I was invited to exhibit my photography at the 10th Annual Benefit Exhibition & Sale at Maryland Art Place (MAP) in Baltimore and I couldn't be happier. Let me break it down.
Back in April I became a member of MAP. My $30 fee was a modest way to show support for the arts. Basically, I had intentions to submit my work to MAP for open calls and such, so I thought it would be good karma to throw them some love up front. In July, my $30 membership gifted me a thank you letter from the Executive Director which said, "Later this year we will be celebrating our 10th annual benefit exhibition and art sale. We would love to see you there!" I thought that was so sweet. But did she mean as a patron or an artist? Either way, I had work to do.
My priorities were thus: 1) Wake up and drink very fresh, dark roast coffee, 2) Honor my friendship with Dee, 3) Take pictures of Baltimore.
Pretty simple plan. I also wanted to be on the lookout for any emails from MAP in regards to what they were up to and announcements for open calls. I noticed MAP was marketing their public art program, IMPACT, at the Hotel Indigo, which at the time was a solo show for a local painter. I put it on my to-do list—take a field trip to the Indigo. I eventually visited the hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of Mount Vernon, and was jazzed by the venue, which was originally a YMCA back in 1907. The high ceilings were impressive, the retro furniture was chill and the cozy fireplace was a nice touch. I studied the paintings on display, but I also imagined having a photography show in the space, which would require larger prints than I was currently producing, and it would take approximately 12 frames to fill the room. I calculated the production cost at $3,400, which means I'd have to sell every photo, priced at $500, just to break even, which assumes a 50/50 split with MAP. I took one more look around the lounge and laughed out loud. Every photo. Hilarious. I’d be lucky if I sold one. But I wasn’t bumming, in fact, I felt motivated as I leaped down the Hotel Indigo stairs and headed uptown.
Weeks passed without seeing an open call I could sink my teeth into, but I noticed MAP was hosting an MFA exhibition, which sounded like a perfect opportunity to check out their gallery, which I did. The space was classic, with the wood floors and that Soho loft feel; I loved it and felt my work would play nicely with their smooth white walls. At this point I was convinced my $30 membership was starting to pay off, but I would continue to scroll the MAP newsletters for future opportunities.
In September, while savoring my morning Sumatra and posting the daily gram, I read that MAP was seeking submissions for their inaugural exhibition at Zeke’s Coffee, which was a new addition to there public art program, IMPACT. I was interested; and ended up submitting my work. I wrote about it here. While at the opening reception at Zeke’s, I met the Executive Director of MAP and told her I appreciated the letter she sent me in response to my new membership. We got to talking a bit and I learned that the Zeke’s show had a three tiered vetting process which included herself, the program manager and a 12 person advisory committee. Well alright. The Zeke’s show runs through January 11th.
On October, 20th, I received an email from MAP that said their Program Advisory Committee had invited me to submit my work for their 10th Annual Benefit Exhibition & Sale. This was uplifting news. I was honored to submit the following three photos: My Chariot Awaits (2022), I Used to Be Super Lonely (2019) and The Trending Appeal of Corrugated Steel (2022).
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The benefit exhibition and sale runs for two days only: December 9th (Fri) & 10th (Sat). It’s a unique holiday event where each piece of art can be purchased, taken off the wall, and wrapped while you chill; which means, it’s more like a craft show than a typical exhibition where you can’t take your art home until the exhibition ends.
On Friday the entry fee is $25 and includes an open bar, a DJ, drag queens as your hosts, and a cookies and ice cream sandwich truck. Naturally, you are encouraged to wear your most festive holiday sweater. Friday runs from 6pm-10pm. There is free parking in the Arrow garage across the street.
Saturday the admission is free (because a portion of the art is sold by then and the drag queens and cookies are long gone) and runs from 12pm-4pm.
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Ok, for sure, my $30 membership has definitely paid off. And I’d still be lucky if one of my photos sold; but I’m not bumming, because I will be attending the show as a grateful patron and a humbled artist.
The best of both worlds.
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