The word is out! This week, we celebrate GBCA’s new partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, while honoring the importance of literature in Baltimore. Come join us on Thursday, March 30, at Urban Reads Bookstore for food, drinks, and conversation. The legendary Carla Du Pree, Executive Director of CityLit Project, will be taking a break from the CityLit Festival to talk with us about the literary history of Baltimore and the many luminaries who have left their mark on Baltimore. You will also have the chance to speak with Tia Hamiltion, owner of Urban Reads Bookstore and publishing company on Greenmount Avenue and learn more about their mission and services for individuals who are incarcerated. Click here to purchase tickets.
The goals of the partnership between GBCA and the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce are to encourage the exchange between business professionals, creatives, and arts organizations; and to teach skills across sectors, and drive innovation in the workplace. Reciprocal membership benefits between the two organizations will benefit small business owners and entrepreneurs of all kinds, including artists.
Speaking of the CityLit Festival, there are still two more exciting events. Today, March 28, from 7 - 9p.m., Chesapeake Shakespeare Company will welcome the inimitable JOY HARJO, the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and first Native American to hold the position. On Friday, March 31, from 7p.m. - 9:30p.m. at Busboys and Poets, Baltimore will feature PATRICIA SMITH, winner of the Poetry Foundation Ruth Lily Lifetime Achievement Award and Musical Guest JAHITI. For more information, visit the CityLit Festival website.
It’s also time for the Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair (BFAPF) second edition, which runs March 30 – April 2, 2023. Twenty galleries, dealers, and print publishers present the finest investment-quality, limited -edition fine art prints, multi-part portfolios, and artist books by the best of established and emerging artists. The Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair is a production of Fine Arts Baltimore LLC, a collaboration between Vonderburg Investments in Art LLC and Ann Shafer. The former is owned by Brian Miller and Julie Funderburk whose business, Full Circle Fine Art, is a pillar of Baltimore’s arts community. Ann Shafer is an independent curator who directed the Baltimore Museum of Art’s last three print fairs in 2012, 2015, 2017. They have joined forces to bring this exciting event to Charm City.
All my best,
Jeannie
