By AFRO Staff
World renowned artist Kelly Rowland will take to the Artscape 2023 stage next month as headliner for the first day of the event, taking place Sept. 22 to Sept.24.
Baltimore City officials announced a star-studded line up on Aug. 7 that will include the Grammy Award winner and other major artists like Angelo Moore of Fishbone. Nile Rodgers and CHIC will perform as headliners on the second day of the event, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra headlining on Sept. 24.
“Artscape is one of Baltimore’s most iconic events, and its return this year is a marker of how our city is bouncing back after the pandemic,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott, in a statement released about the event. “Baltimore is a town full to the brim with incredible artists and a rich history supporting our arts community. There is simply no better way to showcase their talent and their importance to our city than through Artscape. I cannot wait to welcome the incredible lineup of artists, performers, and vendors and the thousands of Baltimoreans and visitors who will get to enjoy this experience.”
According to information released by the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, the event will feature multiple new initiatives including an indoor exhibition, public art projects and Project Artscape, “a captivating runway experience that will shine a spotlight on local emerging and professional designers, bringing their fashions to center stage.”
Todd Yuhanick, interim CEO for BOPA, spoke on the return of the festival, which hasn’t taken place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring Artscape back to Baltimore,” said Yuhanick, in a statement. “The level of effort and dedication from our team and partners behind the scenes has been extraordinary, and we continue to work tirelessly to curate an exceptional lineup of artists and programming for this comeback year. We look forward to showcasing how the power of the arts can bring people together September 22–24.”
Artscape is traditionally held in the Bolton Hill and Mount Royal neighborhoods, but this year it will expand across North Avenue and include the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.
To enhance the festival experience, BOPA is creating an interactive online map, available at artscape.org.
On September 1, festival organizers will release an interactive online map that will show “locations of stages, food and beverage vendors, ATMs, bathrooms, first aid stations, and more,” according to info disclosed by BOPA.
Returning features of the festival include the juried exhibition, known as The Artists’ Market, and the Maryland Film Festival Shorts Festival. The film festival portion of Artscape 2023 will take place at the Parkway Theatre, located at 5 W. North Ave 21201.
The family friendly festival will include Kidscape and Teenscape, spaces dedicated to programming dedicated to children and teens.
“Public art has an incredible ability to bring people together and promote social change. There’s something about seeing beautiful works of art that sparks conversation and helps people connect,” said Tonya R. Miller Hall, senior advisor of Arts and Culture for the Mayor’s Office in a statement. “That’s why I’m excited about this year’s Artscape in Baltimore. It has the potential to make a lasting impact on the community, encouraging civic engagement and helping bring people together in a really powerful way.”
Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy entertainment on four different stages at Artscape, which began in 1983.
Attendees looking to enjoy the festival into the evening can look toward Artscape After Hours, which will begin at 9 p.m. at LOL Artscape. A beer garden will also be staged at the Y NOT Lot.
The visual and performing arts programming Artscape 2023 will take place whether there is sunshine or rain next month.
Major sponsors for the event include the City of Baltimore, the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC).
AARP, NRG and insurance agencies like Kaiser Permanente, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Aetna Better Health of Maryland are counted as generous supporters, along with agencies like the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA).
For more information on the festival, please visit artscape.org or find BOPA on social media at @promoandarts.