Welcome to

National Arts in Education Week!

BMORE ME Fine Arts Week Reboot Edition

Monday May 4, 2020 through Monday May 11, 2020

ReBoot: Sunday September 13, 2020 through Sunday September 20, 2020

"When I am talking about "It Takes a Village", I'm obviously not talking just about or even primarily about geographical villages any longer, but about the network of relationships and values that do connect us and binds us together." ~ Hillary Clinton

Welcome to Fine Arts Week!

Welcome to our BMORE ME Virtual Fine Arts Week the Reboot Edition!

We aired this showcase in the Spring and wanted to do a re-share of all the amazing work that our students created prior to school closures due to COVID-19 as well as some pieces that were created in spite of the pandemic.

I believe we all can agree that we are stronger together with the arts. I hope that you will take a few moments to be re-inspired to continue to do great work on behalf of those that need it most- our students.

We are CELEBRATING every wonderful thing that happens in Fine Arts in Baltimore City Public Schools!

This week is about highlighting OUR TEACHERS, OUR STUDENTS, OUR CITY!

Chan'nel Howard

Coordinator of Fine Arts, Baltimore City Public Schools

I am very pleased that we are celebrating the artistic talents of our students during Fine Arts Week. Art in all of its forms is an integral part of Student Wholeness, and I congratulate all our students who are willing to share their personal expressions with us throughout the week. I look forward to enjoying their creativity and unique perspective. Thanks to our students and our fine arts instructors for this very special event.

Dr. Sonja B. Santelises

Chief Executive Officer

Baltimore City Public Schools

In this unprecedented time, we need artists more than ever. The creativity, beauty and precision that we see in our student-artists always uplifts us, especially in a time of crisis. We are lucky to have teachers that continue to use their passions to bring out the best in our students. Fine Arts Week is a time to celebrate all that is incredible in our teachers, families and student-artists, and I’m sure you will join me in doing so.

-John Davis

Chief of Schools, Baltimore City

Bravi tutti!! Fine Arts Week is a tremendous celebration of the creativity, passion, and hard work of Baltimore students, families and communities. In Maryland schools, the arts are a core subject that uniquely builds student’s capacity for innovation and risk, social-emotional competence, and critical thinking. I salute these brave young artists in the presentations of their big ideas. I salute the arts educators that support and nurture youth towards their fullest potential. Congratulations City Schools and coordinator of Fine Arts Chan’nel Howard

-Alysia Lee

Coordinator of Fine Arts

Maryland State Department of Education

Congratulations on the composition of our very first Virtual Fine Arts Week! It is truly remarkable what we can do when we pull together as a community. Fine Arts Week is an opportunity to showcase the amazing talents and work of our schools and our students. Thanks to all of the incredible fine arts teachers that guide our students in this work. Thanks to our students for continuing to leave us in awe of what you do! Wishing you all the best, and appreciating all that you do.

-Janise Lane

Executive Director, Teaching and Learning

Baltimore City Public Schools

People all over the place are talking about City School’s Virtual Fine Arts Week! I’m so glad that this tradition of exhibiting our students achievements in visual art continues. With this being in the virtual space, it’s exciting to know that so many will witness the genius of Baltimore...our children.

-Ronald McFadden, Commissioner, Baltimore City Public Schools

The Baltimore Museum of Art is thrilled to celebrate student creativity at the Baltimore City Public Schools. This artistic excellence is a testament to the dedication, talent, perseverance, and innovation of City Schools’ teachers and students. While the current circumstances prevent the BMA from hosting a physical showcase of student work in the visual arts, we are delighted to support #BMOREME Fine Arts Week highlighting the outstanding artistic efforts in Baltimore City Public Schools this year. Through social media posts on Instagram and Facebook this week, we look forward to sharing about #BMOREME Fine Arts Week with the wider BMA community.

-Elizabeth Benskin, Director of Teaching and Learning Baltimore Museum of Art

For the past eight years, I have had the pleasure of working with the Baltimore City Fine Arts Department and fine arts teachers across the district. I am always amazed by the creativity and brilliance of our city's young artists and by the fantastic teachers that support their journey. While I wish we could be touring FYI and celebrating Fine Arts Week in person, I am thrilled to see the show go on in the virtual space. Thank you to all who made it possible

-Julia DiBussolo

Executive Director, Arts Every Day

It has been an honor to support the growth of Fine Arts in City Schools. Thank you to all the amazing teachers, administrators, and local arts community who impact the lives of our kids through the Arts.

-Lemar Williams, Office of Recruitment and Partnerships Baltimore City Public Schools

I would like to celebrate the hard work and effort of our students and their amazing fine arts teachers. Thank you Booker T Washington Knights for showing us how important the arts are to student wholeness and student growth!

-Misha Stedrick, Principal, Booker T. Washington Middle School for the Arts

Hello Abbottston Elementary STAR Musicians! I miss you so very much but I am so proud to see many of you working hard on your Music assignments at home! Choir, I miss you so much and I can't wait until we can all sing together again!

-Ariel Wirsching, Music Teacher Abbottston Elementary School

Hello Western Doves! Welcome to Fine Arts Week. I am so proud to see so many of you soaring and creating art despite our current constraints. I miss you and can't wait to see you when we return to school. To my seniors especially, I know this end of year was hard and I am inspired by your resilience! Ms. H misses you all! -Casey Hegerty Visual Art Teacher Western High School

Vanguard Collegiate Middle School would like to give a HUGE shout out to all of our amazing students that shared their outstanding talents and unified us all throughout this school year! We say “thank you” for dancing, singing, dramatic speaking, instrument playing, creative writing, stage and technical support, and visual art work!! -Jeanine Thomas, Music Teacher and Dee Brown, Family and Community Engagement Liaison Vanguard Collegiate Middle School

Hi Everyone, Mr. Otto here from PPPCS! Happy Fine Arts Week! I know you have been hard at work making and creating while we've been away. I'm so looking forward to seeing and hearing your work when we get back together soon

- Mike Otto, Music Teacher Patterson Park Public Charter

Shout-out to all art teachers for giving our students a creative platform for expression. A special shout-out to Ms. Tiffany Parker @NEA for working so hard with her students to express themselves through their artwork!

-Darryl Richards, Science Teacher New Era Academy High School

Good Afternoon, my beautiful artists! We have made it to the end of another Virtual School week. I'm so proud of you and the effort you have been putting into trying your best to get your work done in all of your classes! Looking forward to working with you again!

-Ms. Kelley Misses U!! -Lesley Kelly, Visual Art Teacher

I'd like to give a big SHOUT OUT!!! to all the students, parents and guardians making space in their homes and minds for virtual dance!! And all the dance teachers making this happen.Can't wait until we can get back in the studio. I miss yalll!! 5,6,7,8!!!!

-Kutia Jawara, Dance Teacher Southwest Baltimore Charter School

Welcome to our newest edition to the Fine Arts Office!

In this unprecedented time I am privileged to assist students and families in reaching their art goals and facilitating creativity. I am proud to be a part of the best city Arts team in the nation! Happy Fine Arts Week!

-Jess Chambers,

Fine Arts Education Specialist II