Photo Credit: First Friday Art Walk of Baltimore
Baltimoreans are familiar with summers in the Highlandtown neighborhood buzzing with music, art, and a diverse immigrant community anchored by the Creative Alliance and amazing food. Summer 202 made our neighborly experience a little less neighborly, but First Friday Art Walks are back, with perhaps a little different twist for another friendly Baltimore summer!
April 2 features dozens of creators and vendors throughout the neighborhood. Night Owl Gallery will feature collage artist Alex Becker, whose work involves "drawing imagery from glossy pages of fashion magazines, nature and science journals, and other print media," and Springsteen Gallery will offer two concurrent exhibitions, "Murder Time," a solo exhibition featuring Michelle Uckotter and "Counsel," featuring Maren Karlson and Kira Scerbin.
Highlandtown favorite Rust-N-Shine will be open, and as our tried and trusted vintage shop of the neighborhood, it's an anything goes adventure to see what you'll find in their collection. Owners Kevin and Kinsley invite you to take a look around, and see what captures your imagination before you head to one of Highlandtown's amazing watering holes. Or stop by Rooftop Hot, the fab local and organic market to stock up for the weekend. Saturday & Sunday brunch are a great way to celebrate whatever unique art piece you've added to your collection.
When you want to pick up a little something to-go, since most of the Baltimore locales are take-away these days, you can swing by Off the Rox for something to put On the Rocks, and treat yourself to a picnic later in beautiful Patterson Park, swing by the always-delicious Taqueria Vargas for some amazing fare, too and watch the sun set over the pagoda. Don't forget dessert at Fruity Bar, or the evening will be incomplete. (Sorry, that local ice cream joint you may be thinking of, the one that's across from the park - yeah...that's not in Highlandtown, so it doesn't count. Maybe next time, kids.)
All the cool kids will be hanging out in Highlandtown for First Friday Art Walk, and you should be too. Not familiar with the neighborhood? Well, that's surprising! This charming little spot in Baltimore was established in 1866, and has welcomed folks of all socioeconomic groups ever since it got started. Blocks and blocks of historic rowhomes border the East side of Patterson Park, and residents love heading into the Creative Alliance for live events, or into the Thrift store for bargains galore. It's no secret that Highlandtown is nearly bilingual, either, so if you want some of Baltimore's best authentic Mexican food, don't skip any outdoor event in the neighborhood - including First Friday Art Walks! You won't be disappointed!