It’s a beautiful time in beautiful Baltimore. Spring weather, flowers blooming, and singing birds. While some of you may have traveled far, my amazing eclipse adventure took place down the street in Druid Hill Park. Solo viewers were joined by parents with young children whose excitement for the event was barely controllable. Along with the ubiquitous viewing glasses, there were still plenty of homemade contraptions that undoubtedly not only protected eyes, but extended the science lessons of this awe inspiring event.

Much has been said about how early humans interpreted or were terrified by the eclipse, but they also developed their own mythologies and understanding of the natural world. Over many years, artists have interpreted the meaning and spiritual impact of the event.

In 1918, Howard Butler painted a portrait of the sun in eclipse. Transient Effects, an online exhibition from the Princeton Museum from 2017 brings together experts from the sciences and art history to present Butler’s unique paintings and the story of the artist who created them. It also opens up a broader exploration of experiments at the intersection of art and science. The section on art provides fascinating examples from across ages and cultures.

Coming up – make sure to mark your calendar for the many events scheduled to celebrate the 2024 Baker Artist Awards Finalists. Showcases abound including a session at CityLit Festival, film screenings and performances at Baltimore Theatre Project, and visual and interdisciplinary artists at Current Space. See below (or click here) for all the details.

Our hearts continue to be with the families of victims and all of those working at the site of the Francis Scott Key bridge. Smithsonian Magazine has been documenting the enormity of the efforts underway to clear the wreckage of the bridge with sonar images.

Peace,
Jeannie