The Maryland Center for History and Culture is honoring the esteemed Baltimore artist Tom Miller by offering complimentary admission on Sunday, February 15, 2026. This initiative is part of the celebration for the Sixth Annual Tom Miller Week.
In 1995, then-Mayor Kurt Schmoke declared February 18th as “Tom Miller Day.” The artist, activist, and archivist Deyane Moses later took this initiative further by transforming it into a week-long celebration. The inaugural “Tom Miller Week” was held in 2021, featuring a series of events designed to celebrate the artist’s contributions while raising funds for the restoration of his iconic murals.
Miller (1945-2000) holds the distinction of being the first African American from Baltimore City to have a solo exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA). His art is characterized by a distinctive style he termed “Afro-Deco,” infusing vivid colors and whimsical elements into his murals, painted furniture, and sculptures, often crafted from repurposed materials found throughout the city. His artistic vision celebrated themes of Black identity and queerness, with Baltimore consistently serving as his backdrop. Tragically, Miller passed away in 2000 at the age of 54 due to complications related to AIDS.
Miller’s artistic journey began at George Washington Carver Vocational-Technical High School, followed by studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). After dedicating two decades to teaching art in Baltimore City Public Schools, he made a significant decision to pursue a graduate scholarship at MICA, aspiring to become a full-time artist. In 1995, just eight years after obtaining his graduate degree, Miller became the first African American artist to showcase a solo exhibition at the BMA, a milestone that garnered him national recognition.
Despite his national acclaim, Baltimore remained close to Miller’s heart, serving as his home and creative base. His painted furniture, sculptures, screens, and murals have become recognizable symbols scattered around the city. In conjunction with the free admission to the MCHC on Sunday, organizers of Tom Miller Week are also emphasizing the need for restoring his first public mural.
On Wednesday, February 18, from 6–7 p.m., the Friends of Tom Miller will host a special virtual gathering to commemorate Tom Miller Day. This event will kick off a phased restoration initiative for the mural titled “However Far the Stream Flows, It Never Forgets Its Source” (1991), which stands prominently at the intersection of North Avenue and Harford Road. After enduring over three decades of exposure to the elements, the mural is in critical need of repair. The event is free, and those interested can register now. This gathering is co-hosted by Blackives, LLC and the Black Art Today Foundation.
The MCHC features a triptych by Tom Miller named “Summer in Baltimore” as part of their “Collecting Maryland: Art, Artifacts, Community” exhibition. Additionally, they showcase some of his painted furniture. The center is located at 610 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD. To secure your free ticket, please visit their website.
