Scares in the Stacks

The Raven, University Art Collection.

“Not incredibly scary” or even “not scary at all” is probably how many would describe the features that make up Special Collections’ October exhibit “Scares in Special Collections.”  Honestly, if you want to be scared or unsettled or irked, there is no shortage of archival caches at Langsdale to sift through--  you can find out about discrimination (ACLU of Maryland for one, and many, many others), challenges to reproductive freedom (Planned Parenthood of Maryland Collection), LGBTQ-bashing, injustice, and the AIDS crisis (The GLCCB collection), or deadly workplace hazards and unfair labor practices (The White Lung Association collection). But since October is one of the most lovely months on the calendar, I thought I’d keep it light. You can view the display in the hallway on the 2nd Floor of Learning Commons, but let me post a few images here for your seasonal amusement.

Helping An Undergrad Illuminate Local LGBTQ+ History

Christine Wertz '17 takes a page from history

Many of the most crucial battles in the LGBT+ movement happened in the 1980s, and--as history major Christine Wertz discovered-- a number of them happened right here in Baltimore.  Christine already had a topic in mind when she received instruction in doing research for her senior capstone course. But in utilizing Langsdale Library’s various resources-- courtesy of sundry departments within the library--she was able to turn her research about the major legislative battles of the LGBT rights movement into an exhibition, currently featured in the Helen P. Denit Honors Lounge.

Cultural Arts Program Exhibit Opens 3/7

By Guest Blogger, Angela Rodgers-Koukoui

I’m very pleased to announce the opening of the Cultural Arts Program photo exhibit next Monday, 2/15  3/7, from noon to 2 pm. The exhibit, which is a collaboration between Langsdale Library Special Collections and the Division of Legal, Ethical and Historical Studies, will be located in room 317 of the H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons. The exhibit will feature a timeline with photographs, videos, and artifacts from the Cultural Arts Program, which began in Baltimore City in 1968 as part of the Model Cities Agency and continued through 1993 in the Urban Services Agency.

As the curator and designer of the exhibit, I would like to thank Langsdale Library for all of its assistance, as well as LEHS associate professor Dr. Nicole Hudgins for including this exhibit in the opening of the Ethics in the Arts Week at UB.

The Cultural Arts Program was one of the most successful art programs ever created in the history of Baltimore City. I say this not only as an alumna of the program, but also as a current art instructor and researcher who is eager to understand why high-quality youth arts education has been limited to so few in recent years. My quality of life was improved significantly by participating in the Cultural Arts Program as a child. I grew up in one of the poorest areas of Baltimore City. People who do not understand this kind of environment are unaware of the horrible impact of living in a sea of hopeless and what it can do to a child’s development. I was a walking statistic, born to fail; it was through the Cultural Arts Program that I was able to gain a sense of value of both my self-worth and my community. These values have been instilled in me and other CAP alumni, which is why so many of us are now teachers and community leaders running youth organizations throughout the country.

A lot of historic milestones occurred during the quarter-century run of the Cultural Arts Program. A few of these include the desegregation of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the celebration of the first African American Heritage Festival (AFRAM), and the creation of the first Urban Ballet Company. Barriers were broken, lives were saved from the streets, and the community was thriving in the field of the arts. I hope this exhibit will educate and enlighten others to understand the importance of quality art education for every child, especially in under-served areas of the city.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Langsdale Library Special Collections department. When I came to UB as a community researcher and discovered that Special Collections had my history in their archives, I had no prior knowledge of archivists or the role they play. Archivists Aiden Faust and Ben Blake have no idea that their commitment to preserving Baltimore's history is what encouraged me to enroll here at UB. Now I'm not only a student, but also a student assistant in Special Collections. This has been a humbling experience, and I'm truly amazed by the outpouring of support I've had while attending UB.

I hope everyone is able to join us for the opening reception of the Cultural Arts exhibit next week March 7th!

Upcoming exhibit mixes art, archives, & politics

Staff in Special Collections at Langsdale have been working with MICA students from Dan D'Oca's 2010-11 Exhibition Development Seminar as they prepare their exhibit, Baltimore: Open City, which opens this Friday at the former North Avenue Market and runs through May 15.

The students have been mining photographic materials and video footage from Special Collections, as well as using publications and archival documents from our collections to further their historical understanding of the city.

We're looking forward to checking out the exhibit and, as the project website suggests, "exploring what a more open city might look and feel like." Hope to see you there!