When Creatives Thrive: a BOPA Podcast

This episode we are joined by Baltimore-based poets, organizers, cultural architects, and Slam Champions: Kenneth Something and Unique Robinson.Their shared story begins at a poetry competition, where they met as young artists finding their footing in the power of spoken word. From that early connection, they built a creative partnership that has spanned decades and includes a recent collaboration on a theater production titled The Slam.We’ll also get into their work as curators of the Revolutionary Writers Poetry Festival, happening this May at The Voxel in Baltimore. This three-day gathering, produced in partnership with Maryland Poet Laureate Lady Brion, is designed to bridge Baltimore’s poetry communities with workshops by day and powerful performances by night.We’ll also discuss how both Kenneth and Unique have navigated their identities as queer artists while deepening their commitment to their craft.And make sure to come see Kenneth at Artscape 2026, May 23rd and 24th, as he represents The Black Arts District at Community Row.

This episode of When Creatives Thrive we feature B.K. Borison, a #1 New York Times bestselling author and Baltimore native.Her most recent release, AND NOW, BACK TO YOU, is a warm, witty romance novel inspired by When Harry Met Sally. Its main characters, two rival meteorologists, are forced to cover the storm of the century - only to get snowed in together. Set in her beloved home city, the novel is part of Borison’s Heartstrings series, which reclaims Baltimore as a place of romance, charm, and possibility. With an opening line of “Do you believe in fate?” AND NOW, BACK TO YOU portrays Baltimore with intention and softness—presenting it not as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing character worthy of a rom-com love story.

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive we feature Jamaal ‘Feedy’ Jackson, a textile artist based in Baltimore.Feedy's venture into art began in 2021 while searching for a creative outlet during the pandemic. A simple video of tufting on social media inspired him to experiment with yarn and consider a new method of self-expression.Initially designing rugs based on popular images intended to sell at venues like The Baltimore Farmers' Market, Feedy has since elevated his practice to designing and creating detailed, abstract portraits that explore complex human emotion and perception.His commitment to his craft has led to early recognition, including his first, sold out, solo art exhibition at Monument Sotheby’s, as well as participation in Art Basel.

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive, we feature Red Giant, an artist-run gallery, studio, and workshop, located in the Bromo Arts District of Baltimore City.Red Giant’s mission is to create a platform for art and artists by curating exhibits and embracing their neighborhood to develop cultural offerings that bring opportunities to local creatives. They are powered by ideals of access, inclusion, experimentation, and community development.We also discuss Red Giant’s participation in the Scout Art Fair at Artscape, and how festivals are emerging as a mainstream strategy to elevate art and connect with collectors. Festivals like Scout are also an effective way to get cities like Baltimore in on national and international art conversation.In studio today are two of the founding members, Mary Gagler and Patrick Bell, with a big shout out to the third founding member, Stephen Callender.Podcast cover art photo: Kayla Morgan

Boob Sweat is a Baltimore-based, woman-led film collective. Formed while in graduate school at the Maryland Institute College of Art, “Boob Sweat” has come to signify the empowerment the founders still feel as a team of women working in the entertainment industry.Whether they are producing, directing, animating, sound engineering, shooting, or editing, the crew has what it takes to make a film and get it released.While bringing their varied skills to a range of projects, they are also dedicated to assembling diverse crews and embracing inclusive practices. This philosophy guides the stories they tell, and in turn, the partners that they attract.Their most recent releases include “Sofia,” which has screened at multiple festivals, as well as the short documentary “Bay to Baltimore,” an official selection of the Maryland Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.We are joined in studio with half of the Boob Sweat collective, Camila Franco Ribeiro Gomide and Samantha Mitchell. Imani Leigh and Makare Saunders are also founding members.

Ayana Gordon is a self-taught Antiguan-Haitian photographer and multimedia artist based in Baltimore, MD. Working primarily with analog film and darkroom printing, she creates textured, immersive images that explore identity, heritage, and the spiritual connections between people and their environments.Ayana’s practice celebrates Black identity, feminine strength, and the intimacy of place, memory, and legacy. Her images honor the relationships that shape us: between family and homeland, between ritual and daily life, between who we are and who we come from. By blending personal narrative with broader cultural histories, she creates space for reflection, connection, and a fuller telling of Caribbean and Haitian experience.Cover art photo credit: Hassan Hunt

On this episode we feature Amanda Leigh Burnham, a visual artist based in Baltimore who makes drawings and large, site specific installations which are also drawings.Amanda’s vivid, chaotic compositions incorporate a variety of materials, styles, and techniques which result in three-dimensional collages that leap off the walls. The effect is somewhere between a comic book and a stage set.In 2025, Amanda was the recipient of the Sondheim Art Prize. This $30,000 juried prize is awarded each year through Create Baltimore - in partnership with The Walters Art Museum - to a visual artist or visual artist collaborators living and working in the Baltimore region, targeting makers who are poised for a creative breakout.A graduate of Harvard University (BA) and Yale University (MFA), Burnham is now a Professor of Art at Towson University. 

On this episode we feature Adam Kaufman, the creator of Jewish Jerky Brand. After a move from Los Angeles to Baltimore and a few literal signs along the way, Adam has shifted his focus onto an unexpected project: snacks.Made with Chutzpah, Jewish Jerky Brand has set out to create a new take on an age-old practice. Drawing on the spices, seasonings, and cuisines found in the places where Jews have settled throughout the world, Adam’s food challenges assumptions about what jerky can be.Through passion and dedication, as well as support from Baltimore locals at his synagogue and other chefs he’s met along the way, Jewish Jerky Brand has arrived at places like the Baltimore Farmers’ Market. There, Adam is looking for more than just a point of sale. He’s interested in being in conversation and contributing to his community while providing an elevated product.

This episode features the multi-hyphenate theater artist and writer, Bell Gaskin-Burr. As a writer, Belle works to uplift through the content on “Pop Culture Uncovered" aka PCU, a social and media commentary platform she helps run. Her goal is to amplify underrepresented voices, advocate for equity, and give back to the city of Baltimore.Bell is also heavily invested in the Baltimore theater community. As a working actor and self-described performer who adapts, she continually hones her skills through both short-form and long-form improv.As a director, Belle always encourages nontraditional performers to audition. She taps into her connections at pop culture conventions throughout the region to expand the pool of actors here in Baltimore and change perceptions about inclusivity in local performances.Belle is joined in conversation with Barbara Hauck, Director of Arts Council Programming at Create Baltimore.

Alanah Nichole Davis is a Bronx-born, Baltimore-raised writer, cultural strategist, and social designer whose work bridges storytelling, civic imagination, and community care. She’s built a legacy of using creativity and empathy to connect people, nurture ideas, and reimagine what’s possible for her city.Her essays, talks, and public projects often explore the intersections of race, womanhood, technology, and belonging — inviting audiences to see Baltimore not just as a place, but as a living story. Beyond her role in city government, where she serves as the Chief Storyteller in the Mayor’s Office of Innovation, Alanah’s influence extends through arts, journalism, and local advocacy, where she’s helped amplify voices and shape spaces that honor authenticity and joy.A proud graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art’s Master of Social Design program, she continues to mentor emerging changemakers and collaborate with artists, institutions, and neighborhoods invested in Baltimore’s collective future.

On this episode we're joined by Robyn Murphy, the CEO of the newly announced Create Baltimore.Create Baltimore is our new name and brand identity, launched this week with blessing of the city and Mayor Brandon M. Scott under Robyn’s leadership.Just as Robyn has created a space for us to connect with creatives and hear their stories on our podcast, this week we’ll hear from her about her experiences in media, business, arts and culture, and most importantly, her vision for Baltimore’s creative come-up and laying the groundwork for meaningful, sustainable growth.Please remember to like, comment, and subscribe so we can keep sharing stories of Baltimore’s creative community!

On this episode we feature Katie Pumphrey, an interdisciplinary artist and ultramarathon open water swimmer living and working in Baltimore.In June 2024, Katie swam an incredible 24 miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Her effort was a celebration of a swimmable Inner Harbor, which has been transformed into a safe, recreational resource for the city.Pulling from her experiences in the water, her paintings, sculptures, and installations use abstraction and imagery to investigate our anxieties and fears, as well as how our imagination sometimes plays tricks on us. Katie explores these tensions through humor, the connectedness between human instincts, and play.Her latest exhibition, Swimming Pool, which features her signature style, large canvases, and detailed set design, is a full circle moment as she returns back to the Creative Alliance where she was a resident artist from 2011-2014.

On this episode we feature VILLAGER, a Nigerian-born artist living in Baltimore. VILLAGER's work spans across various media in an interconnected ritual of honoring and remembering Indigenous Yorùbá knowledge systems, visual & material culture, and African spiritual technologies and philosophies.After immigrating to the United States, VILLAGER was left to process the trauma and grief of abruptly moving to a new home. This struggle ultimately lead them to several difficult decisions, including curtailing their formal education in Earth science and adopting a new name that more closely aligned with their choice to practice art in Baltimore.We’ll also discuss VILLAGER’s recent solo exhibitions including ÀṢẸ: Embodying the Divine, which was part of BOPA’s Emerge series, as well as Devotion, Dreams, and Destiny at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center - a collection partially inspired by the novel The Famished Road by Nigerian author Ben Okri. And on top of that, this year VILLAGER was a recipient of the Mayor's Office Individual Artist Award through the Creative Baltimore Fund.

This week we feature Chris Wisniewski, the Executive Director of The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Chris was formerly the Executive Director of the arts organization Studio in a School and Deputy Director for Education and Visitor Experience at the Museum of the Moving Image.Each year, The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers presents The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which is the nation's longest-running and most prestigious teen recognition program for students in grades 7–12. As the 2025 Maryland affiliate for The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional competition, BOPA was tasked with collecting and evaluating submissions from all 27 Maryland counties.Along with hearing from Chris, this episode we’ll also feature several award-winning students who gathered at the Top of the World Observation Level in downtown Baltimore to receive an array of prizes which range from an Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or Gold Key . Gold Keys are automatically forwarded for consideration at the national level of the Scholastic Awards.The top five submissions in the region for visual art are named American Visions nominees, while the top five for writing are named American Voices nominees. These 10 nominees will go on to compete for a National Medal.

On this episode we feature Jaz Erenberg, a Baltimore-based public artist, community organizer, and advocate for creative expression and social justice. As a muralist and visual storyteller, Jaz’s work focuses on the intersection of art and activism, with a deep commitment to creating public art that reflects and celebrates the diversity, resilience, and history of the communities she serves. Jaz recounts stories of support from her family at a young age that empowered her to draw outside the lines and pursue a career as a working artist. Her experiences led to co-founding Baltimore’s Brush Mural Festival, which aims to connect local artists and residents through collaborative, large-scale mural projects.Jaz also discusses her role as the Chair of Baltimore’s Public Art Commission. The PAC is a citizen review board charged with administering Baltimore's 1%-for-Public-Art Program, as well as reviewing permanent gifts of public art to the city. As she serves, Jaz guides initiatives that shape the city's artistic landscape while fostering an environment of collaboration and inclusivity.Cover photo by: Justin Tsucalas

This week we’re joined by Lesley Malin, a founder of The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and its Producing Executive Director. Under her supervision, CSC has grown into one of the largest theatres in Maryland and the fifteenth largest Shakespeare theater in the U.S.Lesley discusses equity in the theatre space, including CSC's Black Classical Acting Ensemble, as well as the joys of opening doors to city students for free access to Shakespeare.Lesley is also the architect behind The Baltimore August Wilson Celebration, which aims to unite Baltimore’s diverse theatre community through Wilson’s ten-play “American Century  Cycle.” Each play in the cycle is set in a different decade of the twentieth century. Together, Wilson’s work offers a vivid narrative of the African-American experience, and, for the first time ever, these plays will be produced in chronological order right here in Baltimore. Lesley is joined in conversation with BOPA’s Communications Manager, Barbara Hauck. Barbara is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist who has performed Shakespeare (among other things) in and around Baltimore for over 25 years. She was elected the first Artistic Director of the Fells Point Corner Theatre, where she currently still serves on the Board as a Member-at-Large.Cover photo by: Robin Miller

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive, we’re featuring Camila Leão. Camila is a Baltimore-based multimedia artist working across illustration, murals, public art, and fine art. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she grew up between the fast-paced urban energy of the city and the raw, untamed beauty of the coast. And recently, during Project Urban, she was able to bring this duality to life in the form of a mural. Her deep appreciation for nature and her comfort in urban spaces was realized through fun, cartoony, interpretations of both Brazilian and Maryland wildlife.We also chat about Camila’s fine art featured during Artscape at The Scout Art Fair. Curated by acclaimed artist Derrick Adams with Baltimore Beat arts-and-culture editor Teri Henderson, Scout highlighted more than 40 local artists who convened for a one-of-a-kind showcase of the city’s creative talent. Baltimore Magazine, which recently named Scout as the Best Exhibition of 2025, described the event as “a multidisciplinary mecca that became the festival’s nexus.”Camila also discusses what it was like to mingle with Artscape attendees while they browsed through Scout’s affordable selection, the confidence she built as she received feedback from locals, and the way Artscape ultimately reminded her of home.

This episode we’re joined by Reginald Lewis, a visual artist born in Baltimore, Maryland, who is known professionally as Insanely Dope Designs. Despite challenges, including a recent car accident, Reggie is guided by the mantra “Dedicated On Purpose Everyday,” i.e. DOPE.Over the past year, Reggie has been busy creating art that inspires and leaves a lasting impact, starting last summer with the Art at Work program. He co-lead a team of youth who worked together to transform a wall in Sandtown-Winchester. The process started with listening to neighbors for their input and culminated in a mural that depicts the surrounding location and honors its history.Then, during Artscape, Reggie was on site for a live art activation. And he was also one of over 30 artists that were selected to design and paint murals on the pillars holding up the Jones Falls Expressway through Project urban Oasis. This initiative, introduced by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, beautifies the space and makes the new Artscape footprint a sustainable location.We also discuss Reggie’s newest work, “A Taste of Legacy,” which appeared on memorabilia during CIAA and is now on view at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

This episode we’re joined by Deyane Moses. Deyane is an Army veteran, multidisciplinary creative, educator, and curator living in Baltimore. She is also the current Director of Partnerships and Programs for Afro Charities Inc. Deyane discusses her passion for Black History, archives, and her mission to honor the legacy of Tom Miller (1945-2000). Miller, a MICA grad like Deyane, created colorful, whimsical, and deeply symbolic screenprints, murals, and even sculptures from discarded furniture. Miller was the first African American artist from Baltimore to have a solo exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The Fifth Annual Tom Miller Week, which took place February 15–22, 2025, featured an exhibition curated by Deyane through her nonprofit Blackives, LLC. Titled “Out of the Woodwork!” Deyane’s retrospective is a poignant tribute to Miller’s life and creative genius and serves as a call to preserve his enduring impact on Baltimore’s cultural landscape. Deayne is joined in conversation with BOPA’s Communications Manager, Barbara Hauck. Barbara is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and was elected the first Artistic Director of the Fells Point Corner Theatre, where she currently still serves on the Board as a Member-at-Large.Cover photography by: SHAN Wallace

This episode, we’re excited to feature James Lane of The Shaky Experience - a local Baltimore band performing this year on Artscape’s Echoes of the City Stage. The Echoes stage was created to let homegrown, Baltimore talent shine at Artscape in front of their city. It will feature local bands of different genres, DJ sets, musical theater, and more!James reflects upon his dreams of playing Artscape, the energy of the art scene in Baltimore, and his plans to donate his merch proceeds to charity. He also has some interesting plans to promote his set, so be on the lookout!We can’t wait to see you Memorial Day Weekend in the heart of downtown Baltimore as we present a reimagined Artscape!

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive we feature De’Shaun Fortune, a Baltimore native and creator of the Mustard Cast, a podcast inspired by the art of storytelling.De’Shaun is also a graphic designer, and has worked professionally at Wide Angle Youth Media, an organization dedicated to amplifying youth voices in Baltimore, since completing an apprenticeship program there.With the support of connections made through Wide Angle, De’Shaun is currently in his pursuit of a career in video game design. We go on to talk about the importance of expanding representation in media before De’Shaun pitches me his idea for a video game set in Baltimore titled “This Charming City.”

On this episode of “When Creatives Thrive” we welcome Brittain Duckworth, the leader of Baltimore-based band, Whiskey Feathers. Whiskey Feathers blends rock, Americana, and livetronica influences into a dynamic, immersive sound. The band is currently comprised of Brittain Duckworth on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Jenny Fitchett on Vocals and Keys, Luke Chohany on Lead Guitar, Jon Schreoder on Bass Guitar, and EJ Thompson on Drums.Brittain starts with the origins of the name Whiskey Feathers before explaining his approach to leading a band and creating a collaborative space for music, as well as friendships, to evolve. We also discuss the support the band has received from local radio in the Baltimore area.We finish by discussing Brittain’s sobriety and the small steps in his personal growth, which he shares about in recent releases like the track “Learning to Crawl.”

Ainsley Burrows is a poet, musician, performer, and painter based in Baltimore. On this episode, we begin with childhood experiences in Jamaica that informed Ainsley’s abstract style and point of view. We discuss his move to Baltimore from New York and why this city was the best next step in his creative journey.We also reflect upon Ainsley’s 2024 exhibit “The Third Future: A Self-Portrait.”  The show was on display at BOPA’s The Gallery in the Sky at the Top of the World Observation Level last fall and featured host Lisane Basquiat at the opening.Later Ainsley explains his approach to abstract painting and how the size of the canvas he chooses often shapes the stories he tells. We finish with what Ainsley imagines Baltimore’s “Third Future” could be.Cover image photo credit: Kelvin Bullock

Amy L. Bernstein is a Baltimore-based author, book coach, and creativity counsellor. She is also a past BOPA grant recipient and participant in Free Fall Baltimore.Throughout her career, she has worked in playwriting, journalism, speechwriting, and communications. These days, she leads creativity workshops that focus on recognizing each artists’ personal inspiration, as well as identifying and managing blockages like self-doubt.Bernstein’s most recent publication, “Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration,” builds upon this work. Her book is designed for anyone who has doubts about their abilities, talents, or capability to pursue creative endeavors.Amy draws from her own experiences in the arts to help guide audiences in both Baltimore and throughout the country to be joyful, take risks, and stay productive - all while embracing doubt and walking with it instead of running from it.

This episode we are joined by Zoe Scott of KNWLDG Couture. Zoe is a Baltimore-based sustainable fashion designer and long-time upcycler. Through her practice of upcycling, she transforms garments that might otherwise end up in a landfill into elevated outfits by breaking down clothing and reassembling it into fresh new looks.We’ll discuss how her parents unintentionally gave her the tools to become a sustainable artist and how her design work challenges us to reconsider our personal style and the way we value our wardrobe.We also discuss the harmful effects of buying from big-box retailers, including the creation of excess waste and harsh factory environments where the products are made.We end with Zoe’s interest in community engagement, including a new campaign to spread financial literacy by demonstrating how Baltimoreans can save money by investing in sustainable fashion.

In celebration of Black History Month, this episode we're joined by Mark A. West Jr, a Baltimore-born visual artist, curator, and historian. He is also a current resident artist at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower in Downtown Baltimore, which is a BOPA facility.We discuss how history, which Mark studied primarily through art and museums, influences his current approach to art making, including how he portrays black subjects and his frequent depiction of deities.We finish with an explanation of Mark’s social media handle “House of Mark West” and how the physical structure of a house has become a part of his personal brand and a metaphor for fostering community in the arts.Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions that include references to rape within the context of race and art. These conversations aim to explore complex and sometimes painful histories, as well as their impact on artistic expression and cultural narratives. We acknowledge that this content may be distressing for some listeners, and we encourage you to engage with the episode in a way that feels safe for you. Listener discretion is advised.

This episode we're joined by Sheila Crider, a self-taught artist who recently relocated to Baltimore after facing displacement from her home in Washington, DC. We’ll discuss her relocation, establishing a creative community for herself in Baltimore, and how the city and its skyline found its way into her most recent work. Sheila also explains how and why she coined the term "Blackstraction" in the art lexicon, and leaves us with some professional advice for artists young and old.

This episode we're joined by Wendell Supreme Shannon - a geometric precision painter, muralist, & designer with over 14 years of artistic impact. He joins "When Creatives Thrive" to reflect upon his recent work honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at AVAM (The American Visionary Arts Museum), a sickness that sparked his career, what unifies us, and his connection to the Key Bridge collapse.

Multi-disciplinary artist Michael Bruley joins When Creatives Thrive: a BOPA Podcast to discuss his experience as a resident artist at The Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. Michael opens up about his work with stained glass, art as a business, and childhood experiences that allowed him to think outside the box.