Community Calendar

When was the last time you unplugged?

Disconnect, slow down, and rediscover what it means to be present inside the BMA’s historic Spring House, where acclaimed American conceptual artist Rachel Lee Hovnanian presents the Nature Deficit Disorder immersion room this spring. The powerful installation challenges our digital dependence and rekindles our connection to the natural world.

Inspired by journalist Richard Louv’s term “nature deficit disorder,” described as a growing disconnection from nature, often linked to diminished focus and negative moods, Hovnanian transforms the Spring House into a simulated nighttime forest.

“My work has long explored how technology shapes attention, mental health, and human connection. This installation emerged from my observations of society’s growing digital dependence, alongside my own experience of it.” –Rachel Lee Hovnanian
Away from the constant ping of notifications and endless scrolling, surrender your phone, surround yourself with fir trees, and let lantern light guide you. Hear the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and watch the flicker of a campfire casting shadows across the room.

In a world where we check our phones every other minute, Hovnanian invites you to linger for at least five minutes in the immersion room and consider what is lost when we give our attention to apps and devices rather than real-life experiences.

“What do we lose when our lives are constantly mediated by screens? I hope to offer a pause—an invitation to rediscover how it feels to be fully present.” –Rachel Lee Hovnanian

Between 1946 and 1953, Henri Matisse created 28 lithographic portraits for Poésies Antillaises (Antillean Poetry), a book of poems by John-Antoine Nau. Published posthumously in 1972, this rare volume remains one of Matisse’s least-known illustrated works.

Inspired by his brief 1930 visit to Martinique, Matisse translated Nau’s evocative poems—celebrating travel, music, and oceanic landscapes—into vibrant portraits. These reflect the artist’s collaborations with notable Caribbean and international models and are presented alongside works by two leading artists from Martinique and Guadeloupe, Germaine Casse and Serge Hélénon. This focus exhibition illuminates aspects of the transatlantic artistic circles active during the late French colonial period.

Maryland Art Place, in partnership with Hotel Indigo Baltimore, is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Maryland-based artist, Roo Taylor. The exhibition is on view at Hotel Indigo, located at 24 West Franklin St. from April 17 - July 17.
A public reception will take place on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

About the Artist:
Roo Taylor (b. 2003) is a Baltimore-based artist originally from Denver, Colorado. She earned her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and is currently a resident artist at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore. Working primarily with high-flow acrylic paint and acrylic ink, Taylor uses transparency and layered color to create abstract landscapes. Her work explores the interplay between the natural world and human relationships, exploring the emotional and atmospheric depth through fluid, natural spaces. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries across Baltimore, Denver and New York, as well as internationally at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art in Japan.

Using light and color as metaphors for energy, Roo Taylor’s work traces the through lines between the natural world and human connection. Rooted in a deep reverence for transparency and hue, each piece is meant to reflect on the connection between feeling and form. Taylor invites viewers to experience emotional resonance as something inherently natural, alive, layered, and luminous.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 PM to 7 PM for a champagne reception at Hotel Indigo located at 24 West Franklin St.

From the 1960s to the 2020s, Baltimore philanthropists Sigmund and Mary Hyman assembled a major collection of American art, with a particular focus on modernists of the Ashcan School. In partnership with BMA curators, the Hymans gifted a carefully selected group of important works to the Museum—a gift completed in 2024 following the passing of Mary Hyman, a longtime Trustee.

Featuring paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and a textile, Seeing the Essential: The Sigmund M. and Mary B. Hyman Collection of American Art explores defining themes of the Ashcan movement, including urban life, architecture, interiors, the figure, and portrayals of artists and performers. The exhibition also highlights an exceptional group of works by John Sloan, a leading figure of the movement.

Come experience a time capsule of the atomic age – the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship, the Nuclear Ship Savannah will have an open house on Sunday May 17th as part of the Baltimore Port Alliance’s National Maritime Day commemoration. N.S. Savannah operated as a passenger/cargo ship from 1962-70, serving as a floating ambassador promoting the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power as part of President Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace program. A ceremony will be held at 11:30am, and the ship will be open for tours from 10am to 3pm, where you can experience its mid-century modern interiors, engine and control rooms, and other spaces, just as passengers did during its operation. In addition, you can now tour the formerly off-limits containment vessel, which housed the nuclear reactor – truly a unique experience!

As the decommissioning process comes to an end, Savannah is looking for a new home – so don’t miss your opportunity to visit now to learn more about the ship’s future, and how you can be a part of helping to find it a new home (maybe even in Baltimore)!

The ship is located at 4601 Newgate Avenue, Pier 13 at the Canton Marine Terminal, at the same pier as the SS John Brown, which will also be open for tours. There will be offsite parking at Rukert Terminals Corporation, 2300 Broening Hwy (accessible from either Keith Ave of Broening Hwy), with shuttle service to the pier. Follow posted signs or get directions at the pier. Please note no open-toed shoes or heels, and the ship has limited accessibility for those with disabilities.

Join our Festival community of vendors, care providers, local businesses, birth workers, and more for a day of family fun. If you’re looking for more information on all the great resources there are for pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting in the Baltimore area, this Festival is for you. Admission for this event is FREE!

All are welcome, especially those who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant people, and families with young children. Enjoy a stroll to visit over 70 vendors in Patterson Park.

Enjoy food trucks, kid-friendly live music and entertainment, informative presentations, a raffle and give aways of many baby and family items.

This first-time ever event at the farm is a collaboration with the wonderful folks at Kids Markets, a national organization helping kids everywhere discover their potential and their entrepreneurial spirit.  This one-of-a-kind family-friendly market will feature children ages 5–17 running their own small businesses, selling products or services they’ve created, and interacting with real customers.  As a guest, you can expect an eclectic and vibrant Maker’s Market with creative, talented, and motivated young entrepreneurs on a bucolic farm setting. 

The Next Gen Maker’s Market runs until 4pm, but the farm is open until 7pm featuring:

- Live Music with Frank Florence from 2-5pm

- Mike’s Gelato with handmade, authentic Italian gelato

- Pizza Trolley with brick-oven Neapolitan pizzas, salads, snacks, and more! 

- The Taproom with 14 taps featuring farm-brewed beers, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic hop water, plus multiple options in cans available to go.

- Our Farm Stand (conveniently located behind the bar) with locally produced items for sale, including staples like Manor Hill Farm Pickles, Relish, Jellies and more.

All seating on the Farm is first come, first served.  We have indoor seating, a large covered tent, and plenty of outdoor space to spread out. There are several picnic tables in our field, but we also encourage you to bring your own chairs or even a portable (10×10) pop-up tent for shade and find your new favorite spot with friends.

Know a young entrepreneur who may be interested in being a vendor? Space is still available, but it will sell out. More info on the event and how to register can be found at  https://kidsmarkets.com/markets/ellicott-city

Event info at https://www.manorhillbrewing.com/event/nextgen/

Harford County Public Library Foundation hosts its Third Annual Taste of Harford on held May 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Vignon Manor Farm, 425 Darlington Road in Havre de Grace. This popular eat local, buy local, shop local extravaganza showcases local restaurants, farms, breweries, wineries and distilleries—plus local artisans selling handcrafted goods.

Taste of Harford features more than 40 local food and drink partners, including restaurants, farmers, breweries and wineries. Each will provide guests with a “taste” of a specialty item, and all participants are encouraged to incorporate locally sourced ingredients in their recipes. A market area will showcase local artisans who will be selling handcrafted goods. To see the most updated listing of participants, sponsors and event partners, visit https://hcplonline.org/tasteofharford.php.

Those who attend Taste of Harford will be invited to cast votes for their favorite local food and non-alcoholic beverages in the “Best Bite of Harford County” competition categories: seafood, meat, vegetarian, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.

The event sold out its first two years and is expected to do so again in 2026. Tickets cost $50 per person and may be purchased by visiting https://hcplonline.org/tasteofharford.php. Funds raised will support Harford County Public Library programs, resources and services that benefit readers of all ages across the community.

For more information or to sponsor, visit https://hcplonline.org/tasteofharford.php or contact Amber C. Shrodes, director of philanthropy and community engagement for Harford County Public Library, at 410-273-5600 x6513 or email [email protected].

Art with a Heart invites the community to its annual exhibition. Guests will find a wide range of styles and mediums, including paintings, ceramics, textiles, photography, mosaics and sculptures made by AWAH volunteers, staff, teachers and interns.

Proceeds from all purchases will support the individual artists and the nonprofit overall. Admission is free and guests can enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages while viewing the art. RSVPs are welcome but not required.

Founded in 2000, Art with a Heart uses visual art for positive civic and economic change in its community programming, workforce development, community art, service learning and leadership development initiatives. Since its inception, AWAH has provided access to high-quality, hands-on art programming across Baltimore City and beyond. In 2025 alone, the nonprofit facilitated more than 13,000 art classes, collaborated with 95 community partners and engaged over 6,000 volunteers in service to its mission. For more information, visit www.artwithaheart.net or follow on social media: @AWAHBaltimore on Facebook and @artwithaheart_ on X & Instagram.