A Local Tribute to 50 Years of CIAA Women’s Basketball

Curator Tamara Payne and Baltimore’s Black Women Artists Create the Ultimate Baltimore Stay Giveaway

Interdisciplinary artist, professor, and curator Tamara Payne is commissioned by Visit Baltimore to design a space that offers ticket holders the chance to win the Ultimate Baltimore Stay Giveaway. The winner enjoys a two-night stay at the historic Lord Baltimore Hotel, just steps away from the CFG Bank Arena. The space is adorned with Baltimore-centric décor, special amenities from local makers, and a few Charm City surprises along the way.

Known for her community collaborations, Payne decides to incorporate the works of her “tribe” into this design experience. Her dynamic work explores the constructions of marginalized communities through multimedia, fashion, public installations, film, portraiture, literary art, and performance. “The idea of incorporating other Black women artists in Baltimore is never a second thought,” she says.

Thematic elements and recurring themes throughout her work include Black women, relationship building, the importance of creating safe spaces for communal healing practices, and other issues that Black women deem significant. “I am excited to celebrate 50 years of women in the CIAA tournament,” Payne says. “This celebration aligns directly with my work.”

She explains, “The field of art is predominantly male-dominated, and women—particularly Black women—have far fewer opportunities. We need more diversity and inclusion in the design and art world. The lack of Black designers and art spaces motivates my work.”

Tamara Payne curates the design space in the historic Lord Baltimore Hotel. The room features works by several Black women artists from Baltimore, showcasing the city’s thriving artistic talent and celebrating 50 years of CIAA women’s basketball in a vibrant, creative way.

Photo Credits: Aisha Butler

Participating Artists:

Aisha Butler, Photographer

Jamine Chandler, Fashion Designer

Espi Frazier, Visual/Fiber Artist

Nia June, Dancer, Filmmaker, Poet and Educator

Tamara TeeKay Kumoji, Author and Designer

Abisola Yele Oladeinde, Fashion Designer

Linnea Poole, Art Practitioner

Unique Robinson, Spoken Word Artist, Author and Professor

Anike Robinson, Mixed Media Artist, 

Alma Roberts, Abstract Expressionist Artist

Yemonja Smalls, Mixed Media Artist

Noreen Smith, Collage Artist

Marketa Wilson, Seamstress

About Tamara Payne, An interdisciplinary artist, professor, and curator

Tamara Payne explains, “My design aesthetic caters to the Black diaspora. I’m inspired by my grandfather’s Southern sensibilities and home antiques, which echo my childhood memories. My passion for travel and design is evident in my work. Through vibrant colors and patterns that celebrate Black culture, I want to honor Black design that matters. I create contemporary spaces filled with patterns and a mix of traditional pieces, all while maintaining a sense of fashionable elegance—that is my signature style.” She also draws inspiration from her love of fashion, nurtured by her studies at Parsons School of Design. Her visual arts journey began at The Baltimore School for the Arts and continued at the Maryland Institute College of Art, expanding into community work, education, fashion, and fine arts. She believes this creative endeavor can be transformative, saying, “I want each space to evoke emotion. I want to reflect the essence of Black lives. I am here to be bold and be seen!”

Payne seeks to foster healthy conversations that promote diversity and inclusivity among women, aiming to inspire all people with her vibrant visions of the African diaspora. She notes how her personal life influences her art: “My mom passed two years ago, so my work is a love letter to myself and her memory. She was an unlicensed artist and activist in her time—she was ‘home’ for me. In my journey of healing, I’m getting to know the new me after this loss, and my idea of home today is a tribe of Black women.” She is currently working toward one of her most significant exhibitions, scheduled for June 2025, and is grateful to organizations like Visit Baltimore for supporting her vision of diversity and inclusion.