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Press Release
April 11, 2018

The Baltimore Museum of Art Celebrates Jack Whitten’s Legacy With Special Events

Photo by Mitro Hood. This image is owned by The Baltimore Museum of Art; permission to reproduce this work of art must be granted in writing. Third party copyright may also be involved.

Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963–2017 Celebrated with Free Opening Day on Sunday, April 22 and Jazz Concerts in June and July

BALTIMORE, MD (April 11, 2018)—This spring and summer, The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) hosts a series of events honoring the art, the legacy, and the music behind Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963 – 2017, the first ever exhibition devoted to renowned artist Jack Whitten’s sculpture. The ticketed exhibition includes 40 works inspired by the materials and traditions of Africa and ancient Greece, plus Whitten’s Black Monolith paintings honoring prominent African Americans such as Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, and James Baldwin.

Sunday April 22
Odyssey Opening Celebration
1–5 p.m.
Free
The exhibition kicks off with free admission to Odyssey, along with an afternoon filled with artmaking, live performances, and free activities for all ages. Event highlights include:

  • Storytelling with Maria Broom featuring music by Jali D
  • Making a wood assemblage with Trisha Chason
  • Creating a collaborative sculptural relief with artist Wesley Clark
  • Watching a fascinating marble-carving demo with artist Sebastian Martorana
  • Listening to Sarah Hughes perform Ornette Coleman tunes in the exhibition galleries
  • Hearing Spyros Koliavasilis and his trio perform Cretan and Greek songs
  • Meeting Odyssey Curator Katy Siegel and BMA African Curator, Kevin Tervala in the gallery
  • Enjoying a taste of Greek fare

Sunday, April 29
Artist Conversation: Jack Whitten’s Legacy
2–3:30 p.m.
Free
Acclaimed sculptor Melvin Edwards will join Odyssey curator Katy Siegel for a conversation on Jack Whitten’s art. The two will reflect on Whitten’s five decades-long career of creating innovative paintings and sculptures and his impact on social abstraction.

Friday, June 22
Art After Hours: Afropolitanism
8–11 p.m.
Tickets $25 or $20 BMA Members
Baltimore’s best art party is back and celebrating the Odyssey exhibition! Come dressed up or down, sip a signature cocktail, dance, make art, and enjoy pop-up activities throughout the museum. Tickets include evening access to the exhibition (a $10 value) and selected galleries, entertainment, and a free food or drink ticket. Cash bars and light bites are available for purchase. This event is for guests 21 and older.

Saturdays – June 2, July 7, July 28
Jazz Odyssey Concerts
7–9 p.m.
To honor Jack Whitten’s passion for the art of jazz music, the BMA will present three “Jazz Odyssey” concerts in the Sculpture Garden featuring performances by Ravi Coltrane (June 2), The Sun Ra Arkestra (July 7), and Lafayette Gilchrist Quartet (July 28). General admission tickets are $50 for a single concert or $135 for the three-concert series and are available beginning Saturday, April 28. BMA Member tickets are $35 for a single concert or $90 for the three concert series and are available beginning Wednesday, April 18. Tickets sell out quickly, so advance reservations are highly recommended. Each ticket includes evening access to the Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963-2017 exhibition from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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