The Peale Center
May 4th Gala
May 4, 2021
TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY CAPTIONACCESS LLC
www.captionaccess.com
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This transcript is being provided in a rough-draft format. The transcript reflects the transcriber’s best effort to express the full meaning intended by the speakers. It is not a verbatim transcript.
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Recording in progress.
(VIDEO)
Hello and welcome to the Peale Center Spring Gala. We will start in a few minutes. Until then, enjoy the images of the Peale Center through the ages. Please turn your mics off. Those in the Baltimore area are experiencing a severe storm. If this interrupts our program, please check your email for instructions on how we will proceed. Thank you very much.
Hello again to everyone joining us. We will start the program in a few minutes. Please keep yourselves on mute and video off until the question and answer session at the middle and end of the program.
Hello and welcome to the Peale Center Spring Gala. We will start in a few minutes. Until then, enjoy these images of the Peale Center through out the ages. Please keep yourself muted until the question and answer session. If the storm in the Baltimore area interrupts our program, please check your emails for instructions on how we will continue.
Thank you and enjoy.
(MUSIC)
Well oh well.
(PIANO)
Hi. I'm Scott Patterson , artistic director. And I'm (inaudible) in 2018, we brought out (inaudible) to the Peale. Bringing that was instrumental in bringing it forward.
Peale is very important to us. Become a home, a place where we're encouraged and welcomed (inaudible). Thank you.
(PIANO)
This is Aaron from the Baltimore podcast out of the blocks. When the Peale Center first opened, folks came to me with this idea. Saying we want to get to know our neighbors on the block. And them to know us.
So they said what if we put together an event at the Peale Center, where you interview each neighbor on stage in front of a live audience? Chance to celebrate them and welcome them into the fold of what we're doing. I thought it was such a cool idea. And great experience of this museum's principles of staying connected to the community around.
It was a fun event too. Really appreciate what the Peale does and why they do it.
The Peale is important to me because of the intention and thoughtfulness that goes into every program produced or presented. The commitment to engage with the community in Baltimore, genuine respect the team has for each other. And the way they make me feel a part of that team since day one.
Hello everyone and thanks for joining us this evening. I'm Krista Green, chief administrative officer. Peale Center is a multidimensinoal cultural institution in downtown Baltimore. Oldest museum in the country. Focused on preserving and sharing stories.
The Peale is a center of innovation. It strives to reinvent the museum for the 21st center. It's a home for Baltimore stories. It aims to be a safe space for all the city's voices. Where a diverse community can be heard. Our story telling is how we discover and perserve the history of our people. Today, the Peale Center is proud to maintain the largest collection of stories and about Baltimore.
These happen in exhibition, musical performance, community conversations and folk and word programs. All the stories we collect from around the city can be heard on our website at www.thepealecenter.org.
Tonight we're celebrating. Rennovations are under way. You will get a peak of that later.
First, join me in welcoming Robin Marquis. Robin?
Robin Marquis: Hi everyone. Welcome. My name is Robin Marquis. I'm the accessibility manager at the Peale. So glad you could be here. Today's event includes ASL interpretation and live captions available in zoom with the CC button at the bottom of the zoom. Thank you to the interpreters and our transcriber Katrina working behind the scenes. If you need help or have concerns, you can email me. In the event of technical difficulties, watch the chat box or email for further instructions.
Technical help, email [email protected]. You can reach us on social media. @thepeale on Facebook.
Use the handles (inaudible)
We begin this event by acknowledging the land of the Peale is the land of indiginous people. Over the next few years, many of these were decimated. And forced by the US federal government to move west beyond the Mississippi river. Since then, other tribal people have moved here. January 9, 2012., two tribes became the first tribes recognized by the state of Maryland. In 2017, the state also recognized another. We acknowledge the Peale stands on stolen land.
And now I would like to hand the program over to the Peale's chief experience officer David London. Thank you.
David London: Thank you for joining us today. As Robin mentioned, I'm the chief experience officer. And a licensed bonded insured time travel agent. That's where I will be most helpful today. I'm standing in the escapement time travel agency. Time has stopped.
Since we're sharing why the Peale is important to us. Time travel is a main reason it's important to me. Allows me a place where I can explore my obsession with time travel. But allows me to do so. It's a time capsule and time machine. Today's program will be about one hour, followed by a Q&A. You will have an opportunity to ask questions to many of the staff and team. Stick around. The other main reason the Peale is important is that it gives me the opportunity to work with the incredible team who makes the Peale what it is.
There will be times during the main program to answer questions you might have.
Some of you had the opportunity to visit the time travel agency where I find myself today. If you did, you may remember our time machine was limited in its capabilities. Only being able to travel back in time exactly 200 years.
During the pandemic, I found the module to allow us to visit the distant past. But also the recent past. And look forward and see into the future. That's what we'll be doing today.
It has been over 7 months since we last gathered for the fall gala. To catch you up to speed, we thought we would spend a few minutes traveling back to let you know what we've been up for the last amount of time.
We had recently launched the virtual Peale. Opened a month earlier on Founder's Day, 2020. We continue to see thousands visit. This near to exact replica was created in partnership with Lyndon Labs and Virtual (inaudible).
Redefinable. Created in partnership with the university of Maryland to celebrate the ADA.
As a society, we still have far to go in providing accessible and inclusive experiences. Explained as a cross platform exhibition, redefining accessibility during the pandemic. Seeks to challenge those to (inaudible) to Maryland and beyond.
Kim Rice inheritance curated by Jeffrey Kent was installed in physical space to capture it and create a virtual online experience. Several tours as well.
Kim Rice confronted her white privilege. (inaudible) race's fair complexion is (inaudible) created over the past decade. These confront systemic racism from a white woman whose ancestors enslaved others for labor.
Our virtual exhibition schedule continues with out of the blocks online exhibition. To launch in October 2021. This exhibition has now been since by over 3,000 visitors. From the podcast. The online exhibition is an immersive listening experience built from a mosaic of sounds and spaces in Baltimore.
Produced by the Peale, this online exhibition of the 25 Baltimore blocks recorded so far will grow over the coming years. You can check our website often for updates or subscribe to receive alerts. You can also hear it on Apple podcast and Google play.
In October 2020, we returned to in person exhibitions at Carroll Mansion. Rights and wrongs, citizenship, belonging and the vote. (inaudible) all created new artworks related to racial, social and economic injustice and various struggles. Some works respond to visual records of contested public memory. It's an art exhibition that contends with elections in light of the fact that equitable voter participation is hardly available in America.
In February of this year, artist Julia and Jaz brought pouring light to the Carroll Mansion. an art exhibition about the cease fire. They believe our perspectives can change reality. Images are repeated in the way same people and places are portrayed to contrast to show the array of choices we have. And how to create our perception.
This winter and Spring, we continued our annual partnership with Baltimore national heritage area for the More than History lecture series. To tell you about our story telling iniatives here is Daisy Brown.
Hi everyone, I'm the story telling ambassador of the Peale Center. To give you insight of the project we're working on. Lexington Market project where we are recording stories of residents of Baltimore city. And residents that may have moved elsewhere that are giving us stories or memories about their time and experience at Lexington Market. Whether it be food, music, the overall environment.
That's been a very interesting project to work on. I'm loving every minute of it. The next thing we're also working on is the (inaudible) came out during the time when the pandemic first started. Being a photographer, I'm used to interacting with people one on one and in person. This is in the middle of trying to create a campaign. I asked if I could go to residents in East Baltimore. Talk to them about their experience and how they're feeling about the pandemic. How they're handling it. And how it's making them feel in their neighborhood, community.
And also I was able to take a picture of them to go along with their story that was recorded one on one.
There is a lot of wonderful things going on. I will pass it on to others to tell you about their story.
For those of you interested in sharing your Lexington Market story, there is a few days left to do so. You can learn more on the Peale's website.
Hi I'm Genevive, (inaudible) Peale is so amazing to me. They have brilliant ways of supporting artists in all mediums. And they found really brilliant ways to capture stories about Baltimore's history and presence. Telling stories about all the amazing people in Baltimore. And activities. Really special and unique. I want to thank the Peale for the incredible work they did to uplift Baltimore. I'm so excited for the new space. Congrats!
Hello as an artist, I believe history and culture make up an important part of our society's DNA. The Peale Center is the oldest building built in 1814. We have a responsibility to preserve this landmark for future generations to come.
Thank you to everyone who has shared why the Peale is important to them. And thank you Daisy for sharing all the work you do on the story telling programs. We had another event last fall but last December, we utilized the historic garden to record a live concert we broadcast into the world. Wendy gave us permission to relive that memory here today.
(MUSIC)
It's simple. I love it. Having your memory. Having you here. Conversation. Outrageous. You smile. Then I smile and I say - hey. This is getting personal. Personal. Personal. Stay for a while. And play. Let's make this a moment.
Give you the best of me. Amazing. Amazing. Having you close to me. Amazing. Outrageous. Give your best to me.
Good morning. It's breakfast. Lost track of time. But we had a ball. Let's catch a movie. Then dinner. Tonight's the night we'll just unwind and say hey, let's stay personal. Personal. Personal.
Let's stay for a while. And play. Let's make this a moment.
Giving you the best of me. Amazing. Amazing. Having you close to me. Amazing. Outrageous. Give your best to me. Giving you the best of me. Amazing. Outrageous. Having you close to me. Amazing. Outrageous.
Giving you the best of me. Amazing. Amazing. Having you close to me. Amazing. Amazing. Baby. Giving you the best of me. Amazing. Amazing.
Having you close to me. Amazing. Outrageous. Give your best to me. Best to me. Best to me. Best to me. Giving your best to me. Best to me. Best to me.
Give your best to me.
As you saw, that concert was filmed in the Peale garden, also where I found myself a few weeks ago with "Chick" Chickering and the architect behind renovations Walter Schamu. The segment today focuses on the first floor.
Following the tour, we'll jump back to the present and be joined live by "Chick" Chickering and Walter Schamu to share insight into the current renovation.
My name is William Chickering. I have the pleasure of serving on the board.
SMP architects. Been involved for several years trying to save this building. Progress is substantial in the last few months. We have a new stair exiting the main gallery to meet code requirements. It'll be gussied up.
We're standing in the back garden which has remnants of when Wilbur Hunter and others ran this. This will be a pollenator garden. Looks like a wreck right now but it'll be good when it gets done.
This is a hardhat tour. A token to that name. But construction isn't happening today.
One of the things we're really hoping for is to rehabilitate the building and make it functional to the 21st century for people of all levels of ability to join us. We're creating two doorways into the garden. Take the place where windows originally were. Care is being taken to use the original brick to complete the openings and maintain the pattern. Craftsmen involved are sensitive to the issue.
The inside from the garden. This is designed by Robert Carrylong senior. First prominent architect in Baltimore.
(inaudible) stories they stayed the night here during the bombardment of the fort. Not a fact for sure.
We're standing in what will be a small cafe that will open into the garden. This room will be part of the sustainability. Will be able to make money.
One exciting thing about the changes... The open around windows is the (inaudible) other molding was added later in the career because it's had lots of changes.
I've been interested to see the infrastructure. If we look up, we see a lot of original joist material. We also learned that the subflooring above it is (inaudible). And new infrastructure going in for heating and air conditioning. That ventilation is important during our current crisis.
We needed to lose some of the floor space for those things because we can no longer use the basement for mechanical services in this part of Baltimore.
We're in a 100 year flood plane. So that has gone up to the fourth floor. We use steel columns and beams. New pieces put in here to make this opening in the wall. Each of the two spaces will have a door cut into the gardens which will enhance accessibility. Accessibility has been on of our big things in this project.
To that end, we will see the new elevator which has been installed. The idea is that anyone who has ability impairment or needs special attention to get into any part of the building where we're holding events will have that opportunity now when that wasn't the case prior to this project.
That's a big part of it. Accessibility.
When you do architectural tourism building isn't done. It's common to use the expression "imagine if you will". This corner will be the elevator. Cab connects to all the floors. Huge accessibility problem solved. There will be new bathrooms here. Total accessible on all floors.
Yes, on any floor, accessible to everyone. ADA complaint and gained several new ones.
One thing important to us is to improve accessibility. So, by opening the door into this part of the alleyway where there was a historic window, it's possible to make a much shorter travel distance for people who might be coming with a cane or wheelchair instead of going all the way to the garden to come in. Much shorter path.
This is one of the two front parlors. Not huge. About 20x20. There is one on either side of the main entrance. The Peale's building is about 10,000 square feet. Very manageable. These rooms adapted well for multipurposes for the Peale Center when this opens up for its new function. Only a few months away. Looking forward to that.
This is all pretty much the original building from day one. Fireplaces on either side. We won't get those going again although they will be here visually.
Relics of the true cross.
In creating the channels for electricity and fire suppression systems and other things important for the current mechanical systems, if you can see this iron rod and the turnbuckle. Turns out that some time after the building was erected, but before the end of the 19th century, the front and back wall were pulled together for stability.
Alright, thank you Walter and Chick. We are joined today by both here live to answer additional questions about the current state of the renovation. While we get Chick in here, Walter, I want to see if you might talk about what it's like to be the Robert Carrylong of the 21st century. An architect imagining the role of the American museum. But this time in the 21st century. Here is Chick to join us.
The storms are picking up outside. So sorry for any slight delay. If there are any difficulties, watch your email or the chat for further instructions.
After Walter and Chick spoke, if you have any questions, you can type them in the chat. They will be relayed and answered in real time.
Walter Schamu: Can you hear me? I think I'm off mute. What's so much is to think Robert Carrylong, the architect of this building dealing with Rembrandt Peale. I don't know when Rembrandt has this big idea of gas lighting illuminating the galleries. But all of a sudden, he's an innovator. Has galleries that can be open at night.
So what's neat about right now is we're dealing with a museum that doesn't know what the future is as far as technology goes. There is technology left to be invented. I think of holograms or slideshows. All sorts of visual activity that can come to play that hasn't been done before. But the Peale Center is the place it could be tried. I'm not the Robert Carrylong of the future. Just the simple architect who somehow is trying to make this building work for the future. Interesting problem for sure. Chick?
"Chick" Chickering: One of the most exciting things to me is how we're seeking in so many ways to involve the larger Baltimore community in what's happening and what will happen. Walter and I spent a lot of time in the area that is going to be part cafe and part Moses William's center. This will host a program called Accomplished Arts Apprentices. A workforce development program named in honor of Miss Williams. A person born to enslaved parents and grew up in the Peale household. And made big success of his life.
That's great.
We did get a question that came in. Were you able to get an easement to make the accessible entrance? Logistical question about the renovation.
We've been working with CHAP and Maryland historical trust. They take a dim view of changes to a building like this. There was a original design to put the elevator outside. But the cost of that - maybe the best thing to do would bring it in. Which we did with the help of the fire department. Limited use, limited access elevator would work. CHAP approved that. They have purview outside. Maryland historical looks at the whole.
Do no harm. Trying to do no harm to this 200 year old structure. But at the same time, insert modern viseria lighting plumbing HVAC systems. If we're successful, you won't know we're there.
Everything else besides lighting will be hidden. That's the great success of a historic renovation. The building still feels old. We're aware of the fact that the woodwork won't be stripped down and repainted. Some of the old patina - much will still be there.
Indeed. We've taken great care to determine what historic colors through out the varied history of the building were. And some of those will be reused. Much of the original structure of the building has been carefully protected during this process. Had to make some sacrifices like floor joists taken up by the elevator shaft. Even those materials are retained, some being reused.
Thank you Walter and Chick. Want to read two comments. "Rembrandt Peale got the idea for gas lighting from his brother and father in Philadelphia. They were the innovators in their own museum. Rembrandt is remembered for passing the idea on to the Baltimore"
"City fathers who translated gas lighting to the streets of the city."
Thank you Walter and Chick who will remain on the call when we get to the question and answer at the end of the session. You can type additional questions into the chat as the program continues. We will now continue on with our program. Be back with you in just a moment.
We're so grateful you all helped us meet our matching challenge gift of 50,000 towards the capital campaign. You can leave your mark by naming a gallery or buying a brick to support the renovation of the Peale Center museum building. Your name becomes a part of the nations' first purpose built museum.
Nancy Proctor: I was hired. As chief strategy officer alongside Jeffrey Kent and David London. When the pandemic started, the Peale Center put a pause on renovation. How will we ask people to fund this at a time when people are dying and losing their livelihoods?
To be honest, even before the pandemic I heard the objection that Baltimore has too many museums. People wondered why we needed the Peale too when resources were already scarce.
My response was and remains no one told Paris or New York or any cultural capital of the world it had too many museums. Emphathically and unapologetically we need to see the incredible cultural wealth as an asset not liability.
Would not be helpful to compete with the institutions in Baltimore. we had to bring something new to the ecosystem.
Our decision to be Baltimore's only museum of intangible cultural heritage was deliberate and strategic. No physical collection other than the building. Having been closed for 20 years when I joined in 2017, also had no institutional culture. Made it easier to experiment, explore the gaps in the landscape. To see where we could compliment to reinvent what a museum can be. We did so with the confidence and guidance that comes from knowing that's what Rembrant would have done. In their day, they experimented with radical new ideas. Recognizing the new United States needed museums to become democratic institutions dedicated to public service.
The Peale now responds to unmet needs. We're a home for the city's stories. A platform for amplifying voices too little heard. Making the city's inclusive of all it's communities. We aim to help people everywhere seek Baltimore in a new light. We use and innovate with new tools, technology of our day. Today the Peale has the largest collection of Baltimore stories in the world. And showcases in all media. A place of wonder, curiosity and inspiration.
The Peale is more than a building. It's an idea. A museum of Baltimore stories. What does that mean? What is a museum of stories look and feel like?
When I first proposed the idea, I wasn't sure myself. And even today, the question is better answered with another question. How can the Peale help Baltimore story tellers? It's artists, architects, students, teachers, culture keepers of all types be heard and seen. They will determine what this museum of Baltimore stories is.
You are among more than 500 people and organizations that reached deep into their hearts and pockets to make our home safe and accessible for all. You are building a home for you and your community. Your people and stories.
Like the Peale's programming, the renovation has been driven by Baltimore's communities grassroots up. As the Peale pivoted to operating online during the pandemic and saw our audience engagement triple, this place has yet another dimension. It's a portal to the world, to the past and future. A bridge that will connect the dots beyond city boundaries. Only Baltimore and its rich history and wealth of creativity can make home. You brought us to the threshold and hope you accompany us to the other side of the renovation as well.
Without you, the Peale Center is another building. But with your support and creativity and stories, the Peale Center is a gateway to a new American renaissance beginning in Baltimore this year. Thank you for your generosity. Hope to see you online and at the Peale Center.
Mary, did you know one of the oldest museums in the United States is a block from city hall in Baltimore?
I know you're a big fan of the Peale museum but you almost gave up hope. What happened?
New leadership, vision and ideas turned into a museum for present and future.
It's in the process of renovation. Major archive for Baltimore stories. And a welcome performance space for the whole story. Gathering place for everyone.
I'm Mary Blair.
I'm Burt Kummerow. Hope you join us. Support the Peale!
We're the coartistic directors. Peale is an important idea. With the idea that this is a place in Baltimore where people can take risks and make wildly imaginative work.
Hard to imagine without the work we were able to create at the Peale. Hub of creative community. And the relationships we built there continue to sustain us and encourage us to stay in the city we love. And keep making work.
Looking forward to the next chapter for the Peale. Congrats on the renovation. Excited to be a part of what comes next.
Cheers.
At this time, we would like to set our sights to the future. So you will hear about upcoming programs. To tell us about the next one, join me in welcoming Martha Rupp from Griot Circle of Maryland.
In Africa, there were grios. They sang the praise songs. Told the stories. Recited the histories. And shared the traditions of everything good for the community. Hello, my name is Martha Rupp. I'm the vice president of the Grio circle of Maryland. It's a story telling association that promotes the story telling traditions of the people of African diaspora. Happy to support the story telling mission of the Peale.
Our mission is to tell through story telling, workshops and educational resources. We present workshops, story telling programs to schools, libraries, museums and more. We're looking forward to partnering with the Peale museum for a Juneteenth celebration of stories for freedom.
Juneteenth is a holiday that began in Texas. Also known as Emancipation day. When African- American held in slavery in Texas in 1865 found out they were free. And ever since that date, they had been celebrating their freedom on June 19th.
So this year on June 19th, the Grio Circle and Peale Center will present a celebration, stories of freedom. This free virtual program will be presented at 1pm on Saturday, June 19th. We hope to see you there. Juneteenth began being celebrated in Texas, but now across the country and internationally. We hope you will be there for story tellers like Janice Green, William Stark, and others.
You won't want to miss Abu sharing his music. Be sure to go to the website of the Peale Center or the Grio Center of Maryland website. And register for our Juneteenth celebration.
Now enjoy a taste of the Juneteenth celebration as one of our acclaimed story tellers brings you a story. Janice Curtis Green is well known for her portrayal of a new Maryland hero, Harriet Tubman. Enjoy.
She say whoa, what you feel like? When you get free? I tell him, it's like the good lord allows you to step (inaudible) twist Heaven and Hell. Allows you to step through. And you feel like you are in Heaven. Feel the sun shine on you. Feels like you're in a dream. That's why I go back. I want everybody to experience that dream.
Because see after that last whipping, I have (inaudible) liberty or death. If I could not have one, I would have the other. No man would take me alive. I fight for my freedom with my last breath. When it's time to go, only the good Lord will take me. I managed to escape, leaving everything and my family behind. Three sisters I could not save. They were sold a long time ago. Even my husband John Tubman was a free man did not want to come with me.
So I left by myself. And I made it to Philadelphia. That's where I met William Sell. He said how did you get here by yourself? I said by the grace of God. See me and the Lord have a good relationship. We talk to each other like I'm talking to you right now.
He said what will you do now? I said freedom is so precious. I have to get my family. That's when I became a conductor on the underground railroad. We got code words like station and conductor. In secret. So nobody knows what we're doing. I can truthfully say in my 10 years of being a conductor, my train never jumped the track. And I never lost a passenger.
Freedom. It's all about freedom.
Thank you Janice and Martha. We're all looking forward to the Juneteenth event.
Now I would like to introduce Jeffrey Kent who will share a story about how art saved his life. Following that, we will be joined by him live to tell you about exciting programs he's working on at the Peale Center.
This is how art saved my life. I wasn't always an artist. I remember the first time I ever used color and line. I was probably about two or three years old with my mom on her bed coloring in books. At that time, it's the first time I felt the joy of creativity.
And from that time, going through school. I always used to draw. I guess I was always an artist. But never thought of myself that way. And never was encouraged by my family to do an artist. Was always good at drawing. Could always create comics for myself. Eventually I moved into the joy of fashion in high school. At the same time, growing up in Baltimore in a marginalized community, in a single parent household where my mom worked 20 jobs a day it seemed like. I had a lot of idle time.
I spent most of that in the streets with my friends. I had below average grade point average. And not knowing until I was an adult that I was struggling with a learning difference with dyslexia. Which I later used in my artwork as a signifier in the way I make my work and present my message.
During high school, I started doing and selling drugs. Eventually after graduating, I found myself arrested for selling.
Before I got arrested, I had a job in fashion as a merchandiser and habidasher in a high end store. While doing that, I was also still selling drugs.
At the same time, I was freebasing. If you don't know, it's basically smoking crack before crack was a thing.
When I got hooked on cocaine, I obviously lost everything. And while doing cocaine - at the time when I lost my job. That's when I really introduced myself into the art world.
What I mean by that is because I lost my job, I had a great space that overlooked Drew Hall park which was like Central Park to me. Open land of greenery. I could see over the trees to see the city skyline. But I had no art.
The idea came to me to make my own art. I wanted my space to have this Manhattan vibe to it. Art and books in the space and fine furnitures. I started painting.
And I had a neighbor who worked for the art transporter who had introduced me to Sotherby's auction house. The reason he did that is because he saw the rawness in my work that was similar. And at the time, I was insulted he compared my work to someone else. I did not know who that person was.
And then I saw the work and was like wow maybe I could do it. I used it as a front as I was selling drugs. And then those people wanted to buy my art. I realized I could do this even more.
So for a time after creating art, I got my first art gallery in downtown Baltimore.
And I started introducing myself to the art community. And the world was starting to open for me. But I had a relapse into crack addiction. Lost everything again. Lost the gallery. I continued to try to paint. Struggled to do it until I hit my bottom. Did a 12 step program. Moved to Chicago.
And the world really opened to me at that point as an adult at this time. Started to find my way into art practice and making it more serious.
At the same time, I was a car dealer. Until 2000. Right before the milennium I decided to only do art for the rest of my life. This has been my life. Living the dream as an artist. Art activist, dealer, mentor to many artists. Some of whom you have heard of. I really enjoyed my life experience and lifestyle that art has given me.
That's how I know art saved my life. If I did not have art to keep me busy, there is no doubt that I would have slipped back into drug addiction. And my life would be miserable.
And so I have to thank everyone who shares my life with me. As we all grow together. I appreciate the lifestyle of being an artist so much. This is how art saved my life.
Thank you Jeffrey for sharing that. I will bring you on with us live right now to answer some questions. And also have you talk more about the program. Which is pending at the Peale as well as the Accomplished Arts Apprentices program. And the Moses Williams center. After you speak, we'll open it up for questions. Take it away from here.
Good evening and welcome. I'm Jeffrey Kent. That story was really fragmented. Sorry about that. But that's just the first part of the clip you see for how art saved my life program at the Peale. We're inviting artists and people from the Baltimore community who found joy and light with art.
And how they can tell stories on how art saved their life. In my case, the second part of this program you will see a studio tour of my studio.
So please look out for the date when that is announced. We'll have a lot of artists we're talking to who are excited to be apart of this. Can't say names yet.
I would also like to talk about the AAA program. Artforce development program that we are starting at the Peale. We did a pilot program for the Kemrights exhibition. Had two young men come into the Peale and assist and preparing for Peale by getting walls scraped, painted, installation of artwork which they never did before. They learned a lot about placement art and lighting and rigging.
Some of Kim Rice's artwork requires rigg and harnesses.
We also do a lot of talking about entrepreneurship and transferrable skills they can use in any walk of life they may choose. And we pay them above minimum wage. Way above.
And it's a program we would like to get additional funding for. So please take an opportunity to buy some bricks. We're about 11,000 away from our goal for 15,000 of our match goal for donations. That's until June 30.
We're really excited about all the great things we did so far and have planned for the future. I'm honored to be a part of the Peale's team. I look forward to doing so much more. Diversity and inclusion. We want to talk to the community and find out what you want. Then we want to provide that for you.
So please enjoy the following portions of this event. And we look forward to seeing you in person when we're all vaccinated and ready to share company again. Thank you again for joining us again.
Thank you so much. The next portion of the event is people who will get to ask you questions. I brought Krista Green our chief administration officer to field some questions.
Hello everyone. Hope you are having a wonderful evening. We had a lot of fabulous programming presented that Peale has done in the past, will do in the future. I hope you give us a look see in a few weeks for our Juneteenth family event.
First, Jeffrey you were talking about Art Saved my Life and AAA program. I will ask a question first. What is it like for those young men to be working with you? You have moved into the position of mentor now. What does that feel like?
Well, you know... I've had much practice of being a mentor since I was young. Always seemed to take some leadership role of people around me. In this case, it's been very rewarding. I come from the same background as a lot of the squeegee workers. That's why I have them for this program. I see myself. I was called a thug. White people scared of me when I was their age. I know what it's to grow up in Baltimore here.
But some of the things we did - for instance, we took them to lunch every day. What was important for me was to share cuisine experiences. Indian, Italian, et cetera. Never did any fast food. That alone would be a hallmark of the AAA . Want to educate and have people be cultivated. And these guys are doing things now. I stay in contact with them. I hope when we get up and running, they will come in and be mentors to other young people.
That's amazing. Let me go to some questions in the chat. We had one from Brad. He asks if the city life musuems will ever reopen again. He's recalling that they had a wonderful collection. To our knowledge, there's not going to be a city life museum. I know the Peale and the work that Peale does with Carroll Mansion, our partner there. Those were parts of city life. But the collection you recall, those are now housed at the Maryland center for history and culture.
There are also some artifacts from the urban archelogy center maintained by the state of Maryland now. I don't envision that happening again. A city municipal consortium of museums. But those collections are being managed and maintained with other institutions. Great question.
Brad was also following up when he learned more about the renovations. Asked about parking and where folks will park when on site. We do have some small parking agreement right now with Zion Lutheran church. That will be available. We have not tackled any other offsite parking options that I know of.
We definitely have metered parking all around the perimeter of the building. Just near city hall so plenty of public parking there.
We're also available on public transit lines, et cetera for folks that would like to travel without a car.
I would anticipate if we're able to secure additional facilities for parking outside what we have right now, we will definitely have that material available when we're open to the public again.
There also is the underneath 83, less than one block away from our building. There are 100s of parking spaces. And I believe they're about a dollar an hour. Much less under 83 than they are on the street across from us. A lot of parking. If you are familiar with Farmer's market. Under 83. When there is no farmer's market, that's where lots of cars are parked every day. And we only have our programming when it's closed.
So parking really does open up.
Nancy has put in the chat all of the options including what you were just talking about under the JFX and near the war memorial plaza. And listed the purple, orange, red, yellow, blue city link lines that come near the site and other buses available.
We have a multitude of mechanisms to get to.
I wanted to chime back in to invite any participants on the call today to turn on your cameras and mics if you would like to ask a question live and in person. You can continue to type them into chat.
And if you wish to view everyone, click on the view button in the upper right corner and click gallery view.
We open it up to you now to ask further questions of most of the Peale staff are here now.
The video is still disabled.
Let's see... Give it a try now.
If anyone else is having issues, type it into the chat and we can assist you.
Hi Brad.
How you doing? I finally got in.
Happy to see you. Thanks for hanging in there with us.
One question that did come up I was hoping Jeffrey or Krista or Nancy might be able to talk about. We talked about Moses Williams center. Give us more history on that.
Sure. It's a great question. And one that we're really gearing up to delve into more deeply. Moses Williams was born to an enslaved couple who were initially part of the Peale household in Philadelphia ran by Charles Wilsonfield. He was born while they were with the Peales in Philadelphia. His parents were emanicipated when he was eight. He stayed on with the family. One thing that's intriguing about this period. The laws around slavery and freedom in Pennsylvania were really in flux.
Charles Wilsonfield was part of the legislative body to push for abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania. But there were provisions that required former enslavers to remain financially responsible for those until they were 27-28.
Moses was the same age as Charles's oldest son. He wasn't taught to paint. But was taught to operate a cutting machine. And became an accomplished silhouette artist. Lauren is another one who can speak to his work which is still in collections around the US today.
He set up a silhouette cutting shop in the back of the museum in Philadelphia. You could cut itself for a penny. If you paid an extra five cents, Moses would do it. He made enough money through this to buy a house, get married. Did quite well until photography put him out of business. The silhouette was the cheap snapshot so to speak until photography came in.
It's an interesting and important history that encapsulates a lot of the ambiguity and the way that people in privileged positions can occupy both sides of the fence. And also the way that Moses himself is a figure of a young black creative entrepreneur. Can really today serve as a fantastic model for the apprentices and some work going on through the arts force development program Jeffrey is leading.
Most importantly, need to learn more about Moses. So if anyone here would like to join us in that or already has historical insights, we would love to hear from you. We were able to do a similar bit of research around the Peale's history of male and female colored school number one thanks to community leaders. One Tamika is with us tonight. She led that initiative. This is how we work. We have a question. We reach out to the community. Or the community has a question and reaches out to us. Research and presentation and sharing with the broader public. We would love to get you involved in this work of the Accomplished Arts Apprentices program as well.
Sorry everyone. I had my mute on. There was a question in the chat regarding Jeffrey's work. And I believe they received the answer in the chat from Cleo. Jeffrey's assistant. And she lists her email which is [email protected]. She can handle any inquiries that you may have about his work.
Brad is also asking about preservation related groups planning on moving into the Peale building. Will that happen? Does the city still own the building? Yes, the city does still own the building. I will leave the other part of that question to Nancy,.
At the moment, no we don't have any other preservation groups moving in. We have a media maker's space. Great idea from Erin Hankin about how to partner with organizations and companies that were starting up but also working at the forefront of new technologies. And the kinds of systems and support and expertise our story tellers might need to help share their stories.
For example, Art Deliorate was resident at the Peale, now based at Carroll Mansion. They do high quality digital recordings of live music performances. They recorded the concert you saw earlier. They're doing amazing work right now in the pandemic recording virtual choirs.
That expertise and those skills are useful to our story tellers. They support that work as well. We're very interested in working with other organizations like that. Maybe 3D scanning or VR or AR or historical groups. So please do reach out to us if you want to talk to us about being part of the Peale in residence some way. Even virtual.
We have another question from Janet. Nice to see you in the chat. She's asking if there are any neighborhood collaboration plan to do story telling with the five nearby museums?
I will say this - not currently. But yes, probably. Just because the Peale is very interested not only in reaching out to everyone in Baltimore. But also very interested in establishing relationships with those institutions right in our immediate community. It was be crazy for us not to work together in a round robin kind of way.
One thing I've been able to do with my career in museums is help those partnerships happen. Museums like ours in historical sites are historically a little small for availability for space for visitors like school groups. And often schools like to bring an entire grade to do tours. So being able to offer a tour or a program package that involves several museums in close proximity was a way of alleviating that - Peale can't have 400 kids. But they could have a portion. And so could the Jewish museum. And the Carroll Mansion.
And gives an opportunity to talk about the environment, landscape, while kids are talking from one site to another. So I would say yes that probably will happen but not on the books right now.
Someone asked about programs that we've talked about and new initiatives will they be on the website? Yes. To everyone watching, if you want to know anything additionally about the programs we talked about or that you saw on the video presentation. Absolutely. All of that information is available. And you will receive a recording for this broadcast later if you were in the audience tonight.
Great. We are fast approaching time. Want to jump in and close us out. You heard about so many exciting things here tonight. Keep an eye on the website and newsletter for program and renovation updates.
I believe that's all we have time for today. From everyone on the Peale team, thank you for the ongoing support and enthusiasm. Could not do it without you. Look forward to seeing you back online and in the building very soon. Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Bye everyone.