(Baltimore, MD) The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) and William G. Baker Jr. Memorial Fund are excited to announce the 2021 Baker Artist Awardees. This year, 36 artists have been awarded prizes of $2500 each. Six artists in each of the six award categories were selected by an anonymous jury from over 600 Baltimore-region artists who created a free, online Baker Artist Portfolio at www.bakerartist.org. Selected artists exemplify excellence in three areas: mastery of craft, depth of artistic exploration, and a unique vision. Past Baker Artist Awards have ranged from $1,000 up to $50,000. Since 2009, the Baker Artist Portfolios have distributed over $1 million in prizes to nearly 150 artists in the Baltimore region.
This year’s award structure was specifically modified to address the needs of artists working in the region, almost all of whom have been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, while maintaining the rigorous standards of the adjudication process, and the program’s commitment to recognizing excellence. Along with early distribution of monetary prizes, 2021 Awardees will receive enhanced promotional support and showcase opportunities.
"Responding to the needs of the community, and with encouragement from the Board of Governors of the William G. Baker, Jr. Fund, we are thrilled to recognize and support our largest pool of awardees ever. This incredible group of artists represent just a fraction of the excellent artistic work being produced in Baltimore,” says Connie Imboden, President of the Board of Governors of the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund.
The 2021 Awardees will be featured in a series of virtual showcase events from April – June of this year, and will also be celebrated on the annual Baker Artist Awards episode of Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) Artworks program, hosted by past Baker Artist Awardee Wendel Patrick (2015 Mary Sawyers Baker Awardee). The MPT Artworks broadcast, which is currently scheduled for September 2021, will include short profiles of the 36 awardees, offering insight into their creative practice.
"At a time when artists are both greatly in need and greatly needed, GBCA is proud that the Baker Artists Awards can provide recognition and support to so many,” says Jeannie L. Howe, Executive Director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. “These 36 creative individuals are shining examples of the diverse and exceptional work being done in the Baltimore region. I hope that everyone will take time to explore their work and that of the hundreds of other artists represented in the Baker Artist Portfolios."
2021 Baker Artist Awardees
The 36 artists who received a 2021 Baker Artist Award were selected by an anonymous jury from among 600 Baltimore-region artists who created a Baker Artist Portfolio at www.bakerartist.org.
An anonymous jury of local, regional and national experts review portfolios and make their selections based on excellence in three areas: mastery of craft, depth of artistic exploration, and a unique compelling vision.
Film/ Video
Khalid Ali, Eric Cotten, Dina Fiascorano, Chung Wei Huang, Corey Hughes, Jonna McKone
Interdisciplinary
Rahne Alexander, ellen cherry, Hoesy Corona, Katherine Fahey, Strikeware Collective, Pamela Woolford
Music
Abdu Ali, Lura Johnson, Outcalls Band, Meng Su, Letitia VanSant, Von Vargas
Performance
Anna Fitzgerald, Colette Krogol, Lola B. Pierson, Glenn Ricci, Vincent Thomas, Allen Xing
Visual Arts
Larry Poncho Brown, Mina Cheon, Christine Neill, Ernest Shaw, Rene Trevino, McKinley Wallace
Literary Arts
Maria Adelmann, James Arthur, Kathy Flann, Elizabeth Hazen, Pat Montley
