A Guide to Baltimore’s Art Scene

The rooms at Hotel Revival are artfully decorated.

Baltimore’s art scene begins with where you stay. Book a room at Hotel Revival, the city’s only boutique art hotel, and come home to one-of-a-kind art and breathtaking views of the city and its landmarks, including the best views of  Mount Vernon Square Park and its Washington Monument, right from your room. For those looking to find local artists, Sagamore Pendry Hotel features original work from renowned Baltimore street artist Gaia and sculptor Adam Scott, while the Royal Sonesta has its very own gallery curated by local icon Crystal Moll. Guesthouse by good neighbor is as much of a gallery experience as a hotel with art from Baltimore artists such as Amy Sherald, Jerrell Gibbs and Charles Mason III, plus a selection of original Indian art from Baltimore collector Sarva Girdhar.

Owned by the Rubell family, among the top contemporary art collectors in the world, the Lord Baltimore Hotel boasts an impressive art collection consisting of 2,500 works of art. Its “Good Taste” rotating art exhibition highlights local artists, who often have pieces added to the hotel’s permanent collection after the exhibit ends. Similarly, Hotel Indigo has also partnered with Maryland Art Space to showcase local artists through rotating exhibitions.

Baltimore is home to world-class art museums like The Walters Art Museum, The Baltimore Museum of Art, The Peale and The American Visionary Art Museum in addition to independent galleries and an abundance of street art and murals.

Located in the Station North Arts District, Galerie Myrtis has been showcasing 20th and 21st-century American art for nearly two decades. Most of their works are by Black artists, many of whom have achieved national and international acclaim. The neighborhood is home to several artsy hotspots, including Motor House—creative incubator for visual and performing arts—and Graffiti Alley, the only place in the city that allows graffiti art so it often changes and has become a popular selfie spot. In another arts district, Bromo, the Black Genius Art Show hosts regular workshops and artist talks that provide a platform for underrepresented voices to be heard.

Other must-visit galleries across Charm City include NoMüNoMü, the Waller Gallery and Goya Contemporary Gallery, which manages the estate of legendary Baltimore artist Joyce J. Scott.

Vibrant murals adorn many walls in Baltimore and make for one-of-a-kind photo backdrops. Michael Owen has painted 20 murals of silhouetted hands spelling “L-O-V-E” in neighborhoods from Mount Washington to Carroll Park. Notable spots include the mural across from the historic Senator Theatre in Belvedere Square and one on The Avenue in Hampden.

Actors perform on stage at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Center.

To experience more of the local and regional artist movements, head over to Creative Alliance, an innovative hybrid performance space, gallery and artist guild, and the Eubie Blake Cultural Center, which is home to dozens of performing and visual arts events and exhibits. For live music lovers, the internationally recognized Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs more than 100 concerts a year, including special events and summer programs.

From classical theater at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, touring Broadway shows at the Hippodrome Theatre, world-class stand-up comedy at The Lyric or feminist plays at Strand Theater Co., there’s always something to be seen onstage in the city.

After taking in Baltimore’s multifaceted arts scene, why not flex your own creative muscles? Charm City offers plenty of opportunities for the maker at heart, from pottery classes to terrarium building and book binding.

Baltimore’s creative spirit is seen in all facets of city life, but especially in our restaurants. In addition to beautifully plated dishes that themselves are works of art, many of our eateries are adorned with works by local makers or were designed with Charm City in mind. The Royal Blue, for example, boasts a colorful mural by local artist Jaz Erenberg on its facade while Catalog Coffee’s wallpaper features beloved Baltimore locales like Camden Yards and Patterson Park.

Then there are the eclectic eateries with eye candy in every corner. Blue Moon Cafe is a diner with a rock & roll attitude that you can see reflected on its walls and in dishes like the now-famous Captain Crunch French Toast. A cornucopia of kitsch awaits at Papermoon Diner, where thousands of Pez dispensers line the entryway and Barbie dolls and other pop culture figurines hang from the ceiling. Music lovers will delight in Baby’s On Fire. This husband-and-wife-owned Mount Vernon café features dozens of bins of vinyl to flip through while enjoying your morning dose of caffeine. Mobtown Ballroom and Cafe is also worth a stop if you’re in Station North; drop in for dinner and a drink before joining in a beginner swing dance lesson or simply enjoying the occasional live band.

If you happen to be visiting the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen is an attraction in its own right, with a sophisticated menu of regional foods using organic, local ingredients. Sit outside to get a view of the BMA’s sculpture garden while you enjoy your meal.

Performance during Artscape in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore’s rich art history comes to life in the city’s annual events. One of the most notable is Artscape, the nation’s largest free outdoor art festival. It attracts over 350,000 visitors each year and features more than 150 artists, performers and craftspeople over three days of celebrations.

In the category of “something completely different,” the Kinetic Sculpture Race is an annual showcase of art, athleticism and ingenuity where teams race human-powered sculptures through Baltimore streets.

Music is also a huge part of the Baltimore art scene, and the Love Groove Festival is a one-of-a-kind event where young, talented artists get a rare opportunity to play on a major stage. Other major music festivals in Baltimore include AFRAM, the Charm City Bluegrass Festival and Fell’s Point Fun Festival. More of a movie person? Don’t miss the Maryland Film Festival held each spring at the SNF Parkway Theatre.

Check out BmoreArt, an independent arts publication, for more about the Baltimore area’s artists and organizations. Their calendar is loaded with local cultural events.

Baltimore’s Art and Entertainment Districts are hubs for artists, organizations and arts venues. Each reflects the traditions, contributions and culture of its community and gives you a rare opportunity to experience local art in its purest form.

Devin Allen

Documentary photographer Devin Allen rose to fame capturing images of the people and the Baltimore streets where he grew up. A social justice advocate, teacher and photojournalist, Allen has used his experience to challenge conventional thinking about poverty and human potential. @bydvnlln

Jaz Erenberg

This Afro-Latina muralist paints the city in every color. Ahead of the long-awaited return of Artscape, Erenberg’s mural titled “Portals and Passageways” transformed a former Station North gas station into a dreamy, large-scale composition that speaks to Baltimore’s history and creative culture. Find more of her murals on local restaurants, businesses and schools, including cocktail bar The Royal Blue, urban farm Strength to Love II, and even her own home in Upper Fell’s Point. @jaz_erenberg

John Tyler

Though young, John Tyler has already established himself as a big name in Baltimore’s music and arts scene. In addition to scoring productions for Under Armour, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Visit Baltimore, he founded Love Groove Music Festival to provide young artists with performance and networking opportunities.

Juliet Ames

Just when you thought the viral video of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh busting moves in the locker room couldn’t get any better, artist Juliet Ames went and put it on a salt box. The box is just one of more than 125 Ames has reimagined since 2020, with other Baltimore-themed designs including depictions of Natty Boh, Orioles players and the legendary Divine. In the wintertime, you’re sure to see one of the bright yellow boxes on street corners as you explore the city! @thebrokenplate_jules; @baltimore.saltbox

Kondwani Fidel in front of art at The Baltimore Museum of Art. Photograph by Devin Allen.

Kondwani Fidel

Emerging author Kondwani Fidel is a poet, an activist and the voice of a new generation of Baltimore creatives. He is the author of several collections and essays, including “Hummingbirds in the Trenches,” his powerful memoir of growing up in Baltimore. Fidel continues to share his gifts through readings, speaking engagements and teaching. His poetry has been featured in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN and in promotional marketing for Baltimore itself. @kondwanifidel

Murjoni Merriweather

Through stunning three-dimensional portraits and video projects, ceramicist and mixed-media artist Murjoni Merriweather combats racist stereotypes while uplifting the Black body in its natural state. She uses clay and synthetic hair to create hyper-realistic sculptures whose braids, afros, grills and chains challenge European beauty standards. @mvrjoni

TT the Artist

Rap star and filmmaker TT the Artist came to Baltimore to attend MICA and stayed to create. She gained national attention when her original song was featured in a Super Bowl ad that featured a version of the “crazy legs” dance that Baltimore club music is known for. @tttheartist

Webster Phillips III

Phillips comes from a lineage of pioneering photojournalists, including his father, the first Black news photographer for the Baltimore Sun and his grandfather for the AFRO. To preserve and continue his family’s legacy, Phillips is creating a digital archive of his father and grandfather’s work, called the I. Henry Photo Project, while working to identify unknown places and persons in the images. View some of the photos on the project’s Instagram or check out several prints hung in the lobby of the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel. @ihenryphotoproject 

Zadia

Born and raised in Baltimore, Zadia records and performs with dozens of musicians and artists within the local creative community, so we knew she would be a natural collaborator for our first-ever Baltimore music video. Zadia’s lyrics and vocals combined to create a ballad that is soulful, memorable and real. Check out this interview for more on what inspires her. Listen to Zadia’s music on Spotify and visit her Instagram for info on upcoming live gigs. @cheyannezadia