It's a rare treat to see Martha Szerlip's artwork displayed in Baltimore. This Baltimore transplant from Chapel Hill North Carolina has been very busy for many years as an artist, art restorer and appraiser specializing in antler, ivory, bone, wood and porcelain. Her artwork is collected privately and commissioned for collections all over the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Thanks to the persuasive powers of Made in Metal Gallery in Baltimore's Clipper Mill area, we have a rare opportunity to see and acquire Martha's work. The work is personal and meticulously done as you will see in this video on this week's Artworks This Week. What a treat, having a chance to visit with this very fine artist.

NOTE: Martha also takes us on a tour of one of her favorite places in her adopted city of Baltimore, The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore, the beautiful glass Victorian building located at the edge of Druid Hill Park. Martha's slowly but surely populating the various habitats with life size sculptures of indigenous critters to fit each room's terrain. You can see most of them now in the Desert Room. Guaranteed to please!

Made in Metal Gallery
The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory

Award-winning filmmaker and author M.K. Asante, Jr. and renowned author and poet Maya Angelou have co-written a documentary on Kwanzaa called The Black Candle. Ms. Angelou narrates a poetic script about this African American traditional while Mr. Asante weaves together stories of family, community, and culture to explain why this celebration is the fastest growing holiday in the world. With notable participants like Kwanzaa creator Maulana Karenga and Jim Brown, it is sure to become the quintessential film on the Kwanzaa experience. The Black Candle is a film in progress and is due to be completed in December 2008.

M.K. Asante, Jr. is a professor at Morgan State University and author of two books: Like Water Running Off My Back and Beautiful. and Ugly Too. As well, his most recent film, 500 Years Later has been in numerous festivals and won best documentary at the Pan African Film Festival. To inquire about the works of Mr. Asante, visit his website, below:

M. K. Asante's Website

The Artists Gallery in Columbia features two of its cooperative members in its upcoming show entitled Spacious Skies, Amber Waves. The work of pastel artist, Barbara Steinacker and metal artist, Clarence Page, could be diametrically opposed to each other but the usage of color and the fire brush technique allows these two very different mediums to become a single expression of beauty. Barbara Steinaker creates pastel paintings that are powerfully soft and allows the viewer to believe that they are engaging the very item that she paints. Her pastels have been featured in many area salons including: Medlin Art Gallery and the National Institute of Health Gallery. Among her numerous awards are the Carol Bruce Pastel Award and the Landscape Award of the MD Pastel Society. Mr. Page has shown his fire brushing technique in several galleries from the Rockville Center in Long Island, N.Y. to Strathmore Hall. His special technique of fire brushing images in copper causes his artwork to illuminate the simplicity of plant life and is an instant hit.

You can find both their pieces at the Artists Gallery from June 29th through July 27. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 11am-5:30pm, Saturdays, 9:30-12:30pm. You may contact them at info@artistgallerycolumbia.com.

Artist Gallery Columbia
Barbara Steinaker Website

Marlon Saunders is one of those unique performers that is often difficult to describe. He works in the normal strains of jazz, R&B and soul, but like Bobbie McFerrin, whom he performs with frequently, he uses his whole body and soul to make music. He joined us in our studios a while back to perform, and we are fortunate to have another number of his to share. For information on his latest album, Workin' On a Building, which is a multimedia production, go to Marlon Saunders' website, below:

Marlon Saunders' Website

On ArtChat This Week, Nate and Rhea discuss one of the biggest art events of the season, the BMA announcement of the Janet and Walter Sondheim Prize Finalists: Artscape at the BMA. Selected from more than 320 applicants, there are seven finalists for this yearýs $25-thousand dollar prize. The winner will be announced at a special ceremony and reception held at the BMA on Friday, July 13. A new art showcase is combining two creative forces, fashion and art. "Clothes Minded" is the first art concept fashion show. It features 13 designers from New York, D.C. and Baltimore. There will be live music, dance performances and free giveaways. Tickets are $25-dollars and part of the proceeds will be donated to charity. And finally, Cine has a new president, Donald Thoms of Discovery Channel.

Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize