I was invited to exhibit my photography at the UNDER $500 10-Year Anniversary Benefit Exhibition & Sale at Maryland Art Place (MAP) in Baltimore and I couldn't be happier. Let me break it down.

Back in April I became a member of MAP. My $30 fee was a modest way to show support for the arts. Basically, I had intentions to submit my work to MAP for open calls and such, so I thought it would be good karma to throw them some love up front. In July, my $30 membership gifted me a thank you letter from the Executive Director which said, "Later this year we will be celebrating 10 years of UNDER $500 our annual affordable art sale. We would love to see you there!" I thought that was so sweet. But did she mean as a patron or an artist? Either way, I had work to do. 

My priorities were thus: 1) Wake up and drink very fresh, dark roast coffee, 2) Honor my friendship with Dee, 3) Take pictures of Baltimore.

Pretty simple plan. I also wanted to be on the lookout for any emails from MAP in regards to what they were up to and announcements for open calls. I noticed MAP was marketing their public art program, IMPACT, at the Hotel Indigo, which at the time was a solo show for a local painter. I put it on my to-do list—take a field trip to the Indigo. I eventually visited the hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of Mount Vernon, and was jazzed by the venue, which was originally a YMCA back in 1907. The high ceilings were impressive, the retro furniture was chill and the cozy fireplace was a nice touch. I studied the paintings on display, but I also imagined having a photography show in the space, which would require larger prints than I was currently producing, and it would take approximately 12 frames to fill the room. I calculated the production cost at $3,400, which means I'd have to sell every photo, priced at $500, just to break even, which assumes a 50/50 split with MAP. I took one more look around the lounge and laughed out loud. Every photo. Hilarious. I’d be lucky if I sold one. But I wasn’t bumming, in fact, I felt motivated as I leaped down the Hotel Indigo stairs and headed uptown. 

Weeks passed without seeing an open call I could sink my teeth into, but I noticed MAP was hosting an MFA exhibition, which sounded like a perfect opportunity to check out their gallery, which I did. The space was classic, with the wood floors and that Soho loft feel; I loved it and felt my work would play nicely with their smooth white walls. At this point I was convinced my $30 membership was starting to pay off, but I would continue to scroll the MAP newsletters for future opportunities.

In September, while savoring my morning Sumatra and posting the daily gram, I read that MAP was seeking submissions for their inaugural exhibition at Zeke’s Coffee, which was a new addition to there public art program, IMPACT. I was interested; and ended up submitting my work. I wrote about it here. While at the opening reception at Zeke’s, I met the Executive Director of MAP and told her I appreciated the letter she sent me in response to my new membership. We got to talking a bit and I learned that the Zeke’s show had a three tiered vetting process which included herself, the program manager and a 12 person advisory committee. Well alright. The Zeke’s show runs through January 11th.

On October, 20th, I received an email from MAP that said their Program Advisory Committee had invited me to submit my work for their UNDER $500 10-Year Anniversary Benefit Exhibition & Sale. This was uplifting news. I was honored to submit the following three photos: My Chariot Awaits (2022), I Used to Be Super Lonely (2019) and The Trending Appeal of Corrugated Steel (2022).

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The benefit exhibition and sale runs for two days only: December 9th (Fri) & 10th (Sat). It’s a unique holiday event where each piece of art sells for $500 or less and can be purchased, taken off the wall, and wrapped while you chill; which means, it’s more like a craft show than a typical exhibition where you can’t take your art home until the exhibition ends. 

On Friday the entry fee is $25 and includes an open bar, a DJ, drag queens as your hosts, and a cookies and ice cream sandwich truck. Naturally, you are encouraged to wear your most festive holiday sweater. Friday runs from 6pm-10pm. Tickets can be purchased here. There is free parking in the Arrow garage across the street. 

Saturday the admission is free (because a portion of the art is sold by then and the drag queens and cookies are long gone) and runs from 12pm-4pm.

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Ok, for sure, my $30 membership has definitely paid off. And I’d still be lucky if one of my photos sold; but I’m not bumming, because I will be attending the show as a grateful patron and a humbled artist. 

The best of both worlds.

⌘