Program / Event Details

Spend the afternoon with Black community artists and curators in dialogue about their journey as artists and how their work contributes to the legacy of Black visual culture. Artists will discuss artist’s works from Vision & Spirit: African American Art and how it connects with Black artist’s experiences today. Panelists include:

Charles Mason lll – Charles Mason III is a visual artist who works in photography, mix media, installation, and painting to discuss social, racial, political, history, and identity issues. He has curated several shows in Baltimore and Philadelphia and has exhibited work in institutions such as The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Woodmere Art Museum, Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, and Maryland Art Place. He has participated in group exhibitions to include, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, co-organized by the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) and Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) and The Radical Voice of Blackness Speaks of Resistance and Joy, Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis, MD.

Ernest Shaw – Ernest Shaw Jr is known for Easel and mural painting, portrait specialty and African-American subjects. Being a native of West Baltimore has taught Artist Ernest Shaw the meaning of perseverance, community and integrity. As a product of Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore School for the Arts, Morgan State University and Howard University Shaw recognizes the importance of using his skills and talents for the betterment of others. For Ernest, teaching is also an artistic medium.

Jeffrey Kent – Jeffrey Kent is an American multidisciplinary artist and curator whose life’s work embodies healing and wellness through creativity in art making, mentorship, and stewardship. Jeffrey Kent is the founder of the Subbasement Artist Studios (2004-2014), an alternative art space in Baltimore and also Amy Sherald’s first artist studio. He is the co-founder of Connect+Collect (2018 – current), an initiative designed to create awareness and momentum among new and experienced collectors, provide professional development to Baltimore-based artists, and promote a culture of collecting in Baltimore.