TU artists highlighted in reopening of Baltimore’s historic Peale museum
After 20 years of vacancy, the first museum building in the US reopens with ‘SPARK: New Light’ featuring work by TU, UMBC artists
By Rebecca Kirkman on August 16, 2022
The Peale, a community-focused Baltimore museum with a rich history, celebrated its grand reopening Aug. 13 with “SPARK: New Light,” an exhibition featuring work from 23 Towson University and UMBC artists.
The fifth-annual group exhibition of works by faculty, staff, alumni and students, “SPARK” runs through Sept. 25. Each of the annual exhibits has been made possible through a partnership with PNC Bank, which also helped secure the venue.
“SPARK: New Light” opened concurrently with a celebration of The Peale’s 208th birthday and the completion of a five-year renovation.
Artists’ Reception
Wednesday, Sept. 7 | 5–8 p.m.
The Peale | 225 Holliday Street, Baltimore
Free, RSVP Requested
Join Towson University, UMBC, PNC Bank and The Peale for a reception to celebrate the creative vision of the artists participating in “SPARK: New Light.”
First opened on Holliday Street in 1814 by Rembrandt Peale, the museum is known for its novel use of gaslight chandeliers. This led Peale to establish the country’s first commercial gas light company, which became Baltimore Gas and Electric. Until renovations began in 2017, the building sat vacant for 20 years.
Like Peale, who was an artist and innovator, the individuals featured in “SPARK: New Light” are multifaceted thinkers who ask visitors to look closely and think deeply about the world.
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Through their illuminating works, they share stories of Baltimore's past and present, focus a new lens on The Peale's building and history, immerse viewers in animated microcosms and share reflections on the joys and sorrows of being human.
“SPARK” events include a photography workshop with Chris Peregoy on Sept. 11, and Window 26, a projection event curated by Kelley Bell alongside performances by the Towson Percussion Ensemble, the UMBC Percussion Ensemble and the Umbilicus ensemble from Sept. 23–25.
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Curated by UMBC’s Catherine Borg, “SPARK: New Light” artists from TU include Mark Burchick, Grace Doyle, Carrie Fucile, Alexandra Garove, Danielle Hawk, Jinyoung Koh, Diane Kuthy, Jenee Mateer, Kat Navarro, Sookkyung Park, Lynn Tomlinson and J. Yablonsky.
An extended online exhibition features additional work.
To learn more, visit events.towson.edu or sparkbaltimore.org.