BmoreArt’s Selections: September 22-28
This Week: Engage with Anne Patchett in conversation alongside R. Eric Thomas at Church of the Redeemer, attend a curator talk with Vlad Smolkin about Across Life-Worlds at The Jewish Museum, enjoy the opening reception for the Patricia Massey Momentum Award at Creative Alliance, and participate in the High Zero Festival at the Baltimore Theatre Project. Also included are events like Art / Sound / Now featuring John Tyler at The Walters, as well as multiple opening receptions at venues including MICA, Current Space, and Mount Vernon Place Church. Additionally, don’t miss AVAM’s Mutt Gala and BRUSH Mural Fest, alongside an opening reception for Devin Allen at CCCC — PLUS consider applying for a SAAM fellowship among other featured opportunities!
BmoreArt’s Selections showcases the top weekly art openings, events, and performances taking place in Baltimore and its nearby regions. For a broader view, please check out the BmoreArt Calendar page, which features ongoing exhibitions and performances, updated daily.
To submit your event for the calendar, kindly email us at events@bmoreart.com!
An Evening with Ann Patchett and R. Eric Thomas: WHISTLER
Scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, from 7-8pm
@ Church of the Redeemer
The Ivy Bookshop is excited to welcome Ann Patchett and R. Eric Thomas for a thoughtful dialogue surrounding Ann Patchett’s latest work, WHISTLER!
We cherish the friendship formed between these two admired authors, first established in Baltimore in 2023, and we eagerly anticipate their return for this special event.
We appreciate our partnership with Church of the Redeemer, allowing us to use their spacious sanctuary for this gathering. Doors will open at 6pm, and seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you wish to acquire a signed copy of Whistler by Ann Patchett or Congratulations, the Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas, please consider selecting the ticket option that includes the book. All copies will be pre-signed. Additional unsigned editions will be available for purchase at the event.
For those unfamiliar with Ann Patchett’s writing, you are in for a treat with Whistler. As one of our enthusiastic booksellers puts it, “Man, Ann Patchett can really write a novel!” This tale revolves around a surprising encounter at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, capturing the sweetness and transience of life, alongside the powerful connections that transcend time. Plus, it features both horses and ghosts—no wonder it has achieved #1 New York Times bestseller status. More details on the book can be found at this link.
Moreover, R. Eric Thomas stands out in his storytelling, weaving humor, grace, and thoughtfulness throughout Congratulations, The Best Is Over! This work finds Thomas returning to his often misunderstood hometown of Baltimore—much to his initial chagrin—and grappling with the complexities of leaving one life behind to navigate a new one.
We look forward to seeing everyone there and sharing the memorable insights from this conversation for years to come!
Across Life-Worlds | Curatorial Talk with Vlad Smolkin
Planned for Wednesday, September 23, from 6-8pm
@ The Jewish Museum of Maryland
Participate in a curator-led engagement at the Jewish Museum of Maryland, delving into the art showcased in the exhibition Across Life-Worlds: A Family History of Soviet Jewish Emigration. Curated by Victoria Smolkin and Vlad Smolkin, this exhibition interweaves the narratives of various Soviet Jewish families who relocated to Maryland, contextualizing their stories within the global and national political environment that catalyzed their emigration. By presenting a variety of lived experiences, this exhibition illustrates how American and Soviet Jews, who once stood as distant strangers amid the Cold War, came to regard each other as family.
During the event, patrons will explore the gallery and gain insights about key components of the exhibition connecting art with the histories presented. Attendees will learn how the curator’s artistic background has informed specific curatorial decisions.
About Across Life-Worlds
In the late twentieth century, over a million Soviet Jews emigrated from the Soviet Union—this marked the largest ethnic migration from the USSR, in addition to being the largest Jewish emigration since the “Great Migration.” During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Maryland emerged as a prominent destination for this Jewish exodus. Across Life-Worlds follows the diverse branches of the Jewish family, tracing their interconnected paths during the Cold War and culminating in their reunion in the United States. The exhibition curators, who are themselves children of Soviet Jewish emigrants, present a tapestry of family stories utilizing interviews, photographs, home videos, and artifacts that showcase the years leading up to their departure and their experiences after arriving in a rapidly changing world with the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.
About the Featured Curator
Vlad Smolkin was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and emigrated to the United States in 1989 alongside his family. He is an accomplished artist and curator as well as the founding director of CPM Gallery in Baltimore, where he showcases a range of contemporary artists and fosters collaboration with curators, writers, and academics. His work emphasizes creating spaces for thoughtful engagement and reflection, prompting individuals to explore their roles within the systems surrounding them. Smolkin earned his MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012 and has exhibited his work on both national and international platforms. His contributions to the art world have been highlighted by major publications such as Frieze, Artforum, Forbes, and The Washington Post. He has also served as a visiting artist, critic, and educator at various prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University.
Complimentary kosher non-alcoholic beverages will be available during this event.
Please be aware that space is limited for this program, and early registration is highly encouraged. Program tickets can be secured on a sliding scale.
The Patricia Massey Momentum Award Exhibition | Opening Reception
On Wednesday, September 23, from 6:30-9:30pm
@ Creative Alliance
Exhibition Duration: SEP 23 – NOV 14
This award is open to artists working across various visual arts disciplines, providing essential financial support, exhibition opportunities, and a platform for immigrant artists to exhibit their work, thereby promoting the advancement and visibility of their creative practices.
Three artists will be chosen during this process: two finalists will be selected along with one recipient of the Patricia Massey Momentum Award. The grant winner will receive $10,000 and will have the opportunity to engage in public programming with Creative Alliance. All three artists will showcase their work together in a group exhibition at Creative Alliance.
This award is made possible by the McNeely Massey Family.
