Baltimore-based ultramarathon swimmer Katie Pumphrey, who completed her 24-mile Bay to Baltimore journey in 2024, is channeling her experiences in a new solo art exhibition at Creative Alliance.
Titled “Swimming Pool,” the exhibition will explore the fears and anxieties of endurance swimming, and how she uses humor to overcome challenges. It will be on view from Sept. 5 through Oct. 11.
“Swimming is about repetition. Stroke after stroke, mile after mile,” Pumphrey said in a statement. “Swimming in the dark, your mind plays tricks on you. I’m fascinated by how fear, imagination, and humor collide in moments when we are stressed. My work examines these feelings with a hint of humor and lightheartedness– and hopefully invites you to jump in feet first.”
Pumphrey, who served as a Creative Alliance Resident Artist from 2011 to 2014, is returning to the place she spent her early career as an artist in this solo show.
The exhibition will feature all new paintings as well as an immersive installation. Pumphrey’s paintings also reference other artists’ works, like Peter Paul Rubens’ “Three Graces” and John Singleton Copley’s “Watson and the Shark.”
There will be an opening reception on Sept. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., including interactive performances.
Then, on Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m., Pumphrey will give an artist talk and share swim stories.
Both events are free to attend and open to the public.
On June 25, 2024, Pumphrey became the first person to swim from Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Inner Harbor wall near the Harborplace Amphitheater. She completed her “Bay to Baltimore” swim in 13 hours and 54 minutes.
Pumphrey took on the challenge again in May of this year, but had to end her trek early due to unsafe conditions.
In July, she swam the English Channel for her third time. She finished the approximately 40-mile journey in 14 hours and 13 minutes.
She has completed the “Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming,” which includes the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan Island.
Outside of her athletic career, Pumphrey is also an accomplished artist, whose work has been highlighted in solo exhibitions in Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Alexandria, Virginia; and Key West, Florida.
For more information about her “Swimming Pool” exhibition, click here.
Creative Alliance is located at Creative Alliance 3134 Eastern Ave. in Baltimore.
