The mayor thinks Artscape downtown on Memorial Day weekend was a smashing success thanks to “visionary leadership.” Bolton Hill fans of the four-decades-old festival had a more nuanced reaction.
“I thought it was surprisingly good. Ya, it wasn’t as convenient, but now we know how the rest of Baltimore has felt for decades having to travel to Bolton Hill and Mt Vernon. Downtown has more potential,” Ken Kupfer, an architect, posted on the BHCA Facebook page.
“I didn’t attend because it was inconvenient to go downtown. I loved it in our neighborhood,” responded musician Beth Torres. Linda Rittelmann, Kendra Parlock and Karen Tozzi voted thumbs up, as did Andrew Parlock: “Totally impressed.”
It was the first time ever for Artscape, which has seemed stale since the COVID shutdown, to be held on Memorial Day weekend. It was cut back to just two days and moved after 40+ years from the Bolton Hill/Station North/Mt. Vernon neighborhoods around MICA, UBaltimore, and the big cultural venues to an under-utilized part of downtown.
With great weather, Mayor Scott claimed the crowds, estimated at 100,000, were unprecedented. But Artscape sponsors have in past years claimed upwards of 350,000 attendees, admittedly with no way to actually count. The city administration seems committed to keeping the festival downtown, part of a larger effort to re-energize that part of the city. “We will make improvements, so stay tuned for next year,” Scott said.
Political activist Marceline White, who did not attend, wrote that she appreciated the diversity of music and performers at earlier Artscapes. “I like that (in past years) there are three musical stages with lots of different types of music. I like going to hear experimental electric music, then Chinese opera. And I loved all the fun, funky, weird installations and interactive art along the Charles Street bridge.
“I’ve attended Artscape since 2009; 2025 location was not the same at all. HUGE disappointment!” That was Sandra Heningburg’s comment. “No festive atmosphere. Under the expressway was awful, dark, noisy from overhead traffic, dusty. The previous music mainstage was perfect for sitting on the hill at the MICA building. Concrete cannot top trees and grass.”
Many who were unhappy about the move, or the overlapping holiday date, skipped this year’s show, as did Marjorie Forster. “I was totally against the new location that was most inconvenient. Not to mention how disruptive it was to the Farmer’s Market. I will say that the change in date was a positive move but would hope that in 2026 it moves back to Station North – Baltimore’s Art District where it belongs.”
–Bill Hamilton
Download PDF