What began as a conversation between Baltimore Times founder Joy Bramble and renowned artist Larry “Poncho” Brown has transpired into an elaborate display of one of the finest Black art arrangements this city has to offer.
Creatively Black Baltimore, a pop-up touted as the “largest regional exhibition of Black art,” officially opened to the public during a special reception and celebration on September 28, 2024 in downtown Baltimore.
Photos credit: Denzel Robinson
The exhibit features more than 430 pieces of artwork from more than 80 artists who are either from, reside in or have ties to Baltimore.
The artwork uses essentially every art medium and style imaginable — including paintings, drawings, abstract, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, quilting, photography, digital and much more — while reflecting the rich reservoir of artistic genius that lies within the fabric of Black Baltimore.
Brown, the co-founder and curator of Creatively Black Baltimore, is a Baltimore City native whose artwork has achieved international acclaim. He, with the support of community leaders and local organizations, are on a quest to promote and uplift Black American artists, many of whom are underrepresented in the broader arts community.
Not only did the Creatively Black Baltimore opening reception signify the official opening of the art show to the public, but it was an opportunity for local artists to network amongst themselves along with community leaders and other supporters of the arts community.
“What we’re looking for is support and food artists to kind of band together and expand their connectivity with the community. We were able to achieve that,” Brown said, reflecting on the reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It was a great artist fellowship going on there, and it was a great introduction to the project itself.”
Brown, whose career as an artist spans more than 40 years, got his start in the industry specializing in graphic design and fine art. From there, his artistic profile and acumen expanded.
Over the past three decades or so, Brown’s works have been featured in a number of prominent magazines, books, television shows, films and academic institutions on his path to become one of the nation’s most powerful and profound artists.
Creatively Black Baltimore builds upon the legacy and ingenuity of local Black artists of yesteryear who made invaluable contributions to the vibrant arts community that Baltimore has become today. It accentuates Black excellence in the Baltimore arts community in a way that reconnects two to three generations of artists separated by a lack of opportunities Brown pointed out.
The exhibit is housed in 12,000 square feet of space on the second floor of the Light Street Pavilion within Harborplace. Creatively Black Baltimore will occupy the space for two years.
Prior to Creatively Black Baltimore’s arrival, the space belonged to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Art in the exhibit is for sale. Each piece has an accompanying QR code that takes patrons to a website to purchase the artwork. The exhibit, which is free for viewing pleasure, also offers a 3D virtual tour and scheduled events that consist of lectures, art talks, demonstrations, paint parties, small exhibitions and other community outreach efforts.
In addition to the more than 430 pieces of artwork by more than 80 artists included in Creatively Black Baltimore, there is a waiting list, Brown said. In the process of time — as art sells and pieces are moved around — he suspects the show will expand to include work from as many as 100 artists.
“Our mission is to nurture and uplift Baltimore’s African American art scene,” Brown wrote in an article published in The Baltimore Times last week.
Anthony Coates, an artist whose work is featured in the exhibit, is fascinated with abstract art. He used recycled plastic bags to create pieces that depict the Key Bridge collapse and sunrise over a green pasture. Coates also produced a painting inspired by jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the artists and the public,” said Coates, a West Baltimore native.
“Larry ‘Poncho’ Brown is an internationally known artist and that needs to be highlighted. He has a vision to put these things together and bring out other artists so we could all have some exposure.”
Adriana Downs, 17, is the youngest artist in the Creatively Black Baltimore’s exhibition. The high school senior is a sickle cell warrior. Her work reflects her personal journey being a sickle cell patient coupled with her faith.
Downs’ other art piece is a painting of the Baltimore skyline. It meant a great deal to be included in the exhibit, she said.
“I never really get to show my art to anyone, and it really meant a lot to show sickle cell through art to other people and share that with the world,” Downs said.
A fervent advocate and mentor to artists, Creatively Black Baltimore is simply an extension of the work Brown has been doing for decades.
“What I am trying to do is offer an opportunity for African American artists to show their work,” he said. “This show is unapologetically African American, and I think it’s time for something like that to take place.”
For now, Creatively Black Baltimore is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.