[Editor’s Note 9/22/23: Due to strong winds and inclement weather expected in the wake of Tropical Storm Ophelia, the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts has cancelled Artscape on Saturday, September 23. A Friday afternoon announcement stated that activities for Friday night are still on, and a decision about Sunday will be made as soon as possible.]
Before Ernest Shaw was a regular vendor at Artscape—the city’s massive celebration of the arts and culture scene that began in 1982 and grew to become one of the largest free arts festivals in the country—the local painter, muralist, and educator worked the event as a stagehand in the ’80s, rubbing elbows with musical greats like Ray Charles and Baltimore jazz saxophonist Gary Bartz.
“Artscape was always something to look forward to, whether we were drinking lemonade and eating crab cakes, listening to some really out of sight music, or being exposed to artists and musicians, for free, that we normally would not be able to see,” says Shaw, a student at Baltimore School for the Arts at the time, who recalls later Artscape performances by Patti LaBelle, Tio Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Arturo Sandoval.
Though the artist (like many locals) jokes that every Artscape weekend was the hottest of the year, “It was the highlight of the summer,” he says. That is, until the pandemic, when organizers with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) put the festival on hiatus from 2020-2022.
Now, after a few amendments to its 2023 return date, the event typically held in July is making its grand return this weekend, Sept. 22-24, with a larger footprint throughout the Midtown, Bolton Hill, and Station North areas. Organizers with BOPA have previously stated that the decision to move the festival to September was in an effort to take advantage of cooler temperatures, as well as classes being back in session for MICA and University of Baltimore students.
As previewed in a promotional trailer narrated by Baltimore native Broadway icon André De Shields, the theme of Artscape’s comeback surrounds the larger question: “What is art?” So, as a way to help attendees ponder local artistry in all of its forms, the event has expanded to include programming at venues throughout the Station North Arts District including Motor House, an additional stage at North Avenue and 20th Street, and North Avenue Market, which will house Artscape’s brand new indoor B_23 exhibition featuring the work of 25 local artists. Shaw, whose abstract paintings draw from his education background and the African diaspora, will be among them.
For his part, Shaw commends Artscape’s commitment to this year’s theme, which is zeroing in on the area’s diverse roster of talent.
“Baltimore is beginning to get its flowers as an art city,” he says. “But it’s always been worthy of being defined as an art city. The fact that the biggest arts festival on the East Coast—maybe even in the country—is now making a concerted effort to highlight its local and regional talent, I think that’s apropos.”
Of course, the focus on local art will be bolstered by more than 100 maker tents stationed along North Charles Street from Mount Royal Avenue to North Avenue, as well as on Mount Royal Avenue from Dolphin Lane to West Lafayette Avenue. But there’s so much more to look forward to throughout the weekend. To help you plan your ideal visit, check out our categorized list of highlights not to miss:
Artwork
The festival’s expansion into Station North will turn North Avenue Market into an all-out creators hub, as part of the new North of North programming. First and foremost, B_23, spearheaded by BOPA’s senior curator and public art manager Kirk Shannon-Butts, will showcase 25 area artists in mediums including painting, textiles, mixed media, photography, film, video, and animation. But the centerpiece work will be the cover art for legendary poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron’s 1973 album Winter in America, which was commissioned and created by local artist Eugene Coles and has been housed in Baltimore for 50 years. It’s a fitting display to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop while honoring the “depth, diversity, magnitude, and origins of the art and culture of creativity coming from Baltimore, and its extensions to society throughout the world.”
In addition to B_23, North Avenue Market will host its own makers market; immersive multi-sensory installation Nerve Center by artist and educator Eduardo Corral; work for sale by queer and trans artists as part of Queerscape’s pop-up; and Currency Studio’s 0520 Cargo, an audio-visual exhibit that tasks eight featured makers with selecting vinyl to set the tone for each of their works. Venturing beyond North Avenue Market, you can also catch special murals and public art installations such as Scott Pennington’s Blinkatorium display of illuminated sign-like sculptures on North Charles Street, which will host rollerskating performances by Fluid Movement throughout the weekend. See dates and times for all of the exhibitions, here. 30 W North Ave.
Musical Performances
As you’ve likely heard, R&B icon Kelly Rowland, who was previously set to headline the festival, canceled her appearance earlier this month due to production issues. But BOPA was able to pull in another Grammy winner in her stead. DJ Pee .Wee, the alter ego of rapper and singer Anderson .Paak, will take the Main Stage on Friday, Sept. 22 at 8:45 p.m. Throughout the weekend, the performance lineup will also include national names (think: guitarist Nile Rodgers with CHIC and Florida native singer-songwriter Muni Long) and a stacked list of local talents. Among them will be Chiffon, Black Assets, Rufus Roundtree, Ultra Naté, Bad Hombres, Joe Keyes, Brandy Woody and UPENDO, and Mighty Mark & Friends. See locations and set times, here.
Fashion
In keeping with the theme of amplifying art of all kinds, organizers are introducing Project Artscape, a two-day runway show on the corner of Charles and Lafayette that will highlight the wearable creations of 31 local designers, including Love More Bmore, High End Rebel, Terrance Styyles, Aiysha Jowhar, and The Black Genius Art Show. Baltimore’s own fashion trailblazer Caprece Ann Jackson will host both shows, with sounds provided by rapper Butch Dawson’s official DJ, Shido. Follow BOPA’s social media accounts for livestreams and the chance to vote for your favorite designer. Baltimore Improv Group. 1727 N. Charles St.
Family Programming
For younger attendees, Artscape’s Kidscape and Teenscape are set to yield lots of fun opportunities to channel creativity. Located at the University of Baltimore’s Gordon Plaza, Kidscape (for ages 4-12) will offer hula-hooping, hair-braiding, face-painting, live dance performances by groups including Media Rhythm Institute, a thrilling magic show by Maryland magician Liam Laugherty, and a puppet show inspired by the Maryland Center for History & Culture’s Jim Henson exhibition. Activities at Teenscape, which will take place inside Motor House’s black box theater, include an open mic, a vision board crash course, and creative writing and spoken word exercises led by teaching artist Azya Maxton. Gordon Plaza. Maryland Ave. Motor House. 120 W. North Ave. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Food
Underscoring organizers’ commitment to supporting local (of course, food is an artform, too), BOPA estimates that at least 95 percent of the culinary vendors set up throughout the festival’s footprint will be from Maryland this year. Be on the lookout for familiar favorites including Arepi, Codetta Bakeshop, Ekiben, Refocused Vegan, The Empanada Lady, and Nina’s Cookie Explosion. Attendees can also plan to swing by the new beer garden at the Ynot Lot on West North Avenue, as well as scope out eats and drinks by Mobtown Ballroom and coffee and refreshments by Dear Globe Coffee at North Avenue Market. There will also be plenty of al fresco bites at spots like Alma Cocina Latina, Foraged, and Tapas Teatro to enjoy with daily live music on the 1700 block of Charles Street. Various locations.