The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is running several special programs alongside its photographic deep dive, Flashback: Two Centuries of Baltimore Photography. The exhibition runs until Feb. 21, 2027.
Flashback is the first deep study of the history of photography in Baltimore spanning the invention of the daguerreotype to the photograph from 1840 to the present. The exhibition includes 210 images by 90 artists and historic studios, featuring rare daguerreotypes and Civil War-era photographs, images of pivotal cultural moments in history, and exciting photos. The range gives visitors a sense of the evolution of photography – and of Baltimore – across the generations. The Flashback exhibition underscores the ways in which Baltimore was a hub for innovation in documentary and portrait photography.
Historic work from A. Aubrey Bodine, Elinor B. Cahn, Carl Clark, Roland L. Freeman, Robert Houston, Irving Henry Phillips Sr., Kenneth Royster and many more are on display. Work from important contemporary artists Devin Allen, Jim Burger, Joseph Mario Giordano, Connie Imboden, Kei Ito, Elle Pérez, Gioncarlo Valentine, Elena Volkova, SHAN Wallace, and others are included in the exhibition.
Flashback concludes with a section named “Open Call,” which offers an even wider array of photography. These works are from up-and-coming photographers who have not yet had extensive professional exhibition opportunities.
Anne Brown, BMA’s director of communications, described how the Open Call aspect of the exhibition came to be, likening it to a casting call or open mic night for photographers.
“[We wanted] to extend the exhibition to the up-and-coming photographers who might not have shown their work as much,” Brown told Baltimore Fishbowl. “So basically, forecasting the next generation of Baltimore photographers. … Open Call took place over the summer, and the advisory committee picked 12 works that are featured in the exhibition through the entire run of the exhibition, and on the monitor at Lexington Market.”
The featured Open Call artists are Anthony Bryant, Ben Cricchi, Nick Freeman, Kelis George, Drayden Hebb, Kim “Jinx” Jenkins, Debra Lanouette, Blake “Blakehasnoface” Lyle, Harold E. McCray, Berkeley Reddick, Kaori Maiyiah Taylor, and Carters Vision. Their projected works can be seen during regular museum hours in the BMA’s special exhibition galleries and at BMA Lexington Market, Sunday through Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 6–10 a.m.
The BMA is hosting several special events to complement the Flashback exhibition, foster conversation with and within the community, and amplify the important photography – historical and contemporary – in Baltimore City.
(Un)Common Scholars Community Symposium
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$20 Non-Members | $15 BMA Members | $10 Students
This day will focus on the expansive and diverse way people approach photography in Baltimore and the important role the city played in the art’s evolution. There will be a panel discussion, presentations by artists and scholars, and more. Renowned photography scholar Deborah Willis and the 14th Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden will deliver the special closing keynote. Some of the participating artists will also be at this symposium throughout the day, including Linda Day Clark, Robert Creamer, Bill Gaskins, Joseph Mario Giordano, Phylicia Ghee, Hunter O’Hanian, Kei Ito, Saskia Kahn, SHAN Wallace, NIA JUNE, Kirby Griffin, and APoetNamedNate.
Flashback Educator Night
Thursday, Oct. 22, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Free, registration required
This free evening for educators is an evening of art, inspiration, and hands-on creativity. Teachers are invited to visit the Flashback exhibition, connect with other educators, and discover ways the BMA can support their classrooms. Designed for teachers across all disciplines. Please register at this link.
BMA Violet Hour: Lawrence Burney and Ellis Marsalis III (t.p. Luce)
Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.
Free, registration encouraged
Writer and critic Lawrence Burney will read from his debut essay collection, “No Sense In Wishing”, which was the 2026 One Maryland One Book selection. There will also be a special preview screening of “Revisiting Ramona”, his in-progress documentary. The film is a cinematic portrait of a Baltimore community’s past, present, and future, told through the lens of photographer (and neighbor) Ellis Marsalis III’s book “Tha Bloc: Words, Photographs and Baltimore City in Black White and Gray” (published under the pen name t.p. Luce). After the screening, Burney and Marsalis will have a conversation about photography, the film, and more. This program is offered in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University Writing Program and Maryland Humanities. Please register at this link.
Flashback College Night
Thursday, Nov. 5, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Free, registration encouraged
College students are invited to bring their friends, curiosity, and student ID to the BMA for a fun evening of creativity, interactive games, and food. Unwind and connect with peers from across the city while exploring the galleries. College Night is part of an ongoing collaboration between the BMA and the Johns Hopkins University Program in Museums and Society. Entry to Flashback is free with a valid college ID. Please register at this link.
Tickets to Flashback: Two Centuries of Baltimore Photography are free for BMA Members and children 6 and under. Tickets for adults are $15; seniors, active-duty U.S. military and BMA Member Guests: $13; students and youth: $5.
The Baltimore Museum of Art is located at 10 Museum Drive, Baltimore. The BMA Lexington Market is located in Lexington Market at 112 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, Stall 55 in the Upper Market near the Baltimore Room.
