The Baltimore Museum of Art has taken the lead in creating a remarkable exhibition of the work of Camille Pissarro, concentrating on his work in the pivotal decade from 1864 to 1874. In this short span of time this man absorbed the influences of such art giants as Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and Gustave Courbet and went through the Barbizon School, emerging with a distinctive and fresh style which became known as Impressionism. He was the man who later influenced the direction of art as seen by Monet, VanGogh, Cezanne—and it all began with this pivotal 10 years. It is safe to say that there has never been a gathering of his work as you will see at the Baltmore Museum of Art in this show.

Rhea speaks with Katy Rothkopf, BMA's Curator of European Painting and Sculpture, who organized this exhibit, a work of love that took six years.

Pissarro: Creating the Impressionist Landscape runs through May 13.

Baltimore Museum of Art

To Kill A Mockingbird is the featured book of "The Big Read". This initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts is to encourage Americans to make reading a central part of our culture, and what better book than this renowned classic, regarded as one of the best novels of the twentieth century! Today, drama student Olivia Ercolano from the Baltimore School for the Arts will read a passage from this milestone work by Harper Lee.

MPT's Calendar of Events

The Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) is a 501(3)(c) non-profit group dedicated to advancing the art of improvisational theater in the greater Baltimore area through public performances and classes. The group usually produces one improv show each month and also performs at fundraising events for local charities, schools, and corporate events. Improvised theater means there is no script. The actors create characters, locations, actions, and dialog based entirely on audience suggestions, similar to programs such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? Besides various venues in Baltimore, they have performed in Boston, at Baltimore's ArtScape festival, at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and been reviewed in the Baltimore Sun and Style magazine.

The Baltimore Improv Group next performs March 6th at 8 pm at the Hamilton Arts Collective, located at 5440 Harford Rd. Tickets are $10, with a military/student discounted price of $8. For more information contact the Hamilton Arts Collective at info@hamiltonarts.org.

Baltimore Improv Group
Hamilton Arts Collective
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Baltimore's Urbanite Magazine is one of the hippest and best looking publications around for the urban dweller. Tackling issues as diverse as the sociology of marriage to urban decay, as well as fine writing and the aesthetics, Urbanite Magazine is a must read for people in the know. Go to its website to check out its special March edition. It's free at numerous locations around the city.

Urbanite Magazine

This week's Salon art is by Harford County artist, Lee Alban. Mr. Alban is a member of the Harford Artists Association, a signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society, York Art Association, Oil Painters of America, Charcoal Club of Baltimore, International Guild of Realism, and is an associate member of the American Watercolor Society.

Lee Alban is a graduate of the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, Maryland. His work is founded in the traditions of the Old Masters, grinding his paints from powdered pigments and preparing canvasses by hand. He produces his own medium based on the teachings of Jacques Maroger and conveyed to him by Ann Didusch Schuler. Lee operates a studio in Havre de Grace, Maryland, where he teaches oil painting and watercolor techniques. His expertise includes still life, landscape, and portraiture. He is the featured artist for the month of March at Gallery Roca in Havre de Grace. For more information, call 410–939–6182.

Gallery RoCa

The new season at the BSO is going cheap—and that’s a good thing. New and current subscribers to the BSO’s 2007-2008 season will see a reduction in ticket prices of about 40 percent—that amounts to a cost of about $25 dollars per concert for any seat in the Meyerhoff, including those usually pricey box seats. In addition to lower cost, the BSO will offer conversations with high profile conductors and some very diverse programming. All in an effort to attract a broader audience.

In10 Theater Festival and National Play Competition is back beginning March 1st through the 4th at UMBC. What's unique about IN10 is that theatergoers will enjoy five short plays, ten minutes each, including the premiere of a new work by Baltimore-area playwright Heather McDonald. All the works focus on creating strong acting roles for young women. The national winner is awarded $1000 dollars.

And the actors of "Trouble In Mind" at Center Stage deliver some powerful performances. We'll tell you all about it.

IN10