiem For The 80s” will feature Dolby and his band performing with a 55-piece live orchestra, electronics and stunning visuals via a giant LED screen. Click here to check out a preview of the thrilling show. To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit www.thomasdolby.com/tour.
Baltimore Center Stage Announces Special Guest Cameos and Community Nights for New Holiday Musical CHARMZ
Press Release :: November 9
Ahead of the world premiere of the Motown-Inspired holiday musical, CHARMZ: The Other Reindeer, Baltimore Center Stage (BCS) announces community nights and a lineup of local business and community leaders and media personalities who will make special cameo appearances throughout the production’s run, Nov. 13–Dec. 27, 2026.
The new holiday musical follows Charmz, a determined reindeer who dreams of shining as brightly as Rudolph. Blending heart, humor and soulful sound, CHARMZ is a story of warmth and big aspirations that celebrates self-belief, friendship and discovering that your own light is more than enough.
“We’re thrilled to bring CHARMZ: The Other Reindeer to life and share this joyful, original holiday story with Baltimore audiences,” said Ken-Matt Martin, director of CHARMZ and executive director of Baltimore Center Stage. “Having so many incredible leaders, artists and community members join us onstage through these special cameos makes the production even more meaningful. Baltimore is a city built on creativity, connection and community, and this is a wonderful way to celebrate the people who make it so special while inviting audiences of all ages to experience the magic of live theater together.”
Mayor Brandon Scott will kick off opening night on Nov. 21 with a special guest cameo. Other notable appearances include actor, comedian and internet personality Kalen Allen (Nov. 27), Baltimore Center Stage Board President Chrissy Thornton (Nov. 29); Janet Currie, president of Greater Maryland at Bank of America (Dec. 2); and Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (Dec. 4); Kirby Fowler, president and CEO of The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (Dec. 5); Becky Smith, president and CEO of APG Federal Credit Union (Dec. 6); and Raymone Jackson, president of the T. Rowe Price Foundation (Dec. 9); Robyn Murphy, CEO of Create Baltimore (Dec. 10); gospel musician Maurette Brown Clark (Dec. 13); Kate Burgin, executive director and CEO of The Walters Art Museum (Dec. 16); Carter Polakoff, president and CEO of Port Discovery Children’s Museum (Dec. 17); and TV personality Carla Hall (Dec. 19). Additional special guests will be announced in the weeks leading up to and throughout the show’s run, with more surprises in store.
5 x 5 Baltimore: On Their Own Terms
Published October 13 in Art Africa
What emerges when ten distinct artistic voices share a space? Through painting, photography, abstraction, and mixed media, ‘5 × 5 Baltimore’ explored the breadth of Black male experience, tracing personal histories, cultural inheritance, and expressions of joy, vulnerability, and transformation. In conversation with ART AFRICA, co-curators Barbara Bullard and Derek Price discuss the relationships behind the exhibition and the importance of allowing artists to shape the terms of their own representation.
Howard County Arts Council marks 29th Annual Celebration of the Arts
by Aliza Worthington
Published November 11 in Baltimore Fishbowl
More than 400 guests helped raise over $100,000 to support the arts in Howard County on Oct. 24 at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College.
The Howard County Arts Council’s 29th annual Celebration of the Arts grossed around $119,000 and had another $58,000 in donated goods and services.
Over the event’s 29-year history it has raised more than $2 million, all of it reinvested into the community to advance the arts. The proceeds have supported artist awards, grants, scholarships, exhibitions, arts programming, and more.
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