Tonight...Starry Mountain Singers at the Creative Alliance

Do you dig eclectic, high energy folk? Tonight at the Creative Alliance, musical performances will include the Shapenote Sisters, Orfeia and the Starry Mountain Singers. Click here for more information.

P.S. On Saturday, the Starry Mountain Singers will be hosting an a cappella workshop.

Friday Finds: Yarn Bowls

My shiny new knowledge of knitting (just took beginner knitting at Lovely Yarns in Hampden) has quickly evolved into a bit of an obsession. I can’t believe how much stuff is out there to make knitting even more fun! Awesome hand dyed yarns, cool beaded stitch markers and my favorite – the yarn bowl. I have a lot of pets, so this is a must to keep my yarn off the floor and as fur-free as possible. Take a peek at the amazing variety of yarn bowls from Etsy artisans:

Little Lamb Yarn Bowl by A Speer Ceramic Studio

Polka Dot Design Yarn Bowl by Julie Knowles Pottery

Cut Out Yarn Bowl by Glint Pottery

Soft Periwinkle Blue Yarn Bowl by Lenny Mud

Written by Brooke, FuzzyMug

Rawlings Conservatory Exhibit, 3rd Annual Art Under Glass

Allison Fomich, BEST's own Tigerlillyshop will be dipping her toes back into the fine art world this weekend. Appropriately, it will happen in a place close to her heart, the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore.

This is the first time my Tigerlillyshop jewelry line will be exhibited in a fine art setting. I'll be a small part at the 3rd annual fine art exhibit showcasing some of Baltimore's most talented artists. I am very excited to be in a show with the likes of April Wood, John Ruppert, and Joyce Scott!

Visiting the Conservatory a few weeks ago, I met with some of the master garden staff. They generously gave me cuttings and snippets of specimen growing in the various rooms. I have been working on some pieces that are informed directly by the Conservatory's plants. The botanical garden has been a great place to be inspired. I can't wait to show these art pieces, a really new experience for the line!

11:00 am – 12:30pm - Brunch with artists and preview exhibition
$100 per person
reserved tickets

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Art exhibition and sale with refreshments
$30 per person in advance
$40 at the door

Patrons can buy tickets here.

Participating artists:
Gloria Askin • Lindsay Bolin • Loring Cornish • Mark Eisendrath • Kevin Fitzgerald • Allison Fomich • Edmond Hardy • Christine Neil • Joe Kabriel • Giselle Kolb • Barbara Z. Lipman • Ursula Marcum • Edmundo Ortega • Megan Schneebaum • Joyce Scott • Steve Stannard • Soledad Salame • John Ruppert • April Wood

Celebrate the Fiber Arts at the BMA’s Textile Day

Join fellow textile enthusiasts for a FREE day of workshops and demonstrations by experts during Textile Day at the BMA on Sunday, May 14, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Participate in workshops exploring textile design, embroidery, batik, silk painting, and many other aspects of the fiber arts. More than 20 exhibitors include the Baltimore Embroiderers’ Guild, the Chesapeake Region Lace Guild, Baltimore Appliqué Society, and many outstanding textile artists.
Curator’s Choice Exhibition includes examples of contemporary and historical costume pieces, textiles used in interiors, and fiber art from various cultures and countries. Each of these textiles is being shown for the first time at the BMA. Or enjoy Exhibition Tour of Curator’s Choice Family Fun with Textiles and many other workshops throughout the day.

For a complete list of exhibitors and workshops, call 443-573-1832 or check BMA’s event calendar here.

Written by Insung of NAMOO

Baltimore With Babes: Maryland Faerie Festival

Take your little fairies to the Maryland Faerie Festival on May 14th and 15th!

This fun festival features music, maypoles, dancing, local artisans, and lots of events on the schedule just for children. Held on the enchanted grounds of the Patuxent 4H center in Upper Marlboro, this year's festival will be specially celebrating mermaids!

Post written by Jamaila of Anapurna

Station North Art Festival, Baltimore with Babes

The other day, our wonderful school art teacher Ms. Laura Embereson, pulled me aside in the hall to tell me my daughter will have work on display at this event, and that there will be awards given out like a real art show! I had never heard of the event before, but it sounded intriguing, especially since our daughter's self portrait will be on display. The exhibit is called Aimed for Purpose, very appropriate for a student show.

Thinking back to my own childhood, this event sounds like similar exhibits I showed at. I am artist, who was once a child who enjoyed making art. I remember when my parents encouraged me and my talent, exposing me to events and exhibits like this. A child feels a great sense on accomplishment and pride when they see a piece of their own artwork in an exhibit, out there in the world. I can't wait to share this day with her!


Location : Across from Station North Thrift Store, 1400 Greenmount Ave.
Time: Saturday May 14th, 12-4pm
Free!

For more info: Adopt a Block Inc.

Station North Art Festival (SNAF) is a program that is run through Adopt-A-Block, Inc. that involves East Baltimore schools and school-aged children who submit artwork based on a pre-determined theme that is always positive and community based. We collect the artwork from individuals and teachers, it is judged by professional artists, and the top 3 students and top school are awarded several prizes.

What I'm Working On: Whoop

April showers bring May flowers, and this spring I've been incorporating vintage earrings and buttons to create rings and post earrings. I love the bright colors and beautiful details each vintage finding brings, and to be able to reuse something is extremely satisfying!

Written by Dana of Whoop

My Favorite Shop - Mrs Jones Soapbox

One of my current favorite shops is Mrs Jones Soapbox. That's right I'm in love with a shop that makes cleaning supplies! You know what though its not just me my kids were fighting over who got to use what cleaner for what task when our package arrived. Like a good mom who was I to butt in on their happiness when they wanted to CLEAN and clean they did! This is the set we bought.

How cute is this? On the back of the bottles are chalkboard labels you can write on.

To be even more eco friendly you can buy refills that come in repurposed bottles.

My favorite thing about Mrs Jones Soapbox is that the cleaners are all natural with no petro chemicals, and that you can even choose to have your set packaged in glass bottles which is what I did.

Farmers Market & Artist Bazaar is Open

For the first time in its history, the Baltimore's farmers market opened in April. This market has the best local produce, flowers and meats, all at great prices.

While strolling the market, shoppers can revel at the sight of the largest quantity of crisp fruits and vegetables, lean poultry and other meats, fresh baked goods, flavorful herbs, preserves and dairy and nut products. Plus, food vendors add spice to the market with cultural cuisine such as popular pit beef sandwiches, pastries and gourmet treats. In addition, the market has complete selection of fresh fish and other seafood available for purchase.

Then there is the fabulous craft bazaar that has a variety of unique crafts - great for gifts or home decor. Handmade items include jewelry, soap, handbags, rugs, pottery, stained glass, and artwork.

Written By: Stacey Phinney of Studio G

Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race...today!

If you've never seen this race then you are missing out on a feast for
the eyes and some great laughs. Kinetic sculptures are human powered
works of art that are custom made just for this race. And even the
spectators get dressed up in some great costumes and crazy outfits.

The race takes place along the shores of Baltimore's Inner Harbor and
lasts 8 hours. Yes, 8 hours! The race is 15 miles, which is mostly on
land, but these sculptures will actually venture into the waters of
the bay through mud and sand. Yuck!
The race takes place on Saturday, May 7th. For more information click here.

Written by Stacey Phinney of studioG.