Events

Did you know that just around the corner from the Creative Alliance is a little shop filled with over 130 jars of spices, flowers, and herbs just waiting to be discovered? Don your favorite over-the-top hat for a whimsical Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with Bettina Perry of Charmington Holistics, an herbal apothecary in the heart of Highlandtown! Wet your whistle with wine from Off the Rox and charcuterie from Boards in a Box, and then savor three tea and sweets pairings prepared by Bettina. Bettina will demonstrate how to blend an herbal tea, talk about all the herbs in those jars, and give you ideas on how to use the ingredients as she shares her experience of becoming an herbalist and eventually opening an apothecary after her stint as a professional pastry chef.

Enjoy a private concert by renowned conductors Blake Clark and Leo Wanenchak of the world-class Baltimore Choral Arts Society as the sun dips below the horizon of a beautiful home in historic Cedarcroft. Gaze upon the autumnal splendor of lovingly tended Native gardens, as you sip on beer or wine, and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres. This event is hosted by Neal Naff and Nate Hubler in their 19th Century home, boasting 1.3 acres of lush gardens.

Come to a relaxing countryside gathering and a chance to reconnect with nature at the contemporary home of Dawna Cobb and Joe Meyerhoff. Newly renovated, the wall-to-wall glass doors invite the outside in, creating a panorama of surrounding gardens, fields, and woods. Take in their collection of art posters, paintings (several by local artists), a new dining table (made by local woodworker, Kate Christian), and beautiful artisan light fixtures. Meet interdisciplinary artist Bridget Parlato for an environmentally inspired exhibition including poetry readings, upcycled jewelry and cause-related art. Attendees will be able to purchase jewelry just in time for the holidays! Enjoy BBQ from the famous York Road BBQ joint, Andy Nelson’s, and soak in the bucolic atmosphere of the county.

Join us for a celebration of Baltimore's Black history and its burgeoning future. Tour two Cross Street Partners projects of great significance to Baltimore history while enjoying some delicious soul food. Tour the Upton Mansion, the future home and research center for the 131-year-old AFRO American Newspapers Archives, then visit PS 103, a segregated elementary school for African American children, notably attended by Justice Thurgood Marshall. After 17 and 25 years vacant, respectively, both buildings are being restored as vibrant centers for the celebration of Black history and culture. Get a sneak peek at both of these incredible projects before they are complete!

Chris Ryder and Lisa Summers invite you to their Bolton Hill Grand Dame house to experience their collection of contemporary Haitian art acquired over the four years they spent living in Port-au-Prince. Lisa and Chris purchased metal work from the artists of Croix-des-Bouquets, paintings from artists of the Movement Saint Soleil in the mountains of Soisson-la-Montagne, and paper mache from artists in Jacmel. Learn about these artists and their work while you sip a cold Prestige (the national beer of Haiti) or rhum punch. Enjoy soup joumou, a traditional pumpkin soup, awarded protected cultural heritage status by UNESCO, and other Haitian delicacies. Leave with the best reusable shopping bag you could ever want, made in Haiti from recycled sachés dlo.

A festive evening unfolds with Creative Alliance Resident Artist Melissa Hyatt Foss, whose clay instruments are an experiment in sophisticated sound. After sharing a meal of empanadas, beans, rice, tortillas, and more, guests are invited to participate in a guided interactive flute-happening, using a set of clay ocarinas that Melissa sculpted herself. The event culminates in an immersive musical experience, where the group is treated to the unique sounds of ancient and rare instruments like polyphonic flutes, horns, and whistling bottles, woven together seamlessly with live electronics.

If you believe, as hosts Susan Gould and Bo Willse do, that food and dining can be art—part performance, part sensational experience—this is the party for you! Stroll their gardens, the meadow maze, and carefully managed woodland paths. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seven-course home-grown, locally sourced, farm-raised feast! Susan and Bo are adventuring towards a sustainable way of bountiful living and invite you to come along!

Abbondanza is more than a full belly; it is a celebration of fullness and abundance of the soul. This year, Creative Alliance resident artists, HOPE & FAITH, join Chef Fran in the kitchen and at the table. Together they explore food and gathering as artistic expression and serve it up family style at the beautifully renovated Fox Den in Patterson Park.

Take a multigenerational glimpse into the culture, art, cuisine, and storytelling of Palestine. Enjoy delicious traditional Palestinian foods prepared by Chef Laila ElHaddad, an award-winning author and journalist, who frequently speaks on her journey as a Palestinian mother. Meet Hannah Atallah, an up-and-coming Palestinian-American Artist from Washington, DC, who now lives in Baltimore. Hannah is a muralist, mixed-media artist, and art teacher with a focus on large scale public art projects, in which she prioritizes community and cultural histories. Surrounded by historical images, experience the sounds, aromas, tastes, and artistic influences of Palestine.

John Kyle and Peter Satten are back … with Fluid Movement! Join John and Peter, obsessive collectors for over 30 years of all things they love and are curious about, including art pottery, vintage toys, and religious objects, in their new Roland Park home. Enjoy an evening of Fluid Movement’s eclectic water performance art in the garden pool. Wear your silliest, sequiny-est, most favorite outfit as you take in the quirky, splashy stylings of Baltimore’s synchronized swimming sensation! The incredible Donna Crivello, of Cosima and Donna’s, provides a hearty Sicilian spread.

In this hands-on experience, artist/illustrator Annie Howe shares her knowledge and talent as she guides you through the delicate art of papercutting. Enjoy treats from Found Studio and local Harford Road corridor restaurants and tour Annie’s personal studio. Found Studio is a lovingly restored rowhome that has been reborn as an art gallery and gift shop full of art and gifts by local makers. Draw inspiration from this whimsical shop as you make your very own papercut artwork to take home.

Come vibe with spoken word artist, poet, and author Tony Keith, Jr. PhD at the hip and tranquil setting of Hampden’s good neighbor, a coffee and design shop. Tony performs and is then joined by visual artist Blu Murphy for an intimate conversation about their 30-year friendship and how creating art has enabled them to embrace their truest, fullest selves. Enjoy Chef Ben Lefenfeld’s Basque cuisine from La Cuchara with Blu's artwork on display. Receive a signed copy of Tony’s debut book, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet—a young adult memoir in verse from HarperCollins—with cover artwork by Blu.  

Keith Timmons shares his personally curated art collection acquired from across the globe, including works from Kara Walker, Derrick Adams, Sam Gilliam, Jerrell Gibbs, and other emerging artists. Mr. Timmons leads you through the collection as you enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and engaging discussion about each piece.

Join us for an afternoon of light fare and drinks at the Ruxton home and studio of internationally renowned photographer Connie Imboden. Connie gives a studio tour and in-depth look at her inimitable technique that employs a black swimming pool and distressed mirrors. Her groundbreaking, multi-refracted photographs are in major collections worldwide, including MoMA, Bibliothèque Nationale, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. This fall, she will be presenting a 50-year retrospective at the American University Museum in Washington, DC.