Artblog | Essays

September 24, 2021 by Dereck Stafford Mangus

Baltimore’s Formstone buildings are kitschy, but popular and durable

Dereck Stafford Mangus reflects on moving from Boston to Baltimore, and into a building clad in Formstone. Dereck compares Formstone’s shaped-stucco facades to art forgeries, calling them “urban kitsch.” But he’s learned to appreciate them as part of what makes Baltimore …Baltimore!

August 17, 2021 by Logan Cryer

Zach Horn’s earnest sculpture-paintings exude joy and play

Logan Cryer takes a trip out to Reading, PA to check out Zach Horn’s exhibition ‘Cookout’ at GoggleWorks Center For the Arts. Logan is refreshed by Zach’s joyful, kitschy food paintings, and says they are full of heart.

August 11, 2021 by Dereck Stafford Mangus

Second Shot, a post-vaccine wander through historic Baltimore

After getting his second Covid-19 vaccine, Dereck Stafford Mangus takes a reflective walk around Baltimore and photographs the fire-damaged Domino Sugar Refinery. Despite ongoing local and global crises, Dereck is hopeful for the future.

April 21, 2021 by Patrick Coué

Programming at Philadelphia museums addresses racial disparities with varying success

Patrick Coue rounds up the hits and misses of recent local museum programming to address issues of racial disparity in society and the arts, and points to a groundbreaking installation by Fred Wilson from 1992 as an important example in this field.

March 19, 2021 by Morgan Nitz

The Philadelphia Cultural Fund should manage the new $1.3 Million fund for the arts

Morgan and Roberta write an editorial voicing their concerns, and those of community members, about the new $1.3 million arts funding initiative and say it should be handled by the existing and reputable PCF.

February 26, 2021 by Natalie Sandstrom

When a kitchen orbits the art studio, Cooking with Olafur Eliasson

Natalie Sandstrom prepares dishes and reflects on philosophical musings from art-cookbook “Studio Olafur Eliasson: The Kitchen.”

December 21, 2020 by Dereck Stafford Mangus

Contemporary churches in Baltimore, repurposed and appreciated in a new light

After learning that the iconic Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church in Baltimore church was purchased by an out-of-state developer, Dereck reflects on the upward trend of repurposed churches in his neighborhood.

November 3, 2020 by Dereck Stafford Mangus

Charm City double feature, a tale of two historic theaters

Dereck Stafford Mangus composes a thoughtful essay on America’s– and specifically, Baltimore’s– disappearing movie theatre culture and how that has been heightened due to Covid-19 closures.