Art Loop vanishing in downtown Baltimore

When my wife and I visit other cities or towns, we often like to participate in their "Art Walks", which offers a great opportunity to view the local art scene while galleries, studios, coffee shops and cafes coordinate to open their doors to the public one evening a month (First or Last Fridays are common) creating an energy that's full of passion for art within the streets of a community. They are one of my favorite activities, and I will often try to schedule my trips around these dates.

"Art Walks" in my eyes are special, as they are not possible in every neighborhood and there are key elements needed for a successful one to take place. First and foremost, the neighborhood needs to be a community that showcases art. Not only should this location house many art galleries, artist studios, and other places of business that decorate their walls with locally produced art, but they should all be conveniently within walking distance from each other so the viewers can follow a map and conveniently hit all their destinations without straying away too far. The better ones have a strong art presence on just a couple of main blocks that you can wander into one right after the other (My favorite was a long block with many galleries in a northern section of Portland, Oregon). Another key ingredient is the art of course. Creative, thought provoking, and beautiful art will always bring the art lover around looking for a night of art, exercise, food, wine and some conversation. And one of the most crucial elements needed for this evening to take place is support. Support from the city or town, support from the community at large, and support from the venues and artists and dealers.

So when my wife Jen and I moved to Baltimore last month, we were extremely excited to learn that there was an art walk, or as they label it "Art Loop", located in Fells Point every first Friday of the month. I marked it on my calendar and made sure to leave those evening hours free from any obligation. So when this Friday, September 4th came around, the first "red flag" was the fact that I could not find a current Fells Point Art Loop map with the participating venues... That was odd I thought, so I printed an old one and made the necessary adjustments and updates with a pencil. We ventured out and decided to start at a gallery on Fleet Street where I had been in touch with the owner in hopes of showing in a future Art Loop. The door was locked, and after ringing the bell, was opened minutes later by the owner who was cooking and preparing for a dinner party later. A dinner party? Well the gallery owner, who was extremely nice and welcoming, told us that he'd decided to no longer participate in the Loop... starting that Friday. He's had his gallery on that street for the past 5 years, but has seen a steady decline in interest or revenue coming in. And on top of that, there was an enormous amount of frustration from the lack of support or organization involved with this neighborhood event. Well the gentleman still gave us a full tour, and we graciously thanked him and made our way out towards the next destination with much skepticism.

To our horror(That's a little strong), but not our surprise, all but 3 locations on the list that were supposed to be participating that evening were closed! Dark with locked doors and no explanation. Our failed excursion ended at the Art Gallery of Fells Point on Thames Street. There were a few people in there with wine, food, and a friendly artist who was showing his skillful landscape paintings along with the other stable artists involved with the gallery. No one in there had any clue that all the other venues on the Loop decided to spontaneously drop out without any word or warning. I thought that added to the sadness and the reality that maybe this "community" event wasn't so much a community, but more likely that each artist and gallery was an island left to fend for themselves.

And that brings me back to the need for support. There was none. There was no advertising for this neighborhood "collaborative"; there was no communication, organization or maybe even any desire to keep this art event running. It's unfortunate that we missed it, although I am curious how it was presented in better days. You can blame it on the recession, blame it on lack of city or community support, or just chalk it up to an unfortunate circumstance. I do hope the Art Loop returns one day in Fells Point, but for now I'll need to circulate around Mt. Vernon, Hampden, Federal Hill and Station North to get my art fix. It's just a much bigger loop... and instead of walking, maybe I'll have to drive.