Kicking off the 25th anniversary of Artscape, Baltimore?s largest festival, Mayor Martin O?Malley rattled off 25 reasons this year?s celebration should be a success at the Lyric Opera House on Wednesday morning.
Artscape is the city?s annual arts festival, taking over the block of Mount Royal Avenue July 21 for a three-day celebration of art in all its forms. O?Malley and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts revealed details Wednesday about the broad range of activities that bring locals and visitors together in the cultural district for a weekend of art appreciation.
Fred Lazarus, the president of the Maryland Institute College of Art, said Artscape began as a small arts festival down at the harbor in 1982, and has grown to attract hundreds of thousands of people for an art-inspired weekend.
The mayor?s list of attractions for this summer?s festival included 72 live concerts at four outdoor stages, dance performances, visual art exhibits, opera, fashion, an artists? market and the “Big Wheel” ferris wheel providing a view of the festival from 100 feet.
According to City Council President Sheila Dixon, the festival offers something for everyone with shows ranging from G-Love and Special Sauce to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
More than 120 artists from Maryland and across the country will have their artwork for sale at the Artists? market
Syrah Gunning, 24, with P.W. Feats event production company, said she has been to Artscape the past two years. “Baltimore, in general, has a wide array of arts and cultures, but this event really highlights what the city has to offer,” she said.
And, if all of the performances, activities and refreshments are not enough incentive to go to Artscape, the entire festival is free.
Anana Kambone, a member of the Board of Directors for the Festival of the Arts, said she was proud to help with Artscape. “It began as an event 25 years ago,” she said, “and 25 years later, it has evolved into a Baltimore institution.”
Artscape 2006
» 1200 block of Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore
» July 21 to 22 from noon to 10 p.m. and July 23 from noon to 8 p.m.
» Free
» Information: 1-877-BALTIMORE
www.artscape.org
