Artist Highlight: Will Watson

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Murals have transformed the streets into canvases in 2020. Will Watson, a Baltimore-based artist, wanted to make sure his own street mural echoed the messages of the many others seen throughout the country this year. At Topside Outside, a new outdoor dining space at Hotel Revival in Mount Vernon, Watson’s mural opens with a Black fist raised high in the air.

“I wanted the mural to speak directly to the Black Lives Matter street murals, without the literal text,” says Watson. The resulting mural, Watson’s largest to date, does just that while also honoring many elements and landmarks of Baltimore: the iconic park bench, the Washington Memorial (also visible just steps from the restaurant), a raven, and more. The mural, stretching across the seating area of the outdoor restaurant, is vibrant and colorful – a signature of Watson’s work.

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Asian Arts & Culture Center Fall 2020 Programming Schedule

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The Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University has released their Fall 2020 Programming Schedule. The Asian Arts & Culture Center aims to engage the local community in cross cultural dialogue through offering a variety of artistic and cultural learning experiences related to Asia and Asian cultures.

Read below and visit their website for all the information on Fall 2020 Programming.

Phaan Howng: A Bag of Rocks for a Bag of Rice

Opens Thursday, September 17 

Virtual: https://www.towson.edu/campus/artsculture/centers/asianarts/events/ 

In person: By appointment for Towson University students, faculty and staff.  

Exquisitely disposed rocks and trees and vegetation. The promise of an inspired space of meditation and detachment. Such has been of the Westernized image of the Chinese and Japanese garden. Yet, such enchanted “natural” spaces camouflage the histories of empire, wealth, privilege, exploitation, ecological extraction, and displacement behind their creation. Phaan Howng’s site-specific installation engages East Asian gardens as a case study of the dynamics embedded within these private spaces. 

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First Lady Student Exhibition Juror Call

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Call for Jurors: First Lady Student Exhibition

Apply by September 16, 2020

Twice a year, the Maryland State Department of Education works with its partners and First Lady Yumi Hogan to host a statewide student artwork competition and exhibition. This year, the Fall First Lady’s Gallery will be virtual! At the opening ceremony on October 9, young artists will introduce their work, and winners for each grade band will be announced. To view works from previous exhibits, see here.

To support this project, the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is calling for a diverse array of experts to do the important work of evaluating submissions. MSAC selects jurors with a focus on diversity of experiences, diversity of location, and expertise in the fine arts. Panelists must be Maryland residents. 

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Independent Artist Awards – Call for Panelists – Deadline Extended to September 15

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“Lift Off” by Randi Reiss McCormick

The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) relies on a diverse array of experts from across the state of Maryland to do the important work of evaluating applications. MSAC selects Independent Artist Awards (IAA) panelists with a focus on diversity of experiences, diversity of location, and expertise in the current year’s discipline. Panelists must be Maryland residents. 
Selected IAA panelists serve on one or two panels as described below. 
Panelists receive modest compensation for their service.

The Maryland State Arts Council has re-opened the Call for Panelists for the Independent Artists Awards through Tuesday, September 15. This year, the applications being reviewed are from visual and media artists.

Extended Deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2020

The Independent Artist Awards (IAAs) recognize achievement by Maryland artists who are working independent of an institution or organization. The awards are accompanied by unrestricted grants that encourage artistic growth and sustained practice. 2021 IAAs will recognize artists in the Visual/Media Arts.

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“Black Noise” at Current Space – Opening Reception Saturday, September 5

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Current Space is proud to present “Black Noise” a solo window exhibition of works by Alpha Massaquoi. The exhibition can be viewed from outdoors, through the window boxes along Howard Street.

Opening Reception: September 5, 6-9pm

Exhibition Duration: September 5 – October 10

Social Distancing Guidelines:
– Mask required: covering mouth AND nose.
– Maintain 6ft from others, sidewalk will be marked.
– Interior will be closed.
– Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe!

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